Natural Law does not provide an adequate basis for morality Essay

In this essay, the arguments made will help to consider whether or not if Natural Law does provide an adequate basis for morality or not. The arguments will look into Aquinas theory and if his beliefs provide a sense of morality for all humans. Natural Law is a moral theory which maintains that law should be based on morality and ethics. Natural Law holds that the law is based on what’s correct. Natural Law is discovered by humans through the use of reason and choosing between good and evil. It finds power in discovering certain universal standards in morality and ethics. The strengths that are found in Natural Law are the strengths of an absolutist deontological view of morality. It allows people to follow common rules so they can then structure communities. Natural Law provides justification and support for certain core ideas which are popular in modern times, for example human rights and equality. Natural Law provides a clear moral basis for Christians to follow, example would be, the primary precepts to ‘defend life’ which provides a moral rule to help people to understand that all life is sacred and we should defend all life. We are also able to us our reason in order to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, it allows us to use our reason to fulfil our purpose as humans. A key argument that would be made is that not all people share the same life purposes; everyone wants to get something different out of life, fulfilling their own life purposes. Not all people â€Å"find love in the same way; some find love and purpose in life through the expression of their sexuality† (Robert Bowie). Aquinas did not consider that every human thinks and feels differently, to make his theory relatable to all humans. Human beings have their own minds; the whole person should be the decision maker and follow what makes them happy. Homosexual men and women argue the fact that they are not recognized as normal human beings. Aquinas believed that their actions should not be seen as normal human action but as unnatural because to him, they cannot lead normal lives like straight men and women simple because they cannot reproduce and that Aquinas believed that â€Å"as a human being must preserve the species every discharge of semen should be associated with life generation†(Robert Bowie). But it is not vital for ever discharge of semen should be producing a new life to maintain human life. Aquinas doesn’t consider how are functions effect are emotions, how they link to our emotions and thoughts. Natural Law has been argued to whether or not there is a common natural law that is apparent and self- evident, and also whether or not it can be right for each human and if every day life can be deduced from the fundamental laws e. g. primary precepts. Kai Neilson went against Aquinas theory, Neilson argued Aquinas beliefs in a basis human nature which is presented to all different cultures. Sciences view of an essential human nature is that it does not exist and that it’s not what makes a man a man. Human nature is seen as a vague cultural concept, is has never been scientifically proven so we cannot be sure if it actually does exist. ‘The challenge is that an essential human nature isn’t as obviously self-evident as Aquinas claims’ (Robert Bowie). In some ways, some forms of Natural Law could perhaps exist just not in the way Aquinas indented. He believed to use the genitals for other reason presides reproducing, was immoral. The human body and emotions works in different ways and it is not necessary that semen has to produce a new life every time. Aquinas believes that sex before marriage is wrong, and that in order for a couple to have sex they must have the intensions of spending the rest of their lives together. For a couple’s relationship to grow strong or maintain strong, by creating a sexual relationship, the couple’s relationship may benefit from this action. â€Å"Sexual activity isn’t only found in the genitalia’s’ (Robert Bowie). In today’s society the human physique is seen as one psycho-physical whole, it is no longer seen as the fragment requirements of parts which Aquinas had believed. Aquinas how a couple may need a sexual relationship for their feelings to mature. Times have changed since Aquinas’s theory, people within a relationship no longer wait until their married some even have children out of wedlock but are in stable relationship even if it’s with another person who is not their child’s parent. Homosexual relationships are no longer thrown upon and homosexual couples can now get married in church in front of God. Aquinas theory does no longer fit into today’s society simple because the new generations have grown up being taught differently. The programs that are now shown on TV for children and teens to watch have sent out a messages showing sense such as ’16 and pregnant’ that go against Aquinas beliefs. Aquinas Natural Moral Law is a Christian ethic but Jesus confronted legalistic morality in the New Testament. Natural moral law is similar to Pharisaic law and some debate that Jesus went against this approach. Some Christians have demanded that morality should be based on the individual rather than the types of acts that have been committed. Writer, Kevin T Kelly, pointed out two types of Christian morality, one ‘that is centred on acts’ and then another which is ‘centred on the dignity of the human person’ (Robert Bowie), separating the person from the act. Although natural law has its down sides there are some arguments that provide a basis for morality. Natural moral law provides a set of rules which people do follow to fulfil a moral life. The strengths that natural moral law provides are the strengths of an absolutist deontological view of morality; the rules that apply bring a structure to communities. Some religious believers use Natural law as a comfort blanket; it could be seen as something to rely on to help guide them to a moral way of life, Natural moral law gives a reason to be moral, â€Å"It gives guidance on day to day questions† (Robert Bowie). Natural law, although guides people in the way they live, is not a set of rules but a form of living a chose on how to achieve a person’s purpose and happiness. It provides us humans with a complete system of moral living. Natural moral law supports certain ideas in modern times for example human rights and equality. Humans are capable of discerning the difference between good and evil because they have a conscience. There are many manifestations of the good that we can pursue. Some, like procreation, are common to other nimals, and others, like the pursuit of truth, are inclinations peculiar to the capacities of human beings. Some contemporary Catholic theologians, like John Wijngaards, dispute the Magisterium’s interpretation of Natural Law as applied to specific points of sexual ethics, such as in the areas of contraceptives and homosexual unions. Natural moral goes against taking of a human’s life, â€Å"thou shall not kill† (Jesus) natural law follows this, the 5 primary precepts state that you should perverse all life, since life is a gift and all humans should find happiness and morality within their lifespan. Although Natural law does provide a framework for humans to be guided it also forgets to include the other types of cultures. Natural law was made for Christians which means that the rules and morals have been made to fit only Christian teachings, so it’s not suitable for all humans to follow and if not all human beings can follow it, then not all humans are gaining a basis for morality. Aquinas theory is seen as being out of date, with the new generation growing up in a world where sex before marriage doesn’t apply, his belief that no semen should be wasted and that it is unmoral to use the genitals for other reason besides reproducing is no longer seen as wrong but in some cases seen as sharing love between partners also homosexuality is no longer seen as a sin in some societies.

Probation: Crime and California College Attended

John Augustus is credited with being the father of probation. A Boston shoemaker, Augustus spent his spare time observing what took place in the courts. Disturbed that minor offenders and common drunks were often forced to remain in jail because they had no money to pay off their fines, he convinced authorities to let him pay their fines and offered them friendly supervision. When the defendants later came into court for sentencing, Augustus would report on his progress toward reformation. Augustus efforts encouraged his home state of Massachusetts to pass the first probation statue in 1878. Four more states had followed suit by 1900. Probation was thus established as a legitimate alternative to incarceration. The first juvenile court was in Cook County, Illinois in 1899. The enabling legislation eventually passed at state and federal levels not only enacted statutes that permitted probation, but eventually defined specific categories of offenses for which probation could not be granted. It is clear that the legislators enacting probation statues intended juvenile offenders and misdemeanants to be its beneficiaries, not hard core criminal offenders. Probation is a sentence serves while under supervision in the community. Its goal is to retain some control over criminal offenders while using community programs to help rehabilitate them. Today, probation is the most common form of criminal sentencing in the United States. Those sentenced to probation must agree to abide by court mandated conditions of probation, with a violation of conditions possibly leading to probation revocation. Two types of conditions are general and specific. General conditions apply to all probationers in a given jurisdiction and usually require that the probationer obey all laws, maintain employment, remain within the jurisdiction of the court and possess no firearms. Specific conditions may be mandated by a judge who feels that the probationer is need of particular guidance or control. Depending on the nature of the offense, a judge may require that the offender surrender his or her driver’s license; supply breath, urine, or blood samples as needed for drug or alcohol testing. The judge may also dictate special conditions tailored to the probationer’s situation. The rapid growth of serious and violent crime in America during the 2980’s contributed to prison overcrowding and spurred a movement toward the increase in the use of felony probation. Prison overcrowding and bulging jails forced the correctional administrators to take a close look at some other categories of felons for relief of an over taxed system. Front end solutions are alternatives sentences such as probation and intermediate punishments that include house arrest, deferred prosecution, electronic monitoring. Back end solutions refer to ways used to reduce prison populations, after the offender arrives in prison. Often viewed as â€Å"early out† or â€Å"extended limits† options: parole, shock parole, expanded good time credits to count against minimum sentence, work and educational furlough, prerelease to halfway houses. Name: Essie Stevens Position: Probation Officer, San Bernardino, California College Attended: Howard University (BS, Criminal Justice) What criminal justice related jobs have you held? Straight out of high school, I took a job as a security guard at the local mall. I had no experience but they took a chance with me. I learned a lot from working there. After about 9 months, I left for college. After college, I pretty much had it in my mind I wanted to be a probation officer. I read on the internet that a small California town needed members of their team. I scheduled a meeting and I’ve been here ever since. How would you describe the interview process? It actually was pretty easy. I stood before three members of the Department of Corrections. I was asked a few questions. I was hired on spot. To this day, I still do not know if it was because my resume was excellent or if it was because they were in desperate need of staff. Please describe your job I am a probation officer for about 115 men, women, and juveniles. My role is to keep tabs on their progress, make sure they are heading down the right paths. I attend court with most of them every 3 weeks to inform the judge of their progress. I also see each of them at least once a week in order to ensure they are complying with all conditions of the program. What is the typical starting salary for this position? $17. 35 per hour What qualities or characteristics are most helpful for this job? You have to be strong and you must have a backbone. I’m not saying you have to be tough all the time but you need to let the offender know you may be nice but you’re about business. You have to be firm in making decisions. Do not let the offender walk all over you. It’s okay to have friendly conversations but always keep it professional. Get to know the offender. I have found that it’s easier for the offender to open up to you when you show interest in their lives. What is a typical day like for you? From the time I come into work (9am) to the time I leave (10pm), I am either meeting with my new juvenile offenders or checking up on the older ones. I usually break for half an hour to review paperwork. What career advice would you give someone in college beginning studies? Pay attention. Trust me; you’re learning some real important material. Apply for internships; they will help in the long run. Network! Now is the time to get in good with as many professionals as possible.

Factors that Impact Demand for an iPad

Internal: Pricing decisions Unique features (Apple's iPad was one of the first tablet to have the app world where user can download applications such as games or books and use it right away after download has been completed. ) External: Availability of competitors' products Price of substitute products Incomes of potential customers There are several essential factors that impact the demand for iPads, these are: price of the product (internal variable), price of substitute products, and incomes of otential customers (external variables).As the primary principle of the demand function stated, that if price of a certain product or service increases, the quantity of that same product will decrease. Most, if not all, customers make their purchasing decision of a product based on its price (all other things held constant). If there are two similar products but one is more expensive than the other, it is rational to choose for the cheaper product. Now, how can an expensive product such as iPad still reate a lot of demand in the market?The answer that I could think of is product uniqueness and product loyalty. When Apple's iPad first came out in 2010, this product was not cheap. But it was due to its unique features that the competitors did not have that made iPad successful. Today, there are a lot of tablets that have about the same features as the iPad and offer a lower price. I would say that product loyalty is also one of the reasons why there are still demands for ‘Pads.

The Role and Value of Supervision and Appraisal in Today's Essay

The Role and Value of Supervision and Appraisal in Today's Organizations and how Leadership Helps Effective Implementation of Th - Essay Example Generally there is a form of hierarchy attached to supervision, with the supervisor being of higher authority within the organisation than the individual being supervised . An appraisal is an evaluation of the performance of an employee that occurs within an organisation and usually focuses on how individual employees perform compared to expectations, where they could improve, and where they are doing well. Appraisals provide information to the employee that allows them to know how they are performing, and also how their performance is viewed by management . Most forms of appraisal involve supervision of the employee by an external party, a supervisor, over a short or an extended period of time. In some cases multiple supervisors may be involved to decrease potential bias . Supervision is important to appraisals. Generally, an appraisal is carried out by a member of the organisation who spends time with and time supervising the employee. Supervision can occur in a number of ways. The supervisor may spend time with the employee while they are performing a practical task, it may be informal or passive, such as the supervisor working in the same room as the employee and thus aware of the employees work in this way, alternatively supervision may occur by peers, or one supervisor may simultaneously supervise many employees . An example of supervision and appraisal is within the medical industry. Here a trainee is almost constantly under supervision as they learn the processes and procedures that they are part of, and their role. Supervision has been shown to help the trainees to develop the ability to care for the patient, and those that are supervised are more effective at patient care than those that are not. Coupled with supervision of trainees is regular appraisal to ensure that both the trainee and the supervisor agree on what is expected of the trainee . Effective supervision and appraisal systems can result in the increased productivity of the company overall as well as the individual employees, as well as increased workplace morale and better relationships between employees . Supervision and Appraisal in the Workplace Generally, supervision in an organisation is with the intent either passively or actively of determining the effectiveness of employees and correcting mistakes. In the health industry supervision is also used to teach and train nurses, with this taking the predominant role over the regulatory function . However, in most organisations the regulatory function of supervision and its link to appraisals remains the key focus of supervision of employees. Within a company there may be many employees that perform the same role. However, within this group of employees, there is likely to be substantial differences in experience, knowledge and performance . As a consequence, appraisals of employee’s performance are used widely in organisations, and are often considered a key part of the success of an organisation. If done co rrectly, appraisals work to reconcile the needs and desires of the employees and management, allowing the establishment of goals that contribute to personal growth of the employee and growth of the company as

Effective Working Teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Effective Working Teams - Essay Example Brilliance in communication is an ingredient in influencing others as one stands a better chance to present and defend their line of thought, hence convincing others to adopt it as a superior option to theirs. On the same note, persons willing to assume any responsibility and with the ability to make decisions and solve problems more aggressively do dominate others in working teams. Such persons do embrace more leadership roles compared to those who do not possess the skills. Therefore, personal skills are critical in influencing others effectively in teamwork roles. In an organization, for any group to qualify as a team, there are certain basic qualifications required. Plunkett, Allen, and Attner explain the most important qualification for the development of a common objective for such a group to qualify as a team. Despite the roles of each member of the team, all team players have to work towards a common, shared goal, which is the common objective. Secondly, there has to be regular interaction and coordination between members of the group for it to qualify as a team. Therefore, an effective team has to have all its members sharing and committed to a common goal. Furthermore, there has to be deeply rooted trust among members, with each member enjoying the freedom of expression in addition to participating in any role played by the team. Importantly, in teamwork, major decisions have to be made through consensus after evaluating the presented opinions. Problems in effective teams have to be solved based on their causes to develop lasting soluti ons.

Sustainable Developmentu Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sustainable Developmentu - Essay Example The main problem that the world has been facing has been resulting from overexploitation of resources and pollution of the environment. Therefore the concept of sustainable development has become synonymous any time the world is talking about looking at the problems that are threatening the survival of the future generation. Sustainability in the world has been encompassed in the concept of sustainable development that has become a common term all over the world. There have been development of various polices by various governments which are aimed at ensuring that there is sustainable development in their countries. As defined the UN, sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their needs. Therefore it is development that is well integrated in the use of resources which will enable us to meet our needs from those resources and at the same time enable the future generation to meet their needs from the same resources. We are therefore the custodian of the resources for the future generation. (Bateman 2005, p. 4) There are many reasons that have been given to explain why the world needs to embrace the concept of sustainable development. ... Therefore we have to take a step to protect what is providing us with all we need. The other fact has been the interfaced with the emerging technology in the world. As we strive to meet our needs there has been technological freedom that has made it difficult to control environmental degrading technologies which continue to be a danger to the world. Therefore we have to come up with measure that will help us to regulate our technology in order to be in line with environmental sustainability means. (Ramond, Lindsey and Todd 2003, p. 3) What is being done to ensure sustainable development There have been various efforts that are being implemented in all sectors of the world in order to ensure that there is sustainable development. There have been realizations that we cannot do without technology and therefore one of het best approach to curb the rate of degradation of the environment and ensure sustainability has been the adoption of the appropriate technology. Technology has been playing a crucial role in sustainable development since it has been one of the most significant way in which humans have been interacting with the environment. Therefore a sustainable technology is the helps the society to move towards sustainability and that fits well with the goals of sustainable development. It is practical solution that is used for economic development and satisfaction of human needs while living in harmony with the environment. A sustainable technology is a technology that meets some of the basic characteristics through which it can be distinguished from others. It is a technology that minimize the use of non renewable energy an natural resource

Reading response papers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

Reading response papers - Essay Example While Marinetti’s manifesto is obviously motivated by the desire for change, it has the tone of a call-to-arms! It overflows with revolutionary enthusiasm and is written in a highly exaggerated, theatrical style. Marinetti urges men  to embrace speed, war, machinery and danger.  He rejects the past and disregards the future, living only in a hedonistic present. Throughout the manifesto, Marinetti’s love for automobiles, and speed, is evident. â€Å"The hungry automobiles roared beneath our windows (209),† he says. Marinetti gives the car life as a powerful, dangerous animal – it is a snorting beast, and â€Å"a vast shark† (211). He lavishes caresses on it. To him, a racing automobile embodies the very peak of beauty. He celebrates the man at the wheel of a car. The automobile finds mention in points three and four of his manifesto. In this context, it seems somehow appropriate that Marinetti meets with an accident when speeding on his automobil e and lands in a ditch. â€Å"The mad intoxication† of his speed, a Dionysian frenzy, is present in every line of his manifesto. His complete abandonment of reason, and his adamant resolve to â€Å"leave good sense behind† (2010), can but lead to catastrophe, here embodied by the accident. The two cyclists can be perceived to represent reason. The â€Å"love of danger, the habit of energy and rashness† (2011) is sure to lead to mishaps. However, for all its impractical, radical language, Manetti’s manifesto remains a lyrical testament to the Futurist

INLAND TRANSPORTATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

INLAND TRANSPORTATION - Essay Example Herne Organics will also have a distribution pattern that is determined by the proximity of the respective clients. Shifts for deliveries will be organised around this concept. Lastly, a lot of support will be needed in terms of the trained drivers, efficient mechanics and experience in supply chain management. The latter essay is an examination of the transport options available to a company that specializes in organic vegetables and salads. This business was initially a small one, however, following re-investment and expansion in the sector, the company now focuses on production of organic products. There is a need to look at some of the avenues available to the company in terms of vehicle fleet management. Additionally, financial and operational challenges will be examined with strict adherence to the UK vehicle and operator serve agency’s rules and regulations. Herne Organics has the option of either outsourcing or owning their fleet of vehicles for transportation. If the company chooses to outsource this business function, then it stands to benefit from the great experience that the transporting company will have. Since such experts have worked with so many other businesses, then they are likely to develop solutions that are well suited to this company. (Emp, 2007) If the company chooses to own its fleet of vehicles then they may have to dedicate a lot of finance and time towards running this fleet. By outsourcing, the Kent Limited will be spared from this hustle and bustle. Outsourcing also, transfers some of the risks that arise out of owning one’s fleet. This is usually because of the need to maintain an operational lease. Additionally, vehicles require a lot of maintenance and this eats onto the company’s profits. By outsourcing, the company can eradicate this issue. If the company opts to own its fleet of vehicles, it would have

Quantitative Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Quantitative Analysis - Assignment Example The study aims at both determining the effects of poverty on children’s psychology and how the effects subsequently influence different behaviours as well as to determine effects of a chaotic environment on children’s cortisol. This study involves families of children less than four years old selected from two geographical regions that report high poverty rates and which are Eastern North Carolina and Central Pennsylvania. A sample of 1292 children and families who live in the geographical areas are selected by the researchers for this study (p. 2669). Participants are carefully selected from disadvantaged families and sample selection is carried out over a twelve months period so as to ensure selection of a highly representative sample that improves the quality of the research findings, 51% of the children are male and 43% of the sampled children are African American (Blair et. all, 2013 p. 2669). Income-to-need ration is used to measure the levels of poverty for the different families that are used in this study which is calculated during every visit and a ratio of 1 or less than 1 qualifies a family for this study while Chaos in the household are measured using the number of changes in the primary and secondary caregiver, the number of people in the household as well as the number of moves in the house. All these are weighted to give an aggregate of the level of disorganization and chaos in the household by measuring the child’s behaviour and temperaments using a predetermined scale with scales from 1-10 (p 2669) included in the question that the child’s parent fills during every visit by the researchers. The child’s intelligence is measured using a predetermined formula foe intelligence quotient, which is important in determining the child’s cognitive abilities. However, this questionnaire on the child’s intelligence is administered when the child is thirty six months old. All

Mahatma Gandhi Essay Example for Free

Mahatma Gandhi Essay Mahatma Gandhi was a believer of sorting out conflicts through peaceful means. Ahimsa wishes no harm to any living being, whether human or not. It included not only a lack of physical harm to one’s opponents, but also a lack of hatred or towards them. Ahimsa originated from ancient India, evidenced by scriptures, and is practiced in the religions Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Living in the period of time when India was being colonized and unjustly treated by the British, Gandhi used ahimsa as a weapon to free India from British rule. He believed that the best way to resist tyranny is through civil disobedience, which is founded upon Ahimsa. Even if this was an event of the past, it says so much about the present. Nowadays, most conflicts cannot be solved without shedding blood. It is sad to think that violence is the solution of the people to problems when in fact, it just makes things worse. There are many things we can learn from this, which is why it is so important for us to study history in the first place. Like Mahatma Gandhi, we should be advocators of peace and respect. Every living being has value, which most people need to understand. There are so many people who are abused, raped, killed, or unjustly treated through other means every single day while the rest of the world remain unconcerned and go about their busy yet meaningless life. I really admire and look up to Mahatma Gandhi for the fact that he remained righteous up to his death despite being arrested and faced with many challenges. He united much of India through his efforts. The people will always remember him for his struggle and sacrifice to free India from slavery, poverty and end untouchability. The title Mahatma or â€Å"Great Soul† given to Gandhi is really befitting to him. Our world needs more people like Mahatma Gandhi in order for it to be in peace, order, and harmony. There is just too much chaos going on, more than we are aware of. Ahimsa or non-violence would make our world a better place to live in. We just have to believe and practice it. Ahimsa is not only significant to the present but also to the future. We can have a â€Å"peaceful† future if we start following Ahimsa. The continous use of violence could bring serious consequences for the future. This is why we have to stop and think of what is best for this world Practicing ahimsa is definitely not easy, it’s probably very difficult but it doesn’t mean that we can use it as an excuse. We have to strive hard by struggling in the beginning until it becomes a habit or norm. Gandhi also believed in Satyagraha, â€Å"soul force† or â€Å"truth force†, a particular philosophy and practice within nonviolent resistance. The term was conceived and developed by him. One who practices satyagraha is called a satyagrahi. The theory of satyagraha sees means and ends as inseparable. Gandhi believed that nonviolence is infinitely superior to violence, forgiveness is more manly than punishment. He insisted on the harmony and unity of thought, word, and deed. To Gandhi, the Hindu creed was: Search after Truth through nonviolent means. Satyagraha, Gandhis approach to conflict, was to hold firmly to the Truth. He also believed that violence shuts off channels of communication. The Satyagraha theory has influenced many other movements around the world on civil resistance. Gandhi had become a role model to other great leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. If Mahatma Gandhi can influence great minds, he should be able to influence the common people. He has left with us great teachings which would be able to help us solve many problems. If only we are open to them, we will be gaining access to peace and harmony. Even today, he is looked up to and well-respected. In India, Mahatma Gandhi’s face is on every rupee note. Moreover, there are Gandhi Ashrams and shops which continue to support his ideas of rural education and cottage industries. The Sarvodaya movement keeps alive the Gandhian approach. Indians consider him as the father of their nation. Many Jains regard Gandhi as possessing and spreading the highest Jain principles. Millions around the world have been inspired by Gandhi and he is thought of today as an international saint. Not much people have left such large footprints in this world. One has to be truly great in order to be etched in our minds and hearts. Mahatma Gandhi is an example of a great individual. He deserves the recognition he has received, and the honor that is present upto today.

A History of Autism Developments

A History of Autism Developments In Autistic Space Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She completed her PhD in Animal Science at the University of Illinois in Urbana and invented the hug box, a device to calm those on the autism spectrum. She is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience of autism. Grandin was diagnosed with brain damage when she was two. She could not speak until age three and struggled with severe behavioral issues through her teens. She thanked her mother who never lost faith in her and fought many battles to ensure that she got an education, and her high school science teacher, William Carlock, who built up her confidence and channeled her teenage fascination with cows into a career in animal science. At the University, she came to see her profound emotional connection with animals as autistic, and crucial for her work. In May 1989, she moderated a round table discussion at the conference of autism professionals and educators in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her presentation prompted Rimland to introduce her 1986 memoir, Emergence, as the first book written by a recovered autistic individual. By then, she was on her way to becoming the most recognized autistic people on earth. In his 1995 book An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks depicted Grandin as a mature autistic person with a complex inner life. The title of his book was inspired by Grandin when she said all her life she felt like an anthropologist observing human interactions from a distance. But by now, Grandin wouldnt consider herself as a recovered autistic. Autism is part of who I am, she told Sacks, If I could snap my fingers and be non-autistic, I would not, because then I wouldnt be me. But Grandins perspective did not take root among the advocacy organizations. When parent-run advocacy organizations get online in the 1990s, they continued to feature images of children on their websites, as if autistic adults didnt exist. The presentation at conferences dwelled on the usual deficits and impairments, rather than on exploring the atypical gifts that Grandin found so useful in her work. Jim Sinclair, a young man in the audience, determined to change that. Besides being on the spectrum, Sinclair was born with the physical characteristics of both genders. His parents had raised him as female on the advice of their doctor, but he had never felt female. He was speaking in echolalia until he was twelve. The complex rules of the social world seemed incomprehensible to him when he was a teenager. By the time he was in graduate school, his efforts to pass as non-autistic fell apart. When Sinclair saw Portrait of an Autistic Young Man, he had a profound sense of recognition. He could see what the experts in the film could not see: that Joseph was trying to communicate through his behavior. He wanted to connect with other autistic people, so he subscribed to a quarterly publication called the MAAP (for more able autistic people) and submitted poems and letters to the editor hoping his peers would contact him. One of Sinclairs poems attracted Gary Mesibovs attention. Mesibov, a cofounder of TEACCH, offered Sinclair a scholarship to attend the Chapel Hill conference and write an essay about his experience. Sinclairs essay on the conference appeared in a TEACCH anthology along with contributions from Lorna Wing and Catherine Lord. A year later, Sinclair was invited to sit on a panel in California by the Autism Society of America. He felt like a self-narrating zoo exhibit. Rather than being the token autistic on a panel at a conference in Indianapolis, Sinclair conspired with other members of the MAAP list to make their presence visible throughout the proceedings. Each of them would make a point of raising their hands during the QA sessions, identifying themselves as autistic people, and then asked questions or make a relevant comment so that people would notice they were there. *** In 1992, Sinclair launched the first autistic-run organization in history, called Autism Network International (ANI), with Donna Williams and Kathy Lissner. ANI would stand up for the civil rights and self-determination of people all across the spectrum. ANI organized its first Autreat at Camp Bristol Hills in Canandaigua, New York, in July 1996. The theme of the conference was Celebrating Autistic Culture. Autreat became an annual event and provided a template for similar conferences in other countries. *** A new idea was brewing in the autistic community. It turned out to be an old idea from Asperger that people with the traits of his syndrome have always been part of the human community, standing apart, making the world a better place. In the late 1990s, Judy Singer, an autistic student of anthropology and sociology in Australia called it neurodiversity. After her daughters diagnosis of Asperger syndrome at age nine, Singer recognized autistic traits in herself. She joined a mailing list called Independent Living on the Autism Spectrum (InLv). People with dyslexia, ADHD, and other conditions were also welcome to join the list. It was in telephone conversations with Harvey Blume, a list member and writer in the New York Times, that Singer came up with the term neurodiversity. *** In 2004, two teenagers named Alex Plank and Dan Grover launched Wrong Planet, one of the first autistic spaces in the internet. They were both digital natives with Asperger syndrome. The community grew slowly and steadily at first, and then it went viral with Planks interview with Bram Cohen, the autistic creator of BitTorrent. *** In December 2007, a series of billboards appeared on street corners in Manhattan. One ad read, We have your son. We will make sure he will not be able to care for himself or interact socially as long as he lives. This is only the beginning. These ads were sponsored by the Child Study Center (CSC) of New York University to alert the public to the silent public health epidemic of childhood mental illness. Then from out of nowhere, an organization called the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) along with outraged parents and prominent disability rights groups launched a storm of e-mails and blogs in NYUs direction objecting to the demeaning wording of the ads. This is the first time in history that autistics were challenging the mainstream media without the help of a parent-run organization. The architect of the protest was a nineteen-year-old cofounder of the ASAN named Ari Neeman. Neeman was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was twelve years old. On December 6, the day after the CSCs ad campaign, Neeman called the CSC expressing his concerns and left phone messages, but got no reply. Two days later, ASAN blasted out an action alert. The next day when the major media outlets were running stories on the controversy, the CSC agreed to pull the ads. In 2010, President Obama nominated Neeman to the National Council on Disability (NCS). In recent years, the ASAN had played a significant role in formulating the federal disability policy. *** For parents like Craig and Shannon Rosa, the neurodiversity movement has offered ways of fighting for a better future for their children that dont depend on hopes of recovery. One of the most important lessons they had learned on their journey with Leo is patience. They have to accept that he is unfolding at his own pace. Shannon and her circle of friends launched a website called Thinking Persons Guide to Autism for parents just starting out on the journey so that they dont have to go through the ordeal that the Rosas did.