Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

State the Topic

Possible new eruption in Iceland: dangerous proximity of volcanoes.

Provide a Summary of the Text

Eyjafjallajokull After the eruption of Iceland raises the possibility that the nearby volcano Katla, potentially more dangerous, enter eruption, as seems to have happened on previous occasions. This fear is motivated by the possible communication of the volcano through a dam, which modifies the conditions of the magma chamber and may result in an explosion causing enormous economic damage. However, some volcanologists call the calm before the uniqueness of this happening.

Determine the Structure of the Text and Type (Analyzing, Synthesizing, etc.)

Being a newspaper article, it has a very strong structure. Different linguistic and paralinguistic... Continue reading "Possible New Eruption in Iceland: Dangerous Proximity of Volcanoes" »

Formal and Empirical Scientific Knowledge

Formal scientific knowledge is that which occurs in science and mathematics. Here, we consider the formal aspects without reference to its content.

Experimental scientific knowledge is that which occurs in the natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, etc.

Historical Development of the Concept of Science

Philosophy once took care of all knowledge, and all knowledge was philosophy. To know was to understand the causes. Philosophers thought that by discovering the essence of a thing, they would know its properties and behaviors. As experience says nothing about these essences, these thinkers were limited to natural observation. From the seventeenth century, the concept of science changed. Galileo... Continue reading "Understanding Formal, Empirical, and Applied Sciences" »

Spanish Language Around the World

Spanish as an Official Language

Spanish is spoken on four continents:

• Europe: Spain
• Asia: Philippines and Israel
• Africa: Equatorial Guinea
• America: Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Ecuador, Chile, etc.

Varieties of Spanish

Along with the most common variety (American Spanish), there are other notable varieties:

• The Sephardic or Ladino, which is an archaic form spoken by a decreasing number of people in areas like Israel, Greece, Bulgaria, etc.
• The Spanish of the Philippines is the language of an educated minority, and the dialect used in the area is Chabacano.
• The Spanish of Puerto Rico, which coexists with English.
• The Spanish of Paraguay, which coexists with the dominant Guaraní.

In addition, peculiar situations are occurring... Continue reading "Spanish Language Global Presence and Future" »

A. Behaviorist Theory

The behaviorist theory, proposed by B.F. Skinner in 1957, explains the acquisition of language from the standpoint of operant conditioning.

• Classical conditioning is the association between a stimulus that reinforces certain behavior. Operant conditioning is the same response that serves as reinforcement.
• Skinner and his followers believed that the link between words and their meanings is a bond of association established through simultaneous perceptions and the repetition of certain sounds and objects.
• This reductionist interpretation of language and the process by which it is acquired fails to explain only some secondary and minor aspects. It does not clarify essential features such as the acquisition of grammatical structures

Understanding the Psychological Contract in Organizations

The psychological contract refers to the unwritten expectations and agreements between an individual and an organization when they begin employment. These implicit understandings significantly influence both employee satisfaction and their permanence and development within the organization.

Types of Employee Training

Effective training is crucial for employee development and organizational success. Training can be categorized into:

• Internal Training: This involves creating a specific department or dedicated resources within the company to provide training assistance to workers. This approach can save time and ensure training is highly relevant to internal processes.
• External Training: Companies

The Cultural Animal: Human Nature & Culture

The study of human nature begins with its biological constitution. However, a necessary opening to culture gives rise to what we call the cultural animal. Cultural adaptation introduces an effective way of providing symbolic language and techniques, which allow for orientation in the world. The world of culture diminishes the fear of the accidental and unintended.

Understanding the Concept of the Individual

An individual is any complete being that belongs to a species. This term is often used synonymously with 'human being' because each human is unique and unrepeatable.

Individualism and Its Societal Limits

According to the theory of possessive individualism, every person owns their own being and capabilities,... Continue reading "Human Nature, Society, and the Evolution of Culture" »

Corporate Philosophy and Values

The philosophy of an organization generates a priority scale of values, setting the criteria for internal behavior. It's the "being" of a company, the shared vision shaping its corporate culture. This culture manifests in actions addressing environmental issues, opportunities, and management changes. Core business values provide direction, guiding daily operations and fostering a sense of identity and belonging. They promote ethical behavior—professionally, personally, and socially—and a capacity to achieve common goals. Ethical professional conduct converges business and labor interests. When professionals act ethically and responsibly, aiming for effectiveness and productivity, it's reasonable they receive... Continue reading "Corporate Philosophy, Values, and Strategy for Business Success" »

José Ortega y Gasset: Historical Context

During the lifetime of José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955), Spain experienced the most diverse political forms. This period saw the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, which was replaced by the Second Republic, subsequently interrupted by the Civil War, leading to Franco's dictatorship. Outside of Spain, the era was marked by the loss of Cuba and the Philippines, known as the Disaster of '98. Globally, the First and Second World Wars, the Cold War, German Nazism, and Italian Fascism profoundly shaped the geopolitical landscape.

Socio-Cultural Landscape of Ortega's Era

Society witnessed a significant growth in the political influence of the middle class and increased participation of the masses in political... Continue reading "José Ortega y Gasset: Context, Thought, and Enduring Legacy" »

Franco's Rejection of Democracy and the Rise of Organic Democracy

Franco rejected the democratic system, based on popular will, suffrage, and the separation of powers. For the construction of the new state, he was inspired by the Italian corporatist state, which organized popular participation from three basic units: the family, the town, and the union. These represented the natural elements of society, according to the regime, unlike political parties, which are the instrument of citizen participation in democratic systems.

The System of Organic Democracy

The system was named organic democracy, a name with which the regime wanted to give a certain legitimacy, but it clearly differentiated itself from representative democracy. Popular representation... Continue reading "Franco's Regime: Organic Democracy in Spain" »