Ecological Imperialism The Biological Expansion of Europe Essay Example

Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe Paper The world as we know it would not be what it is had it not been for the evolution of trade and globalization in years gone by. Alfred Crosbys informative novel Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900 focuses on the ecological side of European expansion. Through his work, the author attempts to demonstrate how the European people were successful in gaining possession of the temperate lands mainly due to expansion of plants, animals and even pathogens which they housed.An intriguing and informative record, Ecological Imperialism enriches the reader with numerous arguments which are explored and explained. To develop his arguments, Crosby builds on his earlier [book] Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492 and William H. McNeills Plagues and PeoplesIn doing so, the main argument developed is that of the Europeans domination of the temperate zones being successful due mainly in part to biological factors. This argument is appropriate ly summarized on page 63 of the text, wherein Crosby writes, Westerners throughout history who have gone to the eastern Mediterranean to fight wars have believed their chief problems to be military, logistical, and diplomatic, and possibly theological, but the truth is that their primary and immediate difficulties Further development dwells on a vast majority of convincingly accurate information from many years passed. An in depth discussion on sea faring and trade including a fascinating chapter used to describe the use of winds and other environmental factors creates such an illusion in ones mind that at times it seems as if you could find yourself inhabiting the world of the Norse raids, crusades, and eventually the Neo-Europes. Contrary to popular belief of European military superiority being a determining factor in the success, Crosby recounts the effect of pathogens, weeds and anim

korean temple essays

korean temple essays Talk about irony. Buddhist monks, those shaven-headed figures in gray robes, choose to leave this earthly world (that is, mundane society) in favor of an ascetic existence based on prayer and self-denial. But now their unworldly lifestyle is becoming a tourist product... with the monastics' approval! Monastic life as a tourist attraction? It's part of a global craze for monasticism. From the Himalayas to the Hudson River, monks are in. Japanese salarymen are chucking their jobs and fleeing to monasteries. In Taiwan last year, monasticism become big news. Hundreds of families were shocked when their promising sons and daughters opted for Buddhist monastic life instead of comfy careers in business. Meanwhile, in the United States, at least one monastery finds it necessary to turn away would-be novices. we are not soliciting vocations, the monastery says gently The worldwide renewal of interest in monasticism has reached out to Korean Buddhists too. People are interested in Buddhist monks and how they live. Many people, whether seeking enlightenment or just fed up with the noise and glitz of consumer society, would like to try the monastic way of living. So why not give them a taste of it? That is precisely what monasteries in Korea are doing. They offer tourists a brief but revealing look inside Buddhist Monasticism. Western usually think of Buddhism as a religion of vegetarians who expect to be reincarnated after leaving this world at death. Buddhists aim to correct this oversimplified image. Buddhism has a long and complex history. It originated in India some 2,600 years ago and was introduced to Korea in about the fourth century A.D. Since then, Buddhism has exercised a tremendous influence on Korean culture and produced many widely admired works of art. Pulguksa Temple are Sokkuram Grotto, built in the eight century, are two of the most famous examples of Buddhist art and architecture. ...