Monday, December 30, 2019

Fracking (Pro-Con) - 1159 Words

â€Å"Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  -Albert Einstein. For some of us the innovative method of hydraulic fracturing in the energy sector is a dream come true. To others, it is a nightmare. Often the word ‘fracking’ itself raises a lot of concerns, protests, and controversies. Environmentalists and the general public who are not aware of the facts and statistics about fracking, what’s called the bigger picture, often tend to think that fracking is a major concern and its impact on environment and in the sector of public health is disturbing. While it is the responsibility of the citizens to analyze and understand the reality of fracking, it is also the duty of the government to provide exact facts and figures so that it†¦show more content†¦If larger quantities of methane are released into the aquifers due to fracking, it is clear that not everything is going according to the plan which might create health risks in the future. In such situations, the government should put forward some laws that protect the cle an water, while developing new mechanisms and techniques to filter the water before it reaches our homes. And also government should conduct regular supervision on the fracking sites to verify if any damage is done to people’s health and impose huge fines on the industries if they are not following the rules. Fracking fluid consists of 99.5% of water and sand, and 0.5% chemicals. Many people are worried about the chemicals that go into the ground which might contaminate the ground water. Having reliable data that can be disclosed will be able to win public trust. Industrial transparency should be encouraged in the aspects of air emissions, tracking and reporting the usage of water and chemical compositions of the waste materials. The governor of Ohio John Kasich suggested that regulators should require, and companies should embrace, disclosure policies that mandate reporting of not only the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, but also chemicals used in drilling and operating wells[7]. This could also bring out some statistics and also answer some concerns of the stake holders regarding managing water, environment and health. This is even more beneficial ifShow MoreRelatedThe Pros and Cons of Fracking Essay1352 Words   |  6 Pagesdetermines how much influence they have over other co untries as well as the global economy. This is why hydraulic fracturing is currently such an important and controversial topic in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking or hydrofracturing, is the process of using pressurized liquids to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons such as shale gas, which burns more efficiently than coal. This booming process of energy production provides a much needed economic boostRead MoreThe Environmental And Economic Pros And Cons Of Hydraulic Fracking2962 Words   |  12 Pages The Environmental and Economic Pros and Cons of Hydraulic Fracking Figure 1 – Drilling on the Pinedale Anticline (Rocco 2013) Submitted to: Dr. Judy Sneller Professor of English Humanities Department South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Submitted by: Molly Nelson December 3, 2014 â€Æ' TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF ILLUSTRATIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3 ABSTRACT†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 INTRODUCTION†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 BACKGROUND†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreThe Effects Of Fracking On The Environment1267 Words   |  6 Pagesknown as fracking by most people. First let me explain what this process involves and how it works. Fracking involves using a 99.5% sand, water, and special chemical additive to help bore through rock to release the natural gas so it can be harvested (Loki (2015)). It is this process that has caused environmental concerns. While there are some pros and cons with this process we need to look both of them. Also, multiple scientists have started to showed that it is quite possible that the pros do notRead MoreFracking : Hydraulic Fracturing ( Fracking ) Essay1505 Words   |  7 PagesAlqatami Hydraulic Fracturing Fracking process is a type of drilling water beneath the earth surface in order to access to natural gas and oil. A huge drill is used to pass through many layers of earth and rock that lie between us as the natural gas. The mixture is water, sand and certain chemicals forced into the rock at high pressure in order to force the gas out to where they can collect it. The drill can be driven into the earth either vertically or horizontally. Fracking began as an experiment inRead MoreFracking : Is It Worth The Risk?961 Words   |  4 Pagesto be on â€Å"environmental and economic issues† which we’re facing in our home countries, I decided to do mine on fracking. I’m sure most of us in the US have heard about fracking. There are pros and cons to it, the pro side is that it taps into the natural gas within the earth and provides a natural resource. This, in turn, will allow the US to reduce their reliance on foreign oil. The con side is what it is said to be doing to the earth. The technology isn’t new and neither is the knowledge that thereRead MoreInternational Energy Resources And Prices1259 Words   |  6 Pagesbelieve to be the most important few pros and cons of expanding natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing? Expanding natural gas production will have consequences on the environment. Starting with, it is admitted that hydraulic fracturing enables a decrease in coal burning compensated by a higher quantity of gas. By that, the major pro will be a cleaner air and better quality, reducing the number of deaths caused by poor quality air. The con of fracking for health problems is that air qualityRead MoreFracking : A Modern Society Essay1645 Words   |  7 Pagesuse of the Earth’s natural resources, is at the top of the list of contested subjects, with hoards of advocates and opponents on either side. One of the newest methods of natural gas energy production is a process called Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking. This process uses large drills to create tunnels down into the earth’s crust and then introduces thousands of gallons of water and various chemicals to create horizontal cracks. Sands are pumped down next to hold the cracks open. Through these cracksRead MoreShale Gas Good for America964 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Shale gas is a natural gas that is found deep in the earth’s crust. This type of natural gas usually forms in shale deposits and can be released with a drilling technique known as fracking. Shale gas has become the most important source of natural gas in the United States. Scientist and researchers have always known of shale gas, but none have had the technologies to reach it till now. In early 2000, shale gas compensated for one percent of the United States supply of natural gas resourcesRead MoreNatural Gas Is A Non Renewable Resource1143 Words   |  5 PagesHydraulic Fracturing, otherwise known as ‘fracking’. Part of the fracking procedure is that a high water pressure is sent through tubes and pipes under water being forced onto different rocks. This water, however, contains several harmful chemicals that damage the organisms and animals and their habitats under water. Once the rock is cracked/ fractured, the oil and gas is carried back up the pipes. The ai r is also polluted in this procedure as the findings of the fracking process are relocated into eitherRead MoreHydraulic Fracturing or Fracking1319 Words   |  5 PagesResearch Paper: Fracking â€Å"A man’s errors are his portals of discovery† (Joyce). The question that arises from this quote is, are some errors worth making in hope for future discovery? One presumable error that is being practiced today is Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking). The debate of this issue is very controversial and it is hard to decide which side of the argument is the right side. But before one can plunge into the debate, one must understand Fracking entirely. Fracking is the process of breaking

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Sarbanes-Oxley Research Paper - 2807 Words

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Research Paper Imagine over $60 billion of shareholder value, almost $2.1 billion in pension plans, and initially 5,600 jobs - disappeared (Associated Press, 2006). One would have to wonder how that is possible. These are the consequences the investors and employees of Enron Corporation endured after the Enron scandal started to unravel. This paper will focus on the infamous accounting scandal of Enron Corporation. It will also discuss how the company was able to fool investors by producing misleading financial statements, why they were not caught sooner, and new regulations enacted in response to the scandal. Enron Corporation was a leading American energy company located in Houston, Texas. The†¦show more content†¦One of the major items in GAAS states that auditors must remain independent in both fact and appearance. However, Arthur Andersen was not only auditing Enron, they were consulting for them as well. The consulting that Arthur Anderson was doing for Enron brought in a lot of revenue therefore, they did not appear independent. Although various auditors documented conflicts with the audit committee of Enron and several other concerns, the leading partner on the audit, David B. Duncan, overturned the issues and concerns. Due to the active role Arthur Anderson had in Enron Corporation, they overlooked many accounting concerns and the fraud was undetected for a long period of time. However, the truth about Enron was eventually brought to light for the investors, employees, and the general public. The accounting misstatements were discovered Enron told investors they were going to restate their earnings for the past few years. Shortly after Enron restated their earnings, the company declared bankruptcy. Also, Sherron Watkins, an Enron Vice President, wrote an anonymous letter to Kenneth Lay who stepped up as Enron’s CEO after Skilling left due to â€Å"personal reasons†. Sherron Watkins’ letter questioned Enron’s acc ounting methods and also proposed that Skilling left due to dishonest accounting and otherShow MoreRelatedSarbanes Oxley Act Research Paper1787 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿Sarbanes Oxley Act Research Project Brielle Lewis MBA 315 March 6, 2014 I. Abstract The purpose of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the securities law, and for other purposes. (Lander, 2004) The Act created new standards for public companies and accounting firms to abide by. After multiple business failures due to fraudulent activities and embezzlement at companies such as Enron Sarbanes andRead MoreSarbanes-Oxley Act Research Paper1097 Words   |  5 PagesSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Karla Azcue ACC 120-09 Mr. Donald Senior The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is one of the most important legislations passed in the 21st century effecting financial practice and corporate governance. This act was passed on July 30, 2002 thanks to Representative Michael Oxley a republican from Ohio and Senator Paul Sarbanes a democrat from Maryland. They both passed two different bills that pertain to the same problem which had to do with corporations auditing accountabilityRead MoreBus 591 Complete Week 5624 Words   |  3 PagesBUS 591 Week 5 Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002Methods of Depreciation Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002/Methods of Depreciation. Select one of the following topics for your research paper: Research and discuss the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Identify key components of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and its primary objective. What are some of the criticisms surrounding the Act? Are there any economic consequences for companies as a result of implementing the Act? Has the Sarbanes-Oxley Act achieved itsRead More Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2004 Essay1713 Words   |  7 PagesSarbanes Oxley Act of 2004 The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was signed into law on July 30, 2002 by President Bush. The new law came after major corporate scandals involving Enron, Arthur Anderson, WorldCom. Its goals are to protect investors by improving accuracy of and reliability of corporate disclosures and to restore investor confidence. The law is considered the most important change in securities and corporate law since the New Deal. The act is named after Senator Paul Sarbanes of MarylandRead MoreSarbanes Oxley Act And Its Effect On Businesses1542 Words   |  7 PagesThis highly qualified reasersch paper explores published articles that report on results from research conducted on online (Internet) and offline (non-Internet) relationships and their relationship to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In 2002 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed by the U.S. Congress to protect shareholders and the general public from accounting errors and fraudulent practices in the enterprise, as well as improve the accuracy of corpora te disclosures. With the research I have done I believe that withRead MoreSarbanes Oxley Act And Its Effect On Market Liquidity1289 Words   |  6 Pagesseller (Abella, 2016). The Sarbanes Oxley Act in 2002 incentivized institutions to keep more accurate and attainable records of business. The Act being based off of the fraudulent activity of several high profile companies (eg. Enron), was put in place to better monitor and record a companies transactions, improve management style, and promote ethically responsible behavior in the workplace (Keneth, 2015). Our main purpose is to determine whether or not the Sarbanes-Oxley Act had an affect on marketRead MoreThe Sarbanes Oxley Act Of 20021600 Words   |  7 Pages The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Sophie Cook Houston Baptist University â€Æ' The Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 Introduction In the early 2000s, corporate financial statement fraud was rampant, as companies such as Enron and WorldCom used shady accounting practices to inflate their revenues and hide losses. This led to the introduction of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the most extensive form of accounting reform legislation ever passed. It had many consequences for publicly traded companies and publicRead MoreSarbanes Oxley Outline676 Words   |  3 PagesThe Ineffectiveness of the Sarbanes Oxley Act In Corporate Management and Accounting In the early 1990s, a young company named Enron was quickly moving up Fortune magazine’s chart of â€Å"America’s Most Innovative Company.† As the corporate world began to herald Enron as the next global leader in business, a dark secret loomed on the horizon of this great energy company. Aggressive entrepreneurs eager to push the company’s stock price higher and a series of fraudulent accounting procedures involvingRead MoreThe Sarbanes Oxley Act Of 2002 Essay1070 Words   |  5 Pagesof Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This Act was placed into law to protect the consumer against fraudulent activity by organizations. This paper will provide a brief history of the law and discuss some of the ethical components and social implications on corporations. This research will provide information on how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act affects smaller organizations and how it encourages employees to inform of wrong doings. Brief Synopsis of Sarbanes-Oxley The U.S. Congress passed the Sarbanes-OxleyRead MoreThe Sarbanes Oxley Act Of 20021563 Words   |  7 PagesThe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was enacted to bring back public trust in markets. Building trust requires ethics within organizations. Through codes of ethics, organizations conduct themselves in a manner that promotes public trust. Through defining a code of ethics, organizations can follow, the market becomes fair for investors to have confidence in the integrity of the disclosures and financial reports given to them. The code of ethics includes the promotion of honest and ethical conduct

Friday, December 13, 2019

American Corporations Have Always Responded to Family Issues Free Essays

Since the birth of the United States of America, and indeed going back even further to the days of Colonial America, organized businesses have existed. These businesses have always required any number of workers to make products, provide services, and the like. Eventually, with the establishment of the American legal system, these businesses became American corporations and flourished, needing even more workers. We will write a custom essay sample on American Corporations Have Always Responded to Family Issues or any similar topic only for you Order Now Of course, these workers typically have families that they are working to support, and from time to time, issues arise within those families that require extra assistance. With this in mind, the issue of whether American corporations have always responded to family issues arises. In this research, the assertion will be made that American corporations have in fact always responded to family issues. This assertion will be supported with historical evidence. Statement/Support of Position The introduction stated that the position of this paper is that American corporations have always responded to family issues, and that position will be supported with historic evidence, with one important distinction at the outset. It is impossible to say that all American corporations have always been responsive; however, it is possible to bring forth some prominent examples of huge corporations, past and present that are quite responsive in fact. First, we travel in time back to the early 1800s and the business empire of a Scottish immigrant named Andrew Carnegie. A true rags-to-riches story, Carnegie came to America as a young man and eventually worked his way into becoming one of the wealthiest men in America. However, his personal belief was that a man who died wealthy without helping others was not a man at all. Because of this, he formed charitable foundations to help the families of his workers, as well as others, which today is manifested in the Carnegie-Mellon Foundation, which continues to help families to this very day (Andrew Carnegie: People and Events). Also compelling evidence of American corporations helping family issues include the millions of dollars that chocolate magnate Milton Hershey used to establish literally a town in Pennsylvania that would eventually bear his name. His intention in establishing the town was to have schools, hospitals and housing that would foster the healthy development of the American family (Milton Hershey: The Company and the Man). Fast forwarding to the modern day, Ford Motor Company has devoted tens of millions of dollars to support military families, who have unlimited issues due to separations that are necessary when one parent is serving overseas and the like (Ford’s Warriors in Pink and Army Wives Join Forces). Also, even in the midst of one of the worst economic situations in recent US history, the American financial industry of late has united to raise funds for the battle of cancer, a horrible disease that literally destroys families (Financial Industry’s Leading Charity Aims to Raise $1 Million at Annual Expect Miracles). Conclusion From just a few prominent examples, past and present, the point has been firmly established that American corporations have always responded to family issues. Once again, it should be stated that not all corporations respond like Ford, Hershey ,etc. , but perhaps they will in the future if motivated by the excellent examples set by the corporations that have responded to such issues. In closing, that is probably the most significant point to take away from this research. References Andrew Carnegie:People and Events. Retrieved October 13, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande01. html Financial Industry’s Leading Charity Aims to Raise $1 Million at Annual Expect Miracles. Retrieved October 13, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. reuters. com/article/pressRelease/idUS114628+09-Jun-2008+BW20080609 Ford’s Warriors in Pink and Army Wives Join Forces. Retrieved October 13, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. fordvehicles. com/warriorsinpink/armywives/? searchid=42644128330281205684999References Milton Hershey: The Company and the Man. Retrieved October 13, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. hersheypa. com/town_of_hershey/history/ How to cite American Corporations Have Always Responded to Family Issues, Essays

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Knowledge was one of the most powerful tools of the middle ages Essay Example For Students

Knowledge was one of the most powerful tools of the middle ages Essay Knowledge was one of the most powerful tools of the middle ages. It was highly valued by many kings and members of nobility, but the greatest procurer of knowledge through the middle ages was undoubtedly the church. Their motive for the capturing of wisdom was not for their own enrichment, but predominantly self-preservation. If the general public were to get hold of such a wealth of philosophical and scientific works that were withheld in the monastic libraries then they would almost certainly begin to formulate their own religious ideas, therefore releasing the societal stranglehold the church held so tightly at that time. To survive the church had to keep the knowledge from the masses, and this is something that Umberto Eco has incorporated with finesse into his novel The Name of the Rose. Intertextuality, postmodernism, allusions and an array of interesting characters help to explain the state of education and the availability of knowledge in the middle ages. The labyrinth is one of the most important aspects to the portrayal of knowledge in The Name of the Rose. Its design and purpose are a brilliant metaphor to the churches desire to keep knowledge from the poor and powerless. The story of the labyrinth goes right back to a Greek myth, which tells of a beast with the head of a bovine and the body of a man, who was conceived of a woman and a snow white bull. It was confined to a labyrinth from which there was no escape without assistance. The concept that Eco uses in The Name of the Rose is very similar, except instead of guarding the Minotaur, Ecos labyrinth guards books, the knowledge that could be the destruction of the churchs vice-like grip upon society. The minotaur wanted seven young maidens and seven youths per year to quench its appetite, and one year the Greek hero Theseus became sick of the killing and offered himself as a sacrifice to the bull, with the intention of killing it. He went in with a ball of string and a sword, the ball of string he used to trace his path back to the start when he had killed the Minotaur. There are distinct parallels between William, and the hero Theseus. William entered the library with the intention of getting at the contents that it was protecting from society, which of course were the books, just as Theseus entered the Minotaurs labyrinth to rescue the young men and women. They both succeed in their quest, William emerging from the burning library with some important literary works, and Theseus with the youths and maidens that were soon to be sacrificed. It is also no coincidence that William uses string, much the same as the Greek hero, to escape from the monastic labyrinth. The true purpose of the library is hinted upon throughout the novel, mostly through Adso and Williams perilous adventures into the labyrinth, which highlight the obvious difficulty of getting inside the library, procuring books, then getting back out. There are however direct references to the labyrinths intention, which generally occur in conversations between Adso and William. On page 286 Adso is shocked to find that the library in this Italian monastery has a different purpose to most, And is a library, then, as instrument not for distributing the truth but for delaying its appearance? The librarys political purposes override its theoretical one, which is to spread knowledge, and this is one of the novels greatest ironies. One could hence assume that the library and the monks existence is futile in a non-postmodernist sense as they are reproducing and preserving works that they will never intentionally release into society. Eco most deftly portrays the great power of knowledge through perhaps the novels most interesting character, William of Baskerville. He is very different from the other monks in the monastery, as his great wealth of knowledge and ways of thinking recognise him as a renaissance man well before his time. One of the techniques Eco uses to portray Williams importance to the theme of knowledge in The Name of the Rose is intertextuality. It is represented mainly in the form of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles short stories, Sherlock Holmes, and especially The Hounds of the Baskervilles. Effect vietnam had on its veterans EssayNot only is the difference between the educated and non-educated of the middle ages catered for by Ecos uses of intertextuality, but also the violent contrast that is present between the ways of thinking that existed in the 1300s and that of today. Eco uses intertextuality as a powerful vehicle to render his widely acclaimed postmodernist themes within the novel. William of Baskerville is a man ahead of his time, and he uses renaissance and modernist lines of thought to solve problems. Consequently he represents the use of knowledge that occurs in the modern day, a clinical and scientific way of looking at life. Eco uses him to celebrate the change in thinking between the Middle Ages and the renaissance period, the difference between the deductive and religious modes of thought, which are so differently regarded today than they were in 1327. Whilst the similarities between William and Sherlock Holmes are the main tools Eco uses to emphasize his postmodernist themes, small allusions to postmodernism are added throughout the text. For example at the very beginning Adso writes, But now we see through a glass darkly, by this he means that we will never see the true nature of some things until many years later or even until the end of time. This line is central to the idea of postmodernism as it accentuates the fact that we didnt really know that the changes society and science were going through would be as revolutionary as they eventually were. It is also a clever allusion to the behaviour of the monks; at the start we assume that they are a good model of discipline and service to god, but eventually we find out that they are all corrupted and have sinned profusely, therefore having not a pure atom inside. In this the ultimate hypocrisy of religion is exposed. One of the most intriguing enigmas in The Name of the Rose is Jorges partiality to the idea that humour and laughter are sinful and a detriment to humanity. Throughout the novel he argues with William with consistency regarding this matter and it highlights the churches fear of losing their control of western civilisation. As William and Adso are on the trail of the murderer William says of the finis Africae, the book that so many monks had been killed over, If someone kills for a handful of gold, he will be a greedy person; if for a book, he will be anxious to keep for himself the secrets of that book. Jorge set up this whole murder mystery and its happenings by putting poison on the pages of the valuable Aristotelian work, thus killing anyone who reads it and protecting its precious secrets. The reality that the he is not in favour of laughter or humour, coupled with the fact that the finis Africae uses humour to convey its ideas, would lead one to believe that Jorge is simply foll owing the attitude of the church. This being that works which use methods to make their concepts especially easy to understand are very dangerous, and therefore they above all others should be prevented from circulation into society. Umberto Eco has made the theme of knowledge a central subject within The Name of the Rose, and the literary techniques he uses as well as his highly complex characters are highly successful in conveying the way knowledge was treated in the era of great power that the catholic church held. The use of Sherlock Holmes in an intertextual sense and the consequent post-modern aspects of his amalgamation within the story are especially clever methods which serve to provide a very interesting tangent to the novel. The Name Of The Rose can be taken both on surface value as a typical crime story and from underneath as a wonderful political piece that embodies the attitudes of the time whilst still maintaining its ironic edge as a Sherlock Holmes murder thriller set in the early 1300s, 500 years before Doyles work, and written in the 1980s, some 100 years later than the Holmes mysteries were first published.