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BMAT Essay Marking Thread
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Hi guys! I'm preparing for the Nov bmat and would appreciate if anyone could give feedback on my first timed essay!
2 “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.” (Christopher Hitchens) Explain what you think Christopher Hitchens means. Argue to the contrary that some assertions do not require evidence. To what extent do you agree with the statement? (2015)
This statement suggests that any assertion requires proof to be accepted as a truth in contrast to being substantiated by intuition or faith.
However, this claim loses relevance in areas of knowledge concerned with subjective perception. Different individuals will react differently to art pieces. They may believe that an art piece is meaningful or artistically crafted while another person may disagree. Yet, both individuals assertions may be equally valid since it is impossible to objectively rate an art piece due to observers having different metrics of judgement or perceiving the same art in a diametrically opposed manner. A prime example of this would be contemporary art pieces. Picasso's cubanistic art which appear alien and distorted to some are revered as magnificent pieces by others, as evidenced by their prices at auctions. Thus, in these circumstances such different assertions are equally valid and do not require evidence nor can they be dismissed as they are intrinsically unique to the individual concerned.
On the other hand, especially in the sciences, this statement appears to be largely self-evident as the sciences are concerned with deriving knowledge from observations of the natural environment or through conclusions from statistically significant data sets from controlled environments. Mendel's experiment in which he grew thousands of peas and observed their characteristics became the foundation for modern genetics. Thomas Morgan's famous experiment using fly's enabled him to assert the existence of linked genes. The structure of the cell membrane was continuously refined as new evidence, such as freeze fractured imaging, became available, allowing previous assertions to be dismissed. Even pharmaceutical drugs are only approved after rigourous testing through numerous phases before their assertion on the drugs efficacy and safety are accepted.
Thus, it is important to recognise that the nature of the area of knowledge is important in determining the relevance of this sentence. In arts, where appreciation of pieces is inherently subjective and personal, assertions of the pieces desirability may be made on feelings rather than objective evidence. Sciences may necessitate objective evidence that can be independently verified before assertions are accepted or rejected.
2 “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.” (Christopher Hitchens) Explain what you think Christopher Hitchens means. Argue to the contrary that some assertions do not require evidence. To what extent do you agree with the statement? (2015)
This statement suggests that any assertion requires proof to be accepted as a truth in contrast to being substantiated by intuition or faith.
However, this claim loses relevance in areas of knowledge concerned with subjective perception. Different individuals will react differently to art pieces. They may believe that an art piece is meaningful or artistically crafted while another person may disagree. Yet, both individuals assertions may be equally valid since it is impossible to objectively rate an art piece due to observers having different metrics of judgement or perceiving the same art in a diametrically opposed manner. A prime example of this would be contemporary art pieces. Picasso's cubanistic art which appear alien and distorted to some are revered as magnificent pieces by others, as evidenced by their prices at auctions. Thus, in these circumstances such different assertions are equally valid and do not require evidence nor can they be dismissed as they are intrinsically unique to the individual concerned.
On the other hand, especially in the sciences, this statement appears to be largely self-evident as the sciences are concerned with deriving knowledge from observations of the natural environment or through conclusions from statistically significant data sets from controlled environments. Mendel's experiment in which he grew thousands of peas and observed their characteristics became the foundation for modern genetics. Thomas Morgan's famous experiment using fly's enabled him to assert the existence of linked genes. The structure of the cell membrane was continuously refined as new evidence, such as freeze fractured imaging, became available, allowing previous assertions to be dismissed. Even pharmaceutical drugs are only approved after rigourous testing through numerous phases before their assertion on the drugs efficacy and safety are accepted.
Thus, it is important to recognise that the nature of the area of knowledge is important in determining the relevance of this sentence. In arts, where appreciation of pieces is inherently subjective and personal, assertions of the pieces desirability may be made on feelings rather than objective evidence. Sciences may necessitate objective evidence that can be independently verified before assertions are accepted or rejected.
Hey, guys! Firstly, kudos to the initiator of this thread. You're the mvp.
Secondly I have my BMAT in like 3 days, so can any one of you please please mark and evaluate my essay?
Thanks in advance! x
Q) A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections - a mere heart of stone. -Charles Darwin
Explain what this statement means. Argue that scientific enquiry benefits from personal wishes and affections. To what extent do you think a scientist should have 'a mere heart of stone'?
The statement under discussion asserts that someone in the field of science must be devoid of emotional attachment and personal wishes and merely dedicate his/her mind to the progress of science itself. This quote, however, is quite paradoxical considering the very use of the word ‘man’ humanises the subject and thus induces an element of emotion.
The claim made by Darwin is weak as in order for a scientist to fully invest himself/herself in a project he/she must be passionate about it. His/her passion will motivate him to devote himself to science. The person of science also benefits from expectations as by obtaining expected results he will be encouraged to dig further deep into the respective project. Doctors are prime scientific people. If doctors fail to humanise their patients or to empathise with the families of the patients, they may not realise the consequences of their mistakes thus is opening a larger room for errors.
On the other hand, it is indeed true that if a person is without attachments and wishes, he/she may be able to invest more time in research. He may have less or not any personal distractions which ultimately will Leave his/her mind focused and more functional. The person may also not feel demotivated in case that unexpected results are obtained. Consequently, leaving his/her work unhindered.
All in all, the attachments are important as they strengthen the will to achieve and accomplish. While emotions may pose as hurdles at times, they are still vital for humans to function. After all, none of us can deny the search of serotonin upon achieving satisfaction.
Secondly I have my BMAT in like 3 days, so can any one of you please please mark and evaluate my essay?
Thanks in advance! x
Q) A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections - a mere heart of stone. -Charles Darwin
Explain what this statement means. Argue that scientific enquiry benefits from personal wishes and affections. To what extent do you think a scientist should have 'a mere heart of stone'?
The statement under discussion asserts that someone in the field of science must be devoid of emotional attachment and personal wishes and merely dedicate his/her mind to the progress of science itself. This quote, however, is quite paradoxical considering the very use of the word ‘man’ humanises the subject and thus induces an element of emotion.
The claim made by Darwin is weak as in order for a scientist to fully invest himself/herself in a project he/she must be passionate about it. His/her passion will motivate him to devote himself to science. The person of science also benefits from expectations as by obtaining expected results he will be encouraged to dig further deep into the respective project. Doctors are prime scientific people. If doctors fail to humanise their patients or to empathise with the families of the patients, they may not realise the consequences of their mistakes thus is opening a larger room for errors.
On the other hand, it is indeed true that if a person is without attachments and wishes, he/she may be able to invest more time in research. He may have less or not any personal distractions which ultimately will Leave his/her mind focused and more functional. The person may also not feel demotivated in case that unexpected results are obtained. Consequently, leaving his/her work unhindered.
All in all, the attachments are important as they strengthen the will to achieve and accomplish. While emotions may pose as hurdles at times, they are still vital for humans to function. After all, none of us can deny the search of serotonin upon achieving satisfaction.
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by IsaacMewton
Hey, guys! Firstly, kudos to the initiator of this thread. You're the mvp.
Secondly I have my BMAT in like 3 days, so can any one of you please please mark and evaluate my essay?
Thanks in advance! x
Q) A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections - a mere heart of stone. -Charles Darwin
Explain what this statement means. Argue that scientific enquiry benefits from personal wishes and affections. To what extent do you think a scientist should have 'a mere heart of stone'?
The statement under discussion asserts that someone in the field of science must be devoid of emotional attachment and personal wishes and merely dedicate his/her mind to the progress of science itself. This quote, however, is quite paradoxical considering the very use of the word ‘man’ humanises the subject and thus induces an element of emotion.
The claim made by Darwin is weak as in order for a scientist to fully invest himself/herself in a project he/she must be passionate about it. His/her passion will motivate him to devote himself to science. The person of science also benefits from expectations as by obtaining expected results he will be encouraged to dig further deep into the respective project. Doctors are prime scientific people. If doctors fail to humanise their patients or to empathise with the families of the patients, they may not realise the consequences of their mistakes thus is opening a larger room for errors.
On the other hand, it is indeed true that if a person is without attachments and wishes, he/she may be able to invest more time in research. He may have less or not any personal distractions which ultimately will Leave his/her mind focused and more functional. The person may also not feel demotivated in case that unexpected results are obtained. Consequently, leaving his/her work unhindered.
All in all, the attachments are important as they strengthen the will to achieve and accomplish. While emotions may pose as hurdles at times, they are still vital for humans to function. After all, none of us can deny the search of serotonin upon achieving satisfaction.
Secondly I have my BMAT in like 3 days, so can any one of you please please mark and evaluate my essay?
Thanks in advance! x
Q) A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections - a mere heart of stone. -Charles Darwin
Explain what this statement means. Argue that scientific enquiry benefits from personal wishes and affections. To what extent do you think a scientist should have 'a mere heart of stone'?
The statement under discussion asserts that someone in the field of science must be devoid of emotional attachment and personal wishes and merely dedicate his/her mind to the progress of science itself. This quote, however, is quite paradoxical considering the very use of the word ‘man’ humanises the subject and thus induces an element of emotion.
The claim made by Darwin is weak as in order for a scientist to fully invest himself/herself in a project he/she must be passionate about it. His/her passion will motivate him to devote himself to science. The person of science also benefits from expectations as by obtaining expected results he will be encouraged to dig further deep into the respective project. Doctors are prime scientific people. If doctors fail to humanise their patients or to empathise with the families of the patients, they may not realise the consequences of their mistakes thus is opening a larger room for errors.
On the other hand, it is indeed true that if a person is without attachments and wishes, he/she may be able to invest more time in research. He may have less or not any personal distractions which ultimately will Leave his/her mind focused and more functional. The person may also not feel demotivated in case that unexpected results are obtained. Consequently, leaving his/her work unhindered.
All in all, the attachments are important as they strengthen the will to achieve and accomplish. While emotions may pose as hurdles at times, they are still vital for humans to function. After all, none of us can deny the search of serotonin upon achieving satisfaction.
Very very good, I'd give this at least a 4A. You've answered all parts of the question concisely, the essay flows and grammatical mistakes are non-existent. BTW do you do an essay-based subject at A level?
Original post by Wolfram Alpha
Very very good, I'd give this at least a 4A. You've answered all parts of the question concisely, the essay flows and grammatical mistakes are non-existent. BTW do you do an essay-based subject at A level?
I was scared that this might be an average essay, haha.
Thank you for taking out the time to evaluate it
I do not take any essay based subjects in A level. My subjects are actually natural sciences plus maths.
If anyone can give me advice on my essay and give me some tips for structure and how to approach a question I will be forever grateful. I really do hate writing essays
thank you !!
The option of taking strike action should not be available to doctors as they have a special duty of care to their patients.
Explain what is meant by this statement. Argue that it should be possible for doctors to go on strike as other workers do. To what extent should doctors’ duty of care to patients affect the conditions of their employment?
This statement is commenting on the duty of the doctor to consider patient care above all else and expanding upon it. Suggesting that patient care must come above the physician's own needs and satisfaction in their working conditions.
This statement is operating under the basic assumption that during strike action the level of care provided is unsuitable, however, this is not typically the case. During strikes, care is usually provided by staff who choose not to participate in the strike and coordinated thoroughly beforehand. Although some specialist may be sacrificed, the same is true during weekends, therefore, according to the statement, weekend vacations should also be abolished. The statement appears to hold physicians to a much higher standard than is plausible, although doctors should be morally righteous, they are also human and entitled to the rights associated with being so. Lastly strikes in the long-term benefit patient care as it prevents doctors form become overworked, which could risk patient safety.
However, it cannot be argued, that decreased staffing risks patient care. increasing population and an elderly population has put more pressure on the NHS, so staff left during strike action may not be able to fulfill the demands and therefore may sacrifice quality of care for speed. Can physicians morally allow their patients to be treated in such a manner? Moreover, many MDT meetings will not take place, so patient treatments may be suspended which is dangerous for urgent cases.
Overall, although striking poses a threat to care, this threat i is negligible to the long-term impact of unsuitable working conditions and the dangers of these conditions may pose to both the health of patients and the physicians. Therefore due to their special duty to patients, doctors have the duty to strike
I'm not sure if I approached these questions in the appropriate manner? Any advice at all would be soooo helpful
thank you !!
The option of taking strike action should not be available to doctors as they have a special duty of care to their patients.
Explain what is meant by this statement. Argue that it should be possible for doctors to go on strike as other workers do. To what extent should doctors’ duty of care to patients affect the conditions of their employment?
This statement is commenting on the duty of the doctor to consider patient care above all else and expanding upon it. Suggesting that patient care must come above the physician's own needs and satisfaction in their working conditions.
This statement is operating under the basic assumption that during strike action the level of care provided is unsuitable, however, this is not typically the case. During strikes, care is usually provided by staff who choose not to participate in the strike and coordinated thoroughly beforehand. Although some specialist may be sacrificed, the same is true during weekends, therefore, according to the statement, weekend vacations should also be abolished. The statement appears to hold physicians to a much higher standard than is plausible, although doctors should be morally righteous, they are also human and entitled to the rights associated with being so. Lastly strikes in the long-term benefit patient care as it prevents doctors form become overworked, which could risk patient safety.
However, it cannot be argued, that decreased staffing risks patient care. increasing population and an elderly population has put more pressure on the NHS, so staff left during strike action may not be able to fulfill the demands and therefore may sacrifice quality of care for speed. Can physicians morally allow their patients to be treated in such a manner? Moreover, many MDT meetings will not take place, so patient treatments may be suspended which is dangerous for urgent cases.
Overall, although striking poses a threat to care, this threat i is negligible to the long-term impact of unsuitable working conditions and the dangers of these conditions may pose to both the health of patients and the physicians. Therefore due to their special duty to patients, doctors have the duty to strike
I'm not sure if I approached these questions in the appropriate manner? Any advice at all would be soooo helpful
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