Media Ethics Towards Employing Utilitarianism and Kantian Theory in Examining Practical Ethical Issues

Media Ethics Towards Employing Utilitarianism and Kantian Theory in Examining Practical Ethical Issues In this era of global interactivity and extreme media scrutiny, real-life situations and instances of behaviour that raise ethical issues and moral dilemmas continue to reverberate across all civilizations in the world. The role of the media in disseminating information to people is legion, but arising ethical issues persist to put this important institution in a collision course with germane issues that must be primarily dealt with for responsible practice (Plaisance, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Media Ethics: Towards Employing Utilitarianism and Kantian Theory in Examining Practical Ethical Issues specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These ethical issues put into perspective the need to rely on philosophical thought to decide on the proper course of action. It is the purpose of this paper to utilize both utilitarianism and Kantian theory to critically examine some underlying ethical issues relating to the cla im below: There’s almost no situation in which I’d stop filming to do something, because I think a film record of a given situation is ultimately more effective, and has greater impact. In the end, it helps more people than if I put down my camera to lend a hand (Bowden, 1987 p. 182) To offer a critical evaluation of the above claim, it is imperative to briefly discuss the two broad classifications of philosophical thought from which utilitarianism and Kantian theory derives from. The first classification – teleological ethics – comprise of theories which are essentially concerned with outcomes or consequences and the capacity to produce the best possible decisions. These theories are glued by the premise that ethically right decisions are those that produce maximum consequences (Albarran, 2010). To date, utilitarianism, with its axiom of the greatest good still offers the best example of teleological ethics. The second classification – deontologic al ethics – comprise of ethical theories concerned with the philosophical process of arriving at decisions based on established principles (Albarran, 2010). These theories affirm that the rightness or wrongness of an action or behaviour is dependent on that particular action or behaviour and not on the outcomes or consequences it produces. Deontological ethics are best illustrated in the philosophical works of Kant. Utilitarianism, espoused by such philosophers as David Hume, John Stuart Mill, and Jeremy Bentham, among others, states that moral actions are correct to the extent that they tend to enhance the ‘greatest good for the greatest number.’ As one of the best known adaptations of consequentialism, this theory defines what is morally acceptable in terms of the â€Å"maximization of the net expected utility for all parties affected by a decision or action† (Smart Williams, 1998 p. 83).Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Le t's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In other words, human beings ought to behave or act in a manner that occasion the best possible outcomes from their actions (Russo, n.d.). Consequently, acceptable behaviour or actions, according to utilitarianism, should be evaluated by rules and guidelines that, if universally followed would lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Judging by the above description, it appears that the author of the claim in discussion based his arguments on utilitarian theory. Indeed, he argues that a film record of a situation is eventually more effective, has a greater impact, not mentioning the fact that it helps more people. In essence, the film record will enhance the greatest good for the greatest number of viewers the scenario that was being filmed notwithstanding. Such philosophical thought has serious ethical undertones since it therefore means that it actually does not concern us what kind of behaviour or actions we engage in or what our intentions are when engaging in them, as long as the outcomes of our behaviours or actions are generally positive to the wider audience. According to Russo (n.d.), â€Å"†¦what all utilitarians have in common is that they accept one and only one principle of morality, the principle of utility, which states that in all our actions we must always strive to produce the greatest possible balance of good and evil† (para. 3). This therefore means that when faced with a choice between two divergent courses of action, a utilitarian will always aim to select the one that bears the best overall outcome or consequence for the majority who might be affected in one way or another by the actions. In the claim, it is clearly evident that the author would choose the action that has a greater impact and helps more people – that of continuing to film instead of lending a hand. Again, this has serious ethical undertones assuming that the situation he is filming demands that people offer assistance such as a plane clash. Many modern institutions, including the media and democratic institutions, are built around the principle of utilitarianism, that is, ‘the end justify the means.’ Indeed, actions are judged based on the outcomes, not on the objectives, intentions or motives (Terrall, 2007). As such, the individual would be justified to continue filming since he is bound to achieve the best possible outcomes from his action – that of assisting more people. To argue along this continuum, however, is counterintuitive since such actions are taken more for profit orientations than for ethical considerations. When evaluated under the lenses of ethical considerations, utilitarianism in contemporary institutions, including the media, justifies the treatment of individuals as a means to an end. There arise serious ethical connotations when individuals are viewed as a means to achieve an outcome th at is agreeable to the majority.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Media Ethics: Towards Employing Utilitarianism and Kantian Theory in Examining Practical Ethical Issues specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In equal measure, ethical issues arise if individuals assume that an action or behaviour is acceptable if it generates a greater sum of good than evil for all the individuals who are affected by such an action (Russo, n.d.). This, it appears, is the mentality of the individual who continues to film since filming by itself will have a greater impact and will assist many people than helping the situation. As already mentioned elsewhere, Kantian theory is firmly rooted in deontological ethics. Kant proposed an intricate system that specified the duties endowed upon us as moral agents. According to Plaisance (2009), â€Å"†¦at the core of [Kant’s] system is the claim that our human capacity for reason enables us to know these duties and that freedom enables us to act on them (p.8). As such, the foundations of Kantian theory are rationality and liberty. For Kant, individuals are bound by obligation to act and behave morally as the only way to perform their duties to others. It is imperative to note that by moral action, Kant insinuated that individuals should test and evaluate their actions by inquiring if they could be universalized, that is, whether it would be morally acceptable if every individual applied the actions as standard of behaviour (Johnson, 2008). It therefore follows that the individual in the filming claim would have first stopped to ponder if it was agreeable for everyone to continue filming the arising situations as opposed to lending a hand. In fact, he would have never at the first place been so sure to say that ‘there’s almost no situation in which I’d stop filming to do something†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ since he was not in a position to know or judge if such an action could be universalized to others in similar profession or situation. This demonstrates why Kant was so strict on rationality and liberty. In a hypothetical situation, say a car accident where people are trapped inside the car, a Kantian follower would have reasoned out to first cease filming and lend a hand. If the situation was not that serious, a Kantian follower would have taken the liberty to start filming the situation. Here, the Kantian theory appears more ethically acceptable. Kant formulated the famous ‘categorically imperative’ phrase, implying duty without exception (Plaisance, 2009). This principle demands obedience and core moral obligations that all individuals must meet. Consequently, Kant was of the opinion that individuals are owned respect not because of their professions or individual positions, but for the reason that they are human beings with ability to reason.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Plaisance (2009), â€Å"†¦this universal moral obligation requires that we treat individuals as ends in themselves and never sorely as a means to attain other goals or desires we may have† (p.9). In equal measure, the philosopher was of the opinion that morality was principally about motives. To him, motives are the basis of actions and these, not results or consequences – should be the basis for ethics. Back to the filming claim, it is vehemently clear that the individual use the means (situations) to achieve the ends (having a greater impact and assisting more people). The Kantian theory, however, is clear that the individuals should be perceived and treated as the ends in themselves and never sorely as means. Here, the underlying ethical issue is that utilitarianism, its axiom of achieving the greatest good notwithstanding, is open to abuse in contemporary times. In media institutions, indeed, it is rightfully or wrongfully used and depicted as bei ng in the ‘public interest,’ and in the case of newspapers, it is being used and passed as ‘what the public is interested in.’ Such catchy phrases have serious ethical undertones since what one segment of the public is interested in may not be universalized to the other population, not mentioning the fact that the motive behind an action, say publishing a story, may not necessarily be the reason why a certain outcome is desired (Elder, 2001). All in all, both utilitarianism and Kantian theory have been discussed at length in relation to the claim about filming. Ethical issues have been highlighted on both sides and critical appraisal offered. What is clear is that although the claim about filming is utilitarian in nature, utilitarianism raises more ethical issues than Kantian theory. Both philosophical thoughts, however, have their advocates and critics, and it is premature to discount utilitarianism is a valid theory of ethics. Indeed, according to Terrall (2007), many modern institutions, including the media, heavily rely on utilitarianism. However, as have already been discussed, the theory has serious ethical ramifications when compared to Kantian theory. List of References Albarran, A.B (2010). Management of Electronic Media. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Elder, R (2001). Difficult Decisions: Ethical Issues for the American Media in Times of National Emergency. Web. Johnson, R (2008). Kant’s Moral Philosophy. In: Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. Plaisance, P.L (2009). Media Ethics: Key Principles for Responsible Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Russo, M.S (n.d.). Utilitarianism in a nutshell. Web. Smart, J.J.C., Williams, B (1998). Utilitarianism: For and Against. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Terrall, E (2007). The Ends or the Means? Kantian Ethics v/s Utilitarianism. Web.

Classic Quotes From Comedian Mitch Hedberg

Classic Quotes From Comedian Mitch Hedberg American stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg was known for his quirky observations and dry delivery of fast one-liners that kept his audiences hustling to keep up with him. His friends claim he was the funniest person in the world. Whether or not you agree, youre bound to enjoy reading some of his classic remarks.   Mitch Hedbergs Thoughts on a Mechanized World I know a lot about cars. I can look at a cars headlights and tell you exactly which way its coming. I like an escalator, man, cause an escalator can never break. It can only become stairs. There would never be an Escalator temporarily out of order sign, only Escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience. Funny Things About Food I bought a donut, and they gave me a receipt. When will I ever need to prove I bought a donut? Some skeptical friend: Hey man! Dont you even act like I didnt buy this donut! I have the receipt ... damn ... I forgot it at home ...in the filing cabinet under D...for donut. That would be cool if you could eat a good food with a bad food and the good food would cover for the bad food when it got to your stomach. Like you could eat a carrot with an onion ring and they would travel down to your stomach, then they would get there, and the carrot would say, Its cool, hes with me. My friend said to me, You know what I like? Mashed potatoes. I was like, Dude, you have to give me time to guess. If youre going to quiz me you have to insert a pause. On Relationships I dont have a girlfriend. But I do know a woman whod be mad at me for saying that. I dont have any children, but if I had a baby, I would have to name it, so I would get a baby-naming book. Or I would invite somebody over who had a cast on. To Sleep Perchance to Dream You know, Im sick of following my dreams, man. Im just going to ask where theyre going and hook up with em later. I hate dreaming because when you want to sleep, you want to sleep. Dreaming is work. Next thing you know, I have to build a go-cart with my ex-landlord. Department of Health People who smoke cigarettes, they say You dont know how hard it is to quit smoking.  Yes,  I do. Its as hard as it is to start flossing. Someone handed me a picture and said, This is a picture of me when I was younger. Every picture of you is when you were younger. Heres a picture of me when Im older. Whered you get that camera man? I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too. My fake plants  died  because I did not pretend to water them. Mitch Hedbergs Random Musings on Golf and Other Subjects Im not good at golf, I never got good. I never got a hole in one, but I did hit a guy. And thats way more satisfying. Youre supposed to yell Fore, but I was too busy mumbling There aint no way thats gonna hit him. I went to the park and saw this kid flying a kite. The kid was really excited. I dont know why. Thats what theyre supposed to do. Now if he had had a chair on the other end of that string, I would have been impressed. You know, theres a fishing show on TV. They catch the fish, but they let it go. They dont want to eat the fish, but they do want to make it late for something. I use the word totally too much. I need to change it up and use a word that is different but has the same meaning. Mitch, do you like submarine  sandwiches? All-encompassingly.

APPLIED DECISION METHODS CLASS; MOD4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

APPLIED DECISION METHODS CLASS; MOD4 - Essay Example As such, this can’t exactly be used as a basis on determining the overall relation betweenthe cost charged and the SATs scored. The model as from the computations is invalid meaning it can’t be used to assess the question given As computed, the correlation coefficient of the created model is a weak positive number of 0.17577. Thisshows a weakrelationship of the model. The overall significance of the model should be less than 0.05. In our case, our model gives a value of 0.547796. This shows the model isn’t statistically valid rendering our model inaccurate. Then again, the variability of the dependent variableas explained by the independent variable is 0.030895 which yields a percentage of 3.0895 which is a very weak number. Consequently, the variables aren’t statistically significant as they are close to 0.05. (0.049008). This can be estimated by multiplying the payroll with the strength of the relationship described by the model. We subtract 17.577% from 100% to get 82.423%.We then multiply this by the payroll spent by the team that is 82.433%/100% * 79 and we obtain roughly about 65 victories. Despite the moving average being an accurate method of forecasting sales, the weighted moving average is even more accurate as one can weigh the more recent periods a little heavier than the older

Middle east issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Middle east issue - Essay Example er and later imperial dominions by Britain, USA, France, and former Soviet Union took roots during European colonial times even before the rise of Ottoman Empire when colonizers aimed both to impair the latter and gain possession of the lands under successful conquest (Shah). Moreover, the Westerners around this period were very critical at propagating not only their political but also religious influence, seizing every opportunity to banish Islam so that Middle Eastern subjects on conversion to Christianity would eventually accept fate of becoming colonial inhabitants. With the turn of history, the West to some extent was able to accomplish pursuit of its objectives and even made allies through certain Arab leaders whose notorious authorities came rather more dictatorial by nature. As they combined forces to settle disputes on whose side should yield or acquire the most reserves of oil from the rich targets, the common people among Arab nations had perceived other unpleasant attributes underlying the general motive. To them, based on austere encounters, the West had suppressed the concerns of multitude in Middle East so that any favor sought was achieved on their end at the expense of freedom, given over to corrupt leadership and manipulated regime. Furthermore, people of Middle East became consumed with anguish towards cultural stereotyping, racism, and especially the fact that their high respect for early civilizations, as in Mesopotamia, reared for them an unbreakable character as a whole in the light of religion, established principles, and or iginal ideologies which could also determine the measure of their commitment and regard for the roots of citizenship (Shah). Fighting more than the right to religious and philosophical preferences, some anti-West groups were compelled to employ armed terrorism, extremism, and Islamic militancies that secretly spread, operated under conspiracy to attack US and other connected oppositions with the most intelligently and

Proofs for God’s Existence Essay Example for Free

Proofs for God’s Existence Essay God’s existence can be proven in a multitude of ways. However, several introductory caveats are in order. First, by â€Å"God,† we mean the traditional Christian concept of an all-powerful and wise creator. Second, the project of â€Å"proving† anything is logic or science is nearly impossible. Even the best laid logical plans and the most iron clad arguments can be torn to pieces by a skilled logician. Such a state does not invalidate the proofs in question, just merely that the language of the discipline is such that any logical design can be manipulated and refuted by one who ardently desires it be refuted. What is being dealt with here is that faith in the God of the Christians is not an irrational, â€Å"blind faith,† but one that is eminently reasonable and defensible on metaphysical, logical and scientific grounds. 1. The proof of Aristotle, used by Thomas Aquinas later, is the â€Å"hylomorphic† proof and is very important to medieval thoughts about God and the nature of his existence. The theory centers around the distinction between first, form and matter which, second, corresponds to action and passion, or act and potency. The form of an object is it in act, or developing towards its natural telos, or end. The matter is passive, that which has non being, that which still needs to be developed. But the nature of reality is such that as one rises in knowledge, the form dominates over the matter. Mathematics, for example, is almost purely form, with only a minuscule amount of material stuff. But what is the origin of such things? Only the world of pure form, and hence, pure act, that is, God. God is pure act, pure perfection with no more need for development. It is the form of Forms that renders unchanging knowledge possible. The matter within its formal shell is not nly passive, but accidental, in that it is only the generator of sensations, colors, etc. But such things cannot exist without a substratum (there is no red, without it being a red something), and hence, form is the object of knowledge, not the matter, or the â€Å"accident† of the object. But knowledge only sees form, never matter. Matter might present form in the guise of a sensate object, but logical and mathematics does not work this way, these are separated from matter. Hence, the more universal the knowledge, the less matter. Hence, the ultimately form of knowledge is Pure form, hence God (Owens, 1980: 20-25). 2. Similarly, the proof of St. Augustine from the point of view of unchanging truth. Any such unchanging truth must have a cause. The truths of mathematics or logic never change regardless of time or place, and hence, there must be an entity in existence who could have brought such a world into being. Such an entity must never change or alter its being in any way, and hence, must be perfect (the only need for change is to improve, if no need for change, then there is no need for improvement). Therefore, God exists (Augustine, 1996: 19). 3. In terms of scientific proof, there is the entire question of natural law. The world is held together by a series of laws that never seem to change. They are regular and can be seen throughout nature, from its macro to its micro level. The â€Å"sensate† part of nature, logically, is anterior to the laws that allow it to exist. Hence, the laws of nature had to have come first, and are the form within which the sensate part of nature functions. Hence, an entity must exist that is capable of creating natural laws within which all created being can function in a regular and logical manner. Only God can be the cause of such things (Copleston, . 2006, 518). 4. The Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyev uses the critique of nominalism to prove the existence of God in his Lectures on Godmanhood. First, the idea of empiricism is faulty since no real individuals exist (only God has this quality, but this is putting the cart before the horse). The objects seen in daily experience are themselves not particulars, but universals, ultimately reducible to pulses of energy. Force is the ultimate reality of being in terms of metaphysics. Hence, the empirical approach to the world is arbitrary, since the particulars we take for granted are in fact huge and complex collections of force and energy that appear to the senses as colors, sounds, textures, etc. Hence, energy is the source of being, and hence, retain the ontological status as universals. But this can not be sufficient, since the universal nature of forces must be accounted for. And this accounting can only be an entity powerful enough to have first created these forces that ultimately would register in human senses as objects, seemingly solid and singular, but in truth, complex and made up of universals (and in fact, representing universals in themselves). But this ultimately spiritual reality must have an equally spiritual cause, that is God. In other words, as the empirical qualities of objects exist only in the mind, the ultimate reality of the world is to be found in universals, and hence, the world of spirit. But all spiritual objects must have a cause that is equally creative and powerful (Solovyev, 1948: 60-63). 5. Spinoza’s concept of God is slightly different from the Christian view, but not entirely dissimilar. Spinoza argues for a single entity, Substance, that is the ultimate basis for all sensate objects. Substance is God, the ultimate basis (avoiding the word â€Å"cause† here) for all change and movement. Logically, there is only one ultimate Substance since there is no real reason for positing and more than one entity that, itself, can survive all change, but is not available to the senses. Spinoza’s Substance is not something that can be apprehended by senses, but only by the mind, and hence, is a spiritual being. While many writers have broken their backs trying to hold that nature is God for Spinoza, there is no reason to hold this: God is what is behind nature and is the ultimate basis for all being. Spinoza is not a pantheist, as nearly all commentators hold. Spinoza held that all change needs a basis, something that does not change. That which we see as changing is the modes of existence, the sensate objects in space and time (or mind and body). All of these sensate things can be reduced to that which is extended and that which is mental, ultimately one thing seen from two different points of view. But these two are merely two available modes for human comprehension of an infinite object that never changes, but is at the root of change, its basis, and that is Substance, or God, an infinite being who lies at the root of all change and the laws that govern change. It itself, does not change, but contains infinite attributes that only appear incompletely to human beings under two attributes only. Spinoza does not hold that there needs to be a cause of all things, but he does hold that there needs to be a basis of all things, that this is God (Della Rocca, 2008, 42-48) 6. The last proof or vision of God is to be found in Apostolos Makrakis, the little known 19th century Greek metaphysician. He was a Christian rationalist who held that Descartes butchered his own method. Makrakis holds that one can begin with Descartes ontological doubt. But the conclusion to this doubt, cogito ergo sum, is an arbitrary end point. When I engage in methodological doubt, I come up with several conclusions: first, the doubter exists, second, that the doubter is not the cause of his own existence, and third, that God exists necessarily. All of this derives from the single act of cognition: it is the true unpacking of the cogito. Since if the cogito is true, than the other propositions are equally true at the same time, known intuitively. Since the cogito is not self-created, then the outside world and God must exist necessarily in the same act of cognition as the original cogito. If one must strip away the outside world in order to reach the cogito, than the outside world is real, since in removing it, one reaches the truth of existence. The outside world cannot be a phantom then, if the doubter is not self-created. Something needed to have created and sustained the doubter, and this is as certain as the cogito itself. But since that outside world itself is not self-created (in other words, that the outside world does not know itself through itself, but through another), than God necessarily exists, and again, as true as the cogito itself. Hence, the cogito really says: I exist, the outside world exists, God exists, all at the same time all in the same act of cognition since the cogito itself implies it (Makrakis, 1956, 42-43). Again, none of these proofs are final, but the same can be said for all logic and science. But these do who that reason assents to the existence of God as infinite and all powerful. Spinoza’s approach is the most interesting, since it is compatible with mechanistic science, but holds that such science necessarily needs a basis for action, and this is Substance. The argument #3 above is also very difficult to refute, since one cannot hold to an ordered universe without holding to natural law, and if that, than the cause of natural law itself. If that is denied, then one is in the unenviable position of trying to argue that the material objects of nature can and did exist without a law to govern their actions. Hence, evolution is impossible. Natural laws (and a lawgiver) had to be before the actual sensate part of creation. But this, in an odd way, is very similar to the argument of Spinoza. It seems that science itself cannot function without recognizing natural law and it’s a priori existence with respect to the objects of science themselves. Bibliography: Owens, Joseph (1980) Thomas Aquinas on the Existence of God. SUNY Press Augustine (1996) â€Å"On The Free Choice of the Will† Readings in Medieval Philosophy. Ed. Andrew Schoedinger. Oxford. 3-24 Copleston, Frederick (2006) History of Philosophy: Medieval Philosophy. Continuum International. Solovyev, Vladimir (1948) Lectures on Godmanhood. Lindisfarne Press (this is sometimes called Lectures on Divine Humanity) Della Rocca, Michael (2008) Spinoza. Taylor and Francis Makrakis, Apostolos (1956) â€Å"The Tree of Life. † in Foundations of Philosophy. Chicago, OCES. 1-104

Advice in life: Love and Marriage Essay -- Literary Analysis, Hughes,

Conventional wisdom has it that advice given from the older generation is always helpful. Common sense seems to dictate that since the elderly have lived life longer, they are wiser. Speaking as a voice of the younger generation, although the elderly have lived life longer, the advice they give to the younger generation is not always beneficial. One of the most popular Harlem Renaissance poets Langston Hughes and the idolized novelist Zora Neale Hurston, both wrote pieces revolving around the idea of giving advice on life. Both literary works present characters that in offering advice to the young demonstrate their own distinct personalities. Hurston and Hughes explore the idea of using life experiences to offer advice to the younger generation through active use of literary techniques. â€Å"Mother to Son† by Hughes depicts the struggles in life of a hardworking uneducated black Mother that attempts to give guidance concerning life to her son through her limited experiences. To take a case in point, Hughes’s poem â€Å"Mother to Son† the poet’s character Mother, describes her life metaphorically by relating it to a staircase. Through this metaphor one realizes that Mother has always been climbing up a staircase, meaning she has been overcoming obstacles in life and rising. Similarly, Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God explores the life of the emotionally weak black woman, Janie, who is continuously pressured to make life decisions based on the opinions that her Nanny has amassed throughout her entire life as a slave. In Hurston’s novel the author’s character Nanny, describes a woman metaphorically as a mule. Throughout the narrative, this metaphor allows one to understand the role of women in society. This description of women N... ...cation that refutes the claim that advice from the elderly is always beneficial is when Nanny tells Janie to marry a rich man. Janie corroborates the age-old adage that advice from the elderly is always helpful. In so, she claims that advice rests upon the questionable assumption of oneself. By focusing on her own feelings and not the advice of Nanny Janie was able to marry a man she truly loved. Janie reminds us that, it is simply not true that advice is given from the older generation is helpful. These conclusions that Janie reaches in life, add weight to the argument regarding advice from the elderly. These findings challenge the idea of people who assume that advice from the older generation is always helpful. Janie’s discoveries will have significant applications in life as people decide whether to put advice from the elderly to use in their own lives.

Obligation Definition Essay

The question presented in this discussion is definitely one that has no easy answer. I will start by saying, a obligation is defined by what a person is bound to from either tradition or law. If I took a relative approach I would say that morals and ethical obligation are subjective. I personally believe that to a extent humans do have a obligation to animals. To go out of your way to depict cruelty to any creature illustrates a flaw in your own character. However, humans don’t have to have a diet that includes meat but most do. Even in these cases the way that the livestock is going to be treated does not have to be treated cruelly, or put in discomfort. I remember watching a show in which the farmer said, that his cows tasted so good because they lived a happy life. In many ways he treated the cows akin to a pet, by feeding them properly, making sure their living quarters are clean, and showing them affection. His belief was that by doing this his cow’s meat was more tender, then if he hadn’t done these practices. Do I believe this maybe, maybe not. However, this does illustrate that the livestock that we consume does not have to be treated in a cruel manner. Yet, in theory in our society animals do not perform any function but companionship and food, which means humans really don’t have a obligation to them. However, I feel it is boorish to depict cruelty to any creature or anyone.

Ernest Gaines’s novel Essay

Education is widely defined as the act or process of imparting knowledge of skill. But the primary function of education is the eradication of ignorance. Ignorance is multi-layered. A social awareness can be a camouflage for spiritual ignorance. An erudite thinking can be used to mask philosophical ignorance. A teacher can learn hither to unknown aspects of his teaching through the very act of teaching. Because Ignorance is like the mythical beast who can grow ten heads for each head that is slain. Education is the sword that accomplishes the eradication of social, spiritual and philosophical ignorance – but only gradually and by continuous application to daily life. That precisely is a powerful underlying theme of Ernest Gaines’s novel â€Å"Lesson before Dying† Though looked at different perspectives by different characters of the novel, Education is the ultimate aim of most of them throughout the novel. Tante Lou looks at education as the necessary ability to die like a man, aware of his actions, his fate and the courage needed to face it head on – the education she wants her nephew Grant to impart to Jefferson, the convicted black. For Jefferson, who awaits the date for his execution, education is the ability to dispel the images of being non-human, the opinion which his lawyer fosters on him while using it as his defense. For Grant, education, as it reveals itself is to be able to relate to the needs and emotions of others, the ability to look beyond himself, and the ability to deal with his perennial running away from his past. For the black community of the Louisiana, the education that results from this incident is an increased awareness of their oppression, and the realization of a reality greater than their squalid living would allow them to contemplate – honor in the face of adversity. The setting for the quest of education is set in the initial chapters when the defense attorney uses the weirdest of arguments to plead the case of Jefferson. â€Å"This skull here holds no plans,† the defense attorney explains. â€Å"What you see here is a thing that acts on command. A thing to hold the handle of a plow, a thing to load your bales of cotton, a thing to dig your ditches, to chop your wood, to pull your corn. . . What justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this. † This sort of defense has its impact on two people. Jefferson internalizes the argument and starts believing that he is in fact a fool, a hog. While his god mother Emma is determined to ensure that Jefferson does not die in a way to justify his description in court but with the dignity of a man. She enlists the support of Grant Wiggins’s aunt Tante Lou. They come to Wiggins’s place to convince him to educate Jefferson on human dignity before he is executed. Wiggins anticipates and deeply resents this task. Initially Grant is highly reluctant to perform what is required of him. He sees himself as symbolic of all black men who are constantly under the pressure of their folks to be heroic, to perform feats that defy their limitations of ability and social status. He sees Emma’s and Tante Lo’s expectations out of him and Jefferson as a perennial cross that burdens all black men. At the same time he is consumed by guilt – of his reluctant to help Jefferson, his desire to run away from the demands of his society. Vivian, his girl friend tells him that though he does not acknowledge it, he loves his folks and that is the reason he keeps returning to the same roots and past that he so deeply resents. He is at the same time angry and afraid. He is himself consumed by serious doubts about the purpose and the method of his living and now is bewildered how he can teach somebody how to die when he himself does not know how to live. Slowly, Grant begins to understand the enormity and the importance of his task. He is required to transform Jefferson’s execution as an educating experience for a lot of groups of people. To Jefferson himself, he needs to educate the concepts of human dignity. To the blacks of his neighborhood, Jefferson’s death needs to be a spiritual education of revolt against suppression. To the whites, the oppressors, Jefferson’s death needs to be an education in Christian concept of martyrdom. He, the reluctant teacher, who always wanted to follow the advice of his teacher Professor Antoine and leave Bayonne for good (chapter 13), starts realizing the immediacy of his duties. Grant starts to warm to the task at hand. More than Jefferson, this experience gives him lessons on living. His girlfriend Vivian is a case in point. She teaches him the virtue of hope. She is afraid that their affair might become public knowledge leading her to lose custody of her children from the previous marriage. At the same time she has the courage to be led by her heart. She visits Grant at his place, they make love under the sky in a field. She allows herself to be questioned by Grant’s aunt about her religious affiliations. All these instances provide Grant with a counter point to his own world view. His girlfriend has a lot of problems to deal with> But she never gives in to cynicism. She never gives up her religious beliefs but, when questioned, has the clarity of thought to say that she will give up her religious affiliation to be united with Grant. Throughout the novel she is a good sounding board to Grant’s rants of cynicism and is a constant source of an alternate point of view. This teaches Grant though very subtly, that his cynicism is a cloak to hide his fears. There builds an uneasy camaraderie at first between Grant and Jefferson. Gradually both men start feeling that the other is helping them deal with their predicament or their life in general. Grant gets Jefferson a radio and book to write his thoughts in. This book starts exerting all the pressure of being an educated and aware man in Jefferson. He confesses that he has never had to think so much in all his life. He had spent all his life doing hard menial labor, pandering to the whites and grinning. If it was meant to be different, he never knew it. This realization that he had the potential to become somebody else which he never actually had the opportunity of becoming makes Jefferson both sad and poignant at his life’s prospects. The change in the attitude of all his friends and the community as a whole is in itself an educating experience. This teaches Jefferson that though they might not have been overtly good to him before, his community identified itself with him and adored him as one of their own. His execution was not just an event of individual pain. His suffering was a point of reference for his family, his friends and his community. In regards to religion, Grant is an unbeliever. He loses faith when in college. But upon Reverend Ambrose’s insistence he does talk to Jefferson about religion. Grant is unable to accept a God who seems to accept and encourage the vast differences in man based entirely on his skin color. His overwhelming cynicism takes him away from religion for which Reverend Ambrose chastises him that he was â€Å"uneducated because he never learnt to care for others†. Though Grant does not regain his faith in organized religion, his mind starts looking for the mercy he wants out of a God who can correct the wrongs of his society. He so desperately wants to get his society to a better station, but feels so powerless to do anything. â€Å"I want you to show them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be. † This is Grant’s demand from Jefferson, and slowly Jefferson internalizes this demand and acquires a composure and dignity worthy of a highly educated man, somebody who is capable of viewing his life philosophically. By behaving with utmost dignity towards his white captors, the sheriff and people around him even the day prior to his execution, he provides valuable lessons in human decency to the bigoted community of whites. The night before his execution, Vivian comes to visit hm and her behavior towards the Jefferson is exemplary. She sets to rest Jefferson’s shame that he is ugly and unclean by kissing his face. This act of compassion helps boost the self-image of Jefferson and enables him to meet his destiny with great equanimity. â€Å"Good by mr wigin tell them im strong tell them im a man† – This entry in Jefferson’s notebook, with all its spelling mistakes is the ultimate grade given to Grant the teacher. He succeeds in making Jefferson an example of Christian charity and dignity. When Paul shaves Jefferson’s head, wrists and ankles before the execution, he calmly entrusts him with his book, his radio and presents him a marble. This act of compassion makes Jefferson the strongest man in the novel and makes Paul realize the gravity of education Grant could provide Jefferson in such a short while. That is the reason he feels proud to shake Grant’s hand in the last chapter of the novel. Martyrdom of an ignorant person which seems to light up the sense of hope of a large community is so replete with religious symbolism. At the same time it is a praiseful hymn to education, not as a system of teaching skills or imparting knowledge, but as a method of eradicating the darkness in its various forms from man’s heart – loss of hope, cynicism, self centeredness, bigotry. Education is also the method of erecting monuments for virtuous qualities in human heart after it has succeeded in eradicating the grossness of vilifying emotions- monuments of forgiveness, selflessness, sharing, and dignity in the face of death and danger. Lesson before Dying is about Lessons in Living. Works cited Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson Before Dying: A Novel. Vancouver: Vintage Books, 1994.

Developmental Psychology essay

Developmental Psychology essay Developmental Psychology essay Developmental Psychology essay1) Define and discuss the differences between self-esteem and self-concept, self-efficacy, and self-regulation.Self-esteem is referred to affective and emotional aspect of self and implies the self-evaluation of one’s self. Self-efficacy is the extent of one’s belief in one’s own ability to complete tasks and research goals. Self-concept is the idea of how one’s perceives oneself. The self-regulation is one’s ability to control one’s emotional condition (Banyard 105-106).2) Describe and discuss the different types of peer status.Types of peer status are: popular children, average children, neglected children (who are not disliked by peers); rejected children (who are disliked by children), controversial children (Banyard 141).3) Discuss bullying and its effects, and describe strategies to reduce bullying.Bullying is an abusive behavior of children in relation to their peers. Bullying may involve physical and ver bal abuse (Banyard 193). Effects of bullying are the exclusion of children, who are victimized by bullies; psychological problems in both victims and bullies; the development of violent behavioral patterns in bullies and their victims; negative psychological changes that may appear in the adulthood (Banyard 194). Strategies to reduce bullying are: recognition and response; creation of a dialogue; encouraging bystanders becoming upstanders; fostering safety and inclusion; educating community (Banyard 196).4) Discuss the functions of friendships.Friendships contribute to the development of closer social relations between individuals and ties them on the ground of mutual interests, interaction and values (Banyard 174).5) Compare and contrast the constructivist and direct-instruction approaches to education.Constructivist approach to education implies teachers to perform the role of facilitators, who helps students to learn that makes students active agents of the learning process (Bany ard 158). The direct instruction approach implies the delivery of instructions to students and learning of the instructions by students that makes students subjects to learning (161).

How to Unblock Your Tear Ducts

How to Unblock Your Tear Ducts If you are suffering from eye strain, dry eyes, or allergies, knowing how to unblock a tear duct at home may offer relief. Even if your tear ducts are not blocked, keeping your eyes properly lubricated helps stave off many minor eye ailments.   Nasolacrimal ducts, the medical term for tear ducts, are part of the bodys system for draining tears from the eyes. When tear ducts become blocked, it causes a backup of fluid in the lacrimal sac, which is highly prone to infection.   Symptoms   There are a few indications that you may be suffering from a blocked tear duct. If you have excessive tearing or there is a mucus or pus discharge from the eye, if the white part of your eye is red and swollen, or if your vision is blurred, a blocked tear duct may be the culprit. Recurring infections such as conjunctivitis  are also signs of tear duct problems.   While most blocked tear ducts do not require much more than the following simple home treatment, if you have these symptoms for a week or longer or if they continue to occur, consult your  medical professional. In some cases, a blocked tear duct is a symptom of a larger, more serious problem.   Who Is at Risk? Certain factors increase your risk of developing a blocked tear duct.  If you have chronic eye inflammation, especially from conjunctivitis or other infections, it is likely to affect your tear ducts. Older women tend to be at greater risk, as are those who have had eye or sinus surgeries. Some glaucoma medications can lead to blocked tear ducts as well.   How They Get Blocked Blocked tear ducts can result from a number of conditions. Some babies are born with tear duct abnormalities, most of which resolve themselves as they get older.   An injury to the eye or nose can disrupt the tear ducts function, and even something as small as dust stuck in the tear duct can cause problems. In rare cases, blocked tear ducts are caused by a tumor. Tear duct blockage also can be a side effect of chemotherapy treatments for cancer.   Unblocking Tear Ducts   To unblock your tear ducts at home, youll need some warm water and a clean washcloth or tea towel.   Pinch and rub your nose underneath the bridge.Place a warm, wet cloth over your eyes for 10 minutes.Repeat every 4 to 6 hours, if needed. If this treatment does not work and you are still having problems, it is a good idea to consult a medical professional. There are other ways to treat more serious cases of blocked tear ducts. Sometimes antibiotic drops or ointment may be sufficient, but if the problem persists, it may be necessary to irrigate the lacrimal sac, which can be done as an outpatient procedure in a doctors office. In cases where the blockage is severe and does not respond to other treatments, a surgery called dacryocystorhinostomy may be required to create a new tear drain between your nose and your eyes.

How to prepare and recover from a Hurricane Research Paper

How to prepare and recover from a Hurricane - Research Paper Example Besides the flying debris and flood coming in the wake of hurricanes are also quiet destructive. Hence, in the areas that are prone to hurricanes, it is certainly a good idea to prepare in advance. Such timely and prompt preparation could save many human lives and property and could well protect the people living in hurricane prone areas from the disaster and destruction caused by hurricanes and facilitates a better recovery after a hurricane (Wagner 6). Preparing for a Hurricane While making preparations for a hurricane it is imperative to select and identify a safe area where the families could weather the strong storms, tornadoes and rainfall accompanying a hurricane (Mitchell 7). This place could be a location within the home like some room located at the bottom floor or any other room in the house that has no windows. In case a home does not have a safe area than it is important that the family members in such homes do have access to at least two hurricane shelters located close to the home. In case a family member is suffering from some medical condition and will not be in a situation to shift on one’s own, than it is important to seek the help of the concerned professionals in advance (Burnett, Dyer & Pickins 10). While preparing for a hurricane it is also important to stock up the requisite quantities of water and food (Dickson 9). The families lying in the route of an imminent hurricane should have sufficient supplies of processed food and water in the stock that should last for a number of weeks (Dickson 9). In case the stock of food and water accrued by a family has gone old, it is important to replace this stock with the fresh supplies, well in time. Besides the preparations for a hurricane require stocking varied other emergency supplies like flashlights and extra batteries, strong and sturdy shoes, battery operated radios with extra batteries for them, cash, credit cards, first aid kits and manuals, important medicines, and non-electrical c an openers (Ready 1). It is also important to make arrangements for pets. Pets may not be accommodated in a hurricane shelter for cleanliness and hygiene reasons (Bevan 54). Thereby it is necessary to contact the nearby humane societies to cull out information on local pet shelters (Bevan 54). It is useful to get one’s home ready in case of an imminent hurricane. In case a house is already provided with hurricane shutters, it helps to look to it that one has extra screws and washers in one’s possession. In case a home does not have access to precut plywood to bolster the windows, it helps to look into the storeroom to locate anything that could serve the purpose. It really helps to hurricane proof the home well in advance. In the case of an approaching hurricane, it happens to be quiet pragmatic for the families to prepare family communication plans (McGinnis 60). The family members may get separated after or before the storms start. In such a case the family members s hould recognize an out of state contact as a contact point for all the family members. It should be assured that all the family members know about this contact and have its phone number with them. It is helpful to keep the vehicles gassed up during the hurricane season. It is also pragmatic to check one’s insurance coverage in advance because insurance companies stop extending coverage in case of an approa

Related events and developments that span the years 1865 to the Research Paper

Related events and developments that span the years 1865 to the present - Research Paper Example But because of industrialization, the agricultural economy was eventually surmounted by a market economy (Jackson, 1998). Hence, this paper argues that one of the major changes in the American labor market for the past century has been the drastic transition in women’s responsibilities, from mostly unpaid domestic roles to a mixture of traditional unpaid roles and paid jobs. The important events outlined in this paper reveal the increasing participation of women in the labor market and the continuous shrinking of the pay gap between female and male employees. With the spread of industrialization, a new state of affair emerged. The common belief during that period was that males were more able to cope with the tough, competitive environment of the workplace. On the other hand, females were believed to be incapable of dealing with the demands of the outside world. They were not allowed to vote, were prohibited from getting a job, and were kept out of the public and political are nas (Hermann, 2006). Their obligation to society was to care for, nurture, and indoctrinate children. But all of these changed with the ratification of the 19th Amendment and the Equal Pay Act. ... Feminists began to demand persistently for more comprehensive and liberal legislation. The 19th Amendment protects the right of women to vote. Since the 1800s, women protested, lobbied, and appealed to acquire suffrage rights, but it took many years before they achieved their goal. By 1916, most of the leading suffrage groups joined together to demand a constitutional amendment (Severn, 1967). The House of Representatives endorsed the amendment on the 21st of May 1919, and immediately afterward, the Senate complied. The ratification was declared by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby on the 26th of August 1920, radically transforming the entire American voting public permanently (Monroe, 1998). Approval and endorsement of the 19th Amendment implied that U.S. citizens should be granted the right to vote, regardless of gender. It took roughly four decades until Congress passed the amendment for approval. The women’s suffrage movement was already present during the mid-19th centu ry, during the Reconstruction era. Throughout these years, leaders of women’s rights movement campaigned for enclosure of universal suffrage in the Reconstruction amendments (Monroe, 1998). In spite of their attempts, these amendments ignored the issue of women’s suffrage. The development of territorial constitutions, alongside persistent negotiation of the western frontier, facilitated the continuous state-wide deliberation of women’s suffrage (Schwarzenbach & Smith, 2013). Due to the committed, continuous efforts of supporters of voting rights, women’s suffrage was ratified in the new constitutions of Washington, Utah, and Wyoming. State governments started to take into consideration suffrage