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Friday, September 6, 2019

Core Ethical Values of Military Essay Example for Free

Core Ethical Values of Military Essay The paper examines some core ethical values that are followed in the military organization. These include: 1. Honesty: this means that the military men should be truthful and avoid lying as it affects their image in the society. However any lies for selfless reason is resented in the service. 2. Straightforwardness: military officers should be frank and confident as this leads to clarity and thus no confusion arises. 3. Candid: military ethics requires the military personnel to be candid and thus provide the information without being requested. If military personnel withheld certain information and stay quiet then this is regarded as dishonesty. 4. Loyalty: loyalty refers to faithfulness and devotion. Military soldiers are expected to be loyal with their profession, their country and their seniors. Loyalty doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t mean that they blindly obey what they are told to but it is a balance between different interests and principles and thus creating a harmony together. 5. Fairness: military personnel are expected to be fair and open and should not be biased. They should treat everyone equally and their decisions should not be arbitrary. 6. Respect: military personnel have to deal with diverse people in the society therefore they are required to treat people with respect and dignity 7. Promise Keeping: keeping promises enhance trust and cooperation therefore soldiers should commit what they can deliver so that there is no loss of commitment from their end. 8. Caring: This code requires the military men to be kind and compassionate with those whom they serve and also with the workforce. 9. Accountability: military personal should take the responsibility of their decisions and they should know that they are accountable for all the duty that they perform. Distinctive Culture of Military: The military culture is very much different from that of civilian culture. Their traditions, dresses and rituals are distinguished to a greater extent from that of civilians. Their physical and social space is separated as they are usually located in isolation. Cadets receive their training in different schools where they get their education in a unique way. Military organizations require a lot from their workers as the workers have difficult and long working hours and even their leaves are subject to cancellation Vision of Military Organization: The vision of military is to form a force that will continue to give more strategic flexibility and will strive to become strategically dominant to fully support all operations. The objective is to form a force which has war fighting capabilities and is more responsive, lethal and versatile (Evany, 2002). Training in Military Organization: The training and education in military organization is controlled by the organization itself in a very specialized manner. Specialized trainings are provided to the cadets. Military itself determines the education format for the cadets. All the contents and methodology are planned by the military. There are colleges that have been set up to train the junior officers and develop them to become future senior officers. These training programs give the juniors knowledge and skills and also a sense of responsibility towards their duties and their country. Military culture and values are provided to them from the very beginning of their training program. Military ethics are also taught to them by specialized instructors. They are taught that military is not a job but it is a way of life and they are expected to love their life in adherence with the standard code of conduct as they act as a symbol for the other civilians of the society (Robbert, 2010). Personal Values as a Manager To have a clear set of personal values is important as it helps in building up trust that facilitates leadership. Leaders that have a clear set of values are more successful as their followers would follow them blindly once they are able to understand their values. Therefore it is important that one should take time to list what is most important for them in life. Once they have listed their values, it is time for them to act upon it. My personal values that would guide me as a future manager includes: a. Trustworthiness: honesty and integrity are the most important elements for trustworthiness. If a manger is honest and loyal then the subordinates would folle the manager blindly as they know they are in the safe hands. b. Respect: as a manager it is important that all the subordinates are treated with dignity and respect. Acceptance and tolerance are the most important elements that would enable managers to respect their subordinates. c. Responsibility: as a manager it is important to realize that they are accountable for they do therefore their responsibilities and duties should be met properly as they set an example for others to follow. d. Caring: it is important that managers are caring and compassionate with their subordinates as such relations increases productivity and creates an environment that is friendly and peaceful. e. Justice and fairness: a manager should take the responsibility of all his decisions and should be biased. Justice and fairness affects the credibility of the manager therefore he should treat everyone equally. Personal Code of Ethics to Guide a Manager My personal code of ethics that would guide me a future manager includes: a. Conflict of interests. A conflict of interest arises when the private interest of a person interferes the interest of their organization. These conflicts also come when one misuses his position in the organization to favor his friends or families. I believe a manager should avoid such conflicts that stop him to work effectively for the organization. b. Corporate Opportunities: Managers should not use the opportunities that they get from the corporate properties or position without the consent of the Directors. If they do this then it is regarded as a cheating. c. Fair dealing: Managers should deal with everyone honestly and ethically. Secret information and confidential matters should be taken care of and should not take unfair advantage of people or information. Changes required in the military organization: Changes are required in every organization from time to time so that the organization can cope up with the environmental changes. Bringing about change in an organization is a great challenge for leaders as it requires effective leadership and management skills to implement change. It seems that bringing a change in military organization is quite easy because of the commanding nature of the seniors. But this is not true because even in military organization if the change is not implemented effectively, it will reduce the productivity of the soldiers. Military leaders should understand that even if they bring the change on the bases of their authority, still they need to asses the change through follow up assessments so that they know if the change is successfully implemented. The changes that I believe should be taking place in the military organization include the following: The military leaders should understand that in todayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s time there is an utmost need that their management styles should change. In older time infarct even nowadays the management style in military organization is such that authority of command lies only with the seniors and they very harshly communicate those command. Such attitudes of the seniors would not be successful in todayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s world. A change is required in this area so as to create an environment that increases the morale of the soldiers and helps in making them more productive and dedicated towards their duties. It is really important that leaders of the military organization are such who understands the mission of the organization and their roles completely. These leaders should not only try to achieve these missions but also take care of the welfare of the members of the organization. Usually what is seen in these organization is that leaders are so much focuses on achieving their missions that they often neglect the welfare of the members which should not happen especially in military organization because military is not just a job but it is a selfless services therefore motivation of the members is of utmost importance (Kelly, 2008). Conclusion Military leaders need complete training about the organization and also the members should understand the change management that is an important requirement for the organization. Code of conduct and ethical principles of the military organization should be communicated properly to the soldiers and such an environment should be created where these principles are followed without being imposed on the military men. Roles and responsibilities of individuals should be clearly stated so that the duties are carried out in the most appropriate manner (Kelly, 2008). Reference Evany,R. 2002, How Army Run Retrieved on 2010, July 18 from http://www. carlisle. army. mil/usawc/dclm/army. pdf Kelly, 2008, Resistance to Organizational Cultural Change in the MilitaryÃ¢â‚¬â€œ A JFO Case Study. Retrieved on 2010, July 18 from http://www. dtic. mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc? Location=U2doc=GetTRDoc. pdfAD=ADA479711 Portman, What is ethics? , Retrieved on 2010, July 18 from http://sun. menloschool. org/~sportman/ethics/definition. html Robbert,S. Military Ethics. Retrieved on 2010, July 18 from http://www. articlesnatch. com/Article/Military-Ethics/999532

Core Ethical Values of Military Essay Example for Free

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Social Inequality In Usa Sociology Essay

Social Inequality In Usa Sociology Essay Why do you think the U.S. is characterized by more inequality and fewer public efforts to reduce inequality than any other developed nation? Capitalism cannot provide a decent standard of living for all, but as long as it can provide a tolerable standard of living for substantial layers of the population, it can maintain social stability. Recent studies have shown that the middle America begins to feel insecure, which points at the inevitable social problems. The average salary is the salary, which includes both the income of the richest and the poorest. This amount is far from real wages of most Americans. According to the latest statistical review, in the period after 1998, when the U.S. economy grew by 25%, the average salary of one fifth of U.S. residents fell by 3.8%, while the salary of the rest remained at 1973 level (Hurst 132-34). While the economy was rapidly growing, this prosperity has not affected the middle class, not to mention industrial workers and the poor. Along with the freezing of income of the middle class, social inequality was growing. Since 1973 the annual revenue growth of 1% of the richest was 3.4%, and for 0.1% of the richest it was 5.2%. But for the remaining 90% this figure was 0.3% per year since 1973. Leaders of large companies were earning 26 times more than their employees. Now they are earning 300 times more (Crompton 98-102). According to experts, children from families with low income have a 1%chance to get rich, while children of the rich have 22% opportunity. For the middle class the figure is 1.8%, not much more than for the poor. The middle class of America is more and more afraid to become poor. Families face a decrease in their incomes. The number of families, whose income fell to $ 20,000, has increased from 13% in 1990 to 17% in 2007 (Hurst 206). Unemployment in the U.S. has reached the highest level over the past 20 years. Average duration of unemployment is 18 weeks. And, most often the unemployed have to accept a new job with less pay. House owners (about 70% of Americans), after paying taxes, have to give 11% of their income for mortgages. Today, these people are insolvent. Today the average American family with two working spouses has to work for 32 weeks to pay taxes, medical insurance, credit for housing, and education. In 1979, they needed 28 weeks. After all these payments, such a family has less means for basic needs than in 1980. In the current economic situation, an average American feels much worse than 25 years ago (Hurst 57-60). An average American works longer and harder than before just to make ends meet. And one increasingly has to take loans, family debt reached 120% of family income. Private pension funds are extremely small. Moreover, now pensions begin to be paid only after the worker invests a certain amount. In this world richest country 45% of Americans have no pension program. Only 20% have a guaranteed pension. The same situation is in health care. The number of uninsured people reached 16%, i.e. about 45 million Americans will not get treatment if they get sick. Despite all the efforts, most of the U.S. social problems do not disappear. Obviously, these are the negative effects of economic growth that exist in almost every post-industrial society. Moreover, the distribution of wealth including personal property and shares has not changed in the U.S. for 200 years. Tiree and Smith managed to obtain data on the taxable property of persons who had permanent jobs in Philadelphia in 1789. Comparing these data with the distribution of income in 1949, 1959 and 1969, they found a completely equal distribution of wealth in these two periods. Both, at that time and today, dealers and persons of intellectual labor were richer than the workers and clerks (Hurst 89-93). Since 1982, profits of American capitalists have grown considerably. This was achieved by reduction of salaries of workers, and increased exploitation. Thus, the rate of added value grew up while investments into new equipment have been reduced to minimum. Therefore the returns were growing. Inequality of income distribution remains in American society despite various changes in the economy and many programs helping the poor. The privileges are established for those who have the power in any societies. People with high status often have a very visible political influence, which they can use to their advantage. In the 1960s, the President Lyndon Johnson declared the war against poverty. The weapons of this war were tax cuts, retraining programs, educational programs and increased benefits. These actions were important, since it was estimated that between 1965 and 1975 the number of families below the poverty line was less than 5% of all families. However, since then many of these programs were reduced or abolished in order to stabilize the government budget. More positive results of programs have been undermined by rising unemployment and an increase in the number of poor families with single mothers. Therefore, in the U.S. there are still many poor families (Hurst 248-49). How is social stratification a creation of society rather than simply an expression of individual differences. The question of why there is social inequality is central in the study of society. It has two strikingly different answers. The first one was given by the conservatives, who argued that the unequal distribution of social benefits is a tool for solving the major tasks of society. Supporters of a radical approach, by contrast, sharply criticize the existing social order and believe that social inequality is a mechanism of exploitation of individuals and is associated with the struggle for scarce products and services. According to the functionalist theory of social inequality, stratification exists because it is useful to society. Davis and Moore argue that social stratification is not only universal but also necessary; therefore, no society can exist without stratification and classes. The system of stratification is required in order to fill all the statuses that form the social structure, and to give the individuals the motivations to perform duties associated with their position. In this regard the society must motivate people on two levels (Crompton 57-59): 1. It should encourage individuals to take various positions, since not all the duties associated with different statuses, are equally useful for the human body, equally important for social survival, and require equal abilities. If the social life was different, the position would make no difference, and the problem of social status would be considerably smaller; 2. When these positions are occupied, the company should awaken in people a desire to play the relevant role, because the duties associated with many posts are considered as painful and in the absence of motivation many would not manage to do their roles. These social realities have led to the view that society should have certain benefits that can be used as incentives for their members, and the mode of distribution of these benefits among different statuses. Inequality is the emotional stimulus that society has created in order to solve the problem of filling in all statuses and make their owners to do their best to fit the role. Since these benefits are built into the social system, social stratification may be considered a structural feature of all societies. On the basis of the economic model of supply and demand, Davis and Moore concluded that the highest paid positions are those occupied by the most talented or skilled workers, as well as functionally most important ones. Thus, separate individuals who hold high-paying jobs, should receive remuneration, otherwise the post will remain unclaimed, and society will disintegrate (Crompton 115-122). On the other hand, a person is born in a privileged or unprivileged position. For example, almost two-thirds of managers in 243 large U.S. companies have grown up in families of upper middle class or upper stratum of society. Basing on similar data, advocates of conflict theory claim that society is organized so that individualsÃƒ ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ rank is determined by birth and does not dependent on their abilities and characteristics of the society (Hurst 206-219). Advocates of the conflict theory believe that the stratification of society exists because it is profitable to individuals and groups with authority over others. While functionalists identify common interests of members of society, conflictologists focus on the differences of interests. From their point of view, the society is an arena where people are fighting for the privileges, prestige and power. The theory of conflict is based largely on the ideas of Karl Marx. He argued that to comprehend the mechanism of a particular economic system one must know what preceded this system, as well as the processes that contributed to its development. According to Marx, the level of technique and method of organization of production determines the evolution of society in general. At each stage of history, these factors determine the group, which will rule in society, and groups that it will obey. Possession of means of production is only one source of power. Another source is the possession of means of control over people. The role of bureaucracy in society (exclusive control of national income and national wealth) gives it a special privileged status (Crompton 87-94). Even in modern developed countries, individuals can flourish without property. Much of the power is provided by the position in large transnational corporations, rather than property. Employees do not merely possess a relatively small property, but their influence lasts only as long as they occupy a certain position. A very similar pattern is observed in the government. In this case, no class exists in isolation and independently of the other classes. Sociologists are divided on the sources of social stratification, but they are united in the fact that social inequality is a structural aspect of the modern life of the whole society. Speaking about the structuring of social inequality, social scientists mean not only the fact that individuals and social groups differ in the privileges they have, prestige they receive, and power they possess. Structuring means that inequality in the society is institutionalized as a system. Inequality is not formed at random, but in accordance with the repetitive, relatively consistent and stable models: it is usually passed down from generation to generation, for which the individuals and groups with the benefits usually find appropriate ways (Crompton 54-58). How do caste and class system differ? How are they the same? Why does industrialization introduce a measure of meritocracy into social stratification? Inequality exists in human societies of all types. Stratification can be defined as structured differences between groups of people; the society consists of layers located in a hierarchical order, where the privileged layers are closer to the top and the underprivileged ones are at the bottom. However, class and caste systems are different in their essence (Crompton 41-43). Caste system is primarily associated with the cultures of the Indian subcontinent, and is presented by four main classes (varnas), differing in the degree of social prestige. Below these four groups are the untouchables. There are also jatis in the caste system: local marginalized groups within which the division into castes takes place. The caste system is very complex, and its structure varies from region to region, but it shares some common principles. Brahmins, forming the highest Varna, represent the highest degree of purity, while the untouchables represent the lowest one. Brahmins should avoid certain contacts with the untouchables, while only the untouchables are allowed to have physical contact with objects or animals, which are considered unclean. The caste system is closely linked with the Hindu concept of reincarnation, under which people who neglect the rights and duties of their caste should be born in their next incarnation in a caste, which occupies a lower position. In the Indian caste system, an individual is not allowed to move from one caste to another during his life (Crompton 65-72). The concept of caste is sometimes used outside the context of Indian culture, e.g. in cases, when two or more ethnic groups are separated from each other, primarily for reasons of racial purity. In such circumstances, there are strict taboos (and sometimes legal prohibitions) on intergroup marriages. After the abolition of slavery in the southern states of the U.S., the level of disengagement of black and white population was so strong that the term caste is sometimes used for this system of stratification. There are also reasons to speak about the existence of caste system in South Africa, where rigid segregation remains between whites and blacks and where interracial marriages were until recently forbidden by law. The class system differs from the caste system in many aspects. Let us consider the four of these main features (Crompton 105-113). 1. Unlike other types of strata, classes do not depend on legal or religious orientation. The class membership is not associated with the congenital status, whatever it was determined by by law or custom. The class system is much more mobile than other stratification systems; the boundaries between classes are never clear-cut. Formal restrictions on marriages between people from different classes do not exist. 2. The class membership is achieved by the individual, at least partly, and is not simply given at birth, as in caste systems. Social mobility is distributed more widely, while in the caste system, an individual move from one caste to another is generally impossible. 3. Classes are related to differences in economic status groups, with inequality in the ownership of physical resources and control, whereas in caste systems, the leading role is played by non-economic factors (such as religion). 4. In caste stratification system, inequality manifests itself primarily in the personal relationships of people, in the difference between rights and responsibilities (Brahmin-Harijan). In contrast, class system is manifested mainly in the large-scale relations of impersonal nature. For example, the essential foundations for the class division are the differences in working conditions and payment, which relate to people of any category and, in turn, depend on the situation of the economy as a whole. Thus, classes can be defined as large-scale groups of people with similar material resources, which in turn determine the lifestyle they lead. Class differences primarily depend on the welfare of people and kind of occupation. In modern Western society, the following main classes exist: the upper class (rich people, businessmen, industrialists, and the upper stratum of managers who own or directly control the means of production), the middle class (which includes the majority of white collar workers and professionals) and the working class (Ãƒ ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"blue collarÃƒ ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ workers, or people involved in physical labor) (Hurst 327-333). According to Weber, the division into classes is determined not only by the presence or absence of control over the means of production, but also by economic differences, not related directly to the property. These determining factors primarily include skills and expertise that affect the ability of the person to perform a job. People belonging to the categories of professionals and managers are also working for hire, but they earn more and have better working conditions than the workers. Qualification certificates, degrees, titles, diplomas and trainings place them in a more advantageous position in the labor market compared with those who do not have the relevant qualifications (Crompton 93-98). Thus, the concept of status in the meritocracy society is associated with varying degrees of social prestige of social groups. The distinctive features of the exact status can be changed independently of the class division. While the class affiliation is an objective feature, the status, in contrast, depends on subjective evaluations of social distinctions by individuals.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The Work of Robert GagnÃƒÂ© Essay -- Instructional Design Essays

The Work of Robert GagnÃƒ © Overview The fundamental concern of instructional design is the creation of more effective learning environments for learners. In order to do this, instructional designers must consider the various learning styles and stages of development of the learners as they interact with course material and develop a mature understanding of a topic. According to Ormrod (1995), theories of learning provide explanations about the underlying mechanisms involved in the learning process. Theories allow us to summarize the results of many research studies and integrate numerous principle of learning. Principles of learning identify specific factors that consistently influence learning and describe the particular effects that these factors have. Studies have shown given the same piece of information, individuals interpret it differently and learn it at different rates through different methods. Thus, the challenge of effective instruction is not only delivering the desired instruction, but in a way that learners of various background, skills, and experiences can take that learning into their personal world of knowledge and make it their own. By addressing the fundamental concern of instructional design and incorporating learning theories to support the process of learning, Robert GagnÃƒ ©'s instructional design theory has emerged a s a primary model used for effective instructional design. This paper will outline GagnÃƒ ©'s instructional design theory and provide information on how it is applied to instructional technology. GagnÃƒ ©'s Instructional Design Theory "Instructional design theories, such as GagnÃƒ ©'s theory, take the cognitivist paradigm one logical step further by claiming that an instructiona... ... GagnÃƒ ©, R.M. (1985). The conditions of learning (4th ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, Inc. GagnÃƒ ©, R.M. & Briggs, L.J. (1979). Principles of instructional design (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, Inc. GagnÃƒ © R.M. & Driscoll, M. (1988). Essentials of learning for instruction (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. GagnÃƒ ©, R.M. & Glaser, R. (1987). Foundations in learning research. In R.M. GagnÃƒ © (Ed.), Instructional technology: Foundations (pp. 49-83). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Ormrod, J.E. (1995). Human learning (2nd ed.) (pp. 6-11). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Streibel, M. (1995). Instructional plans and situated learning. In G.J. Anglin (Ed.), Instructional technology: Past, present, future (2nd ed.) (pp. 145-160). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

John Stuart Mills Philosophy of Happiness Essay -- John Stuart Mill P

John Stuart Mill's Philosophy of Happiness Along with other noted philosophers, John Stuart Mill developed the nineteenth century philosophy known as Utilitarianism - the contention that man should judge everything in life based upon its ability to promote the greatest individual happiness. While Bentham, in particular, is acknowledged as the philosophyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s founder, it was Mill who justified the axiom through reason. He maintained that because human beings are endowed with the ability for conscious thought, they are not merely satisfied with physical pleasures; humans strive to achieve pleasures of the mind as well. Once man has ascended to this high intellectual level, he desires to stay there, never descending to the lower level of existence from which he began. In Chapter 2 of Utilitarianism, Mill contends that Ã¢â‚¬Å"pleasure, and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as endsÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill, 7). Before addressing his argument, Mill defines the topic, Ã¢â‚¬Å"The creed which accepts as the foundation of moral s, Ã¢â‚¬ËœUtilityÃ¢â‚¬â„¢, or the Ã¢â‚¬ËœGreatest Happiness PrincipleÃ¢â‚¬â„¢, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasureÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill, 7). Like a true philosopher, Mill proposes objections to the utilitarian principle, which he then attempts to refute. Pleasure, according to Mill, has rather arrogantly been regarded as being little more than attempting to keep a pig satisfied. Because man has the intellectual capacity for reason, he should aspire for something more. Mill argues that is exactly what man does. He does not merely attempt to seek momentary pleasure, but in utilitarianism, has the option to choose that which provides him with the most pleasure. According to Mill, Ã¢â‚¬Å"Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who have experience of both give a decided preference, irrespective of any feeling of moral obligation to prefer it, that is the more desirable pleasureÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill 8). Many have refuted UtilitarianismÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ideals and declared that man can live just as well without happiness. Mill acknowledges that this may be true in theory, that men do not conduct their lives in total pursuit of happiness, they still need a gauge with which to measure morality. Happiness ... ... This, however, being a fact, we have not only all the proof which the case admits of, but all which it is possible to require that happiness is a goodÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill 27). Simply, the normal rules concerning oneÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s desire for happiness do not apply. Happiness may mean different things to different people but as long as the quest of these desires do not inflict pain on others, this is an acceptable means to an end. Mill is ultimately successful in that he points out that contrary to popular belief, utilitarianism is not a completely selfish motivation that does not take into consideration the desires of others. Virtue, while not completely synonymous with happiness, is a constituent of it. Thus, it is an attribute desirable to society as a whole. One who causes pain in others cannot be described as virtuous. In the final analysis, John Stuart Mill successfully proved his view by noting that happiness is not a completely comprehensive term. It is comprised of many components and represents different things to different people. Whether one is intent on wealthy, famous, or vituous, he is merely exercising different means to the same end which includes pleasures and freedom from pains. John Stuart Mill's Philosophy of Happiness Essay -- John Stuart Mill P John Stuart Mill's Philosophy of Happiness Along with other noted philosophers, John Stuart Mill developed the nineteenth century philosophy known as Utilitarianism - the contention that man should judge everything in life based upon its ability to promote the greatest individual happiness. While Bentham, in particular, is acknowledged as the philosophyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s founder, it was Mill who justified the axiom through reason. He maintained that because human beings are endowed with the ability for conscious thought, they are not merely satisfied with physical pleasures; humans strive to achieve pleasures of the mind as well. Once man has ascended to this high intellectual level, he desires to stay there, never descending to the lower level of existence from which he began. In Chapter 2 of Utilitarianism, Mill contends that Ã¢â‚¬Å"pleasure, and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as endsÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill, 7). Before addressing his argument, Mill defines the topic, Ã¢â‚¬Å"The creed which accepts as the foundation of moral s, Ã¢â‚¬ËœUtilityÃ¢â‚¬â„¢, or the Ã¢â‚¬ËœGreatest Happiness PrincipleÃ¢â‚¬â„¢, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasureÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill, 7). Like a true philosopher, Mill proposes objections to the utilitarian principle, which he then attempts to refute. Pleasure, according to Mill, has rather arrogantly been regarded as being little more than attempting to keep a pig satisfied. Because man has the intellectual capacity for reason, he should aspire for something more. Mill argues that is exactly what man does. He does not merely attempt to seek momentary pleasure, but in utilitarianism, has the option to choose that which provides him with the most pleasure. According to Mill, Ã¢â‚¬Å"Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who have experience of both give a decided preference, irrespective of any feeling of moral obligation to prefer it, that is the more desirable pleasureÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill 8). Many have refuted UtilitarianismÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ideals and declared that man can live just as well without happiness. Mill acknowledges that this may be true in theory, that men do not conduct their lives in total pursuit of happiness, they still need a gauge with which to measure morality. Happiness ... ... This, however, being a fact, we have not only all the proof which the case admits of, but all which it is possible to require that happiness is a goodÃ¢â‚¬ (Mill 27). Simply, the normal rules concerning oneÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s desire for happiness do not apply. Happiness may mean different things to different people but as long as the quest of these desires do not inflict pain on others, this is an acceptable means to an end. Mill is ultimately successful in that he points out that contrary to popular belief, utilitarianism is not a completely selfish motivation that does not take into consideration the desires of others. Virtue, while not completely synonymous with happiness, is a constituent of it. Thus, it is an attribute desirable to society as a whole. One who causes pain in others cannot be described as virtuous. In the final analysis, John Stuart Mill successfully proved his view by noting that happiness is not a completely comprehensive term. It is comprised of many components and represents different things to different people. Whether one is intent on wealthy, famous, or vituous, he is merely exercising different means to the same end which includes pleasures and freedom from pains.

Monday, September 2, 2019

A Looking Glass Fogged :: Journalism Journalist Essays

A Looking Glass Fogged In reporting, it is sometimes the case that a story is told from a certain point of view due to political pressures, especially when dispute surrounds the subject matter. One such case is the reporting on the Chinese-Tibetan conflict, in which China's overwhelming political and fiscal power has the potential to seep into the affairs of newspaper owners. In my paper, I will examine a certain event as it was published in a variety of newspapers, and how their coverage differs from the AP Worldstream report. Additionally, I will analyze what appears to be an extremely one-sided report and how it is of benefit to its publisher. China has always sought to culturally integrate Tibet with the Chinese mainland, for reasons as diverse as the parties involved. Recently this has expressed itself in the form of a planned railway reaching from Beijing to Lhasa, the Tibetan Capital. China has justified this action with its usual stance on Tibetan integration, as an effort to modernize Tibet 'for its own good' and provide it with an influx of labor and industry. Groups opposed to the project fear that the railway will cause a new wave of Chinese settlers who will dilute the region's unique culture and exploit the land for its resources. (AP-Worldstream) The Associated Press is a news source for news sources. Their business consists of covering events and reselling the reports to a variety of papers, so it is in their interest to stay as neutral as possible. In their coverage of the Railway project they cover both sides equally, starting with China's moral obligation to "enrich" the Tibetan culture with an inflow of Chinese culture and labor. To quote Shi, an overseer: "Tibet has been without the railway, but now they will have the same great things and great life as us."(2) While the Chinese side makes no mention of this, the AP report covers political motives for this $3.3 billion investment. With the railroad in place, China would be able to immediately deploy troops to stomp any sort of Tibetan uprising as well as saturate the area and culture with Chinese immigrants, furthering China's grip on the Tibetan region. The article does a thorough job of showing both unrelenting sides of the issue - the Chinese developer's zeal for get ting the railroad underway and wants for further development, employment and opportunities, and the Tibetan fear of exploitation and cultural dilution.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Building Rock Types in Nottingham City Centre

The purpose of this investigation is to identify and visually examine the various rock types used in Nottingham city centre buildings.Table 1. General information Question AnswerBriefly explain why the rock types used in the buildings are given specific, local names (e.g. Ã¢â‚¬Å"Ancaster StoneÃ¢â‚¬ , Ã¢â‚¬Å"Bulwell StoneÃ¢â‚¬ and Ã¢â‚¬Å"Portland StoneÃ¢â‚¬ are three different types of limestone used in Nottingham buildings). Rock types used in buildings are given the local name of their origin. Rocks of the same type will have variations depending on their geographical background. Therefore by naming rocks after their origin, it is easy to confirm that they come from the same place and so have less variations.Dolomitic limestone was the most common building stone in Nottingham from Victorian times onwards. Briefly explain what Ã¢â‚¬Å"dolomitic limestoneÃ¢â‚¬ is (as distinct from Ã¢â‚¬Å"limestoneÃ¢â‚¬ ).Dolomitic limestone is limestone that has up to 50% dolomite content. The Kentucky geological survey describes the stone often exhibiting a sugary texture and commonly weathering to a brown colour.Table 2. Nottingham building information & observations Building Feature Notes(1) Arkwright Building Describe the rock material (including the form of the blocks) for the limestone used in the buildingThe limestone used in the Arkwright Building is Ancaster stone. It is a sedimentary rock with a typical layered look. It is a pale yellow and has a medium grain size. The blocks of limestone are roughly 750mm x 250mm.(2) St Andrews Church Describe the rock material (including the form of the blocks) for the limestone used in the buildingThere are mainly two types of limestone used in the church. The first is called Bulwell stone. It is a coarse dolomitic limestone with a honey-brown or red tint. The blocks of stone are approximately 200mm x 150mm. The other type of limestone is Barnstone. It is a grey, fine grained rock with a rough texture.(4) Newton Building Desc ribe the contrasts in appearance of the limestone and sandstone used in the Newton buildingThe limestone (Portland stone) in the newton building is white in colour unlike the sandstoneÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s golden colour. The limestone has a smooth texture whereas the sandstone has a rough, grainy texture. Grain size is generally bigger in sandstone. Limestone blocks also contain shell debris unlike the sandstone.(5) Guildhall Describe the contrasts in the appearance of the sandstone used on the entrance steps to the sandstone used for the main buildingThe sandstone (Coal Measures Sandstone) used on the entrance steps is a bluish grey compared to the red-tinted sandstone (Millstone Grit) used on the main building. The Millstone Grit has medium grained rock whereas the Coal Measures Sandstone has a fine grain size and a smoother texture. (37) Express ChambersWhat is the name of the architect who designed this building (and when was the building constructed?) The Watson Fothergill website states t he architect who designed the Express Chambers was Watson Fothergill. The construction of the building began in 1875 and was completed in 1876. (30) Nottingham and Notts BankDescribe the rock material (including the form of the blocks) for the larvikite used in the buildingThe Pelham Street frontage is made from Larvikite. It is bluish grey in colour. It has coarse inter-locking grains and a pearly lustre. The sheet used are roughly 1500mm x 1000mm. (29) Nottingham Journal BuildingNot including the flooring, name the different types of rock used to clad the exterior of the ground floor of the buildingThe ground floor faÃƒ §ade is clad with three different types of (Igneous) rock. The bottom layer course is a dark grey Gabbro. Next is a thin course of Rapakivi Granite. The main panels are a greenish grey Magmatite. (78) The former Gala Casino buildingA partially resorbed xenolith can be seen in the right front, grey granite panel. What is a Ã¢â‚¬Å"xenolithÃ¢â‚¬ ?The National Geograp hic states that a xenolith is a piece of rock embedded in a different type of rock. Xenoliths are usually trapped in cooling magma and so most commonly found in igneous rocks. (68) Enfield ChambersDescribe the rock material (including the form of the blocks) for the limestone used in the exterior of the ground floor of the buildingThe Cross-bedded limestone is a dark yellow colour. The rock consists of fine sized grains and small crystals. The blocks of limestone are approximately 1000mm x 450mm and have a smooth texture. (67) PrezzoThe front columns are a porphyritic type of igneous rock. What does Ã¢â‚¬Å"porphyriticÃ¢â‚¬ mean, and can this feature be seen in the columns?The Geology class website explains that porphyritic means an Igneous rock made up of both large and fine crystals. This texture can be seen in the columns. Larger silver crystals are embedded in the finer black crystals.