Immanuel Kants Universalizability Test Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Immanuel Kants Universalizability Test - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the Universalizability test checks for the contradiction of the maxim in either concept or in will. Contradiction in concept involves the fact that the maxim is unable to meet the threshold of being regarded as a universal law without it presenting a contradiction while contradiction in will involves a situation where the maximum cannot be termed as universal law because its will contradicts itself. Perfect duty is the resultant from maxims that fails the test through the contradiction in concept whiles those that fail through the contradiction in will results to an imperfect duty. The universalizability test provides a ground for determining the moral acceptance of actions. It provides that an act that contradicts itself is not morally acceptable and maxims that can be universalized are morally good. The provisions of the test are based on the generality that individuals have the same moral obligations under the sam e moral situations. The universalizability test involves three basic steps. Firstly, a maxim has to be formulated in order for it to be tested, is then universalized and finally checked for consistency. The failure of universalizability of a maxim is demonstrated by lack of consistency and vice versa. Kant mentions that a maxim that cannot be universalized consistently is ‘practically irrational’. Therefore, the maxim that embarrassment can emanate from the incidence cannot be generalized whatsoever. It is apparent that actions are motivated by either morality or the person’s inclination; the issue of embarrassment does not fall in either of these. The ultimate result of such a situation is embarrassment since the individual will not be able to fulfill what they had promised; it will be unfair and irrational to universalize such an act. Another failure by the act is that it does not have a moral worth in the maxim it is based on, but instead its morality is based on its purpose (avoiding embarrassment). This means that the act of giving false promise is not morally acceptable because of its consequences; therefore the act cannot be translated to all individuals in the name of avoiding embarrassment. It is common sense that the action of giving false information is contrary to the expectations because it is contrary to duty. In addition, their actions are not motivated by duty but instead an opportunity to avoid duty. This is why the person goes ahead to give false promise, a strategy that according to them will help in avoiding the responsibility that comes with the task ahead of them. Kant’s argument demonstrate that the act cannot be whatsoever universalized, its motivations are misplaced hence cannot be done by people under similar conditions all over the world. The motivation behind giving false promise is the fact that a person is able to avoid embarrassment for the time being. In order to demonstrate the universalizability of a n act, the maxim thereof is universalized. It must be something that is sustainable and consistent, giving false promise in itself is inconsistent, and it is a matter of time before the truth is known.

Cause and effect essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Cause and effect - Essay Example An emotional effect of being angry is pessimism. Anger drives the positivity out of an individual and leaves them emotionally drained. As a result, the outlook of the individual on the world in general and people in particular becomes very pessimistic. While this emotional effect lasts just as long as the anger does, it can cause the individual to make negative moves that they might even regret later. For example, just because of a misunderstood comment on Facebook from an otherwise close friend, the individual might unfriend the person out of anger, only to realize later that the move was not worth making. Pessimism causes people to make uninformed decisions. In anger, people tend to overlook the positive aspects of an individual’s personality and expand on the negative aspects excessively. The ability to rationally analyze situations, people, and circumstances is sapped in anger. An emotional effect of being angry is emotional outburst. Anger saps intelligence and the abilit y of an individual to maintain emotional balance. Emotional outburst can be exhibited in different ways. While some people shout, scream, or yell, others become faint. In emotional outburst, people say things that they really do not mean to say. They exaggerate the matter at hand and other’s fault in it, thus not only sounding irrational, but also casting a negative impression upon the audience both that is related to the matter and others that are not. Emotional outburst also causes many effects to appear physically and reflect in the face of the angry person. For example, some people go very red in the face when they are angry, some people’s lips, hands, and limbs start trembling in anger, and yet there are others, who start to perspire heavily in anger. All of this is a result of the interaction between mind and body in emotional outburst. In emotional outburst, people even say things that are not directly related to the matter at hand. They may draw examples of eve nts that have passed several years ago, thus casting an impression upon the audience that they do not let go of things even if they seem to have forgiven. When people faint as a result of emotional outburst, their body temperature decreases and they turn white and pale in the face. Many people also perspire heavily when they faint. A physical effect of being angry is violence. Different people behave differently when they are angry. A reaction commonly shown by people in anger is violence. While some people simply enclose themselves in an empty room, and sleep away the anger, others start throwing things away, thus breaking them. A bad news heard over the television can seem a good reason to throw a vase at the LED screen and shatter it. Some people become so overwhelmed with anger that they ignite fire and burn away their possessions, rooms, and other kinds of property, thus putting others’ lives in danger in addition to their own. Possession of weapons can be potentially ha rmful for such an individual who cannot control themselves in anger. People who possess pistols have a tendency to shoot the person they are angry at in rare circumstances. Possession of weapons can be particularly dangerous when there is a fight between children or young adults. Out of immaturity and insanity, they are vulnerable to hurting or even

James J Hill and E H Harriman Compare and Contrast Term Paper

James J Hill and E H Harriman Compare and Contrast - Term Paper Example While J. P. Morgan stood for the banking industry, the oil industry could not be spoken about without mentioning John D. Rockefeller, iron and steel industries were synonymous with Andrew Carnegie’s name, and lastly, as we all know, Harriman was the man who stood for the railroads (Klein 1). In The Life and Legend of E. H. Harriman, the author of the biography, Maury Klein, offers us the first in-depth story about Harriman. The biography covers his influential times in the industry. It spans more than seventy-five years (Klein). E. H. Harriman’s life has been understudied, for the most part, but he was truly influential in the growth of American economy. While Harriman was successful in bringing ‘dead’ companies back to life, James J. Hill was just as successful in the rail transportation business. Their lives changed America. As the story goes, we are put in the loop on how Harriman used to be a banker in Wall Street up to his 50th birthday (Klein, 65). Af ter that, he got into the railroad business in the year 1897. That is the time he took control of the then Union Pacific Rail Road. The company was emerging from a period of bankruptcy. Harriman is credited with the success of modernizing each and every aspect of the company’s operations. Harriman provides us with new insights into the controversies and the myths that surround the career of one of American’s greatest businessmen. Moreover, the book goes on to reassert the position held by this great mind as a true business titan of the turn-of-the-century. James J. Hill: Empire Builder of the Northwest is a biography of a legendary capitalist, James Hill, to whom great changes were credited in the Northwest. The author of the book, Michael P. Malone, is a gifted historian. He is also a respected writer. This is well, evident, in the manner in which he has carefully penned the remarkable life and times of one James J. Hill. In focus, Michael Malone’s biography on James J. Hill is selective. Additionally, it is interpretive in the method it has used. Nonetheless, all these angles at this biography are just like all the other books on the same topic series. However, Michael Malone avoids the pitfalls of other biographies that came before this one. The other biographies often present hagiographic pictures or business histories that are very slim in content. This is not the case with this biography penned by Michael Malone. James Hill is put fully into the context of the times he lived and did business and put his mark on American business history. Worthy of note is the fact that the author, Michael Malone has put emphasis on the effect James Hill’s actions had on America; more specifically, the regions in which he lived and did business.  

Relationships in trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Relationships in trade - Essay Example Since there is no direct governmental intervention, it would permit trading partners attain mutual gains from exchanging goods and services. As it has been defined by International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), â€Å"fair trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers, especially in the south†. (www.wfto.com). Fair trade is of protectionist view which maintains a ‘people first’ policy and is backed by consumers through various non-profit organizations. Fair trade looks forward to achieve better justice in international trade by initiating reasonable changes in the current trade regulations. Its trading practices are entirely different from that of the conventional mode of trade. For instance, fair trade system works on the voluntary participation of producers, consumers, and companies based on a set of mutually accepted standards (Fair Trade Catholic Relief Services). On the other hand, the most important focus of the free trade is profit which usually goes to corporate giants. Hence, in order to create competitive advantages free trade firms seek alternatives for reducing the operation costs by moving from one region to other cost-effective locations. Unlike free trade, fair trade organizations maintain maximum direct relationship with the producers perhaps by giving them free or low interest credit (ibid). The common goods exchanged through fair trade include coffee, chocolate, clothing, and jewelry. Both fair trade and free trade have their own advantages and disadvantages. One of the major benefits of the fair trade is that it promotes eco-friendly farming practices and helps farmers and artisans gain opportunities for building their own business skills. Obviously the notable benefit of the free trade is that it allows us both

Ethnic Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethnic Studies - Essay Example And now is not different from the past, America, despite of her resources and good life to its people faced countless issues regarding race, ethnicity and varied culture of its immigrants and the so called "native white Americans." These among others are continuously become a subject of heated debates and arguments from scholars, politicians and for every Tom, Dick and Harry. This essay will examine the theories and arguments presented by Patrick J. Buchanan's book entitled The Death of the West. Similarly, the essay will also discuss selected important jurisprudence and laws regarding the Ethnic Population in the United States of America. Buchanan's The Death of the West basically discusses migration of different people to the United States. The author gave his theories and arguments regarding the influx migrants from various parts of the world and how these migrants affects the current society of the United States of America. America was once described as the great melting pot of all the races of Europe which correspondingly paved the movement for reformation. Buchanan argued that the biggest immigration in recent years came from all races of Asia, Africa and Latin America to which Buchanan says "are not melting and reforming." (Buchanan: 3) Consequently, America is faced with an abyss for ethnicity and loyalty. In this line, Buchanan supported this argument by stating that among the US' 31 million foreign born, a third are illegal, tens of thousands are loyal to the regimes which the US are at war with and some are trained terrorists. (Buchanan: 2) These increase in migration are encountered due to varying degrees of social as well as legal factors and as such, it posed as a threat of deconstructing the American nation for the reason that people have more or less nothing in common in matters like common history, language, culture and ancestors among others. And as such, it may bring forth separatism on account of ethnic and racial background and ideologies. Buchanan in his work pointed out that due to this influx of migration, the United States risked itself on a so called culture war which afterward results in divisiveness among people. There are social and moral issues which confront the varied background of the people which lives side by side in the US. These issues might likewise be considered as "Transvaluation" of all values for the reason that old virtues become sins and the old sins become virtues. (Buchanan: 5) These are among the reasons of Buchanan which leads him to ask "Is the Death of the West irreversible" (Buchanan: 10) The work presented numerous data with regards the decline of the population of the so called Western Civilization vis--vis the increase in population of the so called third world countries. The decline in population among these westerners pointed out people of German, Italian, Russian, British and Japanese decent, which in the same way the author regarded to as superior races in terms of thinking and technological advancement and even economic gains. It can be inferred therefore, that the aforementioned races belongs to the world's highly industrialized zones which are considered to be movers and shakers of our time. Such decline in the population of

David Suzuki Food Connection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

David Suzuki Food Connection - Essay Example Here, Suzuki makes a contrast between cleanliness and dirt, and between the liveliness of the rural market of naturally grown food and the coldness of the experience of supermarket food items. The writer has given many examples to prove his point. First, he leads the reader to a market in a third world country which he calls a â€Å"collage of sounds† and where we see: Vendors hawking their products (and some of the live produce adding their own squawks) ; buyers haggling over price and old friends greeting and exchanging gossip; smells that range from the perfume of flowers and spices to non-refrigated meat and fish; and splashes of colours in clothing, fruits and flowers (Suzuki, 539). After describing this vivid scene, Suzuki has explained the cultural as well as health-wise importance of this scene (539). He has said, â€Å"Markets give us a sense of the people. ... He has also observed that, in poor countries, the market products are invariably 'indigenous' and grown locally† (Suzuki, 539). He has here, drawn attention to the fact that such produces â€Å"give us an idea of the kind of agriculture practiced in a locale and the variety of products grown or collected in the area† (Suzuki, 539). In this essay, one interesting fact has been that the author has only indirectly and subtly suggested the health benefits of eating naturally grown food. It is only when the chemicals used for agriculture are mentioned that a more direct connection with human health is made. Instead the focal point of this essay has been a more philosophical question regarding the danger of severing one's ties with nature. This becomes evident when we explore the number of instances when an abstract statement is made by the author pointing to th severing of ties with mother nature brought about by the new system of artificial cultivation and keeping of food. F or example, Suzuki has discussed organic food not because he wanted to stress upon its health value but because he felt that by labelling some thing as organic, we are imparting a special value to something which is actually the real normal thing (540). Then he has moved on to show the contradiction in our notions about normalcy. He has revealed that the, â€Å"food that has been treated with pesticides, herbicides, hormones, preservatives and antibiotics requires no special label† which surprises him (Suzuki, 540). Here, the question raised is whether is it not this kind of food that needs to be labelled as different from normal food. In the same vein, Suzuki has added, our overriding concern has been with the appearance, the looks, of the food product (540). To prove

How to Succeed in College Essay Example for Free

How to Succeed in College Essay Hints on How to Succeed in College Classes The Key to Success: Study Time The single most important key to success in any college course is to spend enough time studying. A rule of thumb is that you should expect to study about 2 to 3 hours per week outside of class for each unit of credit. For example, a student taking 15 credit hours should expect to spend 30 to 45 hours each week studying outside of class. Combined with time in class, this works out to a total of 45 to 60 hours spent on academic work†not much more than the time a typical Job requires, and you get to hoose your own hours. Of course, if you are working while you attend school, you will need to budget your time carefully. As a rough guideline, your study time might be divided as shown in the table below. If you find that you are spending fewer hours than these guidelines suggest, you can probably improve your grade by studying longer. If you are spending more hours than these guidelines suggest, you may be studying inefficiently; in that case, you should talk to your instructor about how to study more effectively. If Your Course Is: Time for Reading the Assigned Text (per week) Time for Homework Assignments (per week) Time for Review and Test Preparation (average per week) Total Study Time (per 3 credits 2 to 4 hours 2 to 3 hours 2 hours 6 to 9 hours 4 credits 3 hours 8 to 12 hours 5 credits 3 to 5 hours 3 to 6 hours 4 hours 10 to 15 hours General Strategies for Studying 0 Budget your time effectively. Studying 1 or 2 hours each day is more effective, and far less painful, than studying all night before homework is due or before exams. 0 Engage your brain. Learning is an active process, not a passive experience. Whether you are reading, listening to a lecture, or working on assignments, always make sure hat your mind is actively engaged. If you find your mind drifting or falling asleep, make a conscious effort to revive yourself, or take a break if necessary. 0 Dont miss class, and come prepared. Listening to lectures and participating in class activities and discussions is much more effective than reading someone elses notes or watching a video later. Active participation will help you retain what you are learning. Also, be sure to complete any assigned reading before the class in which it will be discussed. This is crucial, since class sessions are designed to help reinforce key deas from the reading. 0 Use your textbook effectively. For a science book, for example: Begin by identifying the learning goals of an assigned chapter, and get an overview of key concepts by studying the illustrations and reading their captions. Next, read the chapter twice: On the first pass, read only the narrative, skipping any optional or boxed features; on the second pass, include the boxed features, and make notes on the pages to remind yourself of ideas you may want to review later. After you complete the reading, check your understanding by trying some of the end- f-chapter problems or any on-line quizzes or tutorials that may be available. 0 Start your homework early. The more time you allow yourself, the easier it is to get help if you need it. If a concept gives you trouble, first try additional reading or studying beyond what has been assigned. If you still having trouble, ask for help: You surely can find friends, peers, or teachers who will be glad to help you learn. 0 Working together with friends can be valuable in helping you understand difficult concepts. However, be sure that you learn with your friends and do not become dependent on 0 Dont try to multitask. A large body of research shows that human beings simply are not good at multitasking: When we attempt it, we do more poorly at all of the individual tasks. And in case you think you are an exception, the same research found that those people who believed they were best at multitasking were actually the worst! So when it is time to study, turn off your electronic devices, find a quiet spot, and give your work a focused effort of concentration. 02013, Jeffrey Bennett (www. effreybennett. com). Permission granted to photocopy as a two-sided handout for college classes. How to Succeed in College Classes, Page 2 Preparing for Exams 0 Rework problems and other assignments; try additional questions to be sure you understand the concepts. Study your performance on assignments, quizzes, or exams from earlier in the term. 0 Study your notes from classes, and reread relevant sections in you r textbook. Pay attention to what your instructor expects you to know for an exam. 0 Study individually before Joining a study group with friends. Study groups are effective only if every individual comes prepared to contribute. 0 Dont stay up too late before an exam. Dont eat a big meal within an hour of the xam (thinking is more difficult when blood is being diverted to the digestive system). 0 Try to relax before and during the exam. If you have studied effectively, you are capable of doing well. Staying relaxed will help you think clearly. Presenting Homework and Writing Assignments All work that you turn in should be of collegiate quality: neat and easy to read, well organized, and demonstrating mastery of the subject matter. Future employers and teachers will expect this quality of work. Moreover, although submitting homework of collegiate quality requires extra effort, it serves two important purposes directly related to learning: 1. . The effort you expend in clearly explaining your work solidifies your learning. In particular, research has shown that writing and speaking trigger different areas of your brain. By writing something down†even when you think you already understand it†your learning is reinforced by involving other areas of your brain. By making your work clear and self-contained (that is, making it a document that you can read without referring to the questions in the text), you will have a much more useful study guide when you review for a quiz or exam. The following guidelines will help ensure that your assignments meet the standards f collegiate quality: 0 Always use proper grammar, proper sentence and paragraph writing should be fully self-contained. A good test is to imagine that a friend is reading your work and to ask yourself whether the friend would understand exactly what you are trying to say.