Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Country Risk Premium Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Country Risk Premium - Essay Example The risk models that are often utilized for corporate financial valuation, it is essential to undertake the ultimate estimation with regards to the risk and return premiums for the average investments termed as equity or market risk premium. It is hence vital for validating the Capital AssetsPricing Model, since it is currently considered as the most utilized both in the practical and theoretical analysis.The research shows that; investors often have to make some cognitive strategies on the verge of investing in emerging countries. This is due to the fact that undertaking huge investments in emerging countries such as Latin America countries, Asia and South East Europe, among others is considered as being riskier than doing so in developed markets such as that of Japan, Western Europe, and the USA. Certainly, the investments returns are also a little bit lower in the developed markets as compared to that of the emerging markets. The estimates of the much-needed return rates based on the developed markets scenario is mostly done with the Capital Assets Pricing Model. The practical weaknesses of this perspective are greatly recognized although there is a wide acceptance of its theoretical fundamentals. In the case of the emerging markets, it is often deemed as being more challenging to assess the return rates. The country risk should usually be rewarded with the country risk premium based on the required return rate with regards to an equivalent rate of investment in the developed countries.

Organizational Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Organizational Behavior - Essay Example Everyone on the team was very responsible. As the team leader I assigned my teammates different tasks each with a specific timeline for delivery. All the deliverables of my teammates were completed on time. Completing tasks on time is extremely important to ensure a project does not fall behind. This team was very effective and creative. One of the reasons that the team had so many good ideas was due to the diverse composition of the team. Whenever any member of the team had trouble with their assignment the other team members would provide assistance. There was great teamwork among the members of the team. During the two weeks that the team worked together the members of the team never argued with each other and there was never any friction. Arguments among team members are typically counterproductive. The team was able to achieve synergy. Synergy occurs when the whole is greater than the sum of its

Monday, October 28, 2019

Women and Religion Essay Example for Free

Women and Religion Essay Recognizing in religion one of the most powerful institutions for perpetuating sexism and patriarchal authority, feminists have responded in different ways. Some reject all forms of religion, believing that it is an oppressive and negative force, a trap which hinders women in the struggle for material change in their lives. Others believe that there is a spiritual as well as a material aspect to life, and seek alternatives to male-defined religions in goddess worship and other forms of woman centered theology. Still others, while recognizing the patriarchal bias of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, believe that there are spiritual truths in these religions which cannot be denied, and feel that it is therefore necessary to work for reform from within, rather than breaking away (Allen 272). Some religious feminists work for equality, while others believe that female superiority should be recognized in spiritual matters; some reject what they consider oppressive traditions, while others believe that there is strength to be found in reclaiming and redefining womens traditional roles. Like all patriarchal religions, Christianity has been instrumental in creating, perpetuating, and justifying womens oppression. Yet although the Christian church has been for many centuries the most oppressive institution, forcing women to submit to the rule of their fathers and husbands as stand ins for God, this oppression is not necessarily inherent in the religion, and many women have found in it spiritual liberation and truth. Christian teachings may be emphasized and interpreted in varied and quite contradictory ways, as proven by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her co-authors in The Womans Bible, and modern scholars have re-examined the New Testament to argue that despite later interpretations, Jesus was free from sexual prejudice (Allen 273). During the puritan revolution of the mid-seventeenth century the entrenched sexism of the church was challenged as the concept that all human souls are equal in the sight of God gathered force. The more radical puritan sects took the idea of spiritual equality to its logical conclusion, accepting the authority of the spirit over that of church or state, even if that spirit happened to be manifested in a woman or a child. Although not widespread,  and soon subdued, the very existence of this idea allowed feminist theory to develop within women who still defined themselves as Christian (Maitland 217). The discrepancy between Christian ideals and the actual treatment of women within the church began to attract more attention in the 1960s and 1970s as more and more women were influenced by feminist ideas. Individual instances of injustice began to be seen as part of a pattern of sexism. But as women began making demands of their churches they encountered a deep, often hostile, resistance to change, and were forced to ask historical and theological questions of Christianity in a search for the roots of its sexism. In A Map of the New Country: Women and Christianity Sara Maitland argues that the root of the problem lies in the ancient heresy of dualism: the idea that the wholeness of Gods creation can be divided into two and labelled good (spirit) or bad (flesh). According to Maitland: Dualism is a fundamental ground of oppression-the ability to assert that me and mine are better than that which is Other, and justifying this by making God, the ultimate Other, over in ones own imageFeminist theology perceives that dualistic splits are the cause not just of sexism, but of racism, classism, and ecological destruction. How far feminist theology may depart from accepted doctrine and still be considered Christian is a problem faced by feminists struggling to reconcile their spiritual with their political feelings. Some Christian feminist groups are church-linked, others are interdenominational, and others have moved, like philosopher Mary Daly, once a respected Catholic theologian, now declaring herself unconfined by the teachings of church or man, into the new realm of spiritual feminism. In Britain, the Christian Feminist Movement began in 1978 as an active group concerned with examining feminist issues from a Christian viewpoint, and challenging sexism both within and outside the church. They are separate from, but closely involved with, the Christian Womens Information and  Resource Service, a network linking people working to change the position of women in the church, which hopefully will be done soon (Allen 72).

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Strategies to Implement Ethical Practices in India

Strategies to Implement Ethical Practices in India INTRODUCTION What is ethics? Ethics is a branch of Philosophy which addresses questions about morale; i.e about concepts morally what is good or bad ,right or wrong etc. An ethical statement can assert that some particular thing or action is right or may be wrong. Ethics can bring about the difference between good and bad characters or dispositions. It may propound few principles which help in more detailed judgments of these sorts, might be inferred for example that we ought always aim at the general happiness or try to minimize the total suffering of all sentient beings. That it is correct for everyone to look after themselves. Every such statement expresses ethical judgments of different degrees of generality. [J L Mackie 1977] Business ethics Business ethics is that which examines ethical principles, morala or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and business organizations as a whole. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_ethics,nd) Origin of Ethics: The systematic study of what is morally right or wrong can determine that ethics might have originated when humans started to lead the best way of life. This reflective stage emerged once morality creeped into the human society, usually in the form of customary standards of right and wrong conduct. Such customs lead this process of reflection, even if it found them waiting. Ethics also began to come into the picture with the invent of moral codes. [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/194023/ethics] The history of Business ethics can vary depending on the situation or the object under discussion. The history also depends a lot on the historian, the way he or she conceives the subject, what facts he or she seeks to discover or has at hand, and the relative importance the historian gives to those facts. The term business ethics is used in a lot of different ways. In this broad sense the application of everyday moral or ethical norms to business can be considered as Business ethics. ( De George, nd), Many business persons are strongly influenced by their religious beliefs and the ethical norms that they have been taught as part of their religion, and apply these norms in their business activities. Business ethics focuses on the moral or ethical actions of individuals. Many people discussing business ethics, immediately resort to examples of immoral or unethical activity by individuals or by an organization. It also includes the criticism of multinational corporations which make use of child labor or pay very low wages to employees in less developed countries or who utilize suppliers that run sweat shops. Chandra and Pai (2009) explain that for every individual there are certain factors that affect the way an individual take decisions. They feel that power, centralization of workflow, substitutability of activities, uncertainty of inputs and routinization are the various factors are responsible for controlling the ethical contingencies of any individual. A general framework was being produced by Flanagan (2009) regarding the ethical decision making process. He believes that the characteristics of the decision maker which includes motivation, locus of control, ego strength, knowledge, experience, risk taking abilities, Machiavellianism, etc. and the significant influences such as the organization, work, law, economics, professionalism, technology, family, friends or other opinion leaders are responsible for any decision outcome. These outcomes can be in the form of rewards, performance, satisfaction, feedback, promotion or learning. Aims and objectives of the Research Find out the level of ethical awareness amongst the employees in private and public sector companies. Comparison of ethical behaviour between private and public sector employees Role of management in improving ethical behaviours. To what extent the employees in the public and private sector organisation understand the intensity of corruption. How can an employee define corruption in his own terms? what are the measures taken by the management to educate the employees about the unethical behaviour? BACKGROUND The Indian industrial sector opened up in late 1990s when the various developed countries entered India through modes like FDI etc ,with the relaxation of rules and modifications made in the foreign policies along with the age of outsourcing and boom in IT and BPO sectors , lot of foreign companies outsourced their processes to the developing countries especially to India and China .private sector banks were allowed to enter into India. when the banking space in India was already overcrowded with a number of public sector banks, private sector banks, and co-operative banks. Foreign multinational banks, which were growth-constrained, were also waiting eagerly for the sector to open up further in 2009 to make a major foray into this emerging market. now there was scenario where in loans were available at a very less interest rates. The spending ability of the people increased and the spent more than what they actually earned ,by availing the easily available loans now they bought cars and pent houses which, prior to the Banking boom was just a dream for them. This at a micro level increased the corruption in the private sector banks as the executives who sanctioned the loans to these people actually amplified the income of the people on papers through fake documents who asked for loans and inturn expected a percentage of loan as kickback for themselves .this was very common at the micro level in the developing nations but as we go to the macro level there has been an absolute devastation of ethics and higher levels of corruption. There have been many a books which have been written on ethics and corruption , everyday we read in news papers articles, journals about companies and government agencies who are found guilty in scams. With respect to literature on ethics and corruption its a sea out there. Where the data from which can be inculcated here in the research is very less, as there are several life experiences which can just be an eye opener, which cannot be found in books or have references. Ethical Theories: Different ethical theories involve differing procedures, implications, and justifications. Ethical theories are based on ethical principles, they emphasize on different aspects of an ethical dilemma. They also lead to ethically correct resolution staying within the guidelines of ethical theories. Deontology In this theory emphasizing ones main duty is what is considered ethically correct. This theory illustrates that, while analyzing an ethical dilemma, people should strictly follow their obligations and duties.(Rainbow C,1996,pp372) For instance, a deontologist will always keep his promises to a friend and will follow the law. A person who follows this theory will produce very consistent decisions since they will be based on the individuals set duties. Specific people are provided with a basis for special duties and obligations in this theory. For example, an older brother may have an obligation to protect his little sister when they cross a busy road together. (http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/Indep/carainbow/Theories.htm ] Utilitarianism The utilitarian ethical theory was based on the capability of predicting the consequences of an action. To an utilitarian, the choice that is ethically correct is the option that provides the greatest benefit to the most people. (Mill S 1963)One benefit of this ethical theory is that the utilitarian can compare similar predicted solutions and use a point system to determine which choice is more beneficial for more people. This point system provides a logical and rationale argument for each decision and allows a person to use it on a case-by-case context. (Mill S 1963) There are two types of utilitarianism, act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism adheres exactly to the definition of utilitarianism as described in the above section. In act utilitarianism, a person performs the acts that benefit the most people, regardless of personal feelings or the societal constraints such as laws. Rule utilitarianism, however, takes into account the law and is concerned with f airness. Rule utilitarianism benefits are that it values justice and also includes the beneficence at the same time. Most people are benefitted through the fairest and most just means in rule utilitarian. Ethical theories in private and public sector companies : Different ethical perceptions, principles and judgments developed as a result of the differences between public and private-sector organizations. (Sampford C,1998) Unified ethic is instructional and makes possible careful analysis of the proper place of public sector ethics in the context of business, higher education, health care, and law. The public administrators are well-suited to serve as moral exemplars for other professions and for all citizens. . (Sampford C,1998) The notion that public service ought to be the model for ethical conduct in the professions (rather than the other way around) is supportable and provokes new thinking about moral agency and ethics. (Preston N,2002)They provide the necessary foundation for studying public sector ethics by focusing on traditional models arising from moral philosophy. The unified ethic illuminates ethical implications of public administration. It also constructs and culminates by offering an alternative framework for studying ethics. Reay (2009) defines ethics as a set of principles concerning proper conduct. But many authors believe that the definition of ethics changes from one individual to another or from one business to another and everyone has his own definition of ethics depending upon their own set of moral conducts. It is believed that the moral code is essentially ones own sense of what is right and what is wrong, or what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. There are those who think that this moral code should be the same for everyone but it simply cannot be, because all think differently, and all have different upbringings, backgrounds, and experiences. But ethical code of conduct matters to us in every field of life in todays world. The salient features of established ethics models: deontological, teleological, intuitionism and virtue theory are combined to make public administration a moral enterprise. It is a moral enterprise because its sole purpose is to serve public values and public purposes. Moral agency is a part of the profession of public administration. In other words, public administrators must strive always to do that which is morally right. This becomes more important since public administrators are under greater public scrutiny than their private sector counterparts and are more than likely to be held accountable for the decisions they make. (Preston N,2002)Both political and administrative practice are embedded with ethical theories and so are inseparable from governance. (Anne Bois C,2000) says The prime importance of Citizens and public servants are to work towards the promotion, co-operative and meaningful relationships that involve moral examination, theoretical practice, Different Ethical de cision-making models prompted differing ethical perceptions and different judgments. Better communication between factions of varying types is created by awareness of the comparative difference in the moral reasoning of public- and private-sector personnel. [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-20583851/do-public-sector-and.html]. For example, one might expect oath-bound public administrators to be more deontological than other groups that are less constrained by oath and more motivated by collective interest, such as special interest groups or business representatives. One also might expect career officials to be more oriented to duty and principle than are elected officials who must keep consequences in mind for the sake of their own re election. Or it might mean that such personnel will administer both public and private policy with greater consistency and less capriciousness and will remain impartial in circumstances where general fairness frequently is challenged. It seek s to determine whether public- and private-sector personnel differ in their dispositions to exhibit consequentiality or deontological tendencies and, if so, the ways in which those dispositions might be manifest. To understand the nature of public administration these possibilities prove to be the decisive factors. Understanding the ethical decision-making process and its moderating factors helps to incorporate ethics in private and public institutions. Ethical Leadership: Ethical leadership is characterized by having good characters, getting to know ones core values and having the courage to live them in all parts life. [http://www.businessballs.com/ethical_management_leadership.htm] Foundations for various modern concepts for work, business and organizations are provided by Ethical principles. The modern concept of ethical organizations encompasses many related issues like corporate social responsibility (CSR) or simply social responsibility, fair-trade, sustainability, social enterprise, well-being at work and life balance and many more aspects of good modern leadership. There are no clear cut definitions or rules of ethics that can define them. The 4-V Model of Ethical Leadership explains the relationship between beliefs and values and behaviors and actions. The main purpose is the advancement of the common good. The (Grace B,1999) model based on his formal leadership research and personal passions around faith and ethics. Leaders work to create an open, two-way conversation, thereby maintaining a charitable understanding of different views, values, and constituents opinions. They are open to others opinions and ideas because they know those ideas make the organization they are leading better. By having à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the right valuesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? or being a person of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“strong character,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? the ethical leader can set the example for others and withstand any temptations that may occur along the way. Without denying the importance of good character and the right values, the reality of ethical leadership is far more complex and the stakes are much higher. In every field of business, the ethical behavior is very important. But in the field of business services, the role of ethics is even greater as it is directly related to humans life. But Murthy (2007) reveals that for the economic and business benefits, some businessmen are neglecting their code of ethics. Although, Nundy (2000) argues that it is only a small portion of the businessmen who do not follow the code of ethics and are bringing a disgrace to the whole community of corporates but still unethical practices are going on in different sectors in various forms. Carroll and Buchholtz (2008) explains that ethics is basically a discipline that deals with what is good and bad with moral duty and obligation and these sets of moral conducts are even true for the business systems in any part of the world. They divide the ethics into two key branches of moral philosophy as descriptive and normative ethics. They further explained descriptive ethics is a branch that is concerned with describing, characterizing and studying the morality of a people, an organization, a culture or a society. It also compares and contrasts different moral codes, systems, practices, beliefs and values. Therefore, in descriptive ethics, the key focus remains on learning. But on the other hand, the normative ethics is concerned with supplying and justifying a coherent moral system of thinking and judging. This type of ethics seeks to uncover, develop and justify basic moral principles that are intended to guide behavior, actions and decisions. It is here that the business s ystem, particularly in the developing countries, go wrong at following the normative ethics and they violate the ethical code of conduct for their individual benefits. Carroll and Buchholtz (2008) has explained three approaches to ethics as conventional approach (based on how normal society views ethics in todays environment), principles approach (based upon the use of ethics principles or guidelines to direct behavior, action and policies) and ethical tests approach (based on short practical questions to guide ethical decisions guiding the behavior). But seeing the business practices as a concern, the conventional approach to ethics is essentially an approach where one can compare a decision, practice or policy with prevailing norms of acceptability and say whether the practice followed is ethical or unethical. The conventional approach defines some of the sources of norms that come to bear on the individual and that might give an idea for the unethical behavior of the businessmen around the world today. The various sources that may influence a businessman to follow up an unethical practice may include family, friends, law, religious beliefs, society, employer, profession, culture and fellow workers. Each of these attributes contributes in one or the other way to force the business Enterprises to follow the unethical practices for their individual benefits either business or economic. One of possible example for motivating a professionals to follow unethical practices can be an urge to earn more money to satisfy the needs of the family members. This urge of getting more money leads him to follow unethical practices to earn quick money. But there exists a reason for the unethical behavior of the business Enterprises because whenever he or she makes a decision about what is being ethical (right, just, fair), the conventional approach comes into picture. The decision being taken consists of three elements where in the first step, the observation is of the decision, action and the existing practice in the workplace. After that the practice is compared with the prevailing norms of acceptability and then the recognition of the value judgments with the prevailing norms of acceptability. This means for the same set of actions, the two persons have different ways of looking it as they have different et of prevailing norms of acceptability The diagram for ethical decision making gives a wider view for an individual decision regarding ethics. The diagrams depicts the business Enterprises following the unethical practices can be put in the area . This is an area where the corporates get a profit following the unethical practices but they need to be very cautious while doing the unethical work. The various business enterprises in the developing countries are ready to take such a risk because of the inefficient legal system in these countries. They take benefit of the existing lenient laws in these countries and follow the unethical practices to make quick money. The business enterprises usually follow the principle of Smiths Market Ethic which says that take selfish actions and be motivated by personal gains in business dealings. But as the reason of their actions for unethical behavior, they follow the Bentham/Mills Utilization Ethic Principle which asks an individual to determine whether the harm in an action is outweighed by the good. So, these parctioners have numerous reasons which can outweigh the unethical action by a good cause. Weaver (2009) reveals that a recent survey conducted by the American Management Association and the Human Resource Institute identified the top three factors that would cause people to break the ethical standards. The factors included the pressure to meet unrealistic objectives or deadlines, career advancement and protecting their livelihood. In case of the business Enterprises the later two reasons play a very important role for encouraging following the unethical practices. For establishing their practice in a very short span of time and for increasing the volumes of clients coming to visit them, these business Feiglstok (2009) supports the ethics in an organization by revealing that the benefits of being ethical greatly outweigh being non-ethical in business. There are plenty of reasons why being honest and truthful is the better decision to make. This includes the honesty towards work and various humanitarian reasons. He also believes that working for an organization in an ethica l manner or working as individual for the profession in an ethical manner gives self satisfaction to an individual which cannot be obtained even if one earns good money by following the unethical practices. Unethical Practices in Industry Decades back, business was considered as a good profession and almost all corporates were not money minded people. But the time has changed and all wants to be established in their life very quickly and for that they will choose the short cut. (Theyyunni, 2008). So, young and inexperienced business Enterprises have started following the path of short cut by taking the unethical path which is beneficial in terms of business as well as economics. Although Watts (2008) criticizes the unethical behavior of the business Enterprises by quoting Not All Money is Good Money but still it depends upon business Enterprises to take their own ethical decisions. In many of the developing countries, the staff employed in the public sector may also practice privately, either on their own account or working for owners of private facilities. This may be legal or may not be strictly legal or controlled. Public offices may operate their own private offices and manage the income from them, or may allow work for private gain on their premises, as when corporates admit private clients and are paid directly by them. (Mills, Bennett, McPake, 1997) This overlapping of the private and public sectors gives birth to the existence of certain unethical practices for the personal benefits by certain individuals. Garretts principle of proportionality supports the view of the business Enterprises in developing countries around the world by saying these Enterprises have a proportional reason for the unethical practices which are very much needed along with the ethical practices that are followed. It believes one such proportionate reason is the low wage to business sector. Smith (1999) says that with reference to NHS in UK, the professional bodies and the government departments have a very little to say on these unethical practices. Nundy (2000) believes that to see how the public can be safeguarded from an inefficient and often corrupt business system and receive comprehensive health care of a reasonable quality is paramount. Unethical Practices in India India has been ranked a lowly 74, two steps down since last year, among 180 countries of the world on the worldwide Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), prepared by independent international agency Transparency International. However, corruption is much higher in Pakistan which occupies 140th place, a little below Iran, Libya and Nepal which are ranked 133, 134 and 135 respectively. Meanwhile, China which was ranked a joint 72 with India in 2007, slided a step down to occupy a place above its neighbour this year. Among other Asian countries, Russia is placed still lower on 145, while Sri Lanka occupies the 96th position and Maldives is ranked 90. ((http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Corruption-index-India-ranked-74/327777/ With the fast development of various sectors in India, the unethical practices are also increasing in the business sector in India. Sharma (2004) has clearly stated that there in an urgent need to overhaul and strengthen the public sector in India. Apart from quacks and outright fakes, even qualified business practitioners know that they can get away with malpractice because clients do not know their rights. With the exponential growth of the private sector, there is an urgent need for regulation to protect users. (Sharma, 2004) Dev and Rao (2009) support the allegations of Sharma by quoting that the recent expansion of the private sector and the increased investment in the field of the curative services and the various sophisticated business equipments have increased the corruption in the private practices in the business sector in India. They explain that the payment to touts who get the clients for offices and to the corporates who refer clients has become a common practice in India Colclough (1997) explains commission to corporates who prescribe expensive investigations and procedures which are often unnecessary as another form of unethical practice and corruption in business sector in India. Dev and Rao (2009) criticize the unethical Indian corporates in the private sector putting them responsible for kickbacks, overbilling and expensive procedures. Phadke (2009) reveals though the client knows about the malpractice but he is afraid to bargain or to show lack of trust because of the fear that this might adversely affect the persons attitude towards the client and in turn, may affect the quality of the service provided. The picture of the business sector gets more clear while having a look at the PEST Analysis done by Holtz (2008) who alleges the lower annual per capita ($ 20) spending of the Indian government on of the public sector i.e the healthcare and the under-developed private health insurance in India which spends only 1% of the total spending on healthcare as major political reasons for the unethical practices in India Sharma (2004) critically argues the claims made by the other authors and says that majority of the population in the various developing countries is uneducated about the governmental structure of business sector and moreover, the inaccessibility of the services in a rural area with densely populated areas can be treated as primary reasons for the increased importance of the business Enterprises which further leads to following up of unethical practices by few individuals. Holtz (2008) shares a different view and feels that low wages to employees and staff in government services are the primary reasons responsible for the existence of the unethical practices in the business sector. Cygnus Business Consulting Research Pvt. Ltd. (2008) criticizes the governments for having access to less high-tech equipments with them as compared to private organizations. One of the other important factors responsible for the unethical practice is due to lack of job satisfaction as claimed by Wells (20 07). Hertzberg (1959) has formulated a two-factor theory, which proposes motivators and hygienes as the two factors responsible for job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The presence of motivators in the workplace caused enduring states of motivation in employees but their absence did not lead to dissatisfaction. Wells (2007) establishes that the factors that are included as the Motivators are responsibility, recognition, promotion, achievement and intrinsic aspects of job while the factors the form the Hygienes are supervision, salary, work environment, company policies and the relationship with colleagues. The lack of the government motivation to the corporates and the parabusiness staff in the business sector can be considered as one of the most important factors for the use of unethical factors in treatment of clients in India. (Dev Rao, 2009) . To what extent the business Enterprises are following unethical practices and what are reasons for their unethical behavior is still the subject of research. So, this dissertation will try to find the answer of these questions. Moreover, in the existing research, it is still unclear whether which particular specialty is more unethical and demands for maximum commission. This dissertation will also try to establish such a relationship which can explain about the extent of commission practice existing in the business sector. Corruption The most disquieting aspect of the widespread corruption in India is the fact that it is not anymore confined to politicians or the government machinery alone. It is prevalent amongst almost every section of the society at every level.( N.S. Venkataraman, 2002). the fact is that most of the Indians are involved in corrupt practices in one way or the other, either due to greed or due to so called compulsion. In any case, the willingness to sacrifice for the sake of not getting involved in corrupt dealings is conspicuous by its absence amongst the most. Indian IT majors Satyam and Wipro , who were barred from World Bank projects for offering their stock to Bank officials, represent a miniscule problem compared to the kickbacks and commissions that go to government officials for approval of Bank projects. (Steve Berkman, 2009). Emergence of political elite who believe in interest-oriented rather than nation-oriented programmes and policies. Artificial scarcity created by the people with malevolent intentions wrecks the fabric of the economy. ( KOHLI, SURESH, 1975) say that Corruption is caused as well as increased because of the change in the value system and ethical qualities of men who administer. The old ideals of morality, service and honesty are regarded as an achronistic. Tolerance of people towards corruption, complete lack of intense public outcry against corruption and the absence of strong public forum to oppose corruption allow corruption to reign over people. (John B, 1966) say that Vast size of population coupled with wi despread illiteracy and the poor economic infrastructure lead to endemic corruption in public life. In a highly inflationary economy, low salaries of government officials compel them to resort to the road of corruption. Graduates from IIMs with no experience draw a far handsome salary than what government secretaries draw. Measures to combat corruption ( John B, 1966) suggests that Foolproof laws should be made so that there is no room for discretion for politicians and bureaucrats. The role of the politician should be minimized. Application of the evolved policies should be left in the hands of independent commission or authority in each area of public interest. Decision of the commission or authority should be challengeable only in the courts. Cooperation of the people has to be obtained for successfully containing corruption. ( KIMBERLY ANNED, 1997) People should have a right to recall the elected representatives if they see them becoming indifferent to the electorate. Funding of elections is at the core of political corruption. Electoral reforms are crucial in this regard. (SUSAN, 1999)Several reforms like: State funding of election expenses for candidates; strict enforcement of statutory requirements like holding in-party elections, making political parties get their accounts audited regularly and filing income-tax returns; denying persons with criminal records a chance to contest elections, should be brought in.Responsiveness, accountability and transparency are a must for a clean system. (BRIAN E,1995) points at Bureaucracy, the backbone of good governance, should be made more citizen friendly, accountable, ethical and transparent. More and more courts should be opened for speedy inexpensive justice so that cases linger in courts for years and justice is delivered on time. (HEATHER ,2003) Local bodie s, Independent of the government, like Lokpals, Lokadalats, CVCs and Vigilance Commissions should be formed to provide speedy justice with low expenses. (MARIANNE M ,2003) shows us A new Fundamental Right viz. Right to Information should be introduced, which will empower the citizens to ask for the information they want. Barring some confidential information, which concerns national and international security, other information should be made available to general public as and when required. Stringent actions against corrupt officials will certainly have a deterrent impact. Scams and Scandals A typical case of Aes corporation ,shell ,e

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The Klu Klux Klan Essay examples -- Klu Klux Klan Racism Essays

The Ku Klux Klan originated over one hundred years ago and has gone through many changes since its beginning. Although many people know the Ku Klux Klan exists, they do not understand its purpose or how it has changed throughout its life. After the Civil War ended, the Southern states went through a time known as Reconstruction. Ex-Confederate soldiers had returned home now, and they were still upset about the outcome of the war. It is at this point in time that the Ku Klux Klan became a part of everyday life for many Southerners. In the beginning the Ku Klux Klan was started to be a way for people who had the same views to spend time together. The original members meant of the Ku Klux Klan to be a "hilarious social club" that would be full of aimless fun (Invisible Empire, p.9), though in later years the Ku Klux Klan became known for their violence against people outside the white race and people who associated with them. Contrary to what most people believe, the Ku Klux Klan was started because of a few people wanted to have some innocent fun, not because they were intending to start a chain of violence on anyone outside the white race.(The Klan, p.2) The Ku Klux Klan began in Pulaski, Tennessee, a small town south of Nashville. On the night of December 24, 1865 six ex-confederate soldiers were sitting around a fireplace it the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones.(Invisible Empire, p.9) These six friends were having a discussion and were trying to come up with an idea to cheer themselves up. One of the men suggested that they should start a club and the rest of the men agreed with the idea. After discussing the mew idea, the men decided to meet again and retired for the night. The second meeting was again at Judge Thoma... ... BIBLIOGRAPHY Chalmers, David M. Hooded Americanism. New York: Franklin Watts, 1981. Horn, Stanley F. Invisible Empire. Connecticut: John E. Edwards, 1969. Imperial Klans of America. http://www.kkkk.net/index.html. 13 April 2008. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://www.kkk.com/intro.htm#stands. 11 April 2008. Kajun Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://louisianaknights.com/belief.html. 13 April 2008. "KKK, Though in Decline, Packs Punch." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 26 August 1996, Section News Analysis. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://www.k-k-k.com/belief.html. 13 April 2008. North Georgia White Knights. http://www.theklan.com/inform.htm. 12 April 2008. Sims, Patsy. The Klan. New York: Stein and Day, 1985. Southern Cross Militant Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://personal.atl. bellsouth.net/atl/a/k/akia/index.html. 12 April 2008.

Friday, October 25, 2019

My Personal Philosophy of Education Essays -- Philosophy of Teaching S

Philosophy of Education As a child, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said that I wanted to do something to help other people. I realized that even though teachers do not get a lot of respect, or money, they have the greatest job anyone could ever hope for. They help children become adults. All children are inspired by someone to be what they will become in the future. Teachers inspire those of all professions; police officers, firefighters, secretaries, carpenters, bankers, trash collectors, actors, truck drivers, fast food workers, scientists, inventors, doctors, lawyers, even the president. Imagine how it would feel to know that you are the reason someone developed something to benefit mankind, saved a life, or became the first female president of the United States of America. Hopefully, as a teacher I can inspire a child to fulfill all of their dreams. As a teacher I hope to help my students set and achieve goals. Another goal of mine is to get my students to feel good about themselves. These are things they can take with them and use in the future. I will teach students about other cultures and races in an attempt to produce students more accepting, compassionate, and understanding of situations encountered in life. My students will understand that just because someone is not like you, does not mean that there is something wrong with them. Everyone is different in his or her own special way. The purpose of education is not to pre...

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Aids in the African American Community

In the mind of the public, the AIDS problem is undoubtedly linked to sexual behaviors and possibly perceived to be a result of promiscuity, nonmonogamous sexual activity, and a well-deserved problem that should affect gay and homosexual people.To a certain extent, efforts to combat AIDS in the African-American communities have also been hindered by the fact that we know very little, beyond stereotypes and myths, about the sexuality of African-Americans. These perceptions have provided much of the confusion about what we should do about HIV/AIDS, or for that matter any of the health problems that are at epidemic levels in the African American communities throughout the United States.It has also been the case that several of the important sources of leadership in the African-American communities have utilized the AIDS epidemic to develop and promote extremely conservative religious and moral agendas and punitive responses toward persons who are already considered to be unfit members of the community.For example, during the first wave of the AIDS epidemic there were several stories within the African-American communities across the United States about ministers who were preaching to their congregations about how AIDS is â€Å"God's punishment for homosexual people who sin.†While there is no way to determine the extent of this attitude among African-American ministers and preachers, approximately one-fourth of the sample (28 percent) of African-American college students was in agreement with this belief.â€Å"There is a long history in the United States of African-Americans and other minority groups being devalued and of having their behavior labeled deviant. In the case of AIDS, the victims are further socially ostracized.A prime example is the fact that Haitians were at one time considered a risk group. Because of this, many Haitians lost their jobs and experienced extreme levels of racial discrimination, not because they had AIDS, but because they were H aitians and therefore linked to AIDS† (Moore and LeBaron, 1986).So, it appears that efforts to combat HIV/AIDS have been hindered by (1) our lack of knowledge about the sexuality of African-Americans, (2) research that has not seriously examined the variability of behavior and attitudes within African-American groups, (3) community and religious leaders who view the AIDS problems as punishment from God, (4) our intolerance of gays and bisexuals within the African American community, and (5) the lack of attention directed at the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases prior to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.If one accepts these observations, then what are we to do in order to develop effective and culturally sensitive AIDS-prevention messages that will reach African-Americans, who are not monogamous, are not abstinent, and who do not use IV-drugs.One solution is to make sure that African-Americans have an adequate understanding of the factors associated with the transmission of HIV/ AIDS. Overall, the pattern of the results indicates that African Americans are very knowledgeable about AIDS, but there appears to be a gap between knowledge and risky sexual behaviors.The development of culturally sensitive AIDS-prevention programs for African-American college age adults may be facilitated by considering some of the insights gained from the study.For example, data suggest the gap between knowledge and risky sexual behavior is likely to be filled with different attitudes and beliefs for males versus females, or individuals with multiple versus non-multiple sexual partners, or individuals with or without a history of STDs, or individuals with or without HIV/AIDS. (Nikitta Foston, 2002).Information uncovered by this investigation revealed that males are less knowledgeable about several factors involved in the transmission of AIDS than females. On the other hand, individuals with multiple partners were more likely to believe that AIDS is caused by bacteria or the same virus that causes VD.Knowledge about the factors associated with the transmission of HIV/AIDS was essentially identical for subjects who practiced unprotected anal intercourse and those subjects who did not. Individuals with HIV/AIDS correctly answered only 55 percent of the questions concerning the transmission of AIDS while those not exposed correctly answered 85 percent of the AIDS knowledge questions.These data suggest that educational information and self-assessment instruments may need to be created for and targeted at specific African-American groups rather than rely on a wide-scale mass media campaign to reach all individuals. One way to accomplish this aim may be to create materials that enable African-Americans to actively question and evaluate their own risk.Perhaps one of the problems that has to be overcome in order to implement such a plan is to identify the explicitness needed in the HIV/AIDS prevention messages for African-Americans who are not monogamous and engagin g in risky sexual behaviors (e.g., anal intercourse).The possible means of how to minimize the gap between knowledge and risky behaviors could go on and on, but the one way that is likely to result in a more favorable outcome is to simply ask the people involved to provide solutions. Seldom have we taken this position around a major public health problem, but what can we lose by asking African-Americans to generate solutions to problems that are the focus of so much human suffering.One of the barriers to effective HIV/AIDS education programs in African-American communities is the fact that the people and organizations have not been encouraged to believe that HIV/AIDS prevention would be more effective when planned, executed, and propagated by members of their own community.In other words, African-American community members are not involved in the empowerment process which stresses both individual determinations over one's own life and strong democratic participation in the life of o ne's community. The notion of empowerment presupposes that African-American community members have the competency to intervene on their own behalf but lack the necessary resources.

History of Modern Philosophy Essay

1- How, and with what success, does Hume deal with the apparent anomaly of the missing shade of blue? In A Treatise of Human Nature, Hume attempt to rid 18th century moral philosophy of what he considered to be meaningless and vacuous concepts underlying our theory of knowledge – be it metaphysical arguments or hypotheses seemingly formulated from the mere imagination of many philosophers. Influenced by the emerging trend of empiricism and naturalistic science – like Newton and Locke, which Hume owed much of his basic principles from – Hume presented the Treatise as an attempt to introduce experimental methods of reasoning into the area of moral philosophy. In the first book of the Treatise, entitled Of the Understanding, Hume devoted the first part – Of the Origin of our Ideas – for explaining the basis of his philosophical system that appeals on the similar empiricist approach as that of Locke’s. However, curiously, Hume had cited an explicit counter-argument – the problem of missing shade of blue – that could invalidate his whole philosophical system that is based on this central principle. Even more puzzling is Hume’s complacency with this problem, and although he considers the problem as singular and exceptional, he fully admitted to this counter example and did not try to resolve it. Yet, this case merits a deeper investigation, and it is this essay’s attempt to see whether his apparent complacency with the missing shade of blue would have any effect on the strength of his philosophical system, and other attempts to render this problem irrelevant. The problem of the missing shade of blue by Hume is as follows: suppose a man who is well acquainted with colours for thirty years and has seen all the colours in the set of possible colour spectrum, except for one particular shade of blue. Then, he is presented with a full spectrum of the shades of blue, from the darkest shade to the darkest, all except the one particular shade in which he has not yet encountered. It is then conceivable that this man would be able to produce this single missing shade of blue. The problem of this lies in the basis of the empiricist doctrine at which Hume is following, namely, that all ideas must be preceded by experience, yet, in this example, it is demonstrated that it is possible for an idea to precede sensation experience, as the man is able to produce the idea of the missing shade of blue without having first encountered it through his senses. At this point, I would like to elaborate more on Hume’s theory of mind and the origin of ideas as that would clarify why this example is so damaging to Hume’s system. As stated before, Hume’s project can be put into a general label of empiricism, which is a belief that all knowledge comes from experience. Much of his line of argument resembles that of Locke’s, another prominent empiricist. Hume even borrowed Locke’s key terminology to a certain extent, with terms like ideas and impressions. Locke believes that ideas are whatever the mind perceives in itself, or is in the immediate object of perception, thought, or understanding, as when one perceives, thinks, or understands, the ideas are before the mind. This limits all ideas to be originated from experience (perception), and also shows the connection between thought and perception and their interchangeable nature. The ideas can be divided into ideas of sensation (touch, smell, sight, etc.) and ideas of reflection (fear, happiness, sadness, etc.), which can then be separated further into simple and complex ideas, where complex ideas are derived from simple ones. Hume follows this line of argument with some modifications. He claims he ‘restores’ the term ideas to its original sense by classifying the objects the mind is perceiving as perceptions, not directly as ideas as Locke have used, and from perceptions he then distinguished them into impressions and ideas, where they differ in degree, as impressions are more vivid and forceful before the mind, such when sees a colour, and the ideas are more faint, such when one thinks of a colour after having the impressions of it. Hume then makes the distinction of simple and complex ideas, and by introspection, Hume demonstrates that one can think of any simple ideas and then find corresponding simple impressions that are exact copies of each other, and one can do this with any conceivable simple ideas. Complex ideas are different in that they are composites of simple ideas. And with this experiment in introspection, Hume then postulates his first thesis, â€Å"†¦ That all our simple ideas in their first appearance are deriv’d from simple impressions, which are correspondent to them, and which they exactly represent.† We may call this the Copy Principle, as it simply states that every simple idea is a copy of a corresponding impression. One of the most important components of this thesis is the fact that it’s a genetic one in that it shows the origin of ideas as following from impressions – as impressions to be the cause of ideas. Again, this is proved by the constant conjunction of simple impressions preceding simple ideas, which one can do to every simple idea one may have. Another support Hume gives is that of a man born defective of certain perceptive organs, hence, missing certain impressions (e.g. sight or sound), one would not have any ideas of those corresponded with the impressions, for it is evident that deaf people also have great trouble speaking. The genetic component is important in that they validate the empiricism doctrine on the reliance of experience. Anyhow, now we can see how the problem seems to defeat the purpose of this thesis. Moreover, a counter example, from a logical standpoint, one counter example is sufficient to turn an argument invalid. So why did Hume not deal with this problem? We may try to take it as Hume claimed the problem to be – a singular case where it is not worth investing time on. Being a singular case, one may have to take the argument in closer inspection. Hume states explicitly that the man in question may have enjoyed the sights for thirty years and perfectly well acquainted with all the possible colours except one, and that may be the attempt by him to restrict this to some specific scenario. It is implicitly embedded in the counter example that the subject of this example must be well acquainted with all the colours, such that one can make up colours in one’s mind, much like how only musicians of a certain skill level can sight read music. Thus, it appeals to some amount of ‘experience’ such that one may be bound to experience, habits, or personal background. Yet, when given further consideration, this seems to be invalid as well, as these restrictions do not seem to hold. As far as experience go, a child who does not know what ‘turquoise’ mean does not necessarily have an idea of the colour ‘turquoise’. So this case is certainly not an exceptional case and Hume had not dealt with it satisfactorily. Yet, Humean scholars have tried to find solutions for this problem and some even disregard it as a problem altogether. Firstly, the first objection to this counter argument is that there is no way to test whether the person in question does in fact have an idea of the missing shade of blue before seeing the missing shade or not. There is a great difference between being able to spot a missing spot in a complete spectrum of blue, and being able to produce an idea of the shade of blue without first encountering the impression of it. If ones sees a constant change in shade from, let’s say blue-0 where it is darkest to blue-255 where it is the lightest shade, then if there is one shade of blue missing, it would be quite noticeable as the mind notices the jump in gradual and constant change, but it does not follow that one could create an idea of that missing shade. To test this is also impossible, as if one is to reproduce colour, it still does not follow that he produces the idea since he would only be mixing the existing colours to brighter shades, and thus, after finishing mixing the colour, one then has the idea of the colour following the impression. All other ways of testing is equally futile because they all involve exposing the subject to the missing impression one way or another. Alternatively, if we look at the thesis again, and instead of taking it as a genetic form of the argument that Hume meant it to be, and instead, modifies it slightly to a more analytical empiricism form. Hume’s thesis on the theory of mind, upon closer inspection, can be taken as a form of meaning empiricism, in the sense that ideas to him are the same as different thoughts, which are different kinds of concepts, which is linked to when one understands something in a linguistic sense one is linking the word with the meaning, or the concepts associated to the word. Hence, if we think of the initial genetic content of the thesis, that impressions strictly precedes ideas, we may relax it slightly in favour of the analogy to meaning empiricism and forget its genetic form and instead formulate the following thesis: that all simple ideas must have corresponding conceivable and encounterable impressions. By doing this, we are no longer faced with the problem of the missing shade, since it is perfectly possible that the subject would be able to encounter this particular shade. Lastly, from a personal view, I see the problem of the missing shade of blue as not a problem at all, but Hume’s mistake lies in classifying colours as simple ideas. It is true that the impressions of light blue might very well be different than dark blue, so to speak, but to use Hume’s method, it is possible to separate using our imagination the components ‘light’ and ‘dark’ from ‘blue’. Thus, it is the impression of ‘blueness’ which is a simple impression, combined with the impression of ‘light’ and ‘absent of light’ that combine to give this multitude of shades of colours. Take this example, suppose some neutral shade of blue, let’s number it blue 124, were put somewhere with light, you will be able to see blue 124. However, let’s say for some reason, the room becomes lighter, certainly, the shade of blue 124 would have changed to some lighter shade of perhaps blue 200. If we vary the light in the room from darkest to lightest, it is then possible to observe from the darkest to the lightest shade of blue likewise. One may argue that the colour can be calibrated to some objective criteria, perhaps the ratio of pigments of colour blue of some sort, yet, that does not matter since all that matters to Hume is indeed only impression. Furthermore, using this example, we can also say that perhaps the subject of the experiment may have in fact encountered the particular shade of blue sometime before without acknowledging it. Conclusively, although Hume’s treatment of the missing shade of blue is very limited and very complacent, it is perhaps Hume’s own mistake for considering such example a ‘problem’, rather than the problem itself being a threat to his theory of origins of ideas.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Architecture and Environment Paper Essay

Architecture and the environment help to shape one another so they must be describe together. To build architecture constructors take from the environment but both architecture and the environment serve the people of the world. To fully understand the interactions of architecture, the environment, and the effects of each on human behavior one must view as variables of one whole. The Impact Physical Structures have on Human Behavior It only takes visiting a beautiful place like a Maine coast light house, a Scottish castle, or a villa in Greece to feel the profound affects it has on ones mental condition. Worries are melted away and the soul is refreshed. Lighter or brighter spaces tend to increase alertness and even guard against depression. Rooms that are intended for relaxation should have dark colors with carpeting and few sharp edges. Low ceilings typically improve focus on detail-oriented tasks where conversely high ceilings increase creativity. Views of nature such as trees and open green spaces significantly inspire creativity, concentration, and memory. Clearly, it is significant to construct buildings that are sensitive to the needs of a user and should also compensate for ones inability to spend time outside. Certain human populations spend more time indoors than outdoors, which can have an unpropitious effect ones well being, health, and even comfort. This is why it is so important to create indoor en vironments that suit and meet ones basic needs (Pultar, 1997). Architecture Directing Human Behavior Architecture not only influences human action but can also help to direct that action. Research has proven that the way a person lives can affect their social interaction with others. One study showed those who live in apartments that were close to one another were less interested in social interaction surrounding them and had possession of limited space. The interest for knowing what was around them was not present nor the need to share who they are with others. Places of worship and places of work are perfect examples of how architecture can impact human behavior. Churches specifically use designs and furniture when building a church that will elicit the appropriate response when the congregation is attending. However, doing this the reverence of the God they want others to understand and know about is an exciting learning experience that the people want to continue to  come back and worship at that church. (Bro & Popow, 2000) Environmental Psychological Implications of Design Everyone is impacted to some degree by building design, so it is to no ones surprise that the involvement of environmental psychology in design is enormous. The way ones surroundings are arranged can provide either possibilities or limitations. Therefore, when creating any kind of space, it is very significant to know for what and who will use it. It is important to know where to build, how much space will be needed, and its purpose. The building needs to be matched with his or her user so that the best functionality can be established while meeting certain criteria such as quality, safety, and performance. Environmental psychological implications of commercial design are being designed these days very often depends on public demands. Without the involvement of the user, a designer will be unable to construct a building that will meet everyone’s needs and will pay attention to aspects such as safety and flexibility. For instance, there are several intentions of a hospital. A hospital must first provide the right kind of care to its patients but at the same time, it needs to consider the needs of its employees by providing a sufficient work environment. One of many concerns when designing a hospital is providing the most efficient care for patients without sacrificing effective care. Therefore, the layout of a hospital contributes greatly the care of a patient. It has been researched that the distance between a nurse’s station and a patient’s room plays a vital role in the kind of care the patient receives and the speed with which he or she receives it. Besides space, another concern existing in a work environment, such as a hospital, is privacy. Privacy is very difficult to be maintained in such an environment and is important for the well being of a patient and staff. It has been acknowledged that short periods of privacy improved the productivity of nurses. At the same time, allowing privacy for patients contributes to more interactions that are social. In addition, the amount of noise, the kind and quantity of light, facility indoor colors, more windows and nicer views, and availability of gardens are just few of the many features that can improve the well-being of a patient and contribute to better employee productivity (Kesan, 2000). Environmental Psychological Implications of Residential Design When constructing a  residential property, it is very important that the design will encourage and best performance to those using this living place. The user is vital in the process of creating a residential layout because he or she will be spending a lot of time in this property. Therefore, it is very important that a residential property meets ones needs, is well made, safe, functional, and cost efficient. Recent research concluded that it is important to create a unity between the built environment and a user because the design of a home can affect ones way of living (Tappendorf, 2002). When designing a residential area, one must be aware that he or she is not only creating a building for space but he or she is also producing a place, which must provide residential satisfaction and will help express identity. Space supplies the user with dimensions for living, the needed amount for privacy, and room for others. Place is personal individually influenced, and makes one feel at home. Creating a life space requires various implementations and considerations such as where, for whom, and for what purpose the house is built, how to organize the support spaces like the kitchen and bathrooms, and how many and where to place the support systems like lightning, windows, and others. In addition, when organizing a living space, one should decide between an open or closed plan. A closed plan means more divided rooms allowing for more privacy, whereas an open plan allows for more flexibility within a living space but less privacy. In the end, providing a home that is functional and meaningful at the same time will allow the owner to become attached to it (Tappendorf, 2002). Whatever the decision one makes in his or her residential area, this chance of doing so will most likely change over time. Importance of Architectural Development supporting Sustainable Development Various factors contribute to the importance of architectural development being necessary to support sustainable development. For far too long, this has been not a significant matter because the main focus was to create a higher standard of living, which caused enormous and irreversible damage to the environment. However, with the continuously rising numbers of people on this planet and the increasing shortage of natural supplies and resources, the paradigm shifted to make a change. Sustainable building is without question one of the most cost-efficient solutions to reduce the rapidly depleting natural resources and adverse impact on the environment. Clearly, when build anything; it is crucial to think about the future and  therefore, the environment. As seen in the past, humanities decisions have impaired the ability to sustain and in some cases done irreversible damage to the environment. Continuing on this path is impossible because it will destroy the ecosystem for future generations. The ecosystem will be unable to restore itself and make it impossible for future generations to survive on this planet. According to the U.S. Department of Energy constructing and maintaining manmade environment is responsible for half of all greenhouse gas emissions and more than half of annual energy consumption in North America (Moore, 2009). This news is shocking and definitely requires a major change in the way future architecture develops. Fortunately, research agrees and it is progressing to implement more environmentally sound aspects when designing architecture. Conclusion In conclusion architecture design plays a big role as to how humans respond to their surrounding as we know work, school, hospitals, and churches all has its effects on person whether it is the furniture, lighting, colors, or structure. The world buildings are being designed with the given understanding to promote and motivate people to want to remain where they are. Designs are always evolving to match what the environment is putting out.

Chaser

Philosophy 6: Ethical Issues in Business Midterm Essay Chase Novak Dr. Parker Need or Greed? New Protocol: How Drug’s Rebirth as Treatment for Cancer Fueled Price Rises Immanuel Kant-Kantian Deontology John Locke- The Justification of Private Property Adam Smith-Benefits of the Profit MotiveMilton Friedman- The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits Thesis: An examination of the case study New Protocol: How Drug’s Rebirth as Treatment for Cancer Fueled Price Rises relies heavily on a keen understanding of the social and economic implications of a capitalist system, and once taken into account it is clear that Celgene Corp. is justified in raising prices based on the business market philosophies asserted by Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Emanuel Kant, and John Locke. Word Count: 1690Perhaps the most difficult situation in business arises when the indigent desire the product being sold. Political pressure is often put on the company to lower prices in order to accommodate the less fortunate consumer, however, this is in direct conflict with the company’s paramount goal of making the largest profit possible. Issues are increasingly complex given the supply-demand aspects of society and the incentive for production. For these reasons approaches to business that emphasize profit over availability can indeed help society in many ways.Upon the question of ethics one must view the entire market as a whole and the benefits of competition when deciding a fair price. An examination of the case study New Protocol: How Drug’s Rebirth as Treatment for Cancer Fueled Price Rises relies heavily on a keen understanding of the social and economic implications of a capitalist system, and once taken into account it is clear that Celgene Corp. is justified in raising prices based on the business market philosophies asserted by Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Emanuel Kant, and John Locke.Celgene’s decision to raise prices is complex and though at first glance may appear to be fueled by greed it is in fact a necessary and beneficial step in Celgene’s continued production of the medicine thalidomide along with researching other medical advances. Celgene Corp. ’s decision to incrementally raise prices is justified by Adam Smith’s free market philosophy in which he describes competitive production as the main force behind societal development and improvement. Though there has been little affect to the cost of production for thalidomide, the nature of free market production dictated the rise in price.This, according to Smith is a natural element of the free market, â€Å"As every individual [†¦] endeavors as much as he can both to employ his capital in the support of domestic industry, and so to direct that industry that its produce may be of the greatest value, every individual necessarily labors to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he can† (Donaldson, 167). In t his quotation, Smith is explaining how every individual’s personal strive for success, in the form of production, helps to improve society as a whole.If each individual’s ultimate goal is to increase their wealth, and if increased wealth is sought through improved production, then the competition for wealth will undoubtedly result in improved production. Improved production can mean either cheaper manufacturing, resulting in lower costs for the consumer, or a better product, which will also help society. Smith continues on to say that this competition is self-perpetuating and that the profit made off of production is reinvested to further improve manufacturing. Evidence of this can be observed in the Celgene Corp. aising of prices on thalidomide which resulted in, â€Å"The ability to [†¦] fund the pharmaceutical industry’s research and development programs, which bring new medicines to patients† (Donaldson, 151). This can be further proven by the fa ct that Celgene’s R&D department uses almost half of the company’s revenue (Donaldson, 154). In this example, Celgene is able to provide consumers with newer and more effective medication as a result of its competitive pricing of thalidomide. Though many critics of Celgene would call the corporation’s decision to raise prices a genuinely greedy and selfish act, Smith sees nothing wrong with such a move.On this issue Smith states that an individuals self-centered motives often improve society: â€Å"By pursuing his own interests he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it† (Donaldson, 167). Given Celgene’s perceived self-centered actions, Smith would note that this type of free market behavior is positive and is guided by an â€Å"invisible hand† which helps such behavior to be beneficial to society as a whole. The next philosopher to be examined would argue that the â€Å"invisible h and† that Smith speaks of is indeed separate from the political realm.Milton Friedman continues with Smith’s line of logic as he asserts that the chief concern of the businessman must be to make a profit under socially acceptable means and that the defining of â€Å"social responsibilities† must be left in the political sphere. Celgene’s chief executive, John Jackson, was the primary force behind the company’s decision to raise prices. Jackson’s actions are perfectly ethical according to Friedman who writes, â€Å"What does it mean to say that the corporate executive has a â€Å"social responsibility† in his capacity as a businessman?If this statement is not pure rhetoric, it must mean that he is to act in some way that is not in the interest of his employers† (Donaldson, 35). Jackson answers to a board that represents the stockholders of the company and it is his ethical obligation to them to make a profit. Celgene was losing m oney until 2002, which obviously necessitated an increase in price (Donaldson, 153). Jackson’s move to incrementally increase the price of thalidomide was not unethical because he has an obligation to stockholders to deliver a profit.Furthermore, Friedman asserts that it is not the corporate executive’s job to act as a moral entrepreneur as he is ill fit to do so. Friedman stresses that calls for executives to act â€Å"socially responsible† are unethical as socially impactful decisions, such as price adjustment, must be left up to publically elected officials with knowledge of the social and economic implications of such actions (Donaldson, 36). Friedman makes a vital point as it explains that the social responsibility falls on the public and its publically elected officials to enforce social justices through legislature.Therefore if the public desired Celgene to lower prices of thalidomide then it must require it to do so through law. Furthermore since no law exists requiring Celgene to sell thalidomide at a certain price, then Celgene is perfectly ethical and justified in raising its prices. If executives like Johnson adjusted prices according to their personal beliefs then huge portions of society would be heavily affected by such decisions and thus the public should reserve the right to solve such social dilemmas through democratic means in the form of law.Emanuel Kant’s philosophy of the â€Å"categorical imperative† also works to ethically justify the pricing of thalidomide by expressing the need for a universal standard of ethical practice. Though Kant would most likely desire a socialist utopia or at least complete universal healthcare, neither is realistic in the present day. In a Kantian society individuals would want free healthcare for everyone. No ethical issues would be in question if everyone received their entire healthcare for free.The result is a derived understanding of his categorical imperative, which ex plains a desired scenario in which on party acts onto another party in the same manner he himself wishes to be treated (Donaldson, 112). In this sense, under a capitalist system, Celgene is responding to the market by acting accordingly and raising its prices to increase production. The most basic element of ethics lies in John Locke’s philosophical explanation of product ownership and it works to prove Celgene’s right to raise its prices.At the very heart of business is the ownership of a private property which one elects to sell for a profit. According to Locke, God made the earth for man to exploit for his personal needs and thus it is logical that some men will not have common ownership of the land (Donaldson, 158). Locke’s philosophy on private property explains that man has the right to own property and that he alone can chose how to use his property. Using this justification, Celgene’s ownership of thalidomide entitles them to price it at any rate it sees reasonable.Moreover this justification is ethical because it comprises the sole force behind production. If corporations like Celgene cannot retain the right to ask for their own price for the products that they produce then there exists no incentive to produce. As a society we cannot force companies to produce essential information, technology, or medicine without an incentive. That is not how society works. Rather, our society is functions under an incentive-based system, which uses competition to provoke the best and brightest to produce the most important products for society’s use.If Celgene was made to sell their products at a price convenient for the consumer but crippling to the manufacturer then production would decline and society would falter. Thus to ensure continued production and quality corporations such as Celgene must be allowed to conduct business according to their best interests with regard to price. Society hinges on the expectation that companies will provide the food, goods, and medicine that it requires to function, however, certain elements must be in place in order to ensure the continued production of such commodities.As explained by Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Emanuel Kant, and John Locke, society is improved by a free market system in which revenue from production is poured back into production to result in the overall improvement of society as a whole. Though some may see a raise in price as unfair, one must view such circumstances from the standpoint of the corporation, as business is a constant back-and-forth between the consumer and producer.The overarching ethical theme of the case study focuses on the need to provide the medical sector with the necessary profits to continue its research and development programs in the efforts of advancing the entire field for the betterment of society. This is surely an ethical endeavor. Works Cited: Donaldson, Thomas, and Patricia Hogue. Werhane. Ethical Issues in Business a Philosophical Approach. Upper Saddle River (N. J. ): Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Acapulco

I have sojourned many interesting places of Mexico in the past few years: Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, to name a few; but the most unusual and exciting place I have come to visit is Acapulco. Located on the luxurious south western Pacific Coast of Mexico, the coast overlooks one of Acapulco’s best views were one can view the daring feats performed by the La Quebrada cliff divers, and the Coyuca Lagoon a beautiful fresh water lagoon. Many people that live in Mexico are not even aware that this magical place even exists. It’s a secret place that many visit but few actually know about its events or activities that go on throughout the day and night time. The best breath taking view to watch the fearless â€Å"cliff divers† is a small plaza across the inlet. It might not be the highest dive, but certainly the most famous, scenic and possibly the most dangerous dive in the world. Divers as brave as they seem they attain the shrine as if it was their last minutes of life. Then they plunge into a narrow creek which is safe only when the waves fill it with water. They must dive at just the right moment. If not â€Å"splat† you dive on pure rock. Many say that even when the dive is precise it feels as if the water had a thick layer of concrete waiting to be punctured by the divers. In Coyuca Lagoon you can rest assured that you will get that feeling of a completely different world. This is a world that has not yet accepted the hectic, modern way of life. Coyuca lagoon has the best tourist services that will help you enjoy its tropical beauty. Here at the lagoon a tour includes taking a boat along the coast that floats through the thick vegetation and wildlife. Not only will you be able to enjoy its natural beauty of the lagoon but the variety of exotic birds at the Bird’s island, which are bird sanctuaries full of black and white herons, pelicans, ducks, and dozens of other tropical species. Coyuca lagoon is als... Free Essays on Acapulco Free Essays on Acapulco I have sojourned many interesting places of Mexico in the past few years: Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, to name a few; but the most unusual and exciting place I have come to visit is Acapulco. Located on the luxurious south western Pacific Coast of Mexico, the coast overlooks one of Acapulco’s best views were one can view the daring feats performed by the La Quebrada cliff divers, and the Coyuca Lagoon a beautiful fresh water lagoon. Many people that live in Mexico are not even aware that this magical place even exists. It’s a secret place that many visit but few actually know about its events or activities that go on throughout the day and night time. The best breath taking view to watch the fearless â€Å"cliff divers† is a small plaza across the inlet. It might not be the highest dive, but certainly the most famous, scenic and possibly the most dangerous dive in the world. Divers as brave as they seem they attain the shrine as if it was their last minutes of life. Then they plunge into a narrow creek which is safe only when the waves fill it with water. They must dive at just the right moment. If not â€Å"splat† you dive on pure rock. Many say that even when the dive is precise it feels as if the water had a thick layer of concrete waiting to be punctured by the divers. In Coyuca Lagoon you can rest assured that you will get that feeling of a completely different world. This is a world that has not yet accepted the hectic, modern way of life. Coyuca lagoon has the best tourist services that will help you enjoy its tropical beauty. Here at the lagoon a tour includes taking a boat along the coast that floats through the thick vegetation and wildlife. Not only will you be able to enjoy its natural beauty of the lagoon but the variety of exotic birds at the Bird’s island, which are bird sanctuaries full of black and white herons, pelicans, ducks, and dozens of other tropical species. Coyuca lagoon is als...

Academic custom essay writing services Essays

Academic custom essay writing services Essays Academic custom essay writing services Essay Academic custom essay writing services Essay Essay Topic: Academic Every time a PhD, Masters, Undergraduate or a high school academic level students are faced with an essay writing assignments. However, the main worry is, how to start writing the essay from scratch? Many students spent many of sleepless nights researching on their designated essay topics and looking for a clue on how to write an essay which will meet all highest academic standards. In some instances, students are caught up by the tight deadlines, which make their job way more complicated by leaving very short limited time for researching and writing of their essay tasks. However, nowadays, this should not be a worry to any student anymore. Custom essay writing services have come to the students rescue by providing them with high quality academic writing help at affordable cost. The fact that more and more students are getting qualified help with their essays is proved by the growing number of companies that provide custom essay writing services for students, at all academic levels of study. Academic custom essay writing services have been there for a quite some while. Most of the custom essays writing service providers are not located in a specific area, but they are freely available online on the web. Actually, online interaction between the clients and writing service providers makes use of essay writing services way easier by allowing plenty of customers from all corners of globe to get all advantages of professional writing help, no matter what location the clients actually are. Such ease of access and use are one of the biggest online essay writing advantages and, in line with high quality work and grades benefits, which is exactly what makes these services to be so popular among the other academic assistance industries. The best custom essay writers are those who understand what the client wants and needs, the persons who know how to meet all clients demands at the top level. Due to the fact that such services become available, instead of a student tasking him/herself in the tedious duties of writing essays, now, he or she can easily hire the group of professional essay writers who ensure quality and write commendable essay papers for students on the regular basis. The decision of the choice of the service provider lies upon the client. If one makes a decent choice while selecting qualified trustable writing service, he or she will never regret it. Custom essay writing services are provided by highly qualified staff, which certainly knows what you need and how to deliver it to you. That means that the student pays for quality and professional assistance, which he or she definitely gets in return. Several advantages are attached to these custom essay writing services. There is professionalism in writing the paper, which means that your paper will be done in accordance to your instructions and will be done on the highest level of quality. The writing companies also ensure that your essay will be plagiarism free and written originally for your and for you only, thus, will never put you into any sort of troubles related to plagiarism in education. They also ensure on time delivery of the essays what you have ordered, which means that you will never run late with your assignments and will be able to submit them on time, thus, avoid penalty points to your final grades which are often given for lateness by professors. High quality essays which follow the manuals of style, essays with no plagiarism, confidentiality and security and free revisions when required, that is what real academic custom essay writing services means. Custom essay writing services have enabled many students complete many challenging academic tasks. Questions may arise on whether custom essay writing is ethical, but then who does not require a professional to guide him or her in their areas of weakness? Writing services have been designed to help students achieve their academic goals and so far, they succeed in it. If you have got a writing tasks that is challenging you, if you have got a task that you need professional help with, then writing services are for you. Make a new step in your education by getting help from the one of the most professional custom essay writing services, paperap.com!

Monday, October 21, 2019

Buck Naked and Butt Naked

Buck Naked and Butt Naked Buck Naked and Butt Naked Buck Naked and Butt Naked By Maeve Maddox A reader has two questions about the idiom â€Å"buck naked†: 1. When did people start saying, â€Å"butt naked† instead of â€Å"buck naked†? 2. What does â€Å"buck naked† mean, anyway? buck naked, adjective: completely unclothed. In Old English, the word that is now spelled buck referred to a male deer. Later, the word also came be applied to the male of other species. For example, buck is the term for the male of the following animals: deer goat kangaroo mouse rabbit rat reindeer squirrel Not surprisingly, buck became a slang term for a male of the human species. The earliest OED citation for buck used to mean man or fellow is dated 1303. In the eighteenth century, buck was popular slang for a man who attended plays and other fashionable social events to be seen and admired. In Australia, buck was used to refer to male aborigines. In the United States, buck referred to both American Indians and men of African descent. Examples of this usage may be found in nineteenth-century entries in the US Congressional Record. Although various explanations have been offered, no one can say with certainty how the word buck came to be attached to naked. The earliest evidence of â€Å"buck naked† on the Ngram Viewer, which is based on printed sources, appears in 1914. â€Å"Butt naked† comes along in 1924, but doesn’t make much of a showing until 1980, when it begins to soar. Judging by a Google search, the newer term has taken over, at least on the Web: â€Å"buck naked†: 509,000 results   â€Å"butt naked†: 2,290,000 results    I prefer â€Å"buck naked,† because â€Å"butt-naked† strikes my ear as excessively vulgar. I cannot, however, argue that one is â€Å"more correct† than the other. Both expressions mean exactly the same thing. Both have found acceptance in colloquial speech. Neither, however, has a place in formal English. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Handy Expressions About Hands3 Types of HeadingsEspecially vs. Specially

Free English Essay

Free English Essay Free English Essay Free English Essay Reading free English essay you should always keep in mind that there are thousands of others reading the same free English essay at the moment.   In other words, it would be very unwise to use free English essay as your own writing.   If you need help with writing, we are available 24/7 to help you with any English essay assignment.   Our writers are educated and experienced enough to satisfy the most demanding clients! is your chance to get As on all assignments! Free English Essay Sample The chief phenomenon is Jules Verne, whose long list of scientific romances sprang from a serious effort to anticipate the technological applications of the sciences currently in full development. Submarines, airships of several patterns, countless mechanical devices, are suggested and utilized in his novels, in such profusion that these books in turn are known to have influenced the scientific vocations of many young men, among them Simon Lake and Georges Claude, and the navigators Charcot and Bernard Franck. As do most of his contemporaries, Verne writes in positivist terms; the fantastic element is only apparent, a more advanced engineering, using the principles and tools of his own day rather than the marvellous and irrational inventions of a Cyrano de Bergerac. But neither the society nor the technology anticipated by his creative writing corresponds to the world as we know it today; for all its inventive fertility, its technological ferment, Verne's mind could not foresee such an innovation as the internal combustion motor, or imagine such problems as those imposed on the aviator by weather and atmospheric conditions. Twentieth-century science is stranger than nineteenth-century fiction; Verne remains well within the bounds of scientific possibilities, and no longer surprises his readers with his extrapolations. Paradoxically enough, it is this very restraint that has prevented Verne from becoming recognized as a serious literary figure. Reticence may be a scientific virtue, it is not always a literary one, and a generation that delighted in highly seasoned literature relegated Verne's books to the popular and schoolboy level, with disastrous results as far as his style and general literary quality were concerned. Science penetrates literature by becoming literary, less pedantically technical, more attentive to the broader implications, and less insistent on the scrupulosities of laboratory techniques. Biological determinism in the Zola manner ends by being dull; the hypothesis precludes effective dramatic struggle, and the full use of creative imagination. The fine balance the effective novelist must maintain between an increasing understanding of the conditions that govern the phenomena of living, and the part played, per contra, by unpredictable individual impulse, is essentially the sour ce of dramatic conflict, and the human basis of all interest in literature. From this point of view, science, as used by most conventional authors, even by the professed naturalists, is merely an extension of "common sense," the general knowledge, or in some cases the mental and moral philosophy, of an earlier generation. Custom English Essay Writing Undoubtedly, free English essay is good as a source of information or inspiration. However, I do not recommend copy/paste for the reasons you are perfectly aware of. If you need professional writing help, do not hesitate to use our writing services.   We do not ignore your requests and we guarantee delivery!

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Celebrate Italian Christmas Traditions With Children

Celebrate Italian Christmas Traditions With Children If youre wondering how to celebrate an Italian Christmas with your children this holiday, here are some educational ideas that will help to keep them entertained, and may even help you start new family traditions at the same time. Christmas is a huge holiday in Italy, a predominantly Catholic country. The season officially begins on the Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on Dec. 8, and continue through Jan. 6, the 12th day of Christmas and the Day of the Epiphany. Christmas decorations and Christmas markets first start appearing on Dec. 8. Italian children frequently start the Christmas season on Dec. 6, which is St. Nicholas Day, by writing a letter to St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. Its easy to share in this tradition by having your own children write to Santa Claus ... and you may get some ideas on what they want for Christmas. Making a Nativity Scene Nativity scenes, or presepi, are a common and elaborate part of Italian Christmas decorations. Naples is the best place to see elaborate presepi, and theres a tremendous display in Saint Peters Square in Vatican City. In Italy, there are also living presepi, in which actors and animals recreate the Nativity scene, exhibitions with hundreds of crà ¨ches and mechanized figurines, and museums devoted solely to presepi. In the spirit of the season, teach a youngster about the history of the nativity and help her to construct her own crà ¨che for the Christmas season. You may find that crà ¨che becomes a precious family heirloom. Italian Cooking and Baking With Kids at Christmas Children of all ages the world over have heart-warming memories of mouth-watering smells emanating from the kitchen at Christmas time. Why not let your children help bake an Italian dessert like biscotti or cicerata. They are two simple, kid-proof dessert recipes that children will enjoy learning to prepare. If you have older children, you can get them involved in meal preparations for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Italians avoid meat on Christmas Eve as a way of purifying themselves for Christmas and instead focus on fish as the main course. But the menus for both days include multiple dishes and sumptuous cuisine. Sing Italian Christmas Carols Christmas caroling begins in earnest in Italy during the week before Christmas, and caroling is a wonderful way to share Italian Christmas tradition with your children. Popular Italian Christmas carols (canzoni di Natale) include: Gesà ¹ Bambino l È Nato (Baby Jesus Is Born)Tu Scendi dalle Stelle (You Came Down From the Stars)Mille Cherubini in Coro (A Thousand-Cherub Chorus)La Canzone di Zampagnone (Carol of the Bagpipers) For a true diversion, try filastrocche calabresi sul Natale, Calabrian dialect Christmas songs. Learn About the Legend of La Befana You and your children can learn about the legend of La Befana. This story of an old witch who brings presents to children on Jan. 5, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, is very appealing to youngsters. La Befana also is called the Christmas Witch, and like Santa Claus, she enters homes through the chimney.

The First Five Pages

The First Five Pages The First Five Pages The First Five Pages By Maeve Maddox What can an agent tell from the first five pages of your manuscript? According to Noah Lukeman, plenty. The First Five Pages: A Writers Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile analyzes the types of mistakes that appear in 99 percent of the unsolicited manuscripts received by agents and editors. His experience as a literary agent who has read thousands of manuscripts has led Lukeman to this conclusion: From Texas to Oklahoma to California to England to Turkey to Japan, writers are doing the exact same things wrong. The purpose of his book is to show writers how to be their own first readers. The First Five Pages assumes that by scrutinizing a few pages closely enoughparticularly the first fewyou can make a determination for the whole. It assumes that if you find one line of extraneous dialogue on page 1, you will likely find one line of extraneous dialogue on each page to come. Even before he gets to a discussion of such things as dialogue, characterization, and point of view, Lukeman emphasizes the importance of Presentation. By Presentation he means such purely mechanical matters as paper, margins, and enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. No matter how great the artistic merit of a manuscript, careless packaging can keep it from taken seriously. Such inattention to detail, says Lukeman, may signal carelessness, sloppiness, ignorance or defiance of the industrys standards; that the writer doesnt care enough to do the minimum amount of research to make a manuscript industry presentable. Often when a writers presentation is careless, his writing is too. I especially like what Lukeman has to say about the importance of an extensive vocabulary in creating a clear, specific, distinctive style. He notes a dearth of vocabulary in the work of modern writers: It is as if all of todays writers were working from a high school-level vocabularyand writers who do use unusual words more ofen than not misuse them He encourages writers to enrich their vocabulary by learning not just a words current meaning, but its origin and history as wellnot for mere erudition, but in order to fix the word in the writers mind and make it his own. This extra lore is what I call iceberg information, knowledge that floats below the surface of the writing, adding substance without show. Barely 200 pages in length, Lukemans guide puts the writer in the mind of the agent, packing a lot of insight into a small space. The chapters are brief, but to the point, and each one is followed by writing exercises. For the author who has a novel ready to market, The First Five Pages is a valuable tool for the final revision. You can find the book on Amazon.com. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Book Reviews category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid"Gratitude" or "Gratefulness"?When to Spell Out Numbers