Compare Mill And Kants Ethical Theories; Which Makes A Better Societal

Compare Mill and Kant's ethical theories; which makes a better societal order? John Stuart Mill (1808-73) believed in an ethical theory known as utilitarianism. There are many formulation of this theory. One such is, "Everyone should act in such a way to bring the largest possibly balance of good over evil for everyone involved." However, good is a relative term. What is good? Utilitarians disagreed on this subject. Mill made a distinction between happiness and sheer sensual pleasure. He defines happiness in terms of higher order pleasure (i.e. social enjoyments, intellectual). In his Utilitarianism (1861), Mill described this principle as follows: According to the Greatest Happiness Principle ? The ultimate end, end, with reference to and for the sake of which all other things are desirable (whether we are considering our own good or that of other people), is an existence exempt as far as possible from pain, and as rich as possible enjoyments. Therefore, based on this statement, three ideas may be identified: (1) The goodness of an act may be determined by the consequences of that act. (2) Consequences are determined by the amount of happiness or unhappiness caused. (3) A "good" man is one who considers the other man's pleasure (or pain) as equally as his own. Each person's happiness is equally important. Mill believed that a free act is not an undetermined act. It is determined by the unconstrained choice of the person performing the act. Either external or internal forces compel an unfree act. Mill also determined that every situation depends on how you address the situation and that you are only responsible for your feelings and actions. You decide how you feel about what you think you saw. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) had an interesting ethical system. It is based on a belief that the reason is the final authority for morality. Actions of any sort, he believed, must be undertaken from a sense of duty dictated by reason, and no action performed for expediency or solely in obedience to law or custom can be regarded as moral. A moral act is an act done for the "right" reasons. Kant would argue that to make a promise for the wrong reason is not moral - you might as well not make the promise. You must have a duty code inside of you or it will not come through in your actions otherwise. Our reasoning ability will always allow us to know what our duty is. Kant described two types of common commands given by reason: the hypothetical imperative, which dictates a given course of action to reach a specific end; and the categorical imperative, which dictates a course of action that must be followed because of its rightness and necessity. The categorical imperative is the basis of morality and was stated by Kant in these words: "Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will and general natural law." Therefore, before proceeding to act, you must decide what rule you would be following if you were to act, whether you are willing for that rule to be followed by everyone all over. If you are willing to universalize the act, it must be moral; if you are not, then the act is morally impermissible. Kant believed that the welfare of each individual should properly be regarded as an end in itself, as stated in the Formula of the End in Itself: Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end. Kant believes that moral rules are exceptionless. Therefore, it is wrong to kill in all situations, even those of self-defense. This is belief comes from the Universal Law theory. Since we would never want murder to become a universal law, then it must be not moral in all situations. So which of the two theories would make a better societal order? That is a difficult question because both theories have "problems." For Kant it is described above, his rules are absolute. Killing could never be make universal, therefore it is wrong in each and every situation. There are never any extenuating circumstances, such

Facts and Opinions in Opinion Essay Samples

Facts and Opinions in Opinion Essay Samples Facts and Opinions in Opinion Essay Samples In an opinion essay, the focus of attention is your own point of view, as opposed to an argumentative essay, for example, where you basically defend another persons opinion. A good opinion essay should include your point of view, stated in the introductory paragraph, reasoning for your opinion, and, of course, a conclusion, where you sum up your argument. Remember to back up your reasoning with examples. Preferably, place each opinion in a separate paragraph. You can also add opposing or supporting opinions of experts or your peers, but you have to remember that any opinion should be clearly stated. The most important part of this essay is to effectively prove your point of view. For that, you have to build a solid argument. Normally we distinguish between two main types of argument, inductive and deductive. Which one to use in your essay largely depends on your thesis statement. In this post, we will learn about the two types of reasoning and if an inductive argument is suitable for an opinion essay. Types of Argument An inductive argument basically means that your thesis statement is a projection of a more general statement, and your reasoning will increase or decrease the probability of your conclusion being true. The later depends on how strong or weak your reasoning is. For example, if your evidence is reliable, you have more chances to prove your point. This type of argument is more suited for presenting an opposing point of view, because it will give you room to refute. In a deductive argument, the truth of the conclusion is logically derived from the reasoning: if, then For example, if it rains, then the road will certainly be wet; we cannot conclude that it rains because the road is wet, there can be other reasons for that. This is a good type of argument to defend your point of view. For you the conclusion is true, by default, and you only need to break it into elements that will prove your reasoning. How to Support Your Opinion with Facts To prove your point of view, you have to build a good argument that will explain how you have come to a certain conclusion. An essential part of this is to present your facts clearly and in an easy to understand manner, so that your audience is not left guessing. It is important to understand that facts are verified pieces of information, not based on opinions. The effectiveness of your argument depends on the way you present data: define the point and present only the most valuable information; raw data is for you to analyze, not the reader. find a way to break up the text: pictures, charts, diagrams, even statistics will let the readers mind rest, but dont overload your paper with graphics. if you have a boring topic, try to make it more fun with a writing style, or couple of fun facts. The key to making the audience believe in your point of view is believing in it yourself.

Identify Consumers Needs and To Ensure That Organizations Develop Strategies

Identify Consumers Needs and To Ensure That Organizations Develop Strategies Introduction The world is changing due to the changes brought about by technology. Business environment is increasingly getting competitive. Firms are finding it difficult to manage this competition due to a number of factors. According to Handlechner (2008), it is practically impossible to find the best strategy that would last a lifetime and will not need regular adjustment. The ability of a firm to adjust to changes within the environment will always determine its success or failure within that market.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Identify Consumers’ Needs and To Ensure That Organizations Develop Strategies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Coming up with the right strategy should always be followed by swift implementation in order to achieve the desired result. Marketing planning can be a very challenging task, especially in new markets. The planning will also depend on the size of the firm and the prod uct offered to the market. Marketing products of a hospital will be very different from electronic products. Similarly, marketing of a Volvo will be different from the way bread is marketed. When developing a marketing plan, it is always important that the concerned individuals understand the nature of the product and the target customers. As McLaughlin and Aaker (2010) state, marketing planning and strategy development should not be left to the marketing department alone. Success in this planning will benefit the entire firm. Organizational structure clearly stipulates people responsible for making various decisions at various levels. However, it should be appreciated that all members of the organization, irrespective of their position within the firm, have a role to play. They can help come up with strategies that are able to meet the demands of the market. The research will be based on Volvo which has had massive success for the past one decade (Hooley 2008, p. 92). This research focuses on analysis of various strategies that can help the firm succeed in marketing a brand new car model with a capacity to drive itself for a few minutes as it sounds warning in case the driver falls asleep. Analysis of Micro/Macro Factors SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is one of the important tools that are very popular in analyzing a company. It helps in analyzing firms based on the existing internal and external factors. SWOT analysis would be very valuable in analyzing Volvo. It would help bring more insight to the opportunities and threats that this firm would face in the external environment. It would also help in understanding the strengths and weaknesses that the firm has. Strength of this firm selling this car lies in the security it offers to the user. The world is increasingly becoming sensitive of the safety they get from the automotive they use due to the increasing number of accidents which occur regularly.Advertising Looking for report on business economics ? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The concern is emanating from the fact that it has been confirmed beyond any reasonable doubt that most of the fatal accidents do occur due to lack of ability of the cars to alert users if there is any danger emanating from the driver’s actions (Gerber 2008, p. 67). The special feature that this car has will give it an edge in the market over other executive cars that are currently on demand. Despite the above strengths, this strategy has some weakness. The market today is very sensitive on the pricing of products. This car will occupy a special niche in the market. The firm may decide to charge premium prices for the product as a way of positioning the product in the market. The problem with this attempt is that some of the potential customers will be locked out of the market for this product. Charging a low price for this product may make it be seen as an inferior car to the existin g cars. The firm has a number of opportunities in the external environment. In the local market, this firm has managed to build a large base of loyal customers, especially in the Europe and Middle East (Ferrell 2011, p. 116). Most of the markets where this firm operates have stable governments. This means that the business environment is free from any political unrest that may disrupt normal business operations within the market. This has created a business environment that is very peaceful to various firms in the country. The firm also enjoys an economic growth in this world that has increased the purchasing power of the consumers. This increased purchasing power will help the firm to increase its operations to regions beyond its markets. The emerging technologies is also helped Volvo in its operational strategies (Hill Jones 2010, p. 70). The firm may consider adapting the emerging technologies in its operations, a fact that will help it increase it efficiency. This firm faces a number of threats in its operations. Threats may not be predictable in this industry, though the firm may try to reduce the possibility of occurrence. The first threat that this firm faces is price wars in the market. Other major competitors will keenly monitor the price that Volvo will charge on this unique product. They will then consider adjusting their products price to try to gain a competitive edge in the market (Harper 2010, p. 11). Such price wars are always dangerous to the prosperity of a business. The initiative may fail to make any serious sense. However, this threat can be minimized by ensuring that the product acquires a special niche in the market. Identification of and Rationale for Market Opportunity In order to understand the rationale for the market opportunity for this unique Volvo car, it is important to understand the objectives of coming up with such a product in the first case. The following are some of the objectives of this strategy.Advertising We w ill write a custom report sample on Identify Consumers’ Needs and To Ensure That Organizations Develop Strategies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To come up with a unique product in the current competitive market that will enable this firm tower above the market competitors. To create a market niche that other existing competitors have not thought of occupying in an attempt to make products of competitors be seen as mere substitutes of this product. To convince the market that this firm has their interest at heart. By developing this product, the firm aims at enhancing security on our roads. Strategy The strategy that this firm uses should be carefully being selected after taking into considerations a number of factors. This firm should come up with a strategy that will not make the market develop a perception that the firm’s interest is to generate more revenue. The firm should be able to convince customers that the move is to ensure that every driver is safe while on the road. The marketing strategy should therefore, emphasize on the security that this car offers (Chaston 2009, p. 89). The marketing proposition should be based on the fact that users get to benefit from reduced road accidents, and other extra security measures that it may have. The rationale of this strategy is to convince the consumer that with this product, their lives is well taken care of, unless something extraordinary happens. Market Opportunities The current market highly appreciates unique products in the market. As Bissoondoyal (2006, p. 78) puts it, the society has become so dependent on technology that they would prefer to have most of the tasks performed by technology. Cars have become more and more comfortable. However, there is yet to be a car that can safely drive itself on the road while the occupant is in it, relaxing. All the luxury cars available in the market need a human being to be behind the wheel to do the driv ing. This new brand of Volvo car offers something close to this dream. Given the fact that the products offers a level of security that none of the currently existing cars does, it stands the best chance to get a huge market globally. Europe and the United States will make the largest market for this product. The European market comes second to the US market in the sale of cars (Gountas Mavudo 2008, p. 112). These two markets will offer this product a massive opportunity to expand, and develop a market base that can support its operations. The two markets are also attractive because of the fact that they are developed economies. The proportions of those who are willing to purchase the product are relatively high. The rich who are looking for maximum security when travelling will definitely accept the opportunity to use the car. They will be willing to pay premium prices in order to own such a car. Conclusion Volvo may not be in the same league as Mercedes Benz and BMW. However, it is important to note that what brings this difference is the decision of the two luxurious brands to add more value to their products. Volvo has the capacity to offer this added value to their products to make them unique in the market.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This firm can develop this unique product and avail it in the market in a unique way. This product will be outstanding in the market because there is yet to be a car that can parallel that capacity. With this unique product, this firm will need a unique marketing strategy that will make it acquire a unique position. The management of this firm should ensure that this product acquires its own unique niche in the market. List of References Bissoondoyal, U 2006, Total quality management: a practical approach, New Age International, London. Chaston, I 2009, New Marketing Strategies: Evolving Flexible Processes to Fit Market Circumstance, Sage Publications, London. Ferrell, C 2011, Marketing Strategy, Cengage Learning, New York. Gerber, K 2008, Marketing communication, Pearson Education, Cape Town. Gountas, J Mavudo, F 2008, Marketing Strategy: A Decision-Focused Approach, McGraw-Hill, North Ryde. Handlechner, M 2008, Marketing Strategy, GRIN Verlag GmbH, München. Harper, M. (2010). Inclusive value chains: A pathway out of poverty. New Jersey: World Scientific. Hill, C Jones, G 2010, Strategic management theory: an integrated approach, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. Hooley, G 2008, Marketing Strategy and Competitive Positioning, FT Prentice Hall, Harlow. McLaughlin, D Aaker, D 2010, Strategic market management: global perspective, Wiley, Chichester.

John Wayne Gacy Murder Trial Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

John Wayne Gacy Murder Trial - Essay Example Repetitive patterns were evident in his criminal acts. John Gacy’s criminality and psychopathy did not arise from nothing; possibly, there are development issues and life experiences that would have caused them. John Wayne Gacy Murder Trial Introduction John Wayne Gacy was an American who was convicted for murder and sexual assaults. Evidence indicated that between 1972 and 1978, he murdered and sexually assaulted at least 33 young men and teenage boys. Due to his serial killing he earned the tag â€Å"Killer Clown†. Also, evidence indicates that the defendant was living a double life; that of committing murders and that of engaging in political and charitable activities. Murder trials show that he was convicted of more murders than any other person in the American history. Based upon this historic murder trial, therefore, this paper will analyze the case and document and respond to a number of issues relating to the case (Mendenhall, 1996). Specific psychological chara cteristics and patterns that might be inferred about the individual Since the offences that the defendant committed were â€Å"unusual†, it is important to understand the specific psychological characteristics and patterns that might be inferred about him. The testimony that was made during the trial indicated that Gacy had psychological characteristics and patterns that to a greater extent depicted his atrocious actions. Those who worked for him testified that he was violent and in most cases showed intention to commit sexual assaults; actually, they testified that they had survived sexual and violent encounters with him (Amirante and Broderick, 2011). Friends, family and his former employees also testified that Gacy had mood swings and was â€Å"awfully tricky†, a trait he used to succeed in handcuffing them. Most of the sixty witnesses who testified during trial took notice of these characteristics and patterns. Since such characteristics are often associated with t he insane, this was not the case with Gacy as psychologists had confirmed that he was sane, and he committed the offences while in sound mind. Psychologists and medical experts who testified for the defense agreed that he was very intelligent and generous. However, they also noted that he was schizophrenic; that is, he had antisocial behaviors or suffered from manifold personality disorder (Peck and Allan, 2001). A review of the individual’s signature and modus operandi In order to effectively execute his actions, John Gacy adopted his own specific signature and modus operandi. His signature and modus operandi enabled him to execute his actions with â€Å"efficient and effective† ease before he was eventually arrested. He admitted that his signature characteristic was to keep the people he had killed beneath his bed or in the attic for a number of hours prior to burying them later on (Kozenczak, 2003). His modus operandi is what enabled him to lure his victims easily a nd even sometimes manage to effortlessly trick them into being handcuffed so that he can execute his intentions. He would promise his victims employment opportunities in his construction company and then follow them up with alcohol. Once they were drunk, he would chloroform them and tie them to a chair. It should be noted that all his victims were male aged between 9 and 27 years. He sexually assaulted them, strangled them, or stuffed underwear into their mouths (Amirante and Broderick, 2011). When not using that tactic, he would drive around the town in search of

To what extent is the teaching of Mencius close to the original Essay

To what extent is the teaching of Mencius close to the original teaching of Confucius - Essay Example With this concept, the two philosophers dealt with the ethical, sociopolitical, and philosophical systems, which developed from Chinese cultural teachings. It would be paramount to understand that this philosophy targeted by the two great Chinese teachers focused on the practical, especially the significance of the family and little did it give preference to the belief in deities or the possibility of afterlife (Richey 70). This is the rationale that these two philosophers believed that human capacity is teachable, can improve, and attain perfection through personal and communal endeavour. They believed that the cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics would ultimately liberate the human capacity. It is in this capacity that Mencius developed Confucius former philosophical advances. Mencius himself bears the tag name Confucius, who lived in the 4th century. He converges his philosophical teaching with Confucius, the founder father in the line that human nature was all-good. Th is is the same observation that Confucius put across (Richey 83). In his own understanding, Confucius emphasized that the human nature is the one that forms governmental morality as well as modelling itself to attain that personal morality. His virtue goes farther to touch on correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. At this level, Mencius extends Confucius philosophy by acknowledging that human nature is alike. He uses the imagery of human as equated to tastes and flavours and points out that the human minds cannot be that different that there is nothing shared by other animal species. It is this concept that he wraps by suggesting that human nature ought to alike, just like the case of their minds. Mencius accepts the teachings of morality and virtue as formally extended by Confucius that human nature must appreciate morality just as the way their taste of buds appreciates great foods (Gardner 78). A reader would not fail to realize the efforts of Mencius adopti on of Confucianism philosophy since his perceptions allude that moral virtues such as humanity and righteousness come into existence through continual human efforts. When Mencius claims that there is no man who is not good and no one would stand to bear the suffering of others culminates to the very core concepts of Confucianism, the feeling that traces the integral and innate of humanness in the human race. Developing on the Confucian ethical human nature perhaps remains the greatest contribution of Mencius philosophy on Confucian learning. The earlier reflection of Confucius described the possibility of ethical heaven and innate nature of ethical human beings. In his true words, Confucius believed that the existence of these ethical standards received supervision from heaven. In extending this proposition, Mencius agreed that an ethical human being, either achieved through personal strife or innate natures, ethical human being is a moral universe on his own (Richey 105). This expl ains the understanding of Mencius that ethical human nature and personal physical life are two related idealistic perspectives and to some extent have an innate connection. Confucius put across these ideals. He argued that a man cultivates himself and thereby be able to draw peace and security to his fellow men. In an attempt to magnify his belief in the ethics of human nature, Confucius placed emphasis on individual’

Food Chain Diagram Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Food Chain Diagram - Coursework Example This feature enhances photosynthesis. The panther on the other hand has tough claws and jaws, which enhances their hunting skills. In an event, there occurs water pollution in a form of oil spill, the producers, which is the lily, will be affected directly since oil will reduce the lily leaves exposure to light and hence reduced rate of photosynthesis. A reduced rate of photosynthesis will reduce the population of the lily in the waters (Simon et al, 2013). The deer will experience a food shortage and hence reduced population in the ecosystem due to migration and death for those who fail to adapt. The panthers and the opossum will also reduce in number. This leads to the distraction of the organism natural habitat. The consumers may move due to the fear of human activities as results the number of producers overcrowding, thus showing short-term effect. As they, increase the competition for nutrients available resulting to the death of the weak species hence creating imbalance in the ecosystem. The energy pyramid indicates decreasing levels of energy up the hierarchy. The producers indicate a higher level of energy as compared tertiary consumers. Energy transfer from producers to consumers takes place interdependently (Simon et al, 2013). The producers sources its energy form the sun and transfers to consumers (Ecosystem Assessment Project, 2000). Primary consumers are herbivorous and the secondary and tertiary producers being

DIGITAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

DIGITAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Essay Example The paper also demonstrates an overview of the website that supports the cost of projects and schedules their control in a manner that is highly integrated (Cadle & Yeates, 2008). The website will use the object oriented modeling in representing the deliverables of the project. There are collections of control objects that are designed in mapping the project cost control processes. There are 18 website indicators that represent the amount of resources used in every project control object and is used as sensors in highlighting the areas that are associated with their dismal performance. The website uses a server that is designed in implementing the methodology that is developed. The website also has a central database that is used in storing and organizing the project budget and their actual progress data. The website generates a day to day, week to week, monthly and yearly performance of projects that are used in generating the project status at the level of resources used and the control object (Cleland, 2009). Managing time and cost for implementing a project within an international organization is a crucial management function for attaining successful delivery of projects dealing with procurement, construction, and even engineering. Several international charity organizations have designed their website in relation to this. From the past website, it is evident that improvements need to be made on their implementation, development, and design of the project control system. Such areas include the configuration of the project that includes the performance breakdown structure, the generic and standardized, generic earned status reporting and the diagnosis and analysis of the project variance on the website. Additionally, the recommendation section should be incorporated for reasons behind dismal performance and ideas for corrective actions and forecasting the duration and costs of the projects before completion. Consequently, it is important for efficient