What sort of freedom is required for moral responsibility Essay

What sort of freedom is required for moral responsibility - Essay Example The forms synonymous to these moral actions are praise and blame. For instance: when one is confronted with a car accident, he/she may be considered as worthy of being praised because they have managed to save a child from the burning car. On the other hand, they can also be blamed, if they fail to call for help. This means assigning moral responsibility to a person on the basis of what they have or left done or undone. It is also possible that the reaction might be self-directed i.e. one can be held accountable. In other words to be held morally or ethically responsible for an action means being worthy of a particular kind of reaction i.e. blame, praise for having performed it. In the context of moral responsibility, there are two theories of free will, which are commonly discussed. The first one is called libertarianism, which is similar to Arminian theology. There has been a debate amongst many philosophers both in ancient and contemporary times. There seems to be a consensus amon gst Christian philosophers that one cannot claim to have a sense of moral responsibility without actually having a liberal view of freedom. According to the liberal view, human decisions and actions, especially religious and ethical decisions are uncaused. The more refined forms of libertarianism posit that these decisions are not usually caused by our desires or character. They strongly cling to the belief that a free act is not an act, which is able to implement our core desires; on the contrary, it goes against our desires. Rest assured, the libertarian is aware that our desires are a function of our heritage, surroundings, our past decisions etc. Furthermore, they believe that if free decisions are based on desires, then they are certainly not completely free and therefore not uncaused. Such a view is considered to be imperative for moral responsibility because no one can be held responsible for an act unless he could have done otherwise. Quoting an example: â€Å"If I am strap ped to a robotic machine which, using my arms, robs a bank, I am not to blame for robbing the bank. I â€Å"could not have done otherwise† (Eshleman, 1). It can be said that libertarianism rather than ensuring ethical responsibility tends to destroy it. The question arises that how can we be held responsible for our decisions, if those decisions are actually psychological accidents, which do not have association with any of our desires. It cannot be denied that such a situation would definitely disregard all responsibility. Undoubtedly, it becomes quite perplexing to be regarded as responsible for something, which was against our will. There is another concept of freedom as well, which is also said to have relevance with the Reformed Theology, and is considered to be held by a number of philosophers. It is frequently cited as compatibilism. It holds the view that while forming moral decisions, we have the liberty to do what we want to and pursue our issues. In this way, there is a clear dichotomy between compatilism and libertarianism. Reformed theology says that every person has freedom in the compatibilist sense. Compatibilist freedom is the most vital type of freedom for ethical responsibility. Rest assured, there are other types of freedom, which are also imperative theologically and morally. But compatabilist freedom is more important because it is believed that every person possesses a distinct freedom, so as to go beyond their surroundings and heredity, and even though these features are compounded of tests, temptations and ethical challenges, they cannot be used as excuses for sin. We cannot declare that we are determined by heredity or our surroundings, which can give us the chance to negate our responsibility in front of

Drug use, Impacts on society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Drug use, Impacts on society - Essay Example But the result was as usual, and in some cases, it was terrible. The centers for the drug-victims were found to be flooded with an overwhelming number of abusers and, every year, the hard-earned money of the tax-payers was being flooded out of the Government treasury. The recent scenario of drug-abuse in the UK is that almost one-thirds of the adult UK citizens (34%) are involved, in some ways or others, with using narcotic substances or illegal drugs. Even the figure of money that is spent for the treatment and prevention of drug-abuse is breath-taking for a sincere of citizen. The Telegraph says, â€Å"Each drug addict in Britain costs the taxpayer more than  £800,000 over a lifetime, a Government report shows†. The present scenario of the drug-abuse in the UK is self-evident enough to prove that the Government’s strategy, prior to the Drug Strategy of 2008, was flawed within itself, since its approach to the drug-problem was purgatory and retributive. Indeed a retributive and purgatory approach essentially means that â€Å"let a man be the victim of drug; then punish and/or treat him†. Obviously this view has its ground to defend itself. It argues that the Government of a modern state should not spare any scope for the citizens to avail themselves to the abuse of drug. Therefore it argues that the Government should maintain an effective watchdog over them. Also there is another philosophy: ‘punish the violator, so that others do not dare to cross the boundary of legal system†. But from the following discussion it will be evident that the definition of a technology-equipped modern individual itself is contradictory with the concept of an effective watchdog. Moreove r, the ‘identity conundrum of modern individual and crisis of modern life’ is such an abyss that ultimately consumes the ‘fear of being punished’. That is, when a modern individual cannot decide who

Use of intravenous quinine sulfate remains to treat severe malaria Essay

Use of intravenous quinine sulfate remains to treat severe malaria - Essay Example She did not take the malaria tablets but instead took her son’s leftovers tablets after becoming sick. She at first presents with a normal mental state of mind but is febrile and ill appearing. She soon becomes obtunded. The laboratory tests clearly reveal that important anion-gap acidosis, but the blood smear is not at present in progress. The objective related critical parts include the following, to identify that the patient is suffering and is in risk and to order the relevant tests for severe malaria and other diseases in the differential diagnosis, to identify the seizure, com, and acidosis as the manifestations of the severe malaria, and more so to remember to look for or treat hypoglycemia. Another thing is to offer supportive care , including the fluids, anticonvulsants and end tracheal intubation as needed to begin on the empiric therapy for severe malaria with the intravenous articulate to identify the complications of the treatment, to also seek for the outside ass istance of the malaria care, including consulting those individuals who are specialized. Over the years, the intramuscular quinine has been the first-line treatment for the treatment of malaria. Since the intravenous quinine is not available in the US, guanidine is the only drug of choice. This is a more effective drug than quinine and is less likely to bring about hypoglycemia, but is endemic and hence calls for continuous monitoring. In case of severe malaria with elevated parasitemia, which do not respond clearly to the anti-malarial drugs, an individual may consider an exchange transfusion, although there is no strong clinical evidence to support its issue. Thick and... The intention of this study is severe malaria as prevalent globally, yet as an uncommon disease posing a challenge to education in nonendemic countries. Severe malaria refers to the malaria with signs of end organ dysfunction, as manifested by comma, pulmonary edema, renal failure, circulatory collapse, or severe anemia. Malaria accounts for over a million deaths per year. A very useful aspect of the severe malaria case management is pre-referral treatment that is administered to patient with severe malaria before they are referred to a health facility as explained by Beauchamp & Childress. This is crucial, as most malaria deaths, particularly in Africa, take place outside the hospitals, either in the communities or at a lower level of care. Studies evaluating the role rectal articulate and as a pre-referral treatment have found that these options are highly efficacious. However, the biggest challenge faced in resource-limited settings has been the non-availability of these preparati ons in health centers. The author of the paper has tabled a review of research in regard to the effectiveness of Intravenous quinine as a treatment for the severe malaria and hoe the considerations of the empirical understanding on this subject has helped shaped my evidence-based practice for the future as stated by Holland & Rees. In addition he has acknowledged the understanding of the other four fundamental patterns of knowing is important to the awareness of the complexity and diversity of the nursing understanding.

U05a1 Project Annotated Outline and Annotated Bibliography Essay

U05a1 Project Annotated Outline and Annotated Bibliography - Essay Example health care is completely covered for and is accessible to all. This is a very common topic for almost all Americans. b) This makes the topic very important as it will permit getting a clear understanding of where the health care sector is headed and what is the future for the health care of the middle class American families. The document provides a clear report on the effects of the patients protection and affordable care act of 2009. The document is detailed with a clear explanation of the act and is very helpful in developing the study further. The above mentioned document provides a clear summary of the act and also provides a detailed explanation of the theory and the overall study which is very helpful for this study. This is an overall very helpful paper and is helpful in completion of this research. Dorgan, B. L. (2010). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from Democratic Policy Committee: http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc-sen_health_care_bill.cfm This website provides a detailed explanation of the act and is very insightful as it provides a through explanation of the topic and also provides insight into the benefits and drawback of the act as well. This website will prove to be very helpful for the research as it is a direct government website and is updated with the latest on the topic and all discussions regarding the topic are easily available in simple and straightforward language making it easier to follow and

M.K. Ghandi The story of my experiment with truth Essay - 1

M.K. Ghandi The story of my experiment with truth - Essay Example As a consequence, ever person is liable for the truth and has a responsibility that it be recognized and valued by others. The first twenty seven chapters of the book see how Gandhi’s life is molded by his circumstance and then in turn sought to mold his own destiny. From his childhood, his being part of the Banya caste, growing up in Porbandar and Rajkot and being in general under the absolute duress of his parents social and political roles (4-7). He has a great respect for elders and people in authority, considers them beyond reproach or doubt. His experience as student, particularly the incident where he said that his teacher prompted him to cheat to impress a school inspector, reading Harishchandra and watching the play Harishchandra are key points in his childhood. These laid the foundations for his future treatise on truth and society which will led him to question what in his childhood he accepted so easily including his formative schooling experience and Hindu social customs (4). Gandhi considers his life experience as a process of contemplation, self-realization and application. In conjunction with his personal and professional development within and outside his primary context, he considers these as experiments that have allowed him to define his values and prerogatives. Such as in his early experience with eating meat, his commitment to avowing this food develops from compliance by rote and enforcement, defiance by subversion, rationalization through knowledge and finally true acknowledgment and acquiescence of the practice. This will set a pattern it seems for Gandhi: evident in the succeeding chapters of the book detailing his high school, college and early professional experiences in Africa and home. His life is highlighted by time of great self-doubt, conflicting familial and social aspirations as well as

Documentary Expression and Thirties America Essay

Documentary Expression and Thirties America - Essay Example In the thirties the style of social documentary became popular, and was described as increasing the knowledge of public facts while sharpening it with feeling. Two notable exponents of this style were considered, both of whom employed the presentation of dramatic, and sometimes over emphasized, photographs accompanied by a written commentary. The distinction between art and photography and whether or not documentary expression owed its genesis from fiction or non-fiction was also explored. Finally the matter of ethics in the treatment and presentation of documentary imagery was discussed. Documentary Expression 3 Documentary Expression and Thirties America William Stott in his book Documentary Expression and Thirties America covers an enormous range of topics and much of it is in a highly discursive and rambling style. However, it is possible to subdivide it into four principal themes: Documentary, The Documentary Motive and the Thirties, The Documentary Nonfiction of the Thirties, a nd Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. First of all it is necessary to understand what he means by the documentary style. In its simplest form there are two possibilities: â€Å"an honest and reasonably objective report, or a case for the prosecution† (Stott, 1986). ... It was also held that such a documentary style did not rely upon information so much as â€Å"the power to move.† Stott suggests that while the purpose is to encourage social improvement – public education at its most altruistic – reality is more cynical in that its real purpose is to shape attitudes towards certain public facts. An example of this type of â€Å"expose journalism’ is to use a public figure or authority’s quotation to mean something else. For example, the head of the US Red Cross stated categorically, in answer to innocent sounding questions, that Red Cross personnel were noncombatants. He was unable to defend this stance when faced with the fact that when called up for military service these individuals were obliged to take the oath, Documentary Expression 4 imposed by Congress, requiring them to obey military regulations and act as combatants. Two contrasting examples of the documentary style in thirties America are contained in t he works of Bourke-White & Caldwell and Agee & Evans. In both cases one of the authors writes the commentary and the other provides a series of generally highly dramatic â€Å"propaganda† pictures. The question now arises, was the documentary style in the thirties; found in fiction and non-fiction, and in art and photography. The reverse of the former was really true; both fiction and non-fiction of the time owed something to the documentary style. Fiction was full of ‘real people’ and many writers tried to introduce social issues. The social documentary style was devised to give a sense of urgency to the representation of life as it was: reality with drama and a sharp tug at the emotions. In the case of non-fiction the genre usually relied upon simple issues:

Performance Management at Lincoln Electric Company and Southwest Case Study

Performance Management at Lincoln Electric Company and Southwest - Case Study Example A common denominator that has been linked to their success is their concern for employees that trumps their concern for their shareholders (Schuler, 2012, p.572). These companies assert that if employees are well taken care of, they will do their jobs better, and doing so benefits customers and shareholders. Lincoln Electric is the top company that designs, develops, and makes arc-welding products, robotic arc-welding equipments, and plasma and oxyfuel cutting tools. It also leads in the brazing and soldering alloys industries. Lincoln owns 40% of the U.S. market share. Moreover, it provides its employees with a well-known Lincoln Incentive Management Plan, which results to above-industry-average productivity (Schuler, 2012, p.559). In 1995, the company attained $1 billion revenues, while at present, sales reached $2 billion (Schuler, 2012, p.559). Employee morale and productivity are good; while turnover is almost zero (Schuler, 2012, p.559). A similar company with strong employee f ocus is Southwest Airlines. It has led the low-cost airline industry by focusing on being the cheapest and most efficient operator in domestic regional markets (Jackson, Schuler, & Werner, 2012, p.578). Despite being a low-cost airliner, Southwest is known for on-time travels, excellent customer service, and safety (Jackson et al., 2012, p.578). In 2012, the company bought AirTran Airways for $1.4 billion. The acquisition is believed to increase revenue and capacity by almost 25%, although its direct impact on Southwest’s success remains to be seen (Schuler, 2012, p.580). Like Lincoln Electric, employee morale and productivity are high in Southwest through the joint efforts of its employee-based committees. This paper compares, contrasts, and evaluates the human resource management practices of Lincoln Electric and Southwest. Recruiting and Selection Recruitment and selection are attuned to the organizational needs and cultures of Southwest and Lincoln Electric. Recruitment i s restricted to internal recruitment for most jobs in Lincoln Electric. Only entry-level positions are open to external recruitment (Schuler, 2012, p.561). Selection is performed by HR, which also happens in Southwest. In Southwest, however, selection is more refined due to specific employee attitudes that it looks for. This can be explained by the fact that Southwest operates in a service industry, while Lincoln Electric works in the manufacturing industry. Southwest has a stringent selection policy, where it spends more time, energy, and money in recruiting people who can fit the fun and collaborative culture of the company (Jackson et al., 2012, p.584). It has a People Department that performs the decisive function of recruiting and selecting personnel (Jackson et al., 2012, p.584). Personality tests and interviews support the rigorous selection process (Jackson et al., 2012, p.584). Hence, though both companies ensure that their employees fit company goals and culture through th eir recruitment and selection practices, Southwest shows extra dedication and uses more resources in recruiting people with the right attitudes. Performance Management Management Styles Both Lincoln Electric and Southwest have charismatic founders, whom employees find be empathic of their employees’ welfare, although Southwest has a â€Å"wackier† attitude to managing employees. In an employee interview, Trahan remarked that James Lincoln â€Å"