Abstract The Faerie Queen, an epic poem by Edmund Spenser is a lengthy piece of work consisting of six parts that was completed in 1590. This paper discusses the allegorical theme of "holiness and virtue" in the poem and since this is represented by the Red Cross Knight it focuses on his character. It shows how the Red Cross Knight is out on a mission to save the world from sin and that "truth" and "holiness" themselves have to face temptations and attractive evils in order to show the "vulnerability" of humans to sins.
From the Paper "The bloody (bloudie) cross that the knight wore on his breast is a direct reference to Jesus Christ from whom he derives his ?Holiness.? However, the Red Cross Knight is not Jesus himself, since unlike the Lord himself he is not able to resist the temptation of the "Garden of Eden" and thus represents the fallibility of human beings. While under the evil spell of the woods, he is tricked by the magic of Archimago into believing the "Truth" (Una) as unvirtuous and falls for the deception and temptation provided by Duessa, the witch."
Abstract This paper argues for and against the use of genetic engineering from a number of perspectives. It shows that, even though God has given man the knowledge to manipulate genes in such a way as to eliminate almost any blemish, the question remains whether this is the right thing to do. The paper mentions that, on the one hand, the scientific potential is mindboggling; but on the other hand, many fear that the power of eliminating certain types of genes, could be blown out of proportion.
From the Paper "The alteration of the genetic structure of any organism is done by means of Genetic engineering that provides characters beneficial or pleasing to the individual performing the alternation. In other words it is a treatment of the DNA or RNA pool (Sarah. 2002). For instance, the most greatly well known example of genetic engineering is the sheep Dolly that was cloned in the year 1996. Here, in order to create Dolly, the scientists took out cells from the udder of a pregnant, six year old ewe and then these cells were put into not related host eggs that had their DNA separated. Thus, as an alternate of creating one fertilized egg, a reproduction or a duplicate of an adult animal was made (Sarah. 2002)."
Abstract The paper gives the opinions of both philosophers regarding natural law and homosexuality and addresses the Christian conception of natural law. Further, the paper asserts that many of the claims for a source for natural law are descriptive and are then distorted into something prescriptive. The paper concludes that natural law is not "natural" at all but is an artificial explanation for why certain behaviors are classified as unnatural.
From the Paper "When we say something is unnatural, however, there is no objective measure for this term. Man-made laws emerge from the social contract, the mythical agreement by which society was created and by which those who join society agree to abide by its laws. Thus, we know what a law is, we know what breaking a law means, and we do not argue about whether we ought to obey or not because we have accepted this precept as part of the social contract. We are all part of society, so we are all subject to society's laws."
Abstract This paper addresses the subject of business ethics in the field of aviation, as well as emphasizes the effects of September 11 on the aviation industry. Through discussing the responsibilities each part of the aviation industry has toward air travel, this paper provides a clear analysis of why enhanced business ethics concerning safety and security are of utmost importance. The paper compares security features before September 11 with those after the tragedy, in an effort to determine how they have improved and what they are still lacking. In addition, it discusses the rights of aviation employees, shareholders and passengers to determine which security and business procedures are safe and which are invasive.
From the Paper "Prior to Sept. 11, the Air Transport Association, a representative for major airlines, and the Regional Airline Association, a trade group for smaller carriers, published the main security guide for airlines. This Checkpoint Operations Guide was designed to implement Federal Aviation Administration security regulations.
However, prohibiting box cutters on airplanes was an industry requirement, not a government one. The FAA actually allowed airline passengers to carry blades less than four inches long before Sept. 11.
However, airlines often did not invest the time or money before Sept. 11 to check passengers completely. In addition, according to Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House Transportation subcommittee on aviation, the FAA did have strict guidelines for screening standards in place (Salant). This combination was a recipe for disaster."
Abstract This paper examines the ethical and legal dilemmas faced by physicians regarding the question of euthanasia. The paper also presents definitions and an examination of the legal and ethical state of euthanasia and assisted suicide, along with a discussion of a fierce societal debate where both sides of the controversy are represented. The paper ultimately demonstrates that there is no viable moral or legal reason that euthanasia should be prohibited.
From the Paper "Proponents contend that individual liberty is a fundamental constitutional guarantee, and that the right to privacy protects the right of an individual to choose to die. Wolhandler argues forcefully that the constitutional right to privacy elucidated in Griswold v. Connecticut and expanded in Roe vs. Wade, also applies to euthanasia; thus protecting the individual from the interference of the state if that person chooses assisted suicide or active euthanasia. He also argues that the protection of the right to self-determination is the key to democracy and the social contract on which this nation is built when he states: "Although one may not be able to agree about what constitutes good life or good death, one can agree to let each make his own choices, as long as those choices do not involve direct and significant violence against others" (Wolhandler, 1984)."
From the Paper "This study will present an investigation of ethics on Wall Street, focusing on the decidedly unethical behavior involved in cases featuring the Salomon Brothers, Michael Milken, and Ivan Boesky.
The first basic question which must be asked has to do with the special circumstances of Wall Street: Is Wall Street so different from other areas of American capitalist enterprise? Is not corruption as much a part of every other facet of American business activities as it is a part of Wall Street? The answers to these questions might have some light shed on them by referring to a famous bank robber who was asked why he robbed banks. He said he robbed banks because that was where the money was. The same can be said of Wall Street --- it is an especially corrupt realm because there is so much money there. The men and..."
From the Paper "This study will construct a philosophical analysis of the moral dilemma of abortion by applying some basic concepts from moral philosophy.
Specifically, the moral dilemma facing a young woman who is pregnant and must decide whether or not to carry the fetus to term. The woman is not in a position, at present, to be what she would call a "good mother" to the potential child, due to various psychological, physical, and economic problems. The father of the potential child is not present to help her. While she is not experiencing optimum circumstances for having and raising a child, however, she is not so easily persuaded by the popular argument that abortion is a simple way to terminate pregnancy and any problems which that pregnancy presents. She has been raised to believe that a fetus is a child already, and she feels that it..."
From the Paper "Through genetic diagnosis and counseling many syndromes or diseases, such as myoclonic epilepsy (Hammans & et al., 1991, pp. 1311-1313), sickle cell disease (Granda & et al., 1991, pp. 152-153), and the X syndrome of mental retardation (Rousseau & et al., 1991, pp. 1673-1681) can be identified prenatally. These diagnostic procedures can save future parents the anguish of having children who cannot lead fulfilling and independent lives. However, medical science does not always answer the ethical question of whether such disorders warrant the termination of a pregnancy or a decision by a couple not to have children.
In addition, the structure of the encounter between counselor and client makes non-directive genetic counseling in connection with prenatal diagnosis difficult.
The offer of prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy termination..."
Abstract This paper examines "Chinatown", a film that combines elements of environmentalism into the story that it tells. It looks at how the films beginning may be classified as a classic film noir, but as the film progresses the film speaks to humanity's responsibility to the environment, as well as different moral and ethical philosophies and how they relate to the environmental movement. It discusses such themes as personal ethics and environmental justice as well as the two moral theories at play in the story, that of Mill's and Bentham's Utilitarianism and that of Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative.
From the Paper "There are several features about Utilitarianism that are important, for the sake of the movie, and otherwise. One of these is that actions, in and of themselves, have no moral value. The problem is then, that the actions of Noah Cross and his cohort are not in and of themselves moral or immoral. At the same time, the actions of Gittes are, in and of themselves, neither immoral or moral either. In each case, what is important is the end-result. According to Utilitarian principles, the only aspect of the state of the world that has any moral significance is the happiness or misery of people. All people are, ethically speaking, always equal, in other words, one person's happiness is worth as much an y one else's happiness."
Abstract This paper analyzes the article "Active and Passive Euthanasia," by James Rachels. It distinguishes between active and passive euthanasia and explains Rachels? arguments that active euthanasia is morally permissible. In addition, it discusses the extent to which his arguments illustrate Kantian and utilitarian considerations.
From the Paper "Rachels is an advocate of physician-assisted suicide, or euthanasia, and he wants to convince the American Medical Association (AMA) to change their definition of euthanasia, allowing doctors to allow terminally ill patients with no hope of recovery to be euthanized. His arguments for euthanasia are effective and compelling, and though directed at physicians, they are of interest to anyone thinking about euthanasia for themselves or a loved one. Rachels discusses the differences between "killing and letting die" (Rachels 561), and discusses specific cases where allowing the patient to simply die without further treatment could actually prolong their life and their suffering. "Part of my point is that the process of the 'allowed to die' can be relatively slow and painful, whereas being given a lethal injection is relatively quick and painless" (Rachels 562). In fact, his arguments seem so logical; it is difficult to understand why euthanasia is not already used in terminal and the worst cases."
Abstract This paper examines the famous case of Napster being sued by the RIAA over copyright infringement by their technology that allowed individual users to share personal recordings across the Internet. It looks at the arguments from both sides against restraint, the legal position of both sides and the ethics of the whole episode. It evaluates how Napster's enterprise deprived artists of their rightful profit from their work even though it probabley was not the intent upon Napster's entry into the marketplace and whether Napster were really at fault since they posted the copyright rules on their web site.
From the Paper "The RIAA claimed that Napster did not have any non-infringing uses that were commercially significant. The RIAA also claimed that copying off a television program is different than copying and distributing off a cd. Napster's position was that they were comparable to Sony because they are providing the directory that enables users to use it for non-infringing purposes. In this phase of the argument, both parties made reference to the Universal City Studios v. Sony case. Which determined that it was OK to videotape television shows for personal use. In Sony, why isn't it acceptable to copy music from the Internet for personal use?"
Abstract This paper examines the human state of being brain dead and the definition of "death" by medical and ethical terms. It describes the arguments among medical and philosophical experts that define death as brain inactivity. The paper investigates the social need to define death in the age technological medicine. The writer questions whether the state of brain death is true death.
From the Paper "Most people have experienced it through life, friends or television. The doctor comes out and explains to the family that their loved one is brain dead and recommends turning off the life's support. The family hesitates because their loved one feels warm to the touch and appears to be breathing. After being assured by the doctor that it is the machine and not the person the family makes the difficult decision to turn it off and the person dies. Or do they? Recently there has been some debate and controversy as to the definition of death. The term brain dead has long been accepted as the underscored explanation for when a person ceases to live. In the last few years some physicians have begun to question the previously accepted definition."
Abstract This paper discusses the philosophies of Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, David Hume and John Stuart Mill, all acclaimed philosophers who each claim that their respective approch to ethics is dependent on the proper exercise of practical judgment. It shows how Aristotle's thoughts are more of a generalization without any guiding principles for the practical decision making process while Hume's theory is more cogitative and lies centered on a cognitive reasoning in the role of a detached observer. It examines how Kant's reasoning on ethics seems more apt, simplistic but practical applications may result in unacceptable results, while Mill's philosophy seems to be the best particularly his definition of a good action as being good not for oneself alone but to a lot of people augurs well for the society as a whole.
From the Paper "Immanuel Kant is a philosopher of the eighteenth century. His greatness was reflected in his first published work "Critique of pure reasoning"(1781). The central theme of Kant's approach to ethics is that he considers human beings as having "dual consciousness". Herein he differs from Aristotle who did not consider the concept of duality. Kant views humans as both intelligent and at the same time not devoid of non-rational impulses. Hence he argues that there is a need for moral principles to guide in our decision making. Kant's argument is based on the point that Humans endowed with the reasoning are also prone to succumb to non-rational impulses. So Kant proposes that moral actions result when reason prevails over these Non rational impulses."
Abstract This paper discusses that business are taking undue advantage of favorable federal revenue policies. The paper points out that businesses are using government money to develop products that they then turn around and sell to the public at very high prices. The author feels that these advantages must be eliminated to support the common welfare of the country.
From the Paper "One by one our leading business corporations are reeling under accounting scams. I need not mention how well such a giant corporation like "Enron" managed to disguise its financial information from the government and the stockholders. In the prevailing scenario I agree with the author that the government needs to exercise care before granting corporate privileges. Businesses are exploiting the loopholes in tax laws by clever manipulations. One such debatable issue is the "Foreign tax credit" scheme. The government of United States has lost billions of dollars from multinational corporations in the name of deductions for taxes paid to other nations. "
This paper looks at the crisis of car tires blowing out while drivers are on the road and how the company Bridgestone/Firestone were accused of this crime. This paper shows the company's unwillingness to accept blame for road deaths.
Abstract This paper looks at Bridgestone/Firestone's flat out refusal to accept blame for their part in any road deaths. The writer shows how corporate America feels more affianced to its internal stakeholders than to the consumer public. It follows with an example of a high profile trial where they consistently denied they had any responsibility for any damages. The writer concludes by showing that their policies and crisis management strategies not only cost the company its reputation but also result in permanent loss of consumer loyalty.
From the Paper "Firestone doesn?t know a thing about good crisis management. Its policy of denying its obvious faults has decreased consumer's trust in the company or its products for that matter. It is important nowadays to understand that consumers are not interested in big names only, they also want to be assured that the company indeed cares about all the stakeholders involved. Firestone's employees have suffered tremendously from the recall and from its various errors as jobs were slashed in the United States and stock prices tumbled. The community and society on the whole suffered because one firm refused to own up and thus delayed tire recall."
