From the Paper "When there is a dispute between two or more employees, the very least a company can expect to lose is some degree of productivity. If the dispute is not resolved quickly, the productivity loss can spread to other employees as each of the parties gathers allies. Left unresolved, the dispute may escalate into the loss of valuable employees, litigation, or expensive settlements. Immediate supervisors can be crucial to the effective and timely resolution of a dispute between or among employees. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness, these supervisors must be trained to diagnose the problem, develop a solution which is acceptable to both (or all) parties, and implement that solution in a way that is fair to both the employees and the company as a whole. By examining each of these functions, and other tools which may be available to first..."
This paper explains the terms contractarinism and neo-Intuitionism and gives an overview of their positive and negative characteristics with regards to ethics.
Abstract Contractarianism is a form of social contract, one which nonetheless is a tacit one. The writer looks into this term and follows with a comparison to neo-Intuitionism. In the end we see that the bottom line for the compatibility of intuition with ethics rests upon the condition that, while intuitions can be useful, they must never be our final arbiters.
From the Paper "If we expect from others only that they not interfere with our activities"save if those activities threaten to harm them"then we can say that they are honouring our negative right to liberty. A negative right amounts to being a right to non-interference; that is, that people not do certain things. Positive rights, on the other hand, require that we do something for, or provide something to others. In a sense, however, positive rights include negative rights, since positive rights are simply added on. A note of caution though: the more positive rights which are added?and this is why the earlier qualification "in a sense"?the greater the chances that negative rights will be usurped."
Abstract This paper explains that while we talk of observation as the evidential basis of science, Quine thinks that the notion of observation is too unclear to be helpful. The paper continues that evidential support of science therefore, comes down to a relation of stimulation to scientific theory. The author refutes that observation is relative to linguistic, professional or cultural communities, rather than to the whole speech community.
From the Paper "An observation sentence may be holophrastic, or consist of a single noun or adjective thought of as a sentence, such as "Sunny", "Cloudless", or "Rabbit" in place of the previously mentioned sentences. We may use conjunction to form further observation sentences from more primitive ones, or we may compound them by predication. From "Flower" and "Pink", we can form "This flower is pink". Equivalently, in terms of stimulus meaning, we could say "Pink flower" but we get a stronger connection than that through predication. The conjunction gets confirmation when stimulation by something in the scene confirms each of its component observation sentences. Predication however focuses the two observations, requiring them to coincide or overlap. For "This flower is pink", pink must encompass the flower; but it could extend beyond, the relation not being symmetric."
Tags: holophrastic, symmetric, observation, evidence, community
Discusses and compares how French philosopher, Michel Foucalt and French feminist author, Simond de Beauvoir viewed sexuality and the politicization of the body.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract French philosopher Michel Foucault and French writer Simone de Beauvoir were both interested in how sexuality and the body had become the sites of power and politics in Western society. Both focused on the socially imposed structures that objectified sexual identity and gender differences. Foucault became interested in the language that was used by elites to objectify sexuality. Thus, he was more focused on the elites that appointed themselves as the arbiters of what was "normal" and "abnormal" in sexuality. De Beauvoir, meanwhile, was interested in how elites shaped sexuality to the disadvantage of women.
Abstract The paper looks closely at the underlying themes of political corruption as the arbiter of freedom in our society. It concludes that Warren's point was to demonstrate that only through finding the strength to defy society can we truly experience freedom.
Abstract While Wittgenstein crafts a method of thinking, Derrida constructs the linguistic structure of philosophy within literature. In his view, philosophy exists solely within language and the language of the pen is the primary form. Language, then, for both philosophers, is the sole arbiter of philosophy. Without language, there can be no salient thought. Language and thought combine to create a form, but not a substance. Wittgenstein worked within the form; Derrida worked to provide the substance. On discourse in thought and the use of language, Wittgenstein and Derrida differed at least slightly.
Abstract This paper attempts to examine the causes of conflict between individuals in organizational settings and, in particular, educational settings. The paper describes and explains the different classifications of conflicts, as well as the means to reduce the negative impact conflicts have on the morale of the individuals involved in the conflict. The author suggests that understanding the options that are available in conflict resolution is paramount and critical for handling any future conflicts that may arise.
From the Paper "Conflicts are natural. They are expected to arise in any interaction involving two or more individuals. No two people think, act or react in a similar manner. This variability offers the opportunity for a conflict to arise in any situation. Without conflict, life in organizations would be stagnant. The future of the organization would be jeopardized. Dissonance, or a need to find a better way of doing things, is often the seed, which spurs on the team to higher levels of investigation and searches. The origin of conflict can be often traced to false perception. (Burton, 1968) In an organization conflict can play an important role in offering the workers and the management direction and purpose in spite of the difference of opinions between workers."
Abstract This paper takes a look at how the unrestrained power of judicial review not only fits into a democratic society, but also helps protect democracy and liberty in America. The paper explains exactly what judicial review means, how it works today, and why it is a necessity in a country that wants to preserve the ideals of liberty and personal freedom.
From the Paper "The basic premise of democracy is the idea of one man, one vote. However, in large societies, the idea of one man, one vote, necessarily becomes diluted because it is impracticable. In fact, one would not expect a country the size of the United States to be a true democracy, but a representative government. Furthermore, the idea of a republican government strains the concept of democracy further; to balance state's rights and the rights of all of the nation's citizens, the framers of the Constitution came up with the concept of an Executive branch that represents the will of the nation and a Legislative branch that represents the will of the states. However, that does not explain the third branch of the Federal government. The Judicial Branch, with its almost unfettered power to overturn legislation by both the Executive and Legislative Branches. How does a judiciary with almost unrestrained power fit into a democratic society? It does not, and yet judicial review may be almost single-handedly responsible for the preservation of democracy, and more importantly, liberty in America."
Abstract This paper discusses the power of the Supreme Court in the United States. The paper suggests that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of constitutionality on just about any issue that is debated among citizens of the United States and it discusses the political and legal problems that have arisen from this situation. It specifically discusses the public outcry regarding activist judges who appear to want to legislate from the bench.
From the Paper "The need for judicial reforms, then, is rather obvious. What is less evident, however, is the means through which to accomplish this reform. Some commentators have suggested a constitutional amendment limiting justices to term limits, albeit long ones, to avoid the political maneuvering inherent in the timing of Justices' retirements and nomination; the amendment provides significant equality among administrations to nominate candidates for the Court without placing undue emphasis on when certain Justices retired (as Justice William Douglas attempted to do by waiting to retire until a Democratic president was in office) (DiTullio and Schochet 2004). Other reforms proposed include different nomination processes, a more significant emphasis on qualifications over political affiliation, less outside lobbyist and interest group involvement, and various other tweaks to the process of choosing members of the judiciary (Yoo 2000, 1465)."
Abstract This paper discusses how Americans despise obscenity by and large, but have always had a problem with identifying just what was obscene and why. This study maintains that while popular and legal definitions may vary, some people may simply consider something obscene if it is forced upon them rather than when they purposely seek out such literary materials or artistic works for themselves for prurient or other reasons. A summary of the research and important findings is provided in the conclusion.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Arbiters of Obscenity and Their Implications for Artists and the Media
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Kidd, there was essentially no due process provided the artist in this unfair association between him and denied Mapplethorpe his "day in court" in which he could voice his rebuttals; rather, the case was an example of an arbitrary - and some say capricious - decision by the Institute for Contemporary Art as to what they regarded as obscene, and they got paid handsomely for the privilege of designating Mapplethorpe's work as being obscene: "The key decisions that implicated the NEA in the funding of 'obscenity' were made not by the artist, and not even by the NEA, but by mediating arts organizations -- specifically, the Institute for Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, that used a $30,000 NEA grant to mount a retrospective of Mapplethorpe's photography" (Kidd, 2003, p. 6). By any measure, Mapplethorpe's works could be viewed as being inappropriate for certain age groups or others, depending on the unique individual factors involved, but the same issues that affected the Mapplethorpe outcome are at play in virtually every instance of the obscenity determination."
Abstract This paper discusses the "arbiter" role that religion played to the government and civil society, as reflected in the works of the theologians John Calvin and Thomas More, and political scientist Niccolo Machiavelli. The paper reviews Calvin's "Conversion and Call to Geneva" and More's "Utopia," comparatively analyzing them against Machiavelli's "The Prince".
From the Paper "Case in point shown in Machiavelli's discourse is the inability of Church leaders to help lead civil society towards betterment and improvement of its state, as Western history had shown. The Pope, as he pointed out, did not have the political power to govern his own clergy, which demonstrates the Pope's inability to govern a bigger number of people, such as civil society. Evidence of the Pope's inability to lead over his clergy is the tendency for cardinals to attempt to usurp each other's, and the Pope's, powers, for their self-promotion and the creation of factions even within the Church organization."
Tags: civil, society, political, leaders, religious, groups, clergy, church
Abstract This paper discusses the cosmogonic myth of 'Purusa' upon which the traditional caste system in India is based. The paper explains that this system places the Brahmin (the most pure) at the top, the Ksatriya below them, the Vaisya below the Ksatriya, and, at the bottom, the Sudra, and that this placement is supposed to be symbiotic rather than oppressive. The paper then puts forth the argument that purity was not intended as selective attribute, but is an idea that arose from the Vedic Brahmins, those who thought themselves as the most esteemed piece of Puru a; therefore, purity is a man-made conception - one that should have no bearing on one's capabilities or aspirations in this life or in one's pursuit to reach m k a.
From the Paper "Yet Hinduism is more than an amalgamation of a purity-centric caste institution developed under the steady hands of Vedic Brahmins. Especially in the past century, much has been done to raise "social awareness about the evils of institutionalized discrimination, especially against untouchables and women" (Lipner 123). As India develops further and becomes increasingly inter-connected with the rest of the world, the socially positive and aspiring aspects of Hinduism ought to take more precedent over the out-dated traditions of caste restriction and oppression. The cosmogonic Puru a myth is not a divinely ordained blank check to the highest caste or those who hold the most esteemed positions, as the Vedic Brahmins happily promulgated, but rather it is a myth that espouses the interconnectedness of all things in one body or universe; so that if one part is damaged, all parts are affected adversely. This is the message of the Puru a myth. From this egalitarian message it can be said that it is through action not birth that one's cosmic endeavor is furthered."
