Abstract This paper explains that pleasure and the good is an important theme to philosophers. Various philosophers have differing ideas as to what the good life constitutes. The author points out that, in living a good life, it is important to maintain a balance regarding pleasurable activities while abstaining from extremes; however, completely abstaining from pleasure does not lead to the good life because we are not merely souls divorced from our bodies, we are whole entities. The paper analyzes the Calliclean, Aristotelian, Epicurean, and Stoicism philosophical approaches to the concept of pleasure and the good. The author concludes that the Aristotelian view on pleasure and the good seems to be the most plausible.
Table of Contents:
Theme: Pleasure and the Good
Callicles on Pleasure
Epicurus on Pleasure
Stoics on the Good
Aristotle on the Good
Analysis
Callicles on Pleasure and the Good
Epicurus on Pleasure and the Good
Aristotle on Pleasure and the Good
The Stoics on Pleasure and the Good
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Aristotle, happiness is activity in accordance with virtue over a complete lifetime and pleasure perfects our activities. Since life is an activity, pleasure is an important aspect of life. Although Aristotle thinks that pleasure is a good, he doesn't think it is the good. Since we are rational agents, a life purely devoted to pleasure is incomplete because it allows no essential role to rational activity and mere pleasure without rational activity is not the good for a rational agent."
Abstract The pressures of modern society have made achieving personal balance between work and home life increasingly difficult. This paper defines balance and shows how lack of it increases stress leading to personal problems and health risks. It also examines external and self-imposed obstacles to achieving balance and shows how well defined personal goals can be used to overcome them.
Abstract This paper discusses Bernard Williams' view and arguments that external reasons have no impact upon moral decision-making. In doing so, the paper presents and explains both Williams' position and that of the Kantian school he opposes. Ultimately, it argues that Williams' stance is compromised and is incompatible with the basic nature of ethics.
From the Paper " To close, the last several pages have looked at Bernard Williams' argument that internal realities and not a priori, objective "externalities" shape (rational) moral decision-making in human beings. While Williams' work certainly has some logical force, it is compromised in the sense that it appears to oppose the entire intent of ethical/moral philosophy - which is to arrive at a set of principles capable of guiding human conduct. In the final analysis, Bernard Williams has created a provocative thesis on the motivations informing human action - but it is one that refutes the necessity for even having moral philosophy around in the first place."
Abstract This paper explains that Eliyuha M. Goldratt, in "The Goal", used fictional stories contained as a teaching tool by focusing on aspects of work such as his characters' problems in balancing home life with their professional life. The author points out that the novel includes the introduction of unconventional business methods. The paper provides a brief summary of the novel, its overall effectiveness as a teaching tool and the methods to which Goldratt's business management concepts can be applied in new or alternative settings.
From the Paper "Author Eliyuha M. Goldratt's book, "The Goal", is a novel published as an alternative to the conventional business theory book. Goldratt used the stories contained within the book as a teaching tool for readers, focusing on aspects of work such as his characters' problems in balancing home life with their professional life, and the introduction of unconventional business methods. This paper shall provide a brief summary of the novel, its overall effectiveness as a teaching tool, and the methods to which Goldratt's business management concepts can be applied in new or alternative settings. Summary of the Novel Goldratt's "The Goal" focused primarily on the problems experienced by his character, Alex Rogo. Rogo is a manager at the manufacturing plant, UniCo, and he has identified the presence of a serious problem with the chain of operations occurring in his company."
Abstract This paper compares Confucian concept with Buddhist concept of "human nature". Buddhism emphasizes the spirituality of the individual, and is a more "inward-oriented" philosophy. Therefore, as will be argued, while Confucianism represents "human nature" as external actions and rituals shaping the inner man, Buddhism represents the "Buddha nature" as the inner man achieving ultimate selflessness through meditation and reflection.
Abstract This paper explains that idealism claims that the world is beautiful, everybody is good and a person can adopt high goals and adhere to them though ideas rather than material forces; on the other hand, naturalism is the view that nature alone is real. The author points out that nature has its share in the life of the soul and, in its numerous manifestations, deeply influences human life; but this natural life of the soul is peripheral, merely an appendix to the material phenomena of nature. The paper contends that modern science has not been the result of a gradual accumulation of sensual perceptions but rather a deliberate break with the entire stock of traditional knowledge.
From the Paper "Technological progress becomes even more exciting when it enters into the service of the social idea, which demands not only a small elite but also humanity at large should profit by it. This demand creates an entirely new challenge, requiring tremendous energy but also giving rise to new complications and harsh contrasts which, in turn, intensify the passion of man's work in this world and enrich its meaning. The transformation of environment has become the purpose of human life; life seems real only insofar as it deals with things. Man no longer needs to escape to an invisible world in order to find and realize exalted goals."
Abstract This paper discusses the positive and negative externalities of the energy industry. It claims that the unique economic characteristic of this industry is that, on a whole, the industry is fairly black and white regards to externalities. The paper explains that its performance metrics can be, at one and the same time, construed as being both positive and negative externality speaking.
From the Paper "Externalities exist in all areas of the economy and in all industries. The energy industry is no exception to this rule. While none could argue that the energy industry is both vital to the Nation's and the world's economy, it is, at the same time, detrimental to the global environment. Often, the negative externalities prove difficult to quantify in any real terms, thus making them problematic when attempting to determine causality and thus formulate a solution. Since the positive externalities in the energy industry, such as high returns for shareholders, widespread access to cheap transportation, and cheap electricity, are very easily quantified and very clearly related to the industry, positive externalities are given economic priority. However, a balance must be achieved between the energy industry's positive and negative externalities or the long-term price of its current positive attributes will prove unsustainable. In a recent article on the energy industry, Bodman points out that ..."
Abstract This essay examines two aspects of Marx's philosophy; firstly, his view of human nature and, secondly, why he is critical of the ideas of human rights and political rights and emancipation. The paper argues that Marx's view of human nature underpins his thought and work and shows that Marx is critical of human rights and political rights and emancipation because he believes there to be a greater goal.
This paper discusses the concept, history and application of ?Checks and Balances?, the system that gives constitutional controls of the separate branches of government in a way that one branch will not have more power over the others.
Abstract This paper states that, although the Federal Constitution of the United States with its ?Checks and Balances? makes it the best-known and most democratic system in the world today, most governments, even dictatorial ones, have a similar mechanism to balance the exercise of power among its branches. The author feels that the U.S. Constitution was and will be a reaction piece to events that happen to the people. This paper concludes that power must be controlled and accounted for: It is not only a right and a privilege but also, more so, a responsibility.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Checks and Balances in the Legislative Branch
The System and the People's Rights
The System and the Judiciary
A Brilliant System in Present Times
From the Paper "The system has been tested by actual situations. After the Civil War, President Andrew Johnson vetoed 20 bills (Anonymous), after which Congress overrode more than 20 bills vetoed by the President. In 1918, Congress turned down the Treaty of Versailles, which then President Woodrow Wilson worked hard for. The Treaty was to end World War I. In 1935 to 1936, Supreme Court declared that the NIRA and the AAA, New Deal programs passed by the Roosevelt Administration, were unconstitutional. Likewise, former President Ronald Regan appointed Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court, but his appointment or nomination was rejected by Congress."
Abstract This report introduces the issues of fiscal balance in terms of problems faced by the Clinton administration and identifies alternative solutions. The paper also looks at existing literature on the subject and related issues, such as Clinton's financial advice to Japanese leaders and various interpretations of political occurrences of the time. The methodology of the report concentrates on financial data derived from existing literature, with an eye on the reduction of bias through a balanced report. Additionally, the paper analyzes data and discusses questions of how balance was achieved and provides recommendations for the future in terms of fiscal policy that can be derived from extant data.
From the Paper "The reduction of deficit and fiscal balance was particularly highlighted in the later years of the Clinton administration, but it may have had roots in the beginning of the administration in terms of the background of the policies which went into effect regarding government spending and tax revenue. When Clinton came into office, he had ideas about overhauling spending which were soon put into practice so that spending could be increased and tax cuts for the wealthy would not be a big part of the program. There was significant dissonance between this vision, which also included extensive healthcare and welfare reform, and the vision of the mostly-Republican Congress which was in office for most of Clinton's years in office, and this also adds substantially to the
background of fiscal policy. For example, Clinton's programs were more likely to be slowed down in Congress by this type of system."
Abstract A discussion of the balanced scorecard and how it benefits organizations. The paper details how the balanced scorecard works and includes examples of how it has been implemented in several companies. It details the benefits for the managers, employees, human resource department, process control, flow of information and more. The scorecard data gives the upper management level enough reasons to endorse "longer cycle time", where the human resource department could find more appropriate methods to find qualified candidate for each position. This certainly gains more productivity of the employees.
From the Paper "Balanced Scorecard is a system that combines traditional financial measures and non-financial measures to make the most of information and research result to fill the information gap between departments in an organization. The system also enables managers to design and monitor series of effective processes in the whole organization to increase the business performance. At first, there was an immediate need for a new integrated system that facilitates managers to build short and long term company progress plan. The existing system either leaned on a sole system approach on one variable or failed to incorporate feedback to the performance improvement. It triggered the development of a system that differs from the traditional measurement. Robert Kaplan and David Norton started the project in the early 1990s. "
Abstract This paper presents a case analysis of the implementation of the Human Resources Balanced Scorecard at Verizon communications. It analyzes its development, implementation and success. The paper looks at the strategic objectives of Verizon within the telecommunications industry and the HR Balanced Scoreboard as part of the company's response to the changed regulatory environment for the telecommunications industry.
Abstract This paper states that, more than most business functions, marketing is more effected by its external environment. The author points out the legal, political, and cultural factors. The paper discusses how the legal constraints are shaped by politics.
From the Paper "Business does not operate in a vacuum but within the larger world around it. Perhaps this is most true of all of marketing. A firm can exercise considerable control over its physical plants and facilities and over the financial assets in its portfolio. It can exert substantial managerial control over its work force and it can seek flexibility in dealing with its suppliers or even pursue vertical integration. When it faces its customers. however. it comes face to ..."
Tags: marketing, factors, external, environment, legal, political, cultural
Abstract An essay that describes market liberalism (otherwise known as libertarian economics) from the point of view of Al Gore. It is supposed to be part of an imaginary "new edition" of his extensive treatise on ecology and government, Earth in the Balance. It can also stand on its own as an opinion paper about environmental abuses by modern industry, and the worth of government regulation.
Abstract This paper provides a review of the Balanced Scorecard model. It considers the situation in which the system is implemented, as well as factors related to its application in organizations. The paper presents a situational analysis.
From the Paper "When the globalization of the business environment began to become a reality for most corporations in ..."
