This essay discusses the ethical dilemna that the abortion issue presents using the arguments of three philosophers, Judith Jarvis-Thompson, Mary Anne Warren and Don Marquis to analytically discuss and debate each of their individual positions.
Abstract Examined here is the seemingly intractable debate that has garnered much debate and philosophical discourse. Is abortion unethical? If so, on what grounds? Does a fetus have an unquestionable right to life? The arguments of three philosphers, Thompson, Warren, and Marquis attempt to construe argument devoid of appeal to religious sources. Actual logical arguments are put forth and then dissected by the author. Instruction of Informal fallacies also included, as well as topics such as debate through analogies, Criteria of Personhood, and Potentiality theories: FLO theory.
From the Paper "First let us begin with an argument derived from the article by Judith Jarvis-Thompson entitled, ?A Defense of Abortion.? She starts of with explaining the common pro-life argument, which relies heavily on the premise that a fetus is a human being and a person at the moment of conception. While examining the continuous expectancy that the fetus constantly develops into a child, she from this judges that to draw a line of personhood from this point or another is to exemplify the argument with an arbitrary carelessness. She makes no attempt to refute a fetus as a person or otherwise. To do so she deems as participation in a ?slippery-slope argument.? Thompson acknowledges that the fetus is a human well before it's birth, for it would be biologically unsound to state otherwise. Based on her take of the anti-abortionist's argument an acorn (a potential oak tree) would be viewed in the same way as an Oak tree is, even though that this is an incorrect and rather crude observation. From this basis, she says on cannot make a good examination until a better counter-argument is examined and then she says we will have more sufficient grounds on which to reject it or not."
Abstract This paper delves into the legal, ethical and religious aspects surrounding abortion, while also focusing on the feminist view of this hotly-debatetopic. The writer of this paper traces the roots of the abortion debate back to Susan B. Anthony. Anthony opposed abortion because the medical procedure, in her time, was unsafe and endangered a woman's health and life. This paper examines how feminists today defend the development of safe and effective birth control as a means to prevent abortion. This paper also looks at the views of various feminist organizations such as Feminists for Life and Feminists Against Abortion. This paper discusses the media's impact in the evolution of the "Pro-Choice" and "Pro-Life" movements. This paper also discusses how the laws regarding legal abortions have changed over the past 40 years. In 1965, all 50 states banned the procedure, with some exceptions. In 1973, The Supreme Court reversed the situation in the case of Roe vs. Wade, declaring most existing state abortion laws unconstitutional. The writer of this paper explores the issue of abortion in various religions, including Judaism and the different Christian sects. While those of the Catholic faith do not believe that abortion is an acceptable solution to undesired pregnancies, they do accept that there may be situations when an abortion must be considered. This paper also touches on the ethical side, where many believe that abortions should only be considered when the life of the mother is at stake. However, shades of grey enter into the picture when other reasons are offered as well, as detailed in this paper.
From the Paper "Although those of the Catholic faith do not believe that abortion is an acceptable solution to undesired pregnancies, they do accept that there may be situations when an abortion takes place as the outcome of trying to deal with another medical issue. For example, the Church would allow "the doctrine of double effect" if the mother requires a life-saving operation that may possibly end the pregnancy, since it is the first priority to save the woman's life rather than end the pregnancy.
Many Protestant denominations including the Anglicans, Methodists and Quakers have been disinclined to be as strict as the Catholic Church. Frequently, they accept that there are certain occasions when abortion is an unavoidable result of deciding between the "lesser of two evils."
To further complicate the issue, explains Ellingson, there is even disagreement among the Catholics and among the Protestants. "It is not just a Catholic and Protestant Debate."
Abstract This paper summarizes the debate between the Federalists and Anti-federalists of the constitutional congress. It suggests some ongoing problems in American public life which demonstrate the main issues which drove that debate, far from being resolved during the constitution's ratification, continue to resonate in current events. This paper discusses the Ratification Debate and the major issues which drove the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-federalists: Distribution of power, protection of rights, limitations of institutions and the ongoing Relevance.
From the Paper "In the last few days of September in 1787, the Confederation Congress met to debate and construct a new Constitution of the United States. The document they wrote and sent for ratification to the thirteen states that made up the newly-formed country was intended to replace the Articles of Confederation that had ordered the nation since its inception. The nation was reaching a crisis point, as the experiment had been going poorly. Surprisingly, perhaps, the problem was not one of the many possible economic problems that new nations are likely to experience when reconstructing after a long and difficult war. As Gordon Wood (1969) argues, the general economy was running well and people felt comfortable and even prosperous (p. 395). Rather, the concerns that brought the nation's leading politicians together were primarily political. "
Abstract Quite a bit of fuss has been made about the great British industrial retardation debate. To this day, we are not precisely sure what the most important issues of this debate are. Some commentators claim that Britain simply entered a stage of slower natural growth after 1870. This paper will look at the so-called period of industrial retardation in Britain that began circa 1870. The primary objective is to evaluate what exactly happened and whether or not it is worthy of its title. Was industrial retardation characteristic of the whole period, or was it sporadic and limited to certain years? This is but one of many questions that will guide the paper towards its conclusion.
Abstract The topic of this paper is privacy issues. It focuses on the province of Ontario and the topic of health information. Through the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan the Ontario government has health information on everyone. Since the IT revolution that information is held in computer databases.
Abstract This paper looks at both sides of the nuclear power debate. It focuses on global warming, political violence and the likelihood of change. The author looks at Chernobyl, and Three Mile lsland and how activists on both sides used it to further their message. It also looks at different facilities, their monitoring processes and ways to decrease the chances of accidents occurring in these plants. It also looks at recent incidents at nuclear facilities in the United States, Japan and Germany that have led to the re-evaluation of those government's nuclear policies. As a final note, the author presents many examples of demonstrations against the use of nuclear power, worldwide, to show how this has become a global issue.
From the Paper "Yet, dissenting voices call attention to the dangers of nuclear power: specifically, the devastating effects of the explosion at Chernobyl of the former Soviet Union in 1986, and the contamination of the plant Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania which happened earlier, in 1979. The Chernobyl explosion sent nuclear fallout for miles immediately surrounding the plant, making much of the land uninhabitable. In addition, radiation that caused severe environmental damage to the surrounding areas has been attributed to rising cancer rates throughout Europe. Though the plant at Three Mile Island did not suffer such a catastrophe due to a containment facility, which prevented radioactive materials from being released into the atmosphere, and therefore avoided severe environmental damage, the plant is now thoroughly contaminated, and it cannot be destroyed. Environmentalists argue that increased safety precautions are not enough; accidents like the aforementioned can, and will, happen again. The sound the call not for more nuclear power plants, but the halt of production of new nuclear power plants, and in some cases, argue that nuclear energy in its entirety should be phased out of the energy equation (Janger et. al., 219)."
Abstract This paper reviews a 2003 meta analysis on studies focusing on the effects of presidential debate viewing. It discusses the issue that effect the outcome of elections. It also notes the importance of voters learning more about the candidates.
From the Paper "The issue being studied is whether presidential debates have an effect on the outcome of the elections by affecting the viewers' voting decisions. This question is crucially important for a variety of reasons as the authors point out. First and foremost of ..."
Tags: president, debates, meta analysis, significance, candiates, election
Abstract This five page undergraduate paper examines the central questions posed in Chapter Nine of Discovering America's Past, which all pertain to slavery and territorial expansion. The writer notes that the Wilmot Proviso Debate was just one of many battles fought in Congress in the decades before the Civil War over the primary question of whether slavery should be allowed in new territories. The writer further points out that this was the most crucial issue, for new territories ultimately became new states and subsequently sent senators and representatives to Congress.
From the Paper "Whenever a new state was admitted into the Union, the balance of power in Congress between slave states and free states was altered depending upon whether the new state permitted slavery or not."
Abstract This paper reviews a debate in which the proposition awards in medical liability lawsuits should be limited was debated. A general overview of the debate is provided. Main points are identified and discussed. The paper concludes with remarks on which side (pro or con) had the stronger arguments and a judgment of who ultimately won the debate is stated.
From the Paper "Medical malpractice is a vast legal issue that affects many different populations: consumers/patients, healthcare professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, legal professionals and insurance companies. This paper will provide a review of the debate holding to the proposition: Awards in medical liability lawsuits should be limited. Starting with a high level overview of the debate, main points will be presented along with this writer's view of which side presented a stronger case and which side this writer believes won the debate. Overview of debate. Malpractice insurance rates are driving physicians and many nurse practitioners out of business. Malpractice insurance costs are just too high to allow physicians to maintain a private practice in states that do not provide for a max-cap on liability awards. Currently 27 states do and the cost of their malpractice insurance is substantially less; for example $8,000 for the same ..."
Abstract The following essay discusses the ethical and moral issues connected with the mapping of human genome and unethical practices during fetal tissue study. The genetic research and fetal tissue research aim at minimizing the risk of genetic disorders in children and adults but many argue that this kind of research does not take into account the issue of human dignity.
From the Paper "The genetic research or genetic engineering, as it is commonly known as, refers to the study of human genetic makeup, which is required for better and deeper understanding of the genetic problems. This subject has been heatedly debated all over the world but most prominently in the West where the research is currently gaining momentum. The government plays a key role in the research because it is only when the government allows a particulate controversial research that further studies can be conducted in that field."
Abstract The paper relates that a debate team is an example of a cooperative learning group. This paper describes, analyzes and evaluates the writer's contribution to the debate planning, preparation and presentation process. This contribution is examined in relation to three theoretical frameworks. Situational leadership is highly relevant for enabling a balance between task behavior and relational behavior. Chaos theory is especially useful since it emphasizes the learning process and feedback. Change theory permits the change process to be understood. The writer discusses that he/she experienced both learning and change through the debate.
Abstract This paper is an overview of sixteen common fallacies used in debate. The paper provides two examples of each in the hopes that students can better discern these fallacies when they emerge in debate and/or in academic literature. As a useful point, these examples can also be used to highlight the partisanship of leading politicians eager to spread their own agenda.
From the Paper "Ad Hominem: personal attacks of any kind are ad hominem attacks. Two examples would be Al Franken's loud denunciations of Bill O'Reilly and others while another would be someone dismissing George W. Bush's policies because he is (allegedly) "stupid". Ad Populum: Two examples of ad populum fallacies would be recent gall-up polls showing weak support for the war in Iraq and/or an argument that insists that "most people" do not want gay marriage or an end to abortion."
Abstract This paper is a legal issue analysis of a newspaper or magazine article that discusses a legal aspect of a specific diversity issue - workplace harassment. This article offers a summary of the diversity issue, analysis of the legal issues and a presentation of thoughts and beliefs regarding this issue. The presentation is contextualized in terms of the challenges of managing that diversity issue within the workplace.
From the Paper "Restaurant Business revealed that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Cracker Barreland its parent for the alleged sexual and racial harassment of ten employees in three Illinois units of the restaurant chain. The E.E.O.C. alleges that the female workers had been subjected to sexual assaults, sexual propositions, obscene jokes and the circulation of pornography. The suit also alleges that some of the African-Americans among the ten employees represented by the E.E.O.C. were subjected to racial discrimination and harassment."
This paper addresses policymaking issues in the approach and implementation of the 1997 Budget Act, for which a congressional hearing was held about the implications of this act on healthcare policies.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 8 sources, 2002, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper addresses policymaking issues in the approach and implementation of the 1997 Budget Act, for which a congressional hearing was held about the implications of this act on healthcare policies. The policymaking process is compared with the traditional textbook version, which represents some of the complexities involved, but hardly approaches the number of considerations that are truly involved. A brief history and explanation of the health care system in the US is also included.
Tags: NURSING, HEALTHCARE / HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE ISSUES, medicare policymaking issues
Abstract This paper discusses and reviews Nancy Dickenson Hazard 2004 article, "Global Health Issues and Challenges" which presents an overview of a number of Arista conferences held in various world regions. Participants identified global issues and conditions which affect nursing. They also focused on strategic actions for the nursing profession and on recommendations for actions aimed at creating healthy communities. The paper explains that Hazard's article was presented as an executive summary and synthesis of the reports made from the various Arista conferences.
