Abstract The writer discusses Socrates' view of the moral and legal obligations to obey the law. This paper looks at Socrates' trial for corrupting the young. The writer explains how Socrates responded to the charges against him. The writer also describes Socrates' reaction to the death sentence.
From the Paper "Socrates was accused of the capital crime of corrupting youth with his teachings and was sentenced to death. Socrates did not deny he was guilty of the charge but rather protested that what he was accused of was something he had practiced his entire life and if it was illegal then his whole life was illegal. He claimed that he was being accused unjustly of corrupting the minds of the young, but had merely made people think and had opened their minds and made them question ... "
Abstract This paper describes Thomas Hobbes' views on moral obligation, justice, and rights, based on his general theory of human nature. It looks at Hobbes' contention that men are equal in nature and how this equality often diminishes in society.
From the Paper "Thomas Hobbes held offered a comprehensive account of man's obligations which drew upon his theory of human nature. This essay will answer a series of questions focused on Hobbes' approach to moral obligation rights in the state of .."
Tags: Thomas Hobbes moral obligation state of nature, justice
Abstract This paper outlines Cicero's theory on what motivates people to act virtuously. Cicero's theory, that people are obligated to act in a honorable manner because they want to cultivate their own interest, is expounded upon, and the four virtues, according to Cicero, that support this obligation are explained.
From the Paper "Cicero in his book "On Obligations" explains how people's behaviors are governed by their keenness to act right as it is an inherent natural tendency. People according to him are obligated to act in a certain manner because they want to cultivate their own interest. In doing so they benefit themselves because once they exchange good words or deeds, they expect the other person honorable enough to do the same for them. Cicero in essence wants to emphasize that objective honorableness is in fact the ends in themselves. They benefit the individual regardless of their position in society, social status or the career they adopt as long as their actions are good and right. For this purpose, he defines obligation as "the highest aim among goods, and at another to the moral guidance which can shape our daily lives in all their aspects."[p.4]. Thus, Using the law of causality we can understand that according to Cicero obligations are essentially good and they are supported by four virtues which are derived from the principle of honorableness."
Abstract This paper presents arguments for and against the theory, which has more opponents than proponents in modern day philosophy. Philosophers covered include Simmons, Walker, Klosko and Wellman, with Walker being the only one who supports the theory.
Tags: political obligation, obligation of gratitude, gratitude theory
Abstract This paper discusses how many businesses are becoming aware of the moral obligations that they have to society and are becoming involved in various community, charity and youth programs. This paper also reviews the various reasons for businesses becoming involved in such projects.
Contents:
Introduction
Corporations Should Have Moral Obligation to Society Beyond Making Money
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to James Fieser, in his article concerning the moral obligations of businesses, there are two possible connections that make businesses observe morality. They are: the goal to make a profit, and the goal to obey the law. Both of the connections may sound compelling though, in which as mentioned earlier that social programs were being used as a form of advertisement that can add income to a business, as well as the law that in reality is really compelling. However, despite of this, the observation of moral obligations by businesses to society can still mean a lot because it can serve as an encouragement to other businesses to establish similar programs that provide help and support to the society."
Tags: corporation, moral, obligation, law, advertisement, practice
Abstract This paper discusses the unrealistic expectation of parents re: filial duty, love, obligation of parents and children to each other in Shakespeare's play, "King Lear".
From the Paper "It can be argued that the parents King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester damage their children's lives because of their unrealistic and confused expectations about filial love, duty, and the obligations of parents and children to each other. An examination of the characters in "The Tragedy of King Lear" supports this thesis. "
Abstract This work deals with Kant's understanding of the basis for moral actions taken from his work entitled "The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals". He believes that there is one criterion for moral obligation which he refers to as the "categorical imperative". A large part of this essay discusses the four ways in which this "categorical imperative" can be formulated.
From the Paper "In presenting the one criterion for moral obligation, Immanuel Kant first rejects other moral traditions before his time: among them, the virtue theory, which bases morality on good character traits; and the consequential theory, which bases it on the consequences of actions. In response, he argues that moral actions are based only on a "supreme principle of morality" ? one that is objective, rational and freely chosen -- which he called the categorical imperative."
Tags: Kant, Categorical, Imperative, morality, obligation, objective, formula
Abstract This paper applies the thought of philosophers John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and Jonathan Winthrop to answer the question: What obligation does the employer have to the life quality of the employee, if the employee expects an education in return for accepting a lower wage? The author points out that Locke describes workplace relationships with the same rhetoric of freedom in which he speaks of governance by stating that all men and women should be able to market the fruits of their own labors. The paper concludes, based on these philosophers, that employees only owe the employer their working life; they must take responsibility and ownership of their own economic and personal health, ultimate education, and economic future.
From the Paper "The democratic British philosopher John Locke, in his 1680 essay on "Two Treatises of Government" writes that to deny that legitimate enforcement powers of government upon the populace come from the analogical parental power of a father over his children. In other words, all human beings should be free to choose their livelihoods and courses of their lives, for better or for ill. From an American perspective of today and of the Revolutionary War era during which Benjamin Franklin wrote his "Autobiograph"y, Locke's condemnation of tyranny was a welcome philosophy from the point of view of governance of the state. Locke denied the paternalistic power of the king keep the economic fates of all in lower, proper stations."
Abstract The paper consists of two parts. Part I of the paper shows how corporations make decisions on the assumption that injury and death to innocent people is an acceptable cost for profits. The paper looks at the Ford Motor Company that did not reveal that their Pinto model had a gas tank that could explode and burn. The paper argues that the rise in white-collar crime is linked to the materialist, consumerist nature of our society, which is reflected in our legal systems. Part II of the paper analyzes these kinds of behaviors by applying normative theories to them. The paper shows how neither utilitarian, deontological nor virtue ethics theories can give a clear and definitive answer to the question of whether Ford made a correct choice.
From the Paper "An example of corporations putting profit before any other consideration may be found in the case of the Ford Motor Company. This company decided at one time to keep quiet about the fact that their Pinto model had a gas tank that tended to explode and burn in the event of a rear end collision. This of course resulted in injury to people inside the vehicles, and sometimes even death. Ford's reasoning was that it would be more profitable to settle resultant law suits than to recall the faulty vehicles. (Samuelson) It is important to note that this decision was not classified as a crime, even though one might expect it to be. It is argued in this essay that the reasons for this kind of thinking (both the decision Ford made, and the fact that it was not classified as a crime) go right to the root of the nature and values of our society, which in turn are reflected in our legal systems."
An analysis of the moral and ethical obligations, as well as normative theories, of corporations in modern society, focusing on the Ford Motor Company.
Abstract This essay debates the moral and ethical obligations of corporations in modern society. The paper shows that corporations do make decisions that appear to be based on the assumption that profit is so important that injury to (and even death of) innocent human beings is an acceptable cost. The paper then goes on to analyze these kinds of behaviors by applying normative theories to them. It specifically focuses on the case of the Ford Motor Company.
Table of Contents:
Normative Theories
Strategic Considerations
From the Paper "If the law was extended in this way, it would become possible for corporations to be prosecuted in a way that was compatible with acceptable morality. For example, in the Ford Pinto case, the engineers who conducted the risk analysis and recommended that no recall should be done, would all be charged with manslaughter. They would most likely end up in prison for a very long time. If this kind of thing happened, it is likely that corporations would stop treating people as means to an end (the end being profit). This does not mean that they would suddenly grow consciences. However, for a corporation to make a decision and carry out actions, individual human beings must play their part. If all of these human beings were aware that they could be imprisoned for their parts in such decisions, I believe they would not be prepared to play along."
An in-depth paper which calls on the Jewish religion to stop focusing on animal rights and to start focusing on human duties and obligations towards animals.
Abstract This paper explores an alternative to fighting for animal rights, and instead advocates for a system of human duties and obligations based on Jewish Law. The paper analyzes the way Jewish law views cruelty to animals, the environment, and the obligation to take care of one's health. Jewish Law lays out a system of positive obligations that Man has towards animals, the environment, and his own health.
I. Introduction
II. Jewish Law and the Environment
A. The World and All in It Belongs To G-d and Man Is Responsible For Preserving It All
B. Animals Are Important to G-d
C. Bal Tashchit - The Prohibition on Wanton Destruction
D. Environmental Effects of Producing So Much Meat
III. Animals in Jewish Law
A. Animals as Property
B. Tza'ar Ba'aley Chayim and Positive Acts of Kindness
IV. Jewish Law and Health
A. The Importance of Maintaining Health in Jewish Law
B. Health and Vegetarianism
V. The Misunderstanding of the Importance Of Meat In Judaism
VI. Rabbis and Vegetarianism
VII. A Modern System of Duties and Obligations A. Eating Meat and Dairy Products
B. Hunting, Trapping, and Furs
C. Animals in Entertainment
D. Animal Experimentation
E. Wildlife Conservation
VIII. Conclusion
From the Paper "We often talk about protecting animals and giving them their rights. Animal rights' activists argue about which rights are due to animals and which rights to animals are due to human beings. I argue that this dialogue is unhelpful to animals, just as it is unhelpful to human beings. Rather than argue about rights, I contend that we should construct a system of duties and obligations under which human beings will have varied responsibilities towards animals. Such a system already exists under Jewish law, a system devoid of human rights and animal rights, but rich with human responsibility and obligations towards mankind, animals, and the environment."
Abstract This paper discusses the value of a legal obligation as opposed to a moral one. The paper makes references to two documents, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau and "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King. Both Thoreau and King address the issue of moral obligation versus legal obligation, in which an individual experiences conflict with the government and society as s/he tries to follow his/her free will as a member of the society and the rules and laws imposed by the government at the same time.
From the Paper "In his discourse, Thoreau asserts, ?That government is best which governs least,? which means to say that the least government intervention in the society results to a better state of civil society. This is because he thinks that the government is susceptible to manipulation by people with vested interests, who consider the government as an institution that can be used to provide greater privileges to other people and not the society in general. Thoreau contends, ?But a government in which the majority rule in all cases can not be based on justice, even as far as men understand it."
Abstract This paper discusses the legal basis of the situation of women in the military, and relevant court cases such as Hoyt v. Florida, Taylor v. Louisiana, US vs. St. Clair, Rostker v. Goldberg, Craig v. Boren, and Schlesinger vs. Ballard. Discusses myths and truths regarding women and military service. Argues for equal rights, equal obligations, and equal opportunities within military and civilian spheres.
From the paper:
"Men and women are treated unequally in regards to military service. Men are required to register for the Selective Service when they turn 18, while women are exempt. While women are allowed to perform most jobs in the military, they are still restricted from some combat roles. This gender inequality stems from antiquated notions of female weakness and domesticity, which have no legal validity in our society today. Furthermore, limiting women's roles in the military violates women's rights to be full and equal citizens of the United States, with all the privileges, obligations, and duties that carries with it."
Abstract The issue of obligation of the citizen to die for the state is examined here as seen in John Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" and Thomas Hobbes? "Leviathan". The concepts involved such as limitations to the power of the state, obligations of a King, and the social contract entered into by citizens when they accept that the state governs them, are outlined and the arguments of the philosophers presented.
From the Paper "The obligations of an individual within a state may be seen as relatively universal, the duty to abide by the laws, which are set by the legislative, with the authority of the community is one of the most widely accepted. However, there are other areas which are less clear and less defined. One of these is the obligation of life. It is widely agreed that the role of the state should be to safeguard the welfare of its citizens, however, the state will exercise its? power thought its officials, and ultimately through its? citizen, and here there need to be a balance. For example, should a citizen be obligated to die for the state? This may occur in many scenarios, for example in war. It is at this level we start to see consternation. There are many that would claim for an individual to give their life for the greater good, to protect a valued way of life is honourable, there are others that would look at it as an immoral imposition akin to murder; a betrayal of the individual by the state. This is a debate we may associate with the twentieth century and the two World Wars, however, the argument is not new, and the role of the state has been the subject of much political philosophical thought, especially John Locke and Thomas Hobbes."
Tags: duty, law, government, immoral, community, authority, war, murder, political
Abstract This paper reviews the novel "The Heart of the Matter" by Graham Greene and outlines the plight of police commisioner Scobie from an upright life based on morals and rules to the hell of a tormented sinner. It examines how Scobie's life is defined by rules and obligation and as he begins to follow his heart, he is led to damnation of his soul followed by suicide. It shows how Greene strongly establishes the view that love leads to sin and how the novel illustrates the confusion of a Catholic man as he is torn between the obligation to his wife and the oath to a piteous young woman. The sympathy and responsibility he feels for every other person but himself leads him to commit sins and destroy himself.
From the Paper "The addition of love in Scobie's bland life complicated his situation. While Louise was away, Major Scobie falls into an affair with Helen Rolt, a young widow who Scobie met as a victim of a shipwreck. Scobie becomes enthralled in the relationship. Louise's decision to return home because of knowledge of the relationship and Scobie's obligation to keep both women happy forces Scobie to turn to God. He places their well being before his own, leading to self-damnation and a deeper plunge into the tangled string of emotions and duties he is now in."
