Deontological Moral Theory Essay -- essays research papers

Deontological moral theory is a Non-Consequentialist moral theory. While consequentialists believe the ends always justify the means, deontologists assert that the rightness of an action is not simply dependent on maximizing the good, if that action goes against what is considered moral. It is the inherent nature of the act alone that determines its ethical standing. For example, imagine a situation where there are four critical condition patients in a hospital who each need a different organ in order to survive. Then, a healthy man comes to the doctor’s office for a routine check-up. According to consequentialism, not deontology, the doctor should and must sacrifice that one man in order to save for others. Thus, maximizing the good. However, deontological thought contests this way of thinking by contending that it is immoral to kill the innocent despite the fact one would be maximizing the good. Deontologists create concrete distinctions between what is moral right and wron g and use their morals as a guide when making choices. Deontologists generate restrictions against maximizing the good when it interferes with moral standards. Also, since deontologists place a high value on the individual, in some instances it is permissible not to maximize the good when it is detrimental to yourself. For example, one does not need to impoverish oneself to the point of worthlessness simply to satisfy one’s moral obligations. Deontology can be looked at as a generally flexible moral theory that allows for self-interpretation but like all others theories studied thus far, there are arguments one can make against its reasoning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One objection to deontological moral theory is that the theory yields only absolutes and cannot always justify its standpoints. Actions are either classified as right or wrong with no allowance for a gray area. Furthermore, the strict guidelines tend to conflict with commonly accepted actions. For example, lying is always considered morally wrong--even a â€Å"white lie.† Therefore, one must not lie even if it does more good. In our society although individuals accept lying as being morally wrong, â€Å"white lies† have become an exception. Only having absolutes creates a theory that is extremely hard only to abide by, especially when deontological though permits you from making a choice when that choice would clearly be optimal... ...individual beliefs, one can form their own educated opinions regarding what kind of action he should take. Morals are also not always concrete. Relativist thought contends each group of people may contain different morals. From that opinion, one may assert that morals themselves are not absolute. Still, deontological moral theory provides a strong base for making correct decisions. There are few realistic exceptions to the theory and one can easily notice when an exception is to be made.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So, knowing that deontology creates a valuable beginning for a strong moral theory, one can simply interpret the theory less strictly. Deontology can be a quite appealing theory when not taken so literally. Clearly, one has morals they consider more important than others. If the theory is adjust for this idea, the notion of moral dilemmas is eliminated and one would be allowed to lie if it saved lives. Deontology when looked at loosely is simply a moral theory that says we have morals and we need to consider them when making decisions. Therefore, one may conclude that the overall principles or deontology are correct and that this moral theory should not be dismissed.

A Comparison of Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Dolls H

Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Doll's House    In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and Ibsen's A Doll's House, the main characters - Nora and Oedipus, are both constructed to illustrate flaws in society.   Oedipus' psychological evolution sees him begin as an all-powerful, righteous king, who seemingly through no fault of his own murders his father and marries his mother.   His evolution ends with his self-blinding, an action which Sophocles' uses to establish the true freedom of the individual before divine authority.   In A Doll's House, the development of Nora Helmer leads her from believing that she is happily married to realizing that she is a mere possession for her husband's entertainment.   By her decision at the end of the play to leave her family and explore her own self-identity, Ibsen is insinuating that concern for oneself is far from selfish; it is in fact a supreme duty.   Both plays introduced new waves of thought into society, and proved that freedom and justice are essentially matters of individual decision and responsibility.1 King Oedipus is introduced in Oedipus Rex as the charming, courageous, and all powerful king of Thebes.   In the opening sequence of the play, Oedipus is approached by his citizens, led by a priest, who asks him to find the source of the plague which is devastating their city.   He praises Oedipus as "King of the land, our greatest power,"[ln. 15] and then goes on to describe the dire situation the townspeople find themselves in, which includes stillborn babies and pestilence.   Sophocles uses this conversation between Oedipus and the priest to establish Oedipus' grandeur, as can be seen in by the Priest's plea to Oedipus: Now we pray to you.   You cannot equal the gods, your chi... ...g. 138 5 Knox, Bernard.   Sophocles - The Three Theban Plays.   Pg. 139 6 Ibid.   pg. 138 7 ln. 269-279 8 ln. 469-474 9 Salome, Lou.   Ibsen's Heroines 10 Ibsen, Henrik.   A Doll's House.   Pg. 30 11 Salome, Lou.   Ibsen's Heroines.   Pg. 48 12 Ibsen, Henrik.   A Doll's House.   Pg. 54 13 Salome, Lou.   Ibsen's Heroines.   Pg. 48 14 Ibid.   Pg. XV 15 Ibid.   Pg. 63 16 Ibsen, Henrik.   A Doll's House - Pg. XVI 17 ln. 1395-1405 18 MacFarlane, James.   Ibsen and Meaning - Studies, Essays, and Prefaces.   Pg. 248 19 Ibsen, Henrik.   A Doll's House   Pg. 99 20 Winnington Ingram, R.P.   Fate in Sophocles.   Pg. 134 21 Knox, Bernard.   Sophocles - The Three Theban Plays.   Pg. 149 22 ln. 1467-71 23 MacFarlane, James.   Ibsen and Meaning - Studies, Essays, and Prefaces.   Pg. 245 24 Ibid.   Pg. 250 25 Ibid.   Pg. 250   

Buy Essays Online: Flaws of Society and Man Revealed in Odyssey

Flaws of Society and Man Revealed in Odyssey  Ã‚        Ã‚   Society is formed around morals, but society is ruined by the flaws of the citizens.   Man has come a long way since the time of Homer, yet there are still many blemishes prominent in man, which binds man to society and society to man.   Homer uses Odyssey to address and analyze these flaws of society and man such as man's distrusting spirit, man's survival based on others' misfortune, and man's nature to gain unworthy assistance through pity.   These vices are universal, and no one, not even the immortals, may eliminate them.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the main flaws with man is their distrusting spirit.   Even Odysseus himself, is distrustful of others when others have not yet proven their trust.   Since Calypso has not yet proven her trust to Odysseus, Odysseus does not feel that he should trust her even when her intentions are pure.   Because of his distrust, when Calypso was meant to send Odysseus on his way, he made Calypso take an oath and says, "I will never, notwithstanding what you say, set foot upon a raft till you consent, goddess, to swear a solemn oath that you are not meaning to plot me further woe"(48).   Even with Calypso just being a messenger of the gods, Odysseus still will not put his trust in her.   In order to allow himself to depend on Calypso, he must be assured by the gods that Calypso means no harm.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Along with people having to prove their trust, Odysseus takes away the trust he sets in others and the gods when he is doubtful of himself.   Once Odysseus experiences self-doubt, then he undergoes a mental process in which no one may be trusted.   This can be overcome once a god makes Odysseus believe in himself again.   One of the most prominent ... ...s of mankind.   It is then reasonable to conclude that the immortals themselves have imperfections as well, for if they were perfect then wouldn't they make the mortals perfect too?   If perverted man is dependent on the corrupt gods, then how could society ever be a utopia? Works Cited and Consulted Crane, Gregory , Calypso: Backgrounds and Conventions of the Odyssey,   Frankfurt, Athenaeum 1988. Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988. Homer (Translated by Robert Fagles. Preface by Bernard Knox). The Odyssey. New York: Viking Penguin, div. of Penguin Books, Ltd. 1996. Rengakos, Antonios. Homertext und die Hellenistichen Dichter. Hermes. Einzelschriften, Heft 64. Stuttgart, F. Steiner, 1993. Van der Valk, Marchinus. Textual Criticism of the Odyssey. Leiden: A.W. Sijthoff, 1949.

Colonialism and Young Black Kid

At the end of the novel Guerrillas, by V. S Naipaul, Jane, a British woman from London is murdered by Bryant, a young black kid native to the Caribbean island where the novel is based. Behind this murder we could discuss guilt and responsibility through different perspectives. Can we really hold Bryant responsible for his actions? Jane is a woman who is not content with herself, she is naive as Roche defines her and out of balance-out of touch with herself and the perception of reality. She is careless about people’s feelings and ignorant about the consequences of her actions.The fact that she wavers from passion and pleasure through meaningless sexual encounters to rape and violence are all feelings that remind her she’s alive, nothing less and nothing more. Consequently, being in a post-colonial society full of animosity and frustration, all her mistakes and imprudent actions lead her to her own death. This is an example of how the presence and impact of â€Å"the po werful colonizer† damaged not only those around him but themselves, in this case Naipaul’s character of Jane is a representation of the indifference and self-centered post-colonial personality of the dominant race in the colonized territories.In conclusion we could argue that Jane did act in a selfish and unconcerned manner. Conscious that she had the alternative of returning to her homeland, escaping the island’s reality and trying to bring back with her an adventurous experience full of love affairs and careless decisions, she unawarely clashed with the islanders; a people whose disadvantages in life were reflected through anger, despair, emotional repression and a hopelessness that Bryant and Jimmy embodied.Naipaul tries to engage the reader into feeling empathy towards the latter characters by placing Jimmy first, as the frustrated revolutionary who lives his own lie and only wishes to see himself as a hero that satisfies the oppressed desire of revenge again st the powerful dominant, whereas Bryant is the unfortunate native young child overwhelmed by hostility and thwarted dreams who could have become a better person if given the opportunity. In consideration of all these factors and circumstances, who is really to blame?

Dystopian Society’ Essay

There are many dystopic experiences in Incognito and the real world. Examples include Nazi Germany, North Korea, the Taliban and Joseph Stalin. One main example is the Communist China which involved a revolution, power in the government and no freedom of speech. The person mainly responsible for this is Mao Zedong who overthrew his enemies and millions of people were killed or persecuted. This is similar to Incognito as it involves data lords and the overpowering government. It also shows similarity in the lack of freedom because in both realities, if you do or say something which is not smiled upon in the society, you don’t exist anymore (obliteration and persecution). Another example is Nazi Germany which was ruled by Adolf Hitler who eradicated all Jews in Germany by sending them to concentration camps. This shows a lack of freedom similar to Communist China’s lack of freedom of speech. However, this simply involves who you are religiously instead of physically. For example, while you could hide your opinion in China, you could not hide that you were Jewish in Germany. Also, this, instead of simple execution could also take away a part of you as a person, due to the Nazis forcing you to convert to their ways. In Incognito, the data lords stripped people of their identities if they were not worthy of their identity. The Taliban is a fundamentalist Muslim movement whose militia took control of much of Afghanistan from early 1995. During the Taliban’s years of control over Afghanistan, most governments did not recognise it as a legitimate government, due to concerns about human rights violations. Their aim was to publicise, in an often exaggerated fashion. The group is also attempting to assure Afghans that it has a strategy for governing the country again, presenting a platform of stamping out corruption and even protecting women’s rights. This is similar to Incognito’s (the spy group) purpose towards the government and trying to reduce corruption of people with a higher status than most others, ie: the data lord.

Learning Healthcare Organizations Essay

There are two healthcare organizations that I will be discussing that have transformational change to promote/create learning organization. One is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the other one is International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). CDC is a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services that focuses national attention on developing and applying disease control and prevention. CDC collaborates to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability and preparedness for new health treats. Stakeholders at CDC are people invested in the program that are interested in the results of the evaluation, and/or with a stake in what will be done with the results of the evaluation. Representing their needs and interests throughout the process is fundamental to good program evaluation. Those involved in program operations are the management, program staff, partners, funding agencies and coalition members. Those served or affected by the program are patients or clients, advocacy group, community members, and elected official. And lastly, those who are intended users of the evaluation findings are persons in a position to make decisions about the program, such as partners, funding agencies, coalition members, and the general public or taxpayers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues its long standing dedication to improving the health and wellness of all Americans with the Community Transformation Grant (CTG) program. The CTG program is funded by the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund and  awarded $103 million to 61 states and local government agencies, tribes, and territories, and nonprofit organizations in 36 states, along with nearly $4 million to 6 national networks of community-based organizations. Focusing on priorities for change for healthier living is improving health and wellness on tobacco-free living, active living and healthy eating, and high impact quality clinical and other preventive services to prevent and control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Also, focusing on disease prevention and health promotion that includes social and emotional wellness and healthy and safe physical environments, which facilitate the early identification of mental health needs and access to quality services. Specific community interventions includes; promotes healthy eating by supporting local farmers and developing small grocery stores where people live, protecting people from secondhand smoke exposure, improving community environments to make it safe and easy for people to walk and ride bikes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization. It coordinates and conducts both epidemiological and laboratory research into the causes of human cancer. IARC main objectives are; to monitor global cancer occurrence, identify the causes of cancer, elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis, and develop scientific strategies for cancer control. On February 3, 2014, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released World Cancer Report 2014, a collaboration of over 250 leading scientist from more than 40 countries, describing multiple aspects of cancer research and control. The report says about half of all cancers could be avoided if current knowledge was adequately implemented. The stakeholders are the scientist’s that has been researching for the cure of different types of cancer; patient’s that are suffering and waiting for the cure, and the leadership of the World Health organization that implements the research. The IARC activities are mainly funded by the regular budget contributions paid by its participating states. The regular budget for the 2014-2015 biennium was approved in May 2013 at a level of 40 424 491 EUR. Recent changes in the epidemiology of head and neck cancer has new findings.  Overall, the incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing in women, whereas it is decreasing in men. Chewing tobacco is a newly recognized risk factor of great public health concern. The role of tobacco smoking and alcohol as the source of cancer has been reinforced. Head and neck cancer among women in developing countries should deserve more attention, as the mortality rates appears to be higher than those of women in developed countries. For never smokers and never drinkers, more research needs to be done to identify their risk factor patterns. While it is true that advances is medical science have led to continued improvements in medical care and health outcomes, the effectiveness of management options remains inadequate for informed medical care and health policy decision making. Frequently, the result is below an optimal level or standard and inefficient care as well as unsustainable cost. In order to maintain quality of care and cost containment, evidence of comparative clinical and cost effectiveness is necessary for healthcare organization. Examples of healthcare organization that I previously discussed have the institutional lessons learned from the process that is learn along the way. As Feinstein said â€Å"a strategic plan is not worth the paper it is printed on unless its underlying vision is embedded in the organization’s culture, (Feinstein W.L. The Institutional Change Process). The most essential element of organizational change is the alignment of all relevant stakeholders to the new directions. The following are critical to achieving momentum and the successful implementation of a vision for change such as: updating the executive’s leadership style, increasing staff involvement in achieving organizational plans, helping the board understand the scope of the change, and strengthening the agency-federation relationship. Enthusiasm, persistenc e, and commitment for change by the leadership are key. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009. MMWR Early release, 58(Early release), 1-54. Chang, S., & Collie, C. L. (2009). The future of cancer prevention: will our workforce be ready? Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 18(9), 2348-2351. Feinstein, W. L. The Institutional Change Process: Lessons Learned Along the Way. Journal of Jewish Communal Service. Jewish Communal Service Association of North America (JCSA), 1999. James, J. (2009). Health Organizations Theory, Behavior, and Development: 273 Saudbery Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Oreg, Shaul; Berson, Yair. Personnel Psychology. Autumn2011, Vol. 64 Issue 3, p627-659. 33p. 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 1 Graph. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6570.2011.01221.x. , Database: Business Source Elite Weiner, B. J. (2009). A theory of organizational readiness for change. Implement Sci, 4(1), 67.

Witness: Essay

Persuasive Essay – Witness Our separate individual identities are shaped by our interpretations of our society’s ideals and values. As individuals, we reflect in our personalities and actions by what we hear and see in the media, and through what we have observed personally in the world in general. Having an experience of our society’s rules, we are able to make informed decisions and choices by the ethical and moral concerns that we are bound by. Despite this, when moving from one country to another, we may be confronted by a different system with distinct and perhaps seemingly unusual sets of principles. If this is indeed the case, this would be reflected by the different people in the country as a whole compared to our own. In order for unity and harmony to flourish between these two countries, establishing common ground is essential, or if this is not possible than an acknowledgement of some of their ideals and values and the abandonment of some of ours is necessary. However, in doing this we are losing our original identity. In the film, â€Å"Witness,† directed by Peter Weir, an Amish widow, Rachel Lapp, and her young son, Samuel, depart for Baltimore to visit their relative. They take a break in a railway station in Philadelphia and Samuel, in his need to explore and understand the new world he is surrounded by, begins wondering alone in his need to belong. In the men’s toilets, he is a witness to a murder and is traumatized by it. Evidently, it changes him and his views of the world are forever altered. When he is confronted by another Amish named Eli, he is asked a series of questions leading up to as to whether he would ever kill a man. Samuel replies to this question by stating, â€Å"†¦ nly the bad men†. Clearly, this emphasizes the change seen in Samuel through his interactions with others outside the Amish community. This proves that in general, the need to belong and the people we are influenced and surrounded by can have some significant impacts affecting who we become. Similarly, the need to blend in and belong can change the personality of an individual for the better. This is particularly seen in Witness when a cop named Jo hn Book is forced to flee his home when faced with danger. He breaks his ties and lives with the Amish in hideout to protect himself as well as Samuel, a key witness to a murder, along with his mother. During the period that John spends with the Amish he begins to recognize their way of life and grows an appreciation for it. This is indicated when he starts to dress like the Amish. When he does this for the first time, he asks Rachel whether he looks Amish. Rachel replies by commenting, â€Å"You look plain. † Further prove of his acceptance, is when John takes up carpentry and helps with the barn raising. Through these actions, later he is finally accepted by Eli; this is supported when he warns John when three dangerous looking men come to see him. John’s visit to the Amish community changes him. Some may argue that it is not the group we belong to that defines who we are. In fact, they may try to reassure us that it is only our individual actions that instigate who we become. This may be particularly true in matters where the need for someone to belong to is denied by their biological family. However, it cannot be taken as a rule in general and is rarely the case. As put forward by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, our search for a group to interact and be part of is essential before feelings of self-esteem and self-actualization can be met. For our needs to be met we would not try to establish relationships with those who we have nothing in common or loathe. We are more likely to form bonds to those who resemble us most and share common interests with. It is only when these ties are broken that we feel more susceptible of any danger looming our way and immediately we form new relations with a more different group. To fit in, this may require the adjustments of our own personality since every group has their own special and unique identity to begin with. In the case of both Samuel and John a change was observed in their identities as they migrated from one area to another to suit the needs of their particular environments. This change would have enabled them to more likely survive if they were to permanently live in such places. The clashing of ideals and values held by the Amish were not exactly intertwined with the principles of city living. For this reason a change was observed in the behaviours of both Samuel and John. However, one might ask, what would be the case for the exceptions? What about for the people who take no recognition in their own rules and despite everything try to break every single one of them? Would they fit snugly well in place with a completely different set of ideals and values? In this society would they be seen as the respective citizens? Who knows? Clearly it is hard to imagine such a place so different to our own but one thing is certain, a society’s way of living is what defines every individual who is part of it.