Sunday, January 26, 2020

Analysis Of Traditional Utilitarianism

Analysis Of Traditional Utilitarianism Traditionally, utilitarianism principle holds that any action is ethically right if and only if the total outcomes of the same act are more than the outcomes produced by any other action an agent could have done in its place. According to utilitarianism only one action is right in the final analysis: the action whose net benefits are much more when compared to the ultimate benefits of other alternative possibilities. Both the foreseeable future and the immediate costs and benefits provided by each alternative to each individual need to be taken into consideration together with other indirect consequences. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the problem of measurement as one of the traditional problems of utilitarianism. An individual must determine what alternative policies or actions are there for him at any occasion, for every alternative action an individual must estimate both the direct and indirect costs as well as benefits produced by the action on every affected individual by the act on the foreseeable future. Any alternative that gives the biggest sum total of utility need to be chosen as the ethically correct course of action (Paul and Dycus 38). The advantage of utilitarianism is its ability to explain that having some certain types of actions (lying, killing and cheating) are generally wrong in a moral perspective whereas others are ethically right (telling the truth). Traditionally, utilitarians would deny that any form of action is always right or wrong. The utilitarian perspective has been used widely in economics especially in economic techniques such as cost benefit efficiency and analysis. One main set of problems with utilitarianism is centered on the difficulties met in an attempt to measure utility. If we cannot manage to have basic knowledge on which kind of activities will give us the greatest amount of utility, then it will be hard to apply the utilitarian principle. Anything considered valuable is part of the instrumental things because they pave way for other good things. On the other hand intrinsic goods are those that are desirable and independent of other benefits they can produce. Money for instance is an instrumental good while health is an intrinsic good. To effectively compare two actions, there must be some common measure of outcomes. How can one for instance measure child labor? To begin with, it must be noted that the information on the incidence of child labor are very reliable to a point where the exact comparison between the two sources of information is not possible (Weiner 155). According to Bentham, not all individuals are similar when it comes to the issue of capacity to enjoy pain and pleasures. Strength, firmness of mind, health, education lineage, climate, occupation, income, sex among many other things affect individuals sensibility to register and experience pleasures of pain. Actually, Bentham found out that social utility measurement was approximate at its best. It is useless to talk of adding quantities which afterwards after the addition will be distinct as they were before. It is a fact that one mans happiness will not be another mans happiness and a benefit to an individual will not be reflected in a totally diff erent individual. One might pretend to add 20 oranges to 20 lemonsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.this addibility of different forms of happiness may appear false when rigorously considered (Rima 66). Because there was no way to measure happiness or social welfare exactly, some attempt was needed by expediency on the approximate measurement of the net balance. Mill just like Bentham found out that then unifying principle of public policy was the proportion of the good to the number. This means that there should be the greatest good for the greatest number. Mill was very concerned on the exact nature of the general rule in particular with what utilitarianism include in terms of pleasure and pain (Stuart 210). It is very hard to rely on utilitarianism as the only method of making a decision because of the need to assign values to benefits and negative consequences of our actions and compare with the positive and negative consequences that might come up as a result of other actions. It is often impossible or very difficult to measure and compare the values of some costs and benefits. How can we for instance go about assigning a value to art or life? And how can one compare the value of life with that of life, time or human dignity? In addition, can we be ever certain on all of the outcomes of our actions? Our ability to predict and measure harms and benefits as a result of certain moral rule or cause of action is dubious to say the least (Habibi 98). May be the biggest challenge with utilitarianism is that it does not consider justice. Like in the case of doctor/innocent man, such course of action can produce great benefits for the society but the truth is that the action is unjust. When a doctor decides to compromise the life of one healthy who has some organs which can save the lives of five of unhealthy patients, the act appears to be unjust but the benefit is greater. After all one life has been used bring back five other lives that would have otherwise been lost. Utilitarianism argues that it is better to lose one life and save five other lives. Mill found it hard to define whom to include in the Maximand although he managed to answer it on pragmatic perspectives. Also, Mill found it hard to define an individual not to mention social happiness. In his strongest reactions to Bentham, Mill managed to differentiate between an individuals good and happiness. The biggest happiness of the biggest number is to become our invariable guide, and the greatest happiness of living men is not of men to come; for if there is posterity, who can be our guide? Who has the capacity to prejudge our future of men living by that time and how frequent would their biggest form of happiness consist in regard to their biggest errors? (Lacey 210). Utilitarian goal was then reformulated by Mill and in the process rejected what he perceived to be a narrow and excessive definition of utility by Bentham. On his emphasis on spiritual nature, Mill managed to argue that any gain of material nature is not the final goal for any society. A broader notion of improvement and moral tone were then integrated into utilitarian goal. He maintained that utility is part of the ultimate basis for moral obligations. These dimensions had a lot of implications on the economic policy which according to Mill in the minimum terms was to suit and at best improve the publics moral character. Mill however on various occasions questioned the effectiveness of institutional changes that did not intend to bring a moral improvement and eventually not achieve lasting effects (Bay 39). Mill insisted that in utilitarianism the same amounts of happiness are equally needed whether felt by different individuals or the same individual. Mill Championed for equality and impartiality freed both popularly and the enlightened as not corollary individuals of utilitarianism but part of the very meaning of utilitarianism: a principle that is seen to be lacking actions and rationale signification, unless an individuals happiness supposed same in status is counted for precisely as much as someone elses. However, every one has equal claim to all means to happiness. The greatest happiness perception remained problematic nevertheless, because the amount of was not directly measurable as Mills put it supposed equal in degree. The anterior principle of Utilitarianism it is permitted is that the arithmetic rule is applicable to the value of happiness just like all other quantities which can be measured. Mill argued that the only measure of quantity comprised of the verdict of individuals who had encountered different quantities of pleasurable sensations. Infact on a serious point, Mill argued that pleasures differed in type and amounts; but unable to give a clear-cut means of either ranking types of pleasures or measuring total pleasure (Lueck and Allen 66). If our decisions based on morals are to take into account issue of justice, then utilitarianism apparently cannot be the only guiding principle in our decision making process. However, it can play a significant role in the process. Utilitarianism principle invites us to take into account the immediate as well as the long term outcomes of our actions. Provided its insistence on summing harms and benefits of different people, utilitarianism needs us to project our vision beyond our personal interest to avoid favoritism on people affected by our actions. On the issue of perverse pleasures, Mill managed to come up with a very strong conception of ethical values on the basis of consequences of a particular action. He defined in a clear manner the kind of consequences that would count in determining whether the action is right or wrong as pleasure and pain. All living things are trying to avoid pain and seek pleasure. Because the main aim of ethics is to come with the best world, the purpose is to maximize the total pleasure available in the world and minimize the any pain as much as possible. The creed which accepts as the basis of morals, greatest happiness principle or utility, holds that actions are proportionally right because they tend to promote happiness and proportionally wrong when the result is sadness. By happiness is purported pleasure with no pain; by sadness is intended pain and lack of pleasure (wood 100). Initially, it sounded perverse or even trivial to some individuals who believe that pleasure is usually connected to an immoral act. Mill considered pain and pleasure in their most basic stages. For instance hunger is an evil because it causes pain. Mill also pointed out that preventable death is a way of denying one pleasure hence forms part of an evil. The main moral point that Mill is trying to present is that there is need to judge the ethical value of our actions on the general consequences it has for individuals in terms of pain and pleasure. The greatest principle of happiness holds that the less pain and the more the pleasure an action causes, the better it is in moral perspective. We should therefore seek to participate in those activities and be part of policies that lead to greatest happiness.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Importance of Books in Life

Learning is a significant process in human being life. It is self-evidence that human development can not stand without a good learning. To reach that target, people always search the appropriate ways. Besides, the mains important elements that help people to learn are books and experiences because of their unlimited benefits. The book is a valuable source of knowledge that consists of infinite benefits. It transports us into different worlds and cultures, as well as, it informs us about ancient civilizations and lore.In addition, it helps us to learn about new technologies and literature. It allows speaking languages fluently and to communicate spontaneously. Therefore, the book can be faithful friend and the nearest into us which can guide us to how to behave in our practical life. Our practical life is also, in addition to books, based on experience. This latter is a crucial element that assists to overcome obstacles. Experience keeps our minds aware of the way to solve some probl ems, for example, if someone re-confront a problem, it would be easy for him/her to solve it.Experience also could indicate to us the suitable method of living in our life. In conclusion, learning is a strong challenge that requires patience and efforts. Books and experiences are the best manners of learning because of their vast importance and great advantages. Books can play a very important role in shaping our life because we can learn lots of things easily from books. Books provide a great solution in front of us to learn about anything and increase our knowledge level.Therefore, large numbers of people around the world read books because they find them very useful. Books are present in our world from many centuries in different forms and shapes of books are changing with time. Today, we can find books in pdf or audio formats as per the need of people. Though, all these books provide same help by increasing our knowledge levels. People can easily buy books from various book stor es available in market or they can use online web stores to order bestselling books. Best Answer – Chosen by VotersThe importance of reading books is gaining new insight or perspectives on issues that matter to the reader that helps them to have a new understanding of the world around them. Readers can apply the insight in everyday life or as a way of building upon the knowledge that already encompasses their mind and enrich their lives. The importance of books are also found in how new discoveries pertaining to history are uncovered and/or revealed where the relevance of this the new information needs to be applied or amended in what already exists about a particular issue, topic or event.Thus, â€Å"new† books on existing issues are important because sometimes facts â€Å"change. † Books are a tangible, valuable record of our world. Sure we have the internet and computers with vast amounts of information stored in them but all of history isn't in a computer. H istory, the stories of civilations long gone and ancient languages forgotten are somewhere in a book. Books are there so you can learn, imagine and sometimes escape from the world around you. There is nothing like sitting down with a new book, the pages crisp and fresh, and reading about a love story, or a horrible murder.Books are an outlet for many people. For some it is their way of expressing their imagination†¦ writers create so we can read and let our minds take us to a different place, a different time, maybe even a different world. For others, books are an escape. When the world gets to be too crazy and you need to escape you can pick up a book and forget about the world around you. Books enables us to see life through other peoples eyes. People are able to communicate their view of the world to a large audience.Books also enables us to understand other cultures, which in turn enables us to relate better with others. Books can have a profound effect on society and the w orld because they enable an individual to change the world. A single book by a single author can make a huge difference in the whole world. Think ‘Tuesdays with Morrie', ‘God has a dream' and you begin to see the role of books in society and why they are important. Books glue people and cultures together. But unfortunately they can also be used to do just the opposite of the above.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Government and Media in Cuba Essay

In between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean lies the island of Cuba. It is a small island with a total land area of 110,860 square km, yet it is so powerful enough to catch the attention of United States and to strengthen its security measures. The country was first ruled by the Spanish government and its history was marked by revolutions and uprising. Finally, in 1902, through the intervention of the US government, Cuba achieved its independence from the Spanish rule. However, the proclamation of independence did not end the uprising and rebellious activities because the country was not freed from leadership of corruption and military-rule. The real independence, as recognized and celebrated by Cubans, was achieved when Fidel Castro took office. Fidel Castro was the leader of rebel army that has been fighting the corrupt government and established a communist form of government. At present, Cuba is under the rule of Castro and the state remains to be a communist government having three branches namely; the chief of state, legislative and judiciary. General Raul Castro currently holds the chief of state which is comprised of Council of State and Council of Ministers (â€Å"The World Factbook†). On the economic aspect, the embargo that has been imposed upon the country has not yet been lifted. Currently, Venezuela is the main partner of the country and the main source of its petroleum needs. The living standard also remained low as a result of the embargo and discontinuance of foreign aids from several countries (â€Å"The World Factbook†). However, it has agricultural, trading, industrial and manufacturing enterprises where it sources out its economic and financial needs. As of July of the present year, the country is occupied by an estimate of 11,451,652 people having different racial descent including Africans, Spanish, Westerns and Asians (â€Å"The World Factbook†). Despite changes that have been introduced in the country, there are still issues that have been bothering the nation and even its citizens. Through its communist form of government, many activities were hardly exercised by the citizens because of government suppression. The most suppressed and monitored activity is the expression of one’s thoughts and ideas. The right to express one’s self is being curtailed by the government especially when it contains ideas that are against the government. The role of media is to protect the government as it is founded only to voice out words that the government desires to hear. In contrary to the role played by media in many countries, the Cuban media does not serve as the voice and protector of the people from the government but as an ally of the state. The treatment of the media people is also despicable in the eyes of the international community and of the journalists themselves. Hence, this paper will present the relationship of the media and government as well as the role it plays in the country. Concomitant to that is the life of journalists under the communist government of Cuba. Role of Media Media has been recognized as indispensable tool in communication. Mass media, as defined, is â€Å"the technological means of sending information, ideas, opinion, etc. through the mass communication device to a diverse audience† (â€Å"Impact of Media on Culture†). Various means used by mass media in transmitting information effectively and swiftly includes television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and internet. Notably, internet has been the most preferred and ideal means of mass media because of its ability of reaching a wider audience and is laxly monitored. In addition, internet is most preferred because it does not require profession to enable any individual to express his or her ideas. Among other nations, mass media is recognized as the fourth department of the government because of the role it plays in the political and social aspect. The mass media usually fills in the gap between the government and the people. It voices out the sentiments or thoughts of the people to the government while it also brings to the people the sentiments and plans of the government for the country. In some instances, mass media becomes a watchdog against government abuses and activities that are definitely out of reason. Furthermore, mass media has continually become the source of information about things, persons, places, and events, among others. Due to the indispensable role of mass media in the society, it need to be free and not controlled by any person or agency nor can be regulated by the government. Instead, it should be free in order to properly carry out its objective. Apart from that, it should not be controlled to ensure its impartiality and neutral role. Historical Background of Media in Cuba The epoch of mass media in Cuba can be traced back during the Spanish regime. The history also of the country’s press has undergone five periods (Browning). The Colonial period which stated from 1723 to 1868 is recognized as the first period. During that period, the first newspaper entitled Gazeta de la Habana was released in 1782 and become the nation’s publication (Browning). In 1790, the newspaper was followed by the very first magazine entitled Papel Periodico de la Habana (Browning). Both were regulated by the Spanish government but enjoyed less restriction because of the French Revolution affecting the government power of Spain over Cuba. The second period began in 1869 when Independence was first craved for and ended in 1902. The period is also called the Independence Revolution (Browning). During that period, press was given full freedom purposely to win the support of the reformists. Eventually periodicals containing ideas about reform began to evolve which includes El Cubano Libre, Estrella Solitaria, El Mambi, and El Boletin de la Guerra (Browning). Notably, during the second period, more revolutionaries were inspired to fight for their independence through the influence of Jose Marti who writes in several newspapers such as Patria, La Nacion, and New York Sun (Browning). The second period was marked by independent exercise of expression through publications that is direct, immediate and constant (Browning). The third period started when called the Republican period which started from 1902 and ended in 1930. The third period was ruled under the dictatorship of Gerardo Machado (Browning). During his era, freedom of expression was enjoyed by journalists. Newspapers, publications and other dailies thrived in the city of Cuba, Havana. This period was also marked by prosperity because political parties sponsored lots of publications and added to the benefit of the country’s economy. However, the exercise of the freedom was shaken by the plan of Machado to assimilate and provide government subsidies in exchange for support in 1928 (Browning). The following years was marked by economic downturn and political unrest that further led to the end of freedom enjoyed by the Cuban journalists. The fourth period started after Machado was overthrown in 1930 until 1959 (Browning). For 29 years, Batista ruled the nation. During the reign of Batista, the freedom of expression was experiencing threat of extinction. Though, technological innovations in journalism were introduced in the country. Among these includes increased commercial sophistication and steam-powered printing presses (Browning). However, at the latter part of Batista’s reign, the freedom of expression has finally faded because the government took control of the press. The fifth period started when Batista was overthrown by the communist group led by Castro in 1959 and continues at the present era (Browning). Since the beginning of Castro era, the freedom of expression was already curtailed. Eventually, the press and media were finally controlled by the government and journalists were not given freedom to voice out their thoughts against the government. The government’s strict control over media started in 1930. No independent journalists were freed to release publications which have the effect of criticizing the government. During that period, journalists tried to oppose the move of the government but to no avail. Finally, in 1990’s through the introduction of Internet, independent journalists have found new medium to castigate the government’s control of information (Browning). However, the media, private and public, are still under the control of the government. Information dissemination is still suffering strict regulation. Independent journalists also continue to struggle and risk their lives for an independent journalism. It can be observed that since the evolution of media, the government already held control of it. The changes in phases under several governments have made media limited and restricted. Some of the actions that the government had done in curtailing free press and flow of information were censorship and closure of newspapers (Browning). Until now, the freedom of information remains evasive and independence of journalists is still obscure to be enjoyed. Current Status of Media in Cuba In Art. 53 of the 1976 Cuban constitution, freedom of press and expression have been explicitly stated. However, such freedom is subjected to limitations as contained in Art. 62 Art. 5, further, contains that all communication should be controlled by the Communist Party for the benefit of the country (Browning). As an effect, information was regulated and controlled by the government. Journalists were also restrained from publicizing without the knowledge of the state. Apart from that, journalists were arbitrarily imprisoned for exercising their freedom of expression. Mass media in Cuba is definitely not free. In the field of print media, the nation maintains three newspapers which are fully regulated by the government. These nation’s newspapers are Granma, Juventud Rebelde and Trabajadores (Browning). Granma is the official publication of the Communist Party which was founded in 1965 (Browning). Juventud Rebelde usually contains the same youth-oriented stories covered in Granma but in simplified and summarized manner. The Trabajadores, on the other hand, is more politically inclined publication as it contains Marxist principles (Browning). Notably, Granma’s circulation has widened in some other parts of the world through the power of internet. The website is called Digital Granma Internacional (Browning). It is also noteworthy that during the recognition of the press, the Union de Periodistas de Cuba (Union of Cuban Journalists) was founded in July 15, 1963 (Browning). It is a nongovernment organization which engages the membership of professional journalists in order to work in distinguished media in the country. However, such organization has already been controlled by the government and its constitution also dictates that editorial line of journalists must follow that of government. On this era of technological innovations, independent journalists found internet as a means of voicing out their cries and redress against the Cuban government. However, the control of the government in curtailing unwanted information has also reached the World Wide Web and several independent journalists have been imprisoned for such exercise of expression. It is noteworthy that 21 journalists have been recorded to have been imprisoned after a closed-door trial (â€Å"Attacks on the Press in 2008†). Among the journalists that suffered the harshness of the state is Yoani Sanchez, 33-year old blogger (â€Å"Attacks on the Press in 2008†). Sanchez, at first, found freedom through her blog called Generation Y which contained observations about hurricane devastation, politically motivated arrest, and food shortages (â€Å"Attacks on the Press in 2008†). Her blog has been read abroad but has also been made known by the government. Thereafter, her passport was confiscated and was not allowed to leave the country. Today, state authorities has started to regulate internet cafes to track down individuals with the purpose of publishing dissent against the government through internet. Another independent journalist that has experienced the government’s cruelty is Victor Rolando Arroyo (â€Å"Cuban Journalist in Second Week of Hunger Strike†). Arroyo, who writes in Union de Periodistas y Escritores de Cuba, was arrested during the fight for independence press in March 2003 (â€Å"Cuban Journalist in Second Week of Hunger Strike†). He caught the world’s attention when he took hunger strike for almost two weeks because of the maltreatment and indecent treatment of prisoners like him.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Learning Through Conditioning Has Influenced My Life

Psychology, by definition, is the science that studies behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes that underline it (Weiten, G-6). However, to truly understand and learn psychology it is necessary to apply the acquired knowledge to real-life situations. To demonstrate, I’ll use myself as an example and apply various psychological concepts to situations from my own life. For example, I will explain how learning through conditioning has influenced my behavior and how it is possible for my memories to differ from my sibling’s memories for the same event. I will also address what motivates me to succeed as well as how I am affected by stress and how I have learned to cope with it in my daily activities. I will also explain how my personality makes me more susceptible to certain diseases. Finally, I will explain how stereotypes and expectations of obedience have impacted my life. As previously mentioned, to truly understand psychology one must be able to apply th e concepts to real-life situations. One concept which lends itself nicely for real-life application is the concept of learning. Whether we realize it or not we are constantly learning; learning from our environment, from our experiences, and through observation of others. Learning is a process by which behavior is modified through our experiences (Weiten, p. 187). There are different types of learning, conditioning and observational. Conditioning is a process by which associations between events are learnedShow MoreRelatedWho Is Lee Kamar?1638 Words   |  7 Pageslook like a fool at last place. When I was off from school, which was around November to January, I spent the majority of my time in my father’s farm which was in a rather remote area. 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