The Ethical Treatment of Animals Essay Example for Free

The Ethical Treatment of Animals Essay Utilitarianism values equality of all interest parties. It is on the principle that when making a decision, thorough consideration on the consequent cost and benefit must be made, and it is on the basis of impartial consideration of all related interest parties that the final decision should be made. Rights-based ethics, however, value the right of individuals. It is more like individualism. It is on the principle that when making a decision, whether the right of individuals or groups will be upheld or violated should be evaluated, and it is on the basis of the benefit maximization of certain individuals or groups that the final decision should be made. The major conflict between utilitarian and rights-based moral reasoning lies in the conflict between the right of one party and the whole party. Utilitarian accepts and sometimes requires the sacrifice of the right of one individual or a small group for the well being of a bigger group. This is absolutely an absurd decision in rights-based moral reasoning. For example, in the spelunking case, a utilitarian would detonate the dynamite to save 19 lives at the sacrifice of the one stuck in the hole, while the decision made on rights-based moral reasoning will be not to detonate the dynamite. This is because according to utilitarianism the benefit of detonating the dynamite is way too higher than the cost, while in rights-based moral reasoning by detonating the dynamite the right of the one who got stuck will be violated. In my opinion, the â€Å"crime† of killing fighting dogs is acceptable in right-based moral reasoning but is unacceptable in Utilitarianism. According to the utilitarian moral reasoning, the sacrifice of the interest of a smaller group is acceptable for the good of a bigger group. However, in this case, if dogs count as one group, the sacrifice of the poorly performing dogs is no necessary requirement of the survival of other fighting dogs, nor of the livelihood of any human group. If they do not count as one group , the people who love dogs must count, the behavior of killing dogs would hurt their feelings, so when impartial consideration of all related interest parties is made, the cost of letting these dogs live must be less than the benefit. Therefore, the behavior of killing dogs is against the Utilitarianism values. Rights-based ethics, nevertheless, defends the right of any individual or group, and the  duty is not taken into consideration. Just like the defender’s said, the dogs are Vick’s property, and he can do what he like to them, despite the fact that he also has the duty to take good care of them. Even though there is no doubt the right to live is one of the most fundamental rights of any creature, the right-based moral reasoning are for the right of human, dogs, sadly, are not included. So when this right-based moral system is at work, any kind of disposal of one’s property is acceptable. That is why I say the â€Å"crime† of Vick the â€Å"crime† of killing fighting dogs is acceptable in right-based moral reasoning but is unacceptable in Utilitarianism.

Women in Ancient Civilizations Essays -- essays research papers

The role of women in different civilizations, even though on different spectrums of the world, had many similarities and only a few differences. Women in these four civilizations: Greece, Egypt, China, and India faced many of the same hardships, struggles, and prejudices. Some of this treatment of women didn’t even end until present day (1920’s). In some of these civilizations women were able to rise up somewhat in their communities but it didn’t come without some kind of interference. When it came to the rights of these women, they really didn’t have any at all. In Greece women were considered to be second class citizens at best. All women were forbidden to own property, inherit their own name, vote, or attend political debate. Men viewed them as nothing of real importance. To them they were irrational, fearful, and only to be used for their physical desires. They were considered to be the ward of a man (Sacks 263). Women in Egypt were treated fairly well compared to the others. They shared the same legal and economic rights as men they were capable of owning land, slaves, and could acquire possessions for themselves in many ways. Elite women did have more rights and opportunities than the nonelite but they were both very fortunate. Regardless of class though, all women had only a few main concerns and expectations. They were all expected to get married and raise a family, maintain the management of the household, and bearing and rearing children (Harrison 510). The rights of women in China and India were similar as well. In India the rights of women have barley changed since ancient times. Women in this country are not allowed to own property, show their faces in public, and are the complete property of a man (www.geocities.com/hinduism/hindu_women.html). The women of china were also inferior to men. For around two thousand years they lived under the rules and laws set by Confucius. The Confucius doctrine said that women weren’t equal to men because they were unworthy and incapable of an education. These women were the property of men from birth till death (Andrea and Overfield 82-90). Their rights were not only limited to their families though in some cases there were actual laws passed that limited the rights of women. In ancient times The Code of Hammurabi for example had several laws that restricted women when it had to do with marriage and what a hus... ...ng their own property, they were encouraged to join athletics such as gymnastics, and some rose to be estate managers. They were even capable of participating in religion and could leave the house during holy days. During the Hellenistic age the treatment of women started to lighten up. Many started to realize that they have a greater value including their intelligence (Sacks 264). Chinese women didn’t start to rise up until the 20th century when communism began. Communists believed that women were equal to men; they felt that it would help the population of china to thrive (Dillion 346). The women of Egypt were treated well and did have a say in many of the things that involved them so they didn’t rise up too much more. Unfortunately for the women in India they have never truly risen up. They are still victims of being very subservient to men. In conclusion, women in all of these cultures have faced many hard times. Either from their community, husbands, fathers, or any man they were put down and restricted but though it all many women found a way to rise up through it all. There is still a long way for women of other culture to go but times are changing and anything is possible.

Benefit of school vs traditional college Essay

Technology and specifically ICT has permeated virtually all sectors of life including education. Traditional schooling is being replaced at an unprecedented rate. These days most professionals prefer to take courses online rather than attend school physically. The reasons behind this trend range from convenience, greater options, multitasking, and reduced cost among others. Often, this kind of schooling has been criticized because skeptics argue that the socialization aspect of schooling is cut off from schooling experience. Additionally, this technique has cost many people their jobs and means of livelihood. For instance, the cooks, secretaries, security personnel and such like. What’s more, this technology is still new to many people and naturally, resistance to adopt it is commonplace. However, I feel that despite the negatives associated with e-schooling, the benefits far out ways the costs and hence, my stance on the subject remains that school should be reinforced. To begin with, my community benefits greatly from e-schooling in the sense that, it enable re-schooling among adults who felt ashamed to go back to a traditional college to complete a degree. This is especially the case for people who had dropped out of high school or college. Nowadays, it is possible for them to earn degrees and diplomas while at home. This way they are able to multitask, say, baby sitting and learning In addition, collaboration between teachers and students has never been easier than with e-schooling. A wide range of digital resources, online libraries online tests, emails, videoconference and more are used to facilitate communication among stakeholders in the schooling system. Feedback on one-on-one basis makes school just as effective if not more to traditional college. Schooling to a marginal extent is cheaper than the traditional college. This has increased access to education for the economically challenged people in my community. Notably, the best colleges and universities are located in major cities, say, New York LA and so on meaning that the rural areas are sidelined from access to these colleges. The advantage of e-schooling is that these people now have a chance to get degrees and diplomas from these prestigious colleges without relocating from their home area. The costs of education have also been halved owing to technology of schooling. (Holmes & Gardner, 2006) Personally, schooling has had both direct and indirect impacts in my life. Prior to the introduction of e-schooling, I used to find that the schooling duration was too long. I wanted to get my degree as fast as possible. With the introduction of e-schooling, I am able to accelerate my program such that I get a full credit course in one semester. Most people in my community are using similar approach and it has worked well. Moreover, I have more control and independence over my learning skills. The experience of taking a course online can be life changing. I have learnt to be more responsible of my time. Last summer I was able to take up an AP course that was not available in our site and my friend has explored a learning opportunity that was not schooling in our site. Generally, I believe that schooling has enriched not only my life but also the lives of the people in my community. (www. ucet. ac. uk/ ) In the community where I come from, people are athletic and get involved so much with games and sport to an extent that it becomes very difficult to manage an 8-hour school program and sports. E-schooling has curbed this problem by giving the students flexibility and independence to decide how they want to structure learning hours. For some they access learning material in morning hours while others prefer to do that late in the night. At the end of the day, whichever style used, people earn degrees. Alternatively, enrolment to e learning is fast and hassle free. Most people can attest to the pressure experienced during enrolment days in college. With online schooling, this problem has been erased. I would like to share the experience of my cousin who got involved in an accident. Subsequently, her two legs were amputated making it a challenge to move around in clutches. The option of e-schooling has benefited my homebound cousin and in few weeks, she graduates with a diploma from a distant college. Other disabled people from my community have also benefited from schooling. (http://aasd. k12. wi. us/eSchool/whyecourses. htm. ) Other benefits arising from schooling is students with unique cases or reasons for being away from school benefit from e-learning e. g. teenage mother s, terminally sick students participating in foreign exchange programs, resist, and self supporting students who juggle between work responsibilities and learning Briefly, schooling is a great advancement in the education sector. The outstanding features attributed to schooling are the flexibility and affordability of the schooling concept. Reflecting on the benefits that I have witness at a personal level and within my community, I believe traditional colleges will be phased out as more and more people embrace e-schooling for its benefits. A word of caution though, policies and regulations need to be clearly set to ensure that schooling achieves fundamental purpose of schooling. Additionally, students and educators need to e empowered on how to maximize use of digital resources and online technologies in order to reap benefits of schooling.

Essay on Obsession with Perfection - 453 Words

Perfection may be dreamed of, hoped for, and sought after. It can be imagined, imitated, pretended, poorly masqueraded, and foolishly impersonated. Yet as Vince Lombardi said, perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence. There are many different perceptions and reasons for striving after perfection; but in the end, everyone ultimately comes up with the same conclusion. The desire for perfection stems from a desire to be happy, to live in an ideal existence, lacking nothing, fully developed, and complete. The only way to be happy in a life obsessed with perfection is to accept imperfections and realize perfection is not something to do; it is something to become next. All people, in certain†¦show more content†¦About the quest- seeking perfection- there are both pros and cons. The cons seem to far out-weigh the pros. Striving for perfection attempts to improve self-esteem and self-worth; but when that fails, feelings of insecurity, self-doubt, and regret will inevitably ensue. This desire, however, does give one something to focus on. It is when that focus turns into obsession that problems occur. A perfectionist, although very organized and detail oriented, even a producer of incredible work, will become overly stressed, resulting in relationship problems, depression, poor health, and feelings of worthlessness. Whether a person is inwardly or outwardly obsessed with perfection, someone will end up not good enough. If society continues on this relentless path towards perfection it may lead to extremes. In The Birthmark, Nathaniel Hawthornes main character states my peerless bride,Show MoreRelatedScholarship Boy Essay934 Words   |  4 PagesRodriguez’s The Scholarship Boy discusses the issue with scholarship students. He argues the overachieving student has an eager obsession with learning. Although Rodriguez addresses the scholarship boy obsession with success, he fails to describe the undergoing stress of the overachieving student. The determination of an overachieving student causes an obsession with perfection. Rodriguez explains the concept of an overachiever and their want to always be perfect. In paragraph 15, Rodriguez evaluatesRead MoreInterpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa LahiriProcess of Romanticism1485 Words   |  6 Pageslove, in a sense, so that reality may not be so harsh. Thus, the idea of romanticism arises, where a person inflates an object or an idea to perfection, so that a person may love. In the story â€Å"Interpreter of Maladies,† by Jhumpa Lahiri, Mr. Kapasi, and both Mr. and Mrs. Das experience the need for love, and also strive for it. This act of creating perfection is a series of steps that enrich life. The first step in romanticism, the encounter with the object of interest, brings hope to a forlorn soulRead MoreThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne1081 Words   |  5 Pagesunusual obsession to his wife’s, Georgiana, hand-like birthmark. Aylmer’s abnormal obsession is so extensive, the birthmark even consumes him in his sleep dreaming of an operation for the removal and cringing anytime he sees it. Georgiana is completely in love with Aylmer that she’ll do anything to make him happy, even jeopardize her own life undergoing procedures to remove the birthmark. Within the narrative, Hawthorne reveals three important themes. This includes the striving for perfection, the women’sRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart And The Birth Mark Only A Couple Of Months Apart1428 Words   |  6 Pagespresumably his father. Similarly, The Birth-Mark narrates the story of a young couple, Aylmer and Georgiana, and how the latter’s birthmark becomes the obsession of the form er. Poe and Hawthorne’s literary genre of Dark Romanticism opposes human perfectibility, and both writers employ symbolism, irony, similar characters and plot to convey the theme that obsessions will inevitably lead to destruction. The authors of American Romanticism held a particular disdain for science, which they made visible throughRead MoreAnalysis Of Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Salem Witch 1328 Words   |  6 PagesThe story explores the concept of human obsession with physical perfection. In the story, the reader observes the main character, Aylmer, as he struggles with accepting his wife’s only physical imperfection, a hand shaped birthmark on her left cheek (Wright). As a solitary alchemist, and with approval from his now insecure wife, Aylmer begins to construct a special draught to rid his love, Georgiana, of the blemish, making her an entire work of perfection. The hand shaped birth mark on Georgiana’sRead MoreThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne1185 Words   |  5 Pagesdeath and that when man manipulates something as powerful as Nature, terrible things can occur. Aylmer is a scientist whose strives for perfection and is blinded by his love for science, resulting in the death of his wife due to his attempt to overpower Nature and dispose of the birthmark on her cheek. This signifies the ultimate reality that man cannot achieve perfection by defeating Nature. Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Birthmark† demonstrates how the writer uses the development of charactersRead MoreThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne1493 Words   |  6 PagesHawthorne’s short story, â€Å"suggests his resistance to the expansive materialism of America s new technology as well as to the excessive spirituality of its philosophers.† The short story, â€Å"The Birthmark† by Nathaniel Hawthorne articulates the obsession with human perfection through symbols, characters’, and narrator. Aylmer, a man devoted entirely to his science, marries Georgiana, a beautiful young woman with a single â€Å"earthly imperfection† (291). This imperfection is in resemblance of a tiny â€Å"crimson hand†Read MoreThe Adonis Effect On The Lgbt Community1330 Words   |  6 Pagesand their â€Å"obsession† with physical perfection, and what lengths men will go to to achieve this unrealistic ideal. I mentioned in the introduction that I had watched clips from a documentary called the Adonis Effect. The clips were of men talking about their own experiences, some who love the attention and fit the perfect mold. Others were of men who had tried for years to attain physical perfection and never could. And there were some who had completely rejected the notion of perfection and embracedRead MoreEssay about Analysis of quot;The Birthmarkquot;963 Words   |  4 Pagesinner beauty, is a whole lot more important. They are a small minority. Most of us strive for perfection in appearances--it may be our own personal appearance defined by the perfect clothes and the perfect look, the perfect home we live in, or the perfect car we absolutely must have. People today are no different today than they were in the 19th century, and we get an in depth understanding of the obsession with being perfect in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Birthmark. This short story is about a devotedRead MoreObsessive C ompulsive Disorder ( Ocd )974 Words   |  4 Pageshas a series of obsessions and compulsions episodes. Obsessions are uncontrolled and re-occurring unwanted and disturbing images, thoughts and urges that may come into a person’s mind, which causes a great sense of discomfort, stress and anxiety. Meanwhile, compulsions are behaviors or actions that the person may engage in an attempt to get rid or reduce the obsession. Most often, compulsions will become part of a ritual or habit that the person needs to do to get satisfy his obsession. A normal example