A Final Defense Of Utilitarianism Essay - 746 Words

A final defense of Utilitarianism: In regard to Mill’s Proof of utility, N7 disputes claiming that it commits the fallacy of composition. He is not the first to do so. â€Å"Such allegations began to emerge in Mill’s lifetime, shortly after the publication of Utilitarianism, and persisted for well over a century.†(1) It is important to note however that â€Å"the tide has been turning in recent discussions.†(1) Necip Fikri Alican’s even wrote an entire book on this entitled, â€Å"Mill’s Principle of Utility: A Defense of John Stuart Mill’s Notorious Proof.† Several others have also rejected the claim of fallacy. â€Å"Hall and Popkin defend Mill against this accusation pointing out that he begins Chapter Four by asserting that questions of ultimate ends do not admit of proof, in the ordinary acceptation of the term and that this is common to all first principles. According to Hall and Popkin, therefore, Mill does not attempt to establish that what people do des ire is desirable but merely attempts to make the principles acceptable. The type of proof Mill is offering consists only of some considerations which, Mill thought, might induce an honest and reasonable man to accept utilitarianism.(2) N7 claims that â€Å"all I need to do is show that there is another value which we desire.† Utilitarianism covers this. â€Å"Virtue, according to the utilitarian doctrine, is not naturally and originally part of the end, but it is capable of becoming so; and in those who love it disinterestedly it hasShow MoreRelatedKantian Ethics vs. Utilitarianism Essay1190 Words   |  5 Pages 1.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Explain Onora O’neil’s argument for preferring Kantian ethics to Utilitarianism. 2.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;How would Richard Taylor respond to O’neil’s defense of Kantianism? In the following questions, Onora O’neil defends Kantian ethics while Richard Taylor agrees more with the Utilitarian ethics view. To fully understand both views and why each author defends their view, a brief introduction of each author and who they are is necessary. Onora O’neilRead MoreScandal and the government1248 Words   |  5 Pagescharacters have within themselves and the government. Capitalism, Tyranny, Elitism, and Utilitarianism are all present in the political drama Scandal. An example of capitalism in the popular show scandal comes from a secret organization called B613. In the show the organization is similar to the secretive C.I.A however, Instead of answering to the President, B613 answer to no one . Mr. Pope controls everything and has final say on all. He works coincide with the republic party. Whether or not informationRead MoreMoral Theories Of Utilitarianism And Deontological Ethics1266 Words   |  6 PagesBeidong Zhang Philosophy 108 Prof. Meredith Gunning Final Examination December, 6, 2014 Section A Moral theories of Utilitarianism and Deontology Utilitarianism and deontological ethics are two major theories of ethics, specifying and justifying moral principles. Utilitarianism has been clarified by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Bentham proposed that actions are based upon the consequences (Moreland, 2009), and ongoing work on his theory will help in providing groundsRead MoreA Defense Of Abortion By Judith Thomson1678 Words   |  7 Pagestakes precedence; an unborn fetus’ life or its mother’s right to her body? Anti-abortionist argue that the life of an unborn fetus has priority, and thus abortion is morally impermissible as it violates the fetus’ right to life. In her article â€Å"A Defense of Abortion†, Judith Thomson argues that abortion is morally permissible under the certain conditions where the rights of the fetus fail to surpass a mother’s right of choice. For the sake of her argument, Thomson allows the assumption that a fetusRead MoreLifeboat Dile mm The Queen V. Dudley And Stephens903 Words   |  4 PagesLifeboat Dilemma ¬ Final CASE: The Queen v. Dudley and Stephens FACTS: A boat with four men aboard took on water after being hit by a large wave resulting in boat sinking, during the summer of 1884. All four men boarded a lifeboat however the only provisions were two cans of turnips. The four people were Dudley - Captain, Stephens -  ¬ First Mate, Brooks -Sailor and Parker - Cabin Boy. The foods in the hopes of being rescued before the rations were used. They consumed no food or waterRead MoreGun Control Is Necessary, And Delay Means More Death And Horror1305 Words   |  6 PagesDictionary offers that a handgun is â€Å"a small gun that you can hold and fire with one hand.† I view the phrase ‘private ownership’ as ownership by people who are not officially associated with the state. The affirmative will support the value of utilitarianism, which as defined as â€Å"the belief that the right course of action is the one that will produce the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people.† In order to achieve my value premise, the affirmative offers the criterion of cost benefitRead MoreEvaluating The Ethical Principles Of An Axis And Identifying Concrete Points At Which Certain Values Outweigh Others?1549 Words   |  7 Pagesdifferent principles are considered separate lines whe n determining ethics. Field and Caplan make a decision that mandatory vaccination is ethical based on the overlap of autonomy and utilitarianism. The four principles that slope in the same direction could be considered additively, as all contribute some weight to the final decision about the ethics of compulsory vaccination. Where Field and Caplan apply situational weight to competing ethical theories, Jessica Flanigan argues that mandatory vaccinationRead MoreMy Philosophy : Critical Thinking1858 Words   |  8 Pagesmakes up an object, such as the bricks in a building. The efficient cause examines the preceding force that pushes an object into existence. This is comparable to a God creating life. The last cause is called the final cause. This cause examines the ultimate purpose of an object. A tree’s final cause is to reproduce, so another tree may flourish as well. Aristotle’s metaphysical theory was historically important because it profoundly shaped the early beliefs of science. 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Based on three important pieces, which are â€Å"Nicomachean† by Aristotle which talks about virtue ethics, â€Å"Utilitariani sm† by Mills which talks about Utilitarianism, and â€Å"simplified of Kants Ethics† by Onara O’neill, we can compare three types of ethics that is important to learn in philosophy of ethics. Starting with Aristotle idea of virtue ethics, which was written in Nicomachean Ethics. In the first book, Aristotle talks about the Human Goods

Midterm Congressional Elections Free Essays

On 7 November 2006, the United States midterm elections were held. Results of the said elections show that the Democratic Party got the majority in the gubernatorial seats as well as the United States House and Senate seats. This feat was dubbed as the â€Å"Democrat Revolution† as the Democratic Party mustered enough seats in both houses of the legislature for the first time since 1994. We will write a custom essay sample on Midterm Congressional Elections or any similar topic only for you Order Now Traditionally speaking, the US midterm elections was seen as an assessment of the incumbent political leaders – whether their political and economic policies are acceptable to the American people, whether conditions of living has markedly improved during the President’s administration. This 2006 elections is no different from that traditional viewpoint. In fact, social critics did hope for a Democrat victory as a clear and concrete manifestation of the disgust of the public on how President Bush administers his office. In a sense, it concretized the past negative net satisfaction that America has been giving the incumbent president. Given that the recently held elections was an assessment of the Republican President and its supportive Republican Congress, let us take a look at how the voters appraised their leaders. I agree at how political analysts gave the remark that the Americans voted through the issues of national and international import rather than of the local affect. The global image of America was at stake with the manner of handling of the Bush administration with Iraq. Yes, the US invasion of Iraq proved to be a quagmire for President Bush. Two years after he had declared that the war was over and we have brought â€Å"democracy† to that side of the middle east and even after the capture of Saddam Hussein, US troops continue to be maimed and die in the fronts of Iraq. Though until now, the supposed weapons of mass destruction are yet to be found in Iraq while its neighbors and other countries are the obvious ones that harbor these weapons. Honesty is an issue here as the public believes that they were led to support a war that could prove to be a bigger blunder in the contemporary world history. Americans felt they were deceived,  and this perception was shown in the past surveys. Only, it was concretized in the recent midterm elections. The Democrats promised reforms in the Iraq policy, and it also mirrored their platform for changes in the present international policies of the US government, i.e. war on terror. However, this is just one side of the idea running in the heads of Americans on Election Day. The other half, which stems from the â€Å"war on terror† policy, is homeland security. The haphazard management of President Bush on the Iraq war, including war crimes and economic costs, did trickle down to the manner of homeland administration. The people can very well remember how the Bush administration mismanaged its disaster and security measures during Hurricane Katrina. Still related with the national and international policies, the immigration policy of the Bush administration has been highly criticized. Though the Americans understand that the issue of security is a factor in the hard-line immigration policy, most believe also that it must not go overboard to even create an environment that fueled anti-America. To the general public, that is a no-no, of course. Homeland security policies must not fuel another rage of racial discrimination in this free country. What then should we expect with a Democrat Congress and a Republican President?   Some pessimists say: not much. While the more optimists say that there will be marked changes built on the former, but the running current may most likely pull the same efforts as before. Clashes between the Iraq issues will have to happen, and this might be good for a democratic country in the name of the highly-regarded principle of check-and-balance. The situation, though, is that President Bush still has the final say in the arena of international security policies like that of Iraq.   In the end, we are always hopeful that this will improve the lives of the Americans here and abroad. We are always hopeful that the changes will be done. How to cite Midterm Congressional Elections, Essay examples

Strategic Human Resource Management at Sears

Introduction The following research paper shall try to assess the issue of strategic human resource management at Sears. The main focus of the paper willl be on the key human resource infrastructure that Sears has implemented and which has proven to be a success. Use shall also be made of the various human resource approaches and theories in discussing the case.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Human Resource Management at Sears specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, the research paper shall also attempt to formulate possible research questions that could be asked in a bid to address the challenges facing Sears as the company tries to remain competitive. Understanding of the case The following research paper is an attempt to examine the issue of strategic human resource management at Sears. In particular, the research paper shall attempt to examine the nature of HR management systems implemented at Sears. Therefore, the writer shall try to evaluate the significant transformation that the organisation has undergone under the leadership of its CEO, Arthur Martinez. As a result of this transformation, the management at Sears has paved way for the adoption of high impact HR policies by the organisation. The management at Sears has realised that one way of transforming and turning around the organisation is by developing and communicating the company’s corporate vision, mission, and goals to its workforce. Before the organisation could arrive at this decision, it had to first experiment with the more ‘traditional’ vision and mission statement. However, when this could no longer work, the management saw it fit to drop the idea and instead, adopt a more integrated conceptual model of organisation performance that connects employees, shareholders, and customers. This was because the traditional approach showed minimal direct effect on employee behaviour. Through this experimentation, Sears has also realised that by transforming the organisation into an environment worth shopping, the company is in effect helping to improve the behavior of its employees and by extension, increase customer retention and sales revenues. By executing this process, it also emerged that very few employees of the company were aware of the operation and financial aspects of Sears’ business (Kirn et al. 334). Once the organisation had realised this, the management deemed it necessary to come up with an intervention strategy that would help to enhance the economic literacy of its employees. In addition, the intervention strategy that the company developed was also geared towards reinforcing its vision and mission, and integrating these elements with the three Cs model.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The three Cs models that Sears has adopted entail creating an ideal environment where the company’s employee can go about their job-related activities. This is aimed at changing employees’ attitudes towards their jobs and the company in general. The other C involves creating a compelling place where customers can shop. This is aimed at increasing customer retention and satisfaction. The third C involves creating a compelling place for investment. By creating an ideal environment for investment, the company is looking forward to increasing its growth revenue, increasing its return on assets, as well as increasing its operating margins. In other words, the three Cs connect employees with the shareholders and customers. To further reinforce the three Cs, Sears has since developed Learning Maps that touches on such diverse areas as the company’s ownership, the company’s performance indicators, and customers, among others. This helps to inform and engage the workers. In a bid to reinforce its mission, vision, values and goals, Sears has also developed the Sears University. The goal is to enable employees to integrate the company’s leadership dimensions with the aforementioned three Cs. Teaching at the university is conducted by the company’s managers as they are more knowledgeable about the company’s desired leadership dimension. Classes are normally conducted in the form of team or work groups. Such an arrangement has been deemed necessary as it is an ideal way of facilitating the transfer of knowledge. It is important to note that this project has largely been successful due to strong ties between Sears’ strategy, the curriculum, as well as the company’s senior management buy-in (Kirn et al. 336). The impressive turnaround at Sears can also be attributed to the incentive compensation and performance management systems that the organisation has put in place. In a bid to achieve this goal, multi-perspective performance appraisal, hitherto only directed at the company’s managers, has now been implemented en masse by the organization. This has played a key role in increasing employees and managers accountability to the organisation’s shareholders. The remuneration that the employees and the management at Sears earn is usually pegged on the company’s performance. As such, both the employees and the management have a duty to ensure that the company succeeds as they are also likely to benefit in the process. At the same time, there has been an upward improvement in incentive pay levels. This is aimed at retaining employees with high potential and also attracting potential employees with similar qualities. Sears has also improved its performance competency by improving its employee selection system. This system include among others, the use of selection tools that can detect the dependability and customer service aptitude of an applicant.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Human Resou rce Management at Sears specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Analysis of human resource theories and concepts applicable to the Sears case study The management at Sears has approached its management issues from a broad spectrum perspective by focusing mainly on strategic HR issues and processes. A high number of organisations are now opting to address this issue. For a long time, financial and economic issues of an organisation have been instrumental in shaping the business process of an organisation. However, many organisations are now realising the need to also address their human resource issues and policies as well, as these have been seen to have a direct impact on the firm’s well-being and financial status. Majority of the organisations tend to adopt a reactive approach in dealing with their human resource issue. What this means is that issues only get to be deal with after they have already happened. Other firms though tend to be more proactive (Thompson and Richardson 19). In this case, they are able to forecast the likelihood of certain issues happening and so they put in place the necessary mechanism well in advance to deal with such issues. In the case of Sears, the company’s transformation under Martinez has also seen it embrace a more proactive approach to issues (Kirn et al. 332). This is evidenced in the choice of employee selection system and in the company’s decision to improve employee behaviour as a way of improving customer retention and also increasing sales. The way an organisation manages its human resources will undoubtedly have a bearing on its performance. So far, numerous studies have been carried out with the intention of identifying specific management practices that when successfully implemented are bound to result in more proactive, satisfied, as well as motivated employees. On the other hand, it is not until recently that focus has shifted to there has been a focu s on how employee relations and people management affects the firm’s bottom line. In a research study conducted by Guest and Conway (27), the findings of this particular research revealed that one of the fundamental aspects of good people management practice is skills development, job design, as well as creating an environment that affords both employees and the management regular and systematic involvement in the activities of the firm. In the case of Sears, the organisation has realised the need for skills development and in a bid to ensure that its employees have better skills in running the affairs of the company (Guest and Conway 27). The management has deemed it necessary to open the Sears University where managers can impart knowledge about the organisation’s corporate vision, mission, and goals.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Berndt (16) notes that there is a positive correlation between work performance and an organisation’s culture that allows employees to believe that indeed, their employers have their best interests at heart. Perhaps it is for the same reason that Sears has developed a plan to assess and change the attitude of its employees towards their jobs and the company as well. Guest and Conway (28) talks of an association between the performance of a business and the application of sound human resource management practices. Towards this end, Guest and Conway (29) argue that such an association is largely determined by the commitment as well as the quality of the workforce. In a bid to improve the quality of its workforce, Sears has developed competency in the area of employee selection system. To do so, the organisation has had to develop and execute a number of selection tools for its employees (Pfeffer 20). There is also a detailed employee interview guide in place to assist with this exercise. The organization has further made it a company policy that selection tools be administered to all potential applicants. Theoretical approaches According to Thompson and Richardson (11), the key fundamental approaches namely, the best practice approach, the configurational approach, and the contingency approach are best suited to summarise the relationship between business performance and people management. According to the best practice approach, any organisation that wishes to realise improved performance must implement key management polices to facilitate this. Pfeffer (11) contends that the success of an organisation is largely dependent on the manner in which such an organisation treats its employees. Pfeffer (1998) observes that such practices include job security, ensuring that only the right candidates are recruited for various positions, increasing employee remuneration and pegging it on organisational performance, sharing knowledge and information. In the case of Sears, the company has linked employee and managerial compensation on performance. Another incentive that Sears gives its employees in a bid to bolster its performance is annual stock option grants. The employee selection system that Sears has employed emphasizes on an applicant’s â€Å"dependability† and â€Å"customer service attitude†. This helps to improve customer retention and improve revenue collection. Another theoretical approach worth of consideration is the contingency approach. Proponents of this approach contend that human resource practices and polices ought to be integrated with other organisational factors so as to realise improved performance (Berndt 18). In a bid to achieve this particular goal, the management at Sears has seen it fit to implement a strategy that would help to reinforce its values, vision, mission, goals, as well as the aforementioned three Cs. The adoption of suitable human capital architecture would also go a long way toward s enabling an organisation like Sears to implement its desired strategies. In this case, Sears should ensure that they select and hire employees in a manner that is consistent with the organisation’s operational goals and competitive strategy. At the same time, the reward system that Sears has adopted should be a pointer to the components of a successful implementation of compensation and appraisal systems. There is also need to ensure that the strategies developed emphasize performance management system and training in line with the firm’s business objectives. Challenges Even as Sears may have realised an impressive improvement in its business over the past few years, however, it is important to note that lately, the company has started to experience a slowdown in such key areas as customer satisfaction ratings as well as decline revenues. In addition, there has been a reported change in attitude of the company’s associates. It is important to address this chal lenge as it might affect the competitiveness and profitability of the company in the long run. Could Sears have reached its saturation point in terms of profitability? Was the management right in reducing the number of divisions that the firm operates, as a cost-cutting measure? Are there employees who are not able to connect with the company’s three Cs? Is there the likelihood of some of the current Sears associates opting to shift their focus elsewhere as the company is no longer in a position to maintain the organizational environment as an ideal place to invest, shop, and work? Should the management and employees be motivated in other more effective ways that the current forms of motivation? Has the human resource department at Sears exposed all options that would enable the company to scale greater height of success? How best can the momentum to improve be sustained or improved? All of these are potential questions that the management and CEO of Sears need to think about if at all the company is to realise its set of goals, vision, mission, values, and goals. Conclusion The above case study reveals the importance of human resource functions in the success of a business entity. The ability of Sears to develop and execute viable human resource policies, practices and strategies has proven to be the magic formula that the firm needed to make a positive turnaround. By embracing a human resource strategy that integrates the company’s values, vision, mission, and goals with its employees, shareholders and customers in the form of the three Cs, Sears has managed to record significant gains in employee behavior, customer retention, and increased profitability., the firm has also improved employee recruitment system by incorporating an assessment tool that evaluates the potential candidates’ dependability and attitudes towards customer service. In addition, the firm has pegged employee remuneration on the company’s performance. All thes e strategies have seen the firm realise tremendous growth in profitability and market share. However, there has been a slowdown in customer satisfaction ratings, revenue collection, and in the attitude of employees, customers and shareholders as regards Sears being an ideal place to work, shop, and invest. There is need therefore to take appropriate action in a bid to get to the root cause of this problem and hopefully, salvage the situation. Works Cited Berndt, Adele. Customer relationship management customer service, New Delhi: Junta and Company Ltd, 2004. Print. Guest, David and N. Conway. Employee Motivation and the Psychological  Contract, London: Institute of Personnel and Development, 1997. Print. Kirn, Steven, Anthony, Rucci, Mark, Huselid and Becker, Brian. â€Å"Strategic Human Resource management at Sears.† Human Resource Management 38.4(1999): 329 335. Print. Pfeffer, Jeffrey. The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First, Boston, MA: Harvard Bus iness School Press, 1998. Print. Thompson, Mac and R. Richardson. The Impact of People Management  Practices – A Review of the Literature, London: Institute of Personnel and Development, 1999. Print. This report on Strategic Human Resource Management at Sears was written and submitted by user Briana Warren to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Biography of William Walker, Yankee Imperialist

Biography of William Walker, Yankee Imperialist William Walker (May 8, 1824–September 12, 1860) was an American adventurer and soldier who served as president of Nicaragua from 1856 to 1857. He tried to gain control over most of Central America  but failed and was executed by firing squad in 1860 in Honduras. Fast Facts: William Walker Known For: Invading and taking over Latin American countries (known as filibustering)Also Known As: General Walker; the grey-eyed man of destinyBorn: May 8, 1824 in Nashville, TennesseeParents: James Walker, Mary NorvellDied: September 12, 1860 in Trujillo, HondurasEducation: University of Nashville, University of Edinburgh,  University of Heidelberg, University of PennsylvaniaPublished Works: The War in Nicaragua Early Life Born into a distinguished family in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 8, 1824, William Walker was a child genius. He graduated from the University of Nashville at the top of his class at the age of 14. By the time he was 25, he had a degree in medicine and another in law and was legally allowed to practice as both a doctor and lawyer. He also worked as a publisher and journalist. Walker was restless, taking a long trip to Europe and living in Pennsylvania, New Orleans, and San Francisco in his early years. Although he stood only 5-foot-2, Walker had a commanding presence and the charisma to spare. The Filibusters In 1850, Venezuelan-born Narciso Lopez led a group of mostly American mercenaries in an assault on Cuba. The goal was to take over the government and later attempt to become part of the United States. The state of Texas, which had broken off from Mexico a few years before, was an example of a region of a sovereign nation that had been taken over by Americans before gaining statehood. The practice of invading small countries or states with the intention of causing independence was known as filibustering. Although the U.S. government was in full expansionist mode by 1850, it frowned on filibustering as a way to expand the nations borders. Assault on Baja California Inspired by the examples of Texas and Lopez, Walker set out to conquer the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California, which at that time were sparsely populated. With only 45 men, Walker marched south and promptly captured La Paz, the  capital of Baja California. Walker renamed the state the Republic of Lower California, later to be replaced by the Republic of Sonora, declared himself president, and applied the laws of the State of Louisiana, which included legalized slavery. Back in the United States, word of his daring attack had spread. Most Americans thought Walkers project was a great idea. Men lined up to volunteer to join the expedition. Around this time, he got the nickname the gray-eyed man of destiny. Defeat in Mexico By early 1854, Walker had been reinforced by 200 Mexicans who believed in his vision and another 200 Americans from San Francisco who wanted to get in on the ground floor of the new republic. But they had few supplies, and discontent grew. The Mexican government, which could not send a large army to crush the invaders, nevertheless was able to muster up enough of a force to skirmish with Walker and his men a couple of times and keep them from getting too comfortable in La Paz. In addition, the ship that had carried him to Baja California sailed off against his orders, taking many of his supplies with it. In early 1854, Walker decided to roll the dice and march on the strategic city of Sonora. If he could capture it, more volunteers and investors would join the expedition. But many of his men deserted, and by May he had only 35 men left. He crossed the border and surrendered to American forces there, never having reached Sonora. On Trial Walker was tried in San Francisco in federal court on charges of violating United States neutrality laws and policies. Popular sentiment was still with him, however, and he was acquitted of all charges by a jury after only eight minutes of deliberating. He returned to his law practice, convinced that he would have succeeded with more men and supplies. Nicaragua Within a year, Walker was back in action. Nicaragua was a rich, green nation that had one great advantage: in the days before the  Panama Canal, most shipping went through Nicaragua along a route that led up the San Juan River from the Caribbean, across Lake Nicaragua and then overland to the port of Rivas. Nicaragua was in the throes of a civil war between the cities of Granada and Leon to determine which city would have more power. Walker was approached by the Leon faction- which was losing- and soon rushed to Nicaragua with some 60 well-armed men. Upon landing, he was reinforced with another 100 Americans and almost 200 Nicaraguans. His army marched on Granada and captured it in October 1855. Because he was already considered supreme general of the army, he had no trouble declaring himself president. In May 1856, U.S. President  Franklin Pierce  officially recognized Walkers government. Defeat in Nicaragua Walker had made many enemies in his conquest. Greatest among them was perhaps  Cornelius Vanderbilt, who controlled an international shipping empire. As president, Walker revoked Vanderbilts rights to ship through Nicaragua. Vanderbilt was enraged and sent soldiers to oust him. Vanderbilts men were joined by those of other Central American nations, chiefly Costa Rica, who feared that Walker would take over their countries. Walker had overturned Nicaraguas anti-slavery laws and made English the official language, which angered many Nicaraguans. In early 1857 the Costa Ricans invaded, supported by Guatemala,  Honduras, and El Salvador, as well as Vanderbilts money and men. Walkers army was defeated at the Second Battle of Rivas, and he was forced to return once again to the United States. Honduras Walker was greeted as a hero in the U.S., particularly in the South. He wrote a book about his adventures, resumed his law practice, and began making plans to try again to take Nicaragua, which he still believed to be his. After a few false starts, including one in which U.S. authorities captured him as he set sail, he landed near Trujillo, Honduras, where he was captured by the British Royal Navy. Death The British already had important colonies in Central American in British Honduras, now Belize, and the Mosquito Coast, in present-day Nicaragua, and they did not want Walker stirring up rebellions. They turned him over to Honduran authorities, who executed him by firing squad on Sept. 12, 1860. It is reported that in his final words he asked for clemency for his men, assuming the responsibility of the Honduras expedition himself. He was 36 years old. Legacy Walkers filibusters had a significant impact on southerners interested in maintaining slave-owning territory; even after his death, his example inspired the Confederacy. Central American countries, by contrast, saw their defeat of Walker and his armies as a source of pride. In Costa Rica, April 11 is celebrated as a national holiday to commemorate Walkers defeat at Rivas. Walker has also been the subject of several books and two movies. Sources The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. â€Å"William Walker.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 1 Mar. 2019.Levrier-Jones, George. â€Å"Man of Destiny: William Walker and the Conquest of Nicaragua.† History Is Now Magazine, 24 Apr. 2018.Norvell, John Edward, How Tennessee Adventurer William Walker became Dictator of Nicaragua in 1857: The Norvell Family origins of the Grey-Eyed Man of Destiny, The Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol XXV, No.4, Spring 2012

Profile of the Roman Emperor Nero

Profile of the Roman Emperor Nero Nero was the last of the Julio-Claudians, that most important family of Rome that produced the first 5 emperors (Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero). Nero is famed for watching while Rome burned, then using the devastated area for his own luxurious palace, and then blaming the conflagration on the Christians, whom he persecuted. While his predecessor, Claudius, was accused of letting slaves guide his policy, Nero was accused of letting the women in his life, especially his mother, guide his. This wasnt considered an improvement. Family and Upbringing of Nero Nero Claudius Caesar (originally Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus) was the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger, sister of the future emperor Caligula, in Antium, on December 15, A.D. 37. Domitius died when Nero was 3. Caligula banished his sister, and so Nero grew up with his paternal aunt, Domitia Lepida, who chose a barber (tonsor) and a dancer (saltator) for Neros tutors. When Claudius became emperor after Caligula, Neros inheritance was returned, and when Claudius married Agrippina, a proper tutor, Seneca, was hired for young Nero. Neros Career Nero might have had a successful career as an entertainer, but that was not to be at least officially. Under Claudius, Nero pleaded cases in the forum and was given opportunities to ingratiate himself with the Roman people. When Claudius died, Nero was 17. He presented himself to the palace guard, who pronounced him emperor. Nero then went to the ​Senate, which gave him the appropriate imperial titles. As emperor, Nero served as consul 4 times. Compassionate Elements of Neros Reign Nero reduced heavy taxes and fees paid to informers. He gave salaries to impoverished senators. He introduced certain fire-preventing and fire-fighting innovations. Suetonius says Nero devised a method of forgery prevention. Nero also replaced public banquets with grain distribution. His response to people criticizing his artistic skills was mild. Some Charges Against Nero Some of Neros infamous acts, which led to rebellion in the provinces, included inflicting punishments on Christians (and blaming them for the devastating fire in Rome), sexual perversions, marauding and murdering Roman citizens, building the extravagant Domus Aurea Golden House, charging citizens with treason to confiscate their property, murdering his mother and aunt, and causing (or at least performing while watching) the burning of Rome. Nero gained notoriety for inappropriately performing. It is said that as he died, Nero lamented that the world was losing an artist. Death of Nero Nero committed suicide before he could be captured and flogged to death. Revolts in Gaul and Spain had promised to bring Neros reign to an end. Almost all his staff deserted him. Nero tried to kill himself, but required the assistance of his scribe, Epaphrodite, to stab himself in the neck. Nero died at the age of 32. Ancient Sources on Nero Tacitus describes the reign of Nero, but his Annals end before the last 2 years of Neros reign. Cassius Dio (LXI-LXIII) and Suetonius also provide biographies of Nero. Tacitus on Nero and the Fire Tacitus on the Modifications Nero Made to Building After the Fire of Rome (15.43)... The buildings themselves, to a certain height, were to be solidly constructed, without wooden beams, of stone from Gabii or Alba, that material being impervious to fire. And to provide that the water which individual license had illegally appropriated, might flow in greater abundance in several places for the public use, officers were appointed, and everyone was to have in the open court the means of stopping a fire. Every building, too, was to be enclosed by its own proper wall, not by one common to others. These changes which were liked for their utility, also added beauty to the new city. Some, however, thought that its old arrangement had been more conducive to health, inasmuch as the narrow streets with the elevation of the roofs were not equally penetrated by the suns heat, while now the open space, unsheltered by any shade, was scorched by a fiercer glow.​​ -Â  Annals of Tacitus Tacitus on Neros Blaming the Christians (15.44).... But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mo ckery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car.​ -Â  Annals of Tacitus

The Article by Atul Gawande (2009) New Yorker Term Paper

The Article by Atul Gawande (2009) New Yorker - Term Paper Example Some scholars suggest that the system has drifted out of control: â€Å"Through no planned design or evil intent, our health care system has evolved in ways that better serve a myriad of economic, professional, and political interests than those of patients and families, and the larger public† (Mechanic, 2006, p. ix). Gawande, however, sees a much bleaker picture, and suggests that there are areas in America where doctors and administrators are financially tied into provision, and that this encourages massive amounts of over-treatment, with no benefit to patients. Gawande’s article describes a huge discrepancy in the per capita costs of medical care in two comparable districts, McAllen and El Paso, Texas, while there is no evidence that the higher cost location (McAllen) offers better care or achieves better results. This gives rise to a serious ethical problem: in El Paso patients have much lower rates of access to all kinds of tests and treatments, while in McAllen, t hey have much higher rates. The variation is due to doctor behavior, and not down to the demographics of the citizens, since the two regions are very similar. This is the kind of situation that led to the passing of the 2010 Health Care Reform bill which aims to extend health coverage to from 83% to 95% of the legally resident population. (Tumulty, 2010, p. 1) Unfortunately, however, huge variation in the way that this money is spent will mean that a fair and equal service is not likely to happen. From the point of view of justice, or fairness, such unequal practices cannot be defended, since all American citizens should have equal access to the benefits of our modern technologies. From a utilitarian point of view, there is a deviation from best practice, since in the McAllen hospitals there is little effort to gain the greatest benefit to patients for the lowest cost. Increasing the amount of testing in order to maximise revenue is the very opposite of ethical behaviour on the part of institutions where doctors earn more for ordering more procedures and tests. Gawande suggests that the problem lies with the structures of delivery, and describes the McAllen healthcare model as â€Å"as system that has no brakes† (Gawanda, p. 14). He cites the example of the Mayo clinic, where doctors receive a fixed salary, as a potential solution. Fewer scans are done, and more discussion between doctors takes place to minimize unnecessary treatments, all of which come with risks as well as benefits, and to try to ensure that patients have what they need, rather than what can be sold to them for profit. There is little incentive to cherry pick patients in this kind of system, and hospitals which follow this style find that overall costs are lower, and quality of care goes up. This analysis takes a refreshing look at the way the whole system is set up, and this gives the reader an overview of things rather than just the view of an economist, or a health professional, or an administrator. It highlights the error that patients, and some doctors, often make, in thinking that more testing is always good. The point is to do what is the best for the patient, and not what sustains the system. If there was more of this kind of benchmarking across hospitals with comparable patient characteristics, then perhaps more could be done to eliminate wasteful

Figures of speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Figures of speech - Essay Example Figures of speech Style and outstanding clarity are major features of the profound speakers in the world’s history. The ultimate objective of the figures is to initiate a creative shape of the speech. The diverse figures have unique purposes within the speeches. This is evident in the subsequent analysis of Martin Luther’s speech. Diverse figures are evident in the speech of Martin Luther King Jnr. Artful repetition is a paramount technique in formulating and presenting speeches. This involves a deliberate repetition of words or phrases with an objective of clarity and emphasis. The figure of speech also minimizes the complexity of the concepts at hand. Therefore, the audiences have maximum benefits from this figure of speech. It disintegrates sophisticated details for the interest of the audience. This is an evident phenomenon in the speech by Martin Luther King Jnr. In his third paragraph, he artfully repeats the phrase â€Å"one hundred years later†. This brings an emphasis and clarity about the chronology within the hundred years of an immigrant. Therefore, he skillfully disintegrates the complexity of history and presents a simple account. Assertion is also a paramount figure of speech. This technique ensures a revelation of relationships amongst concepts of discussion. The audience always attains clarity and understanding from the comprehensive comparisons of the concepts under discussion. Under this technique, analogies are essential figures of speech. They signify particular affiliations amongst the concepts of discussion.