Saturday, December 28, 2019

Misrepresentation of Women in The Media Essay - 1993 Words

â€Å"People learn more from media than any other single source of information† (Missrepresentation). This quote exemplifies how society learns and creates their standards about people, places, and things. All sources and mediums of media impact billions of lives every day. The media holds this power over society and it’s time to change that; especially when it comes to the media’s view of women. Women are constantly being misrepresented. This misrepresentation of women in the media is negatively impacting America by corrupting both the youth and adults. This is occurring because of the hyper-sexualization of women, wrongly portraying women in leadership positions, and creating stereotypes of women in movies and television. â€Å"You can’t be what†¦show more content†¦When Victoria’s Secret is allowed to have models prance around on screen but Lane Bryant Ads (lingerie for plus size women) is banned then there’s a problem. The media is portraying these models who are thin to the point where it is unhealthy. And the media is feeding society lies. A perfect example is of Gerran Tyler. Tyler was a 12 year old supermodel. She walks the run way for clients like Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and Betsey Johnson. She’s tall, thin, the perfect model because she hasn’t hit puberty yet. She walked during New York Fashion Week and posed for these designer brands advertisements. This body type is unachievable for almost all adult women (Roberts). Somebody in their twenties or thirties doesn’t have the ability to look like a twelve year old girl, but this is how these designers are telling us to look. Tyler had an amazing career and high expectations but the fame didn’t last long. As she got older and hit puberty she began to develop boobs, hips, and curves. She began getting less and less bookings. Her supermodel career was virtually over. â€Å"Eighty percent of 10-year-old American girls say the y have been on a diet† and the, â€Å"Number one magic wish for young girls 11-17 is to be thinner† (Missrepresentation). This self-esteem problem with young girls is a result of these unobtainable ideas of beauty. Jennifer Siebel, creator of the documentary Missrepresentation, saysShow MoreRelatedCertain Groups Being Incorrectly Portrayed in Media767 Words   |  3 PagesIn order to understand the current issue involving certain groups being incorrectly portrayed in media, it is important to first understand exactly what mass media is. There are a variety of technical definitions for the term â€Å"mass media.† According to Britannica, â€Å"Media is used to pass on information to many people in a society† (â€Å"Media†). Merriam-Wenster claims media is a â€Å"mean of communication that is designed to reach the mass of the people† (â€Å"Mass Medium†). Recently, a spike of innovations hasRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem The First Citi es 1694 Words   |  7 Pages1992) was a Caribbean American civil rights activist, writer, women and lesbian rights activist, radical feminist and womanist. She was well known for her work with Afro-German women. She was emphasized and criticized for the contents of liberalism and sexuality in her works. ​Her poetry was first published in ‘The first Cities† in 1968 by the poet’s press. Her work in various fields and her social activities and the movements for women rights and many others were the main reason for her popularityRead MoreAnalysis Of The Documentary Miss Representation 1190 Words   |  5 Pagesto the way media portrays women that sends the wrong message to young girls and boys. After watching this documentary, it is clearly seen that the media needs to change the way they represent women in order to shift the perceptions that society has on both men and women so young girls and boys can grow up knowing that they can reach their full potential by just being themselves without the pressures from what the media portrays. The title Miss Representation is the word misrepresentation but with â€Å"mis†Read MoreNegative Influence on Women in the Media Melanic R. Salomes Article853 Words   |  3 Pagesarticle, written by Melanic R. Salome , is about the women’s misrepresentation of in media . Salome considers media as an important tool that affects American women in a negative way. Media has become of paramount interest in our lives, despite the fact that its negative influences on us are increasing at a rapid pace. Media promotes unrealistic and unattainable images that result in depression and dissatisfaction among people. Therefore, media reflects the image of society and the way people think aboutRead MoreJournalism And Culture Of Journalism1572 Words   |  7 Pagesoverarching topics will be addressed. Firstly, examinations of culture, sub-culture, and hegemony will occur, contextualising central issues. Thereafter, focus will switch to media representations of women, analysing wom en as both sources and journalists. This will demonstrate stereotypical and victimising frameworks used to represent women, which distort cultural perceptions and effectively preclude female participation in cultural debate. These theories will be grounded with examples from mainstream newsRead MoreWomen s Representation Of Women994 Words   |  4 Pagesissue that not only affects the lives of women, but the entire society. Females have been raised to believe that appearances will get them far in life instead of other factors such as intelligence and the ability to succeed without depending on their looks. Along with the hindering misconception of females’ level of intelligence, the media continues to support the minoritization of females. Students must realize that to change how society perceives women, students are the ones that need to takeRead MoreImportance Of Three Paramount Pieces Of Aboriginal History861 Words   |  4 PagesCanada’s acceptance of history. The misrepresentation of Aboriginal peoples in the media is yet another piece of evidence that displays Canada not being in touch with its Aboriginal history. â€Å"This misrepresentation arises from media coverage that is systematically biasing because of the cumulative if unintended effect of negatively one-sided representations.† (Long and Dickason, 195) The negative one-sided representations that are being referred to created by media coverage have caused long term disastrousRead MoreLatino Gender And Gender Diversity1560 Words   |  7 PagesIn 2013, Latinos accounted for only 4.9% of the roles in the top 100 films of the year. From the beginning, Hollywood had always been dominated by white men and women. However, as time progressed there was a very slight change in cultural and ethnic diversity. Though it is more likely now than ever to find a Latino or Latina in a Hollywood film, their roles are often small, stereotypical, and almost entirely unimportant. As if it w asn’t hard enough to get any role in any Hollywood film regardlessRead MoreEssay media1248 Words   |  5 Pages Media Standard Today’s society is centered on media rather it be broadcasting media, print media, mass media, or social media. Media is the center of it all. The media is our way of staying up to date on the latest news, passing and receiving information, basically keeping our lives in motion. The media has the ability to create social norms. One social norm that rubbed writer/director of the documentary â€Å"Miss Representation† Jennifer Seibel Newsom the wrong way was the misrepresentation ofRead MoreBlack Women Stereotypes763 Words   |  4 PagesThe stereotypical misrepresentations of African-American women and men in popular culture have influenced societal views of Blacks for centuries. The typical stereotypes about Black women range from the smiling, asexual and often obese Mammy to the promiscuous Jezebel who lures men with her sexual charms. However, the loud, smart mouthed, neck-rolling Black welfare mother is the popular image on reality television. The typical stereotyp e about Black men is the violent, misogynistic thug, and the

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay - 1275 Words

The charismatic manager approach is dependent on the captivates and articulateness of the manager; charismatic managers are compelled by their passions and dedication to their reason. Charismatic managers correspondingly are occasionally known as transformational managers since this type of manager shares several relationships. Their principal dissimilarity is emphasis and audience; charismatic managers frequently attempt to make the present circumstances pleasanter, whereas transformational managers emphasize on converting corporations into the manager’s visualization. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a charismatic manager who utilized compelling grandiloquence, an interlocking disposition, and steadfast devotion to constructive transformation in the exist of millions of people. (Spahr, P., 2016) Describe the elements of charismatic leadership. In accordance with Y Scout, while these charismatic managers possess an attribute, which is challenging to identify, nonetheless these attributes charm supporters and instigates communities to act. Transformational managers are frequently exceedingly charismatic because he/she can introduce and sustaining a meaningful level of transformation in the establishment. The subsequent are some of the most pronounced physiognomies of a charismatic manager: 1. Communication: Charismatic managers have remarkable proficiencies in communication; this facilitates enthusiasm in workforces during strenuous periods and help them remain founded whenShow MoreRelatedDr. Martin Luther King Jr.658 Words   |  3 PagesIndividual Project Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired myself along with many other nationalities all over the world in so many ways. He was a very courageous and intelligent man who fought so hard for the blacks or African-Americans like myself to have equal rights like the whites or Caucasian people. Just as other civil rights leaders such as Rosa Parks, Dr. King felt that it just wasn’t fair that the black people was segregatedRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay871 Words   |  4 Pages Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was born in Atlanta Georgia on January 15, 1929. His parents were Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his siblings were guided by the spiritual teachings from their father and attended public schools in Atlanta during their childhood. King and his nine siblings grew up in a financially secure middle class family. They received a better education than the average child of their race, King noticed this and it influencedRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is unarguably the most famous civil rights900 Words   |  4 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is unarguably the most famous civil rights activist in American history. His story and legacy is taught in classrooms across the country. From birth to death, Dr. King impacted the lives of many people and changed the roles of society forever. Dr. King had one big dream and what shaped his dream begins in Atlanta,, Georgia, and ends in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a loving and caring family on January 15, 1929 inRead More Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay2605 Words   |  11 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1929-1968), American clergyman and Nobel Prize winner, one of the principal leaders of the American civil rights movement and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. Kingamp;#8217;s challenges to segregation and racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s helped convince many white Americans to support the cause of civil rights in the United States. After his assassination in 1968, King became a symbol of protest in the struggle for racialRead MoreEssay on Leadership Skills of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.823 Words   |  4 PagesDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Abstract This paper will analyze and study the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and how leadership skills helped him in accomplishing his goals. The characteristics that made Dr. King a great leader will also be addressed. By studying great leaders, insight can be gained into what qualities they possess. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked theRead MoreMy Hero: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay542 Words   |  3 Pagesall portray some kind of heroic abilities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one the most heroic figures of our time. According to Joseph Campbells characteristics Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has a characteristic of a hero such as, a hero is usually someone from whom something has been taken or who feels theres something lacking in the normal experience available, or permitted, to members of his society. (The Power of Myth, 1998) Dr. Martin Luther King was a man who yearned for dignity and respectRead More The Rhetoric of Pathos in the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe Rhetoric of Pathos in the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a dream, says Dr. Samuel Proctor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University. All the little children--you hear everywhere you go: I have a dream. All the little children repeating that speech. Its become like the Star Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance. Its entered our culture. And so it has: I have a dream has become one of the most memorable phrases of the twentieth centuryRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s Fight Essay1059 Words   |  5 PagesDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s Fight Throughout history there have been times when citizens have had the need, as well as the responsibility, to violate certain societal rules/laws in order to protest against unjust treatment and bring about social or political change. It began as early as Socrates, who disobeyed an unjust decree against teaching his ideas, which led to his being condemned to death; Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against British rule over India; and Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seatRead MoreEssay about Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.4067 Words   |  17 PagesBiography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968 Nationality: American Occupation: civil rights leader Occupation: minister (religion) Michael King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in the Atlanta home of his maternal grandfather, Adam Daniel Williams (1863 — 1931). He was the second child and the first son of Michael King Sr. (1897 — 1984) and Alberta Christine Williams King (1903 — 1974). Michael Jr. had an older sister, Willie Christine (b. 1927), and a youngerRead MoreEssay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and The Civil Rights Movement2125 Words   |  9 PagesMartin Luther King jr. was one of the most influential persons of the 20th Century. He is the father of the modern civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom as well as peace. King practiced everything that he preached, he did not preach or speak values that he himself did not follow. He established himself as a pastor that was not afraid of hard work, guiding the middle-class congregation to public service. For example, Peake, Thomas

Friday, December 20, 2019

The Concept Of Corporate Social Responsibility - 1174 Words

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been developed for decades and it has been conceptualized in a number of ways. The business only can get success if there is interaction between all stakeholders in the company. The business organization of any form whether it is small or large, are seen as a creation of society and their survival is only dependent on the society. Socially responsible firms view CSR as a source of competitive advantage by attracting a higher quality and quantity of job applicants (Fombrun and Shanley 1990; turban and greening 1996). CSR can be defined as that strategy which manages the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. CSR is a concept in which the company decides how to interact with its stakeholders on a voluntary basis involving social as well as environmental concern. According to kotler and lee (2005) CSR is â€Å" an obligation undertaken in order to improve the welfare of the society through on dema nd business application and contribution of corporate resources† Management, innovation and trends seem to come and go like fashion. Ideas and practices are adopted and discarded, change, mutate and re-form in an ongoing process of exchange among stakeholders. (McManus, 2008, p.1068) CSR helps in rapid development of the country so; it has 5 principles like accountability, ethical behavior, transparency, shareholders and rule of law. Accountability talks about theShow MoreRelatedConcept Of Corporate Social Responsibility839 Words   |  4 Pagesand concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been a much deliberated and controversial one. So aged has been this deliberation that Votaw and Sethi (1973) depicted it as a brilliant term; which rightfully means something, but not always the same thing to everybody. The research of Marrewijk (2013, p.95) elaborated on the intensity of this unending debate among academics, consultants and corporate executives which results i n creating, supporting and criticizing of different concepts. IRead MoreThe Concept Of Corporate Social Responsibility Essay1696 Words   |  7 PagesThe Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility According to Pearce Robinson (2014), corporate social responsibility (CSR) is â€Å"the idea that business has a duty to serve society in general as well as the financial interests of stockholders.†(P.56) The concept of corporate social responsibility of the business operation must comply with sustainable development idea; the company should not only consider its own financial and operating conditions, but also think of its impacts on the social and environmentRead MoreConcept Of Corporate Social Responsibility1723 Words   |  7 PagesSocial responsibility is an idea that has been of concern to mankind for many years. Over the last two decades, however, it has become of increasing concern to the business world. This has resulted in growing interaction between governments, businesses and society as a whole. In the past, businesses primarily concerned themselves with the economic results of their decisions. â€Å"Today, however, businesses must also reflect on the legal, eth ical, moral and social consequences of their decisions† (AndersonRead MoreThe Concepts Of Corporate Social Responsibility1456 Words   |  6 PagesThe concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been evolving for decades. At the very beginning, it was argued that corporation’s sole responsibility was to provide maximum financial returns to shareholders. However, it became quickly apparent to everyone that this pursuit of financial gain had to take place within the boundary of the legal system (Carroll, 1979;1991). Bowen’s 1953 publication of ‘Social Responsibility of Businessman’ was considered by many scholar to be the first definitiveRead MoreConcept Of Corporate Social Responsibility2717 Words   |  11 PagesPurpose and Outline of the report Task A 2.0 Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 2.1 Deontological Theory 2.2 Carroll’s Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility 3.0 Key issues of Corporate Social Responsibility 3.1 Economical Issues 3.2 Legal Ethical Issues 3.3 Application of Code of Conduct Issues Task B 4.0 Responsible Practices Task C 5.0 Recommendations Appendices References Report on Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background Do allRead MoreThe Concept Of Corporate Social Responsibility2237 Words   |  9 PagesThe classic origin of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) came from the principle that the purpose of the corporation is to make profits for the stockholders. This view of Milton Friedman came to be referred to later as the classical theory of CSR (Bowie, 1991). Tom Donaldson argued that this theory derived from the concept of the social contract between the corporation and the society where it operates. This perspective, however, faced criticism over its inherently opportunisticRead MoreThe Concept Of Corporate Social Responsibility Essay3395 Words   |  14 Pagestransparency, environment, business and society. The corporates started understanding that they would have to rise over and above the profitability and take care of all those related with their survival in the society directly or indirectly. This understanding is the result of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibi lity (CSR). This report is to understand of key concepts, principles of CSR, business ethics, corporate governance, and social responsible investing by the two case study of the TATARead More The Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility Essays1687 Words   |  7 PagesThe Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility With the interest in Corporate Social Responsibility growing, increasing numbers of organisations are incorporating CSR into their business operations in an effort to be seen acting as good corporate citizens, so what is CSR what is its role in todays organizations? The term CSR refers to a company?s obligation to maximize its positive impact on society, accommodating changing social, market stakeholder pressures in an effort to achieveRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility : A New Concept2201 Words   |  9 PagesCorporate social responsibility occurs where organizations take full responsibility for their actions to their customers, the environment of operations, immediate communities, stakeholders and employees among others. It extends beyond the legal scope and initiates voluntary steps towards the improvement and sustenance of quality life to the various actors it is affiliated to. For instance, they take part in eradicating poverty-related issues, providing basic amenities to the affected communitiesRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility : A Strategic Concept1393 Words   |  6 PagesSection 1: Introduction Corporate social responsibility is a notable strategic concept whose presence in today’s business world cannot be overlooked. This paper consists of an intricate analysis of corporate social responsibility, as well as an investigation on how Target Corporation is handling this increasingly popular business concept. The background and foundation of this business approach is thoroughly depicted, shedding light on its rising acclaim among firms and the positive effects it has

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Impact of Globalization on Terrorism - 1245 Words

Globalization is affecting most everything in the world today by mixing cultures, beliefs, people, and ideas together in the melting pot of society. Since terrorism has taken the impact of globalization it is leaving the world in a war of terror and a desperate effort to unite against the growing terrorist groups. After the numerous, tragic world wide events stemmed by terrorism such as: 9/11, bombing of the London subway, and the Beslan school hostage crisis, the world has vastly changed its’ mentality of dealing with the future. The globe is forced to unite against an emerging threat, and is conjointly cutting funding for terrorism through decreasing various purchases of oil and other items from organizations aiding terrorist groups†¦show more content†¦Not only was drug trade used to earn profit for the terrorist groups, they also used it to exchange for materials and resources they wanted. For example, Osama Bin Laden received at least four suitcases of nuclear de vices for the exchange of half-billion of heroine (Ehrenfeld 394). Globalization has impacted the funding of terrorism by allowing the connections for trading of illegal substances and stolen items, but has also connected the nations. The nations see that they will need to come together and unite against terrorism by cutting off their funding. The nations are faced with several enemy countries that are harboring terrorist groups and allowing them to inhabit their land. President Bush named Iran, Iraq, and North Korea the axis of evil in 2002 (Fuller). But now the countries that harbor terrorist is a much larger list. Cuba not only has terrorists living there legally, but it â€Å"funds, trains, and arms many guerrilla groups† (State). But Cuba’s main action that proves it to be pro-terrorism is their assisting in transferring terrorists to the US illegally. Iran also harbors terrorism by funding terrorism and giving the groups materials they need therefore supporting m any terrorist groups. â€Å"Iran provided lethal support, including weapons, training, funding, and guidance, to Iraqi Shia militant groups targeting US and Iraqi forces†.Show MoreRelatedChallenges Faced By The Private Security Industry958 Words   |  4 Pagesindustry comes new developments and obstacles that push it to hold its place that it has claimed. This essay will cover some possible challenges security personnel may face, my views on if they can disregard globalization, some likely legislative trends in the future, and if the nature of terrorism will change. This industry has a lot that it must be informed about in order to continue operating at its peak. First to be covered are the possible challenges security personnel may face. A great way toRead MoreThe World Trade Center Buildings1716 Words   |  7 PagesWith the benefits of globalization, terrorism seems to only serve as an initiative for all nations to unite their governments under the safe umbrella of one global village. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center buildings, the world has been watching America, its citizens and government to gauge our response and the steps we would take to counteract and prevent such acts of terrorism from occurring again. The reaction of our government was to screen and scrutinize foreignersRead MoreTerrorism And Areas Of Global Terrorism1391 Words   |  6 Pagesthan a decade terrorism has been a growing concern in the news. One of the most notorious acts of terrorism was 9/11. The events and aftermath of 9/11 was a wakeup call for many Americans. Not only was it a wakeup call to the citizens but also businesses were affected by it. The following paper will investigate terrorism and areas of global strategy impacted by terrorism. The paper will also investigate efforts to curb terrorist threats against globalization. Introduction Terrorism and global businessRead MoreThe Kingdom : An Attack American Accommodation Compound1434 Words   |  6 Pagestheories can be a way of finding out what causes terrorism. A general strain theory of terrorism can be defined as terrorism being more extreme than common crimes because it typically includes an assignment of severe violence against innocent civilians who have done nothing to directly provoke being victimize (Agnew, 2016). In addition, terrorists usually have the support of a sub-national group. Despite the fact, most adult terrorist will act alone. Terrorism is committed solely or in part for politicalRead MoreImpact Of Globalization On The International Security Environment954 Words   |  4 PagesGlobalization Without question, globalization has had an impact on the international security environment. More than ever before, nation-states are able to communicate, trade and war with other countries with unprecedented speed. Yet, even in a globalized system, traditional security theories are still valid. Globalization has played an undisputed role in giving non-state actors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) a voice in the international securityRead MoreNegative Effects Of Globalization1552 Words   |  7 PagesGlobalization has negative and positive effects that impact all levels of everyday operations from the international community through regions to individuals. Some oppose the changes it brings, some turn it to their benefit. The latest globalization wave carrying American values hit the Arab Spring particularly hard. The fight against conformation to American values intensified Jihad movements through terrorism against the Western world. Terrorist groups were able to utilize the same communicationRead MorePlanning Function at Boeing1164 Words   |  5 Pagesknown all over the world that deals with many responsibilities. Legal, ethical, and social responsibilities are factors that have an impact on management planning. Boeing als o deals with factors that influence the company’s strategic, tactical, operational, and contingency planning. The company has a proven record that management is able to deal with factors that may impact the business and plan accordingly. Legal Responsibility Boeing is a large public company and deals with a vast amount of legalRead More9/11 and the Ongoing Threat of Terrorism829 Words   |  3 Pagesresponse to the attack, the United States launched a global War on Terrorism, invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban region (who had harbored al-Qaeda), enacted the US Patriot Act, and formulated a policy to rid the Middle East of terrorist or terror-sponsored States. After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. security policy received myopic scrutiny and there were a number of changes made so that America could anticipate and prevent acts of terrorism. A new Cabinet Level Department was formed, Homeland SecurityRead MoreThe Fundamentals Of Globalization On The National Security Strategy 20151632 Words   |  7 PagesThe Fundamentals of Globalization directly affect US interest IAW the National Security Strategy 2015. Those interests’ hinge on four critical aspects in which, global economic malaise and violet extremism can adversely affect t wo of the four interests. Those two interests are the security of US citizens and allies, and a strong and prosperous international economy. Violet extremism is by far the greatest challenge of the two. Globalization is an appealing concept that has many various interpretationsRead MoreGeoplitics720 Words   |  3 PagesBY:- GLOBALIZATION: Globalization is not a new word in the world of business and also to the common people. â€Å"As far as the definition of Globalization is concerned, there is no such single definition on which all the disciplines of study have agreed upon. One of the famous sociologists has defined globalization with 3 different concepts:† (1) * Globalization as transference between the already defined items that may be in term of politics, culture or economics; * Globalization as transformation

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Troilus and Cressida Essay Example For Students

Troilus and Cressida Essay A monologue from the play by William Shakespeare ULYSSES: Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back,Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,A great-sized monster of ingratitudes. Those scraps are good deeds past, which are devouredAs fast as they are made, forgot as soonAs done. Perseverance, dear my lord,Keeps honor bright; to have done, is to hangQuite out of fashion, like a rusty mailIn monumental mockry. Take the instant way;For honor travels in a strait so narrowWhere one but goes abreast. Keep, then, the path;For emulation hath a thousand sonsThat one by one pursue. If you give way,Or hedge aside from the direct forthright,Like to an entred tide they all rush byAnd leave you hindmost; Then what they do in present,Though less than yours in past, must oertop yours;For time is like fashionable host,That slightly shakes his parting guest by th hand,And with his arms outstretched, as he would fly,Grasps in the comer. The welcome ever smiles,And farewell goes out sighing. Let not virtue seekRemuneration for the thing it was. For beauty, wit,High birth, vigor of bone, desert in service,Love, friendship, charity, are subjects allTo envious and calumniating time.One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,That all with one consent praise new-born gawds,Though they are made and moulded of things past,And give to dust that is a little giltMore laud than gilt oer-dusted.The present eye praises the present object.Then marvel not, thou great and complete man,That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax;Since things in motion sooner catch the eyeThat what not stirs. The cry went once on thee,And still it might, and yet it may again,If thou wouldst not entomb thyself aliveAnd case thy reputation in thy tent;Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late,Made emulous missions mongst the gods themselvesAnd drave great Mars to faction.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

St. Thomas on the Nature of Human Action free essay sample

INTRODUCTION In moral theory, understanding the concept of human action is significant. While contemporary moral philosophers tend to address these subjects as discrete topics of study, St. Thomas Aquinas’s treatment of them yields a bracing, comprehensive view of the moral life. Though at times it is not necessary for someone to be a trained moralist just to determine whether an act is good or bad, in some cases, this task can be challenging. Essential to identifying a correct moral action is recognizing what in this action is relevant to making this determination. The following essay will focus on the role of the reason and will to human, voluntariness, a feature that distinguishes human acts from acts of a different kind, and specifications of human actions and the cardinal virtues that govern actions and guide conducts according to faith and reason. All actions that are conducive to the attainment of man’s final end are considered morally good. Thus, an account on this ultimate end of human acts will be illustrated on the grounds of Aquinas’ writings. THE NATURE OF HUMAN ACTION An action is human just as it is rational for it was stated that through reason, man is the master of his acts. However, in order to fully understand the nature of human action and the end in which an action is aimed, we must understand what consists rationality. In the second part of Summa Theologiae, Aquinas explains that reason in comprised of two powers: the cognitive and the appetitive. The cognitive power of reason refers to the intellect. This power enables us to know, understand and apprehend the goodness a thing has. The appetitive power is the will. This power responds to the intellect’s judgment of what is good or choice worthy. Aquinas holds the superiority of the intellect over the will. The first formal principle is universal being and truth which is the object of the intellect and therefore by this kind of notion the intellect moves the will, as presenting its object to it. He applies this law even to God and the Creation which is founded upon the essence of God in so far as this essence is known by Gods intellect and can be produced through the creative act. The divine will freely selects from among the possibilities in the divine essence. Thus even in God this present order of creation has been willed because it was reasonable, and not vice versa. Parallel to man, the act of understanding precedes the movement of the will. However Aquinas also points out that the will is free and is not limited to select necessarily what the intellect presents to it as reasonable. Good determines the will as the truth determines the intellect. The will is dependent on the intellect while the intellect is dependent on sensations which are objects that may vary from a good stance to an evil point of view. In this case, the will is free to select from among these various objects presented to it by the intellect. It was stated in the second part of Summa Theologiae that choice is substantially not an act of the reason but of the will: for choice is accomplished in a certain movement of the soul towards the good which is chosen. In our life, we are presented with competing goods between which we must choose but our intellectual limitations prevent us from deciding what is good. The careful analysis of the will and how it is used by man to create a free human action is a significant contribution of St. Thomas to moral theory. He identified six stages of the will’s involvement from the time a person realizes a goal to the time he achieves it. To further understand each stage, Pilsner used a situation as an example. A man of modest means reflects that it might be appropriate for him to do something to help the poor. Though he is uncertain at first how this might be accomplished, he recognizes that his idea is worthwhile. The illustration exemplifies the first stage which is willing simply considered. In this stage, the man visualizes a possible end which is helping the poor and is attracted by this end’s goodness. Although the action to attain the end has not been started or even the determination to pursue the end has not yet been made, the fact that he recognizes the plan to help the poor holds merit for he possesses a will that draws every man to a clear good. After considering the matter, the man decides that making a financial contribution would be more sensible for him than doing volunteer work. He sets out to find a suitable recipient for donation. On a community bulletin board, he sees two requests for assistance posted: one from a drug rehabilitation centre and another from a scholarship fund for schools in impoverished countries. After reading more carefully, the man discovers that the campaign for the scholarship fund is a special drive for elite donors willing to give L10,000 or more. Since such a sum is beyond his resources, he discounts a gift to this initiative. He judges, however, that a donation to the rehabilitation centre is suitable: it would meet his purpose admirably and any further means necessary to make the donation could easily be arranged. The man recognizes that the end of helping the needy is now practically possible for him, for even if no other suitable means can be found, he can always give to the rehab centre. Realizing he can commit to what is practically possible, the man resolve then and there to help the needy. But he also continues his search for additional charities in case another appeals to him more. After asking some friends, he discovers another potential recipient which meets his approval: a local homeless shelter which relies on community support. The second and third stages of willing, consent and intention are shown in this part of the illustration. In order to accomplish an end, a man must first identify means to achieve it. In the situation given, the man was presented with channels to help the poor. However, he could not use all these means. The scholarship fund was disregarded because it would be impractical since he has limited resources. On the other hand, the drug rehabilitation centre and homeless shelter are considered because he can afford the donation sum in these recipients. Before a person gives his consent to facilitate a means, it must be attractive or appealing for him. Questions like, â€Å"Is this mean conducive to the end I am aiming for? †, â€Å"Is this mean feasible? † must be asked. No intelligent being will desire a goal and then consider what will permit him to achieve it as unappealing or unworkable. Intention, the second stage, is also depicted in the situation. At first, the man simply recognizes the goodness of helping the poor, now; his will is set to help the poor. This is intention, the determination to act in a certain way to achieve an end. Consent and intention are significantly related. The latter is initiated when a means to achieve an end is found. The former is given when there is one viable means identified. The man now mentally places before himself the drug rehabilitation centre and the homeless shelter. Each appears good in its own way, and there seems o be no overriding reason for judging one to be a more worthy recipient than the other. After some deliberation, the man decides that the rehabilitation centre is the charity he would prefer to assist. This part illustrates the moment of choice. There is similarity in the concept of consent and choice since they both have to do with the mean. Consent is the will’s approval of each means deemed conducive to a n end, choice is the will’s definitive movement to that one means by which the agent seeks to achieve an end in this instance. After sitting at his desk and taking out his pen, the donor writes a cheque for the rehabilitation centre and places it in an envelope. He puts on his coat and walks to the shelter, gift in hand. Upon his arrival, he seeks out the business manager, hands him the envelope, and explains that a donation is enclosed towards the centre’s work. This part of the illustration describes the fifth stage which is use. Thomas affirms that the use of something means the application of that thing to some operation. The means recognized, deemed as appealing and chosen by a person are brought to actuality by the use. Looking at the situation given, the man donates to the rehabilitation centre after seeing the fact that it is within his capability thus he carried out by using his hand and pen to write and sign the cheque, his legs to walk, etc. Everything that is within a person’s capability and can play a part on the achievement of an end can be used. The donor returns home. Several days later, he receives a note of thanks from the centre’s director who tells him that he has received the money and used it to replace ten old mattresses with new ones. Though the donor realizes that he has made a sacrifice, he experiences a sense of satisfaction that he has contributed to the lives of the poor who come to the centre. His goal has been achieved. This part illustrates the stage of enjoyment which characterizes the climax of the human action. Enjoyment is the gratification that is experienced by a person when his desired goal has been achieved. It is the satisfaction that the man in the illustration felt when the aim to help the poor is no longer a vision but has actually happened. The claim that an action is human just as it is rational is no doubt true. But Aquinas goes beyond this simple claim. He further described human actions as that over one have voluntary control. The word voluntary, according to Aquinas, implies that their movements and acts are from their own inclination. This feature serves to distinguish human acts from acts of a different kind. Human actions are not results of deterministic causal forces but are products of a rational account of what they think are good. Unlike in non rational animals, human can exercise free judgment (utility of intellect and will) can choose what is good and can move themselves towards it. Voluntariness is also defined as a condition in virtue of which an act proceeds from an intrinsic principle with knowledge of its end. â€Å"Condition from an intrinsic principle† means that the principle of some acts is within the agent. They move or act â€Å"in itself† or â€Å"for its own sake†. When a stone is thrown upward, the principle of motion is from outside the stone. But when it is moved downward, the source of motion is from the stone itself. Moreover, â€Å"knowledge of an end†, is needed for something to be done for the sake of its end. An agent that is moved by an internal principle and also possesses the knowledge of its end does not only move because of a principle of action but also because it moves for the sake of an end. Therefore, an action or movement that is from an inner principle, with the foreknowledge of the end and are done for the sake of this end is voluntary. Voluntariness can be absolute or relative. Absolute voluntariness is the voluntariness of an act as it exists in itself. Relative voluntariness is the voluntariness of an act as it exists only in the mind. Voluntariness is a condition common to all human acts and so is involuntariness. Involuntariness is defined as privation of voluntariness. There are actions that are done against the inner principle of the will. These are positively and contrarily involuntary. There are also acts that are done through ignorance or without the knowledge. These are negatively and privatively involuntary. Voluntariness is invalidated since there exist violence and fear that are products of man’s action contrary to the inclination of his will, concupiscence and ignorance. There are four sources of involuntariness namely violence or force, fear, concupiscence and ignorance. Violence is the expression of physical or verbal force against self or other, compelling action against ones will on pain of being hurt. It has two conditions that substantiates that violence is involuntary; first, the principle is external meaning, it is done by an extrinsic agent and second, it is done against the will and without the cooperation of the victim. Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat wherein the danger or evil feared, the cause of the fear and the influence of the fear on action are considered. There are fears (antecedent) that move a person to act. These actions are caused by fear and proceed from fear. There are, on the other hand, fears (concomitant) that do not cause but only accompanies an action. An action done as a result of fear is considered as absolutely voluntary and relatively voluntary. Concupiscence is selfish human desire for an object, person, or experience. It refers to what is understood as the orientation, inclination or innate tendency of human beings to do (bodily Appetites) evil. Ignorance is a state of being unaware or having a lack of knowledge. There is a kind of ignorance that completely absolves a person from an offense but there is also a kind that only partially excuses and another kind that doesn’t excuse at all. Ignorance can be ascribed to three: the knower himself, to the object and to the cause of the act. First, a knower can be acquainted with some things but there are also things that he cannot know. Ignorance to the things that he can know is called vincible or affected. The thing that he cannot know is called invincible ignorance. Second, there are objects that an agent is compelled to know. This however, is a case to case basis because there are things one man is compelled to know wherein another man is not compelled to know. An example of this is the law. There are also objects that an agent is not obliged to know and this deals with the knowledge of certain condition of an act. The third assertion of ignorance is related to the act. There are some acts that are done because of ignorance and there are also some acts which may not be the direct result of ignorance but may be related to it. But there are some acts that are associated with sin, unsuppressed by the will and makes every evil person ignorant. An example of such an act is concupiscence wherein the pleasure corrupts judgment. This is called ignorance of choice. Aquinas uses five different terms to specify the human actions. These are the end, object, matter, circumstances and motive. End can be distinguished into two kinds, the proximate end and the remote end. The proximate end refers to the immediate goal. The remote end is the further goal for the sake of which immediate goals are pursued. A single proximate end can be pursued for the sake of numerous kinds of remote ends thus it can be held responsible for human actions. For example, a man earns money for the intention of giving alms, paying debts, bribing, etc. However Aquinas upholds the claim that the remote end not only specifies the human action but even cause bearing on its identity more than the remote end. For example, a person is giving alms out of love for God. This example shows that one end is desired for another end. Loving God, which is the remote end is superior over giving alms, the proximate end. The second specification is object. A distinctive defining object is found in each human power and its proper action. For example, color is the object of sight and any acts of seeing as truth is the object of the power of intellect and any acts of knowing. Human actions are primarily related to the human power of will and the object of the will is intelligible goods. The third specification is matter which is commonly used as an alternative term for object. Aquinas refers to it as the matter about which an action takes place. The fourth specification of human action is circumstance. It is considered as attendant or external properties for these are the facts that surround an action or event. For example, in a murder, the attendant circumstances are the time, place and the type of weapon used. Motive, the fifth specification, refers to the cause that moves people to induce a certain action. A concern about the goodness and evil of human acts exist based on an assertion that every human act is good because it proceeds from a cause in act. Aquinas believes that human acts can’t only be good but can also be evil. The very nature of human acts can prove this. Human acts are either good or evil as much as they possess or do not possess the plenitude of being due to them. Therefore, it is true to say that morally good action is that which is conducive to man’s attainment of his ultimate end. CARDINAL VIRTUES A virtue is a habit that disposes an agent to perform its proper operation or movement. Because we know that reason is the proper operation of human beings, it follows that a virtue is a habit that disposes us to reason well. This account is too broad for our present purposes. While all virtues contribute in some way to our rational perfection, not every virtue disposes us to live morally good lives. A superficial look at the second part of the Summa Theologiae would reveal a multitude of virtues that are indicative of human goodness. But there are essentially four virtues from which Aquinas’s more extensive list flows, those that are related to moral decision and action. These virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, and courage. Aquinas refers to these virtues as the â€Å"cardinal† virtues. They are the principle habits on which the rest of the virtues center. The exercise of a sound decision in practical affairs is prudence. In order to act well, we need to make good judgments about how we should behave. This is precisely the sort of habit associated with prudence, which Aquinas defines as right reason with respect to action. In order to make good moral judgments, one must know the general moral principles that guide actions and the particular circumstances in which a decision is required. According to Aquinas the virtue of prudence is a kind of intellectual aptitude that enables us to make good judgments about what will facilitate our proper end in specific situations. Prudence does not establish the end at which we aim because our end, which is the human good, is predetermined by our rational nature. It also doesn’t desire that end because whether we desire our proper end depends on whether we have the rights sorts of appetitive inclinations. According to Aquinas, prudence illuminates for us the course of action deemed most appropriate for achieving our end. It does this through three acts: counsel, whereby we inquire about the available means of achieving the end; judgment, whereby we determine the proper means for achieving the end; and command, whereby we apply that judgment. As a cardinal virtue, prudence functions as a principle virtue on which a variety of other excellences hinge. Those excellences include memory, intelligence, docility, shrewdness, reason, foresight, circumspection, and caution. Temperance control of physical pleasures, especially those associated with eating, drinking, and sex. Human displays a common tendency to forgo their well-being for the sake of these temporary goods. Thus we need some virtue that serves to restrain concupiscible passion. Temperance is that virtue, as it denotes a restrained desire for physical gratification. Aquinas does not think that temperance eradicates our desire for bodily pleasure. Nor does he think that temperance is a matter of desiring physical pleasure less. The purpose of temperance is to refine the way we enjoy bodily pleasures. Specifically, it creates in the agent a proper sense of moderation with respect to what is pleasurable. For a person can more easily submit himself to reason when his passions are not excessive or deficient. For the moderated enjoyment of bodily pleasure safeguards the good of reason and actually facilitates a more enduring kind of satisfaction. There are a multitude of ancillary virtues that fall under temperance because they serve to modify the most insatiable human passions. Examples are chastity, sobriety and abstinence. Humility is also a part of temperance. Humility aims to control the immoderate desire for what one cannot achieve. Meekness, clemency, and studiousness are also parts of temperance. They, too, restrain certain appetitive drives such as anger, the desire to punish, and the desire to pursue vain curiosities, respectively. Sometimes, the difficulty in achieving or avoiding certain objects can give rise to various degrees of fear and, in turn, discourage us from adhering to reason’s instruction. In these cases we may refuse to endure the pain or discomfort required for achieving our proper human good. In these cases, we need a virtue that moderates those appetites that prevent from undertaking more daunting tasks. According to Aquinas, courage is that virtue. We need courage to restrain our fears so that we might endure upsetting circumstances. Courage does not only pacifies our fears, it also combats the unreasonable enthusiasm to overcome them. An excessive desire to face fearful circumstances constitutes a kind of recklessness that can easily hasten one’s demise. Thus we need courage in order to both control too much fear and modify unreasonable boldness. Like prudence and temperance, courage is a cardinal virtue. Those with courage will also have a considerable degree of endurance. The courageous person must also be confident so he will not only have to bear pain and suffering, he will also aggressively confront the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving his proper good. The courageous person must also display magnificence, that is, a sense of nobility. Lastly, the courageous person must have patience and perseverance. That is, he will not be broken by stress or sorrow in the pursuance of his endeavour. The virtue of justice presides over a person’s relationships with others unlike the first three virtues which concern a person’s own state. Specifically, it denotes a sustained or constant willingness to extend to each person what he or she deserves. There are two distinctions of justice, namely, legal (or general) and particular justice, and commutative and distributive justice. The purpose of legal justice is to direct our actions towards the common good. Seen this way, justice is a general virtue which concerns not individual benefits but community welfare. Legal justice must govern all acts of virtue to ensure that they achieve their end in a way that is commensurate with the good of others. Particular justice, on the other hand, is the virtue which governs our interactions with individual citizens. Unlike general justice, particular justice directs us not to the good of the community but to the good of individual neighbours, colleagues, and other people with whom we interact regularly. Commutative justice points to the shared dealings between individual citizens. Specifically, it seeks to ensure that those who are buying and selling conduct their business fairly. There should be a kind of equality whereby one person should pay back to the other just so much as what he gained the other. Distributive justice concerns the way in which collective goods and responsibilities are fairly distributed among people in a social community. The concept of Aquinas on justice doesn’t only concern a person’s relationship to others but also with God. Aquinas insists that religion is a virtue that falls under justice, since it involves offering God his due honour. The same can be said for piety and observance, since they seek to render to God service and deference, respectively. Other virtues annexed to justice include truthfulness, since the just person will always present himself to others without pretext or falsehood; gratitude, which involves an appreciation for others’ kindness; and revenge, whereby we respond to or defend ourselves against others’ injurious actions. Both liberality and friendship are also parts of justice. The former is a virtue whereby we help others by giving or sharing with them the goods we possess. The latter involves caring for those who live among us well. HAPPINESS AS THE ULTIMATE END OF HUMAN ACTION We have established that human actions are actions that are governed by a reasoned consideration of what is good. Aquinas also thinks that the good in question functions as an end—the object for the sake of which the agent acts. Some human actions are performed routinely such as reading a newspaper, drinking a cup of coffee, or walking along the neighbourhood. In these routine actions, an agent is usually more concerned not on the ways the will is involved in these actions but on what they want out of the action. For example, a person walks without considering the complexities of muscle coordination and balance but is more concerned on reaching his destination. Aquinas does not simply wish to defend the claim that human acts are for the sake of some good. Following Augustine, he insists that our actions are for the sake of a final good, a last end. If there was no such end, we would have a hard time explaining why anyone chooses to do anything at all. The reason for this is as follows. Aquinas argues that for every action or series of actions there must be some end or good that is intrinsically desirable and serves the will’s final cause. According to this view, such a good is a means for desire and is therefore necessary in order for us to act for the sake of what we desire. If you take away the intrinsically desirable end, then you would take away the very principle that motivates us to act in the first place. In the absence of any good, we would not desire anything and thus never have the necessary motivation to act. So there must be a last end or final good that we desire for its own sake. This last claim still does not capture what Aquinas ultimately wishes to show, namely, that there is a single end for the sake of which all of us. Aquinas wants to argue that every human act of every human being is for the sake of a single end that is the same for everyone. The previous argument did not require us to think that the final end for which we act is the same for everyone. Nor did it show that the end at which every human being aims consists in a specific, solitary good. What, exactly, is this last end at which we aim? All of us seek after our own excellence. We do so by performing actions we think will—directly or indirectly—contribute to or facilitate a life that is more complete or fulfilling than it would be otherwise. In other words, the last end—the end or good that we desire for its own sake—is happiness, whereby â€Å"happiness† Aquinas means the sort of perfection or fulfilment. However, this claim is fairly intangible and uncontroversial. After all, Aquinas does not say what happiness consists in–the thing in which it is realized. He simply wishes to show that there is something everyone desires and pursues, namely, ultimate fulfilment. He says that all desires the fulfilment of their perfection, and it is precisely this fulfilment in which the last end consists. But while everyone acts for the sake of such an end abstractly conceived, Aquinas recognizes that there is considerable disagreement over what it is in which happiness consists. After all, there are two kinds of happiness. First are the natural and imperfect happiness that are proportionate to human nature because natural powers are adequate to achieve it. Second are the supernatural and perfect beatitude. Attainment of which is beyond man’s natural powers and can only be achieved through God as his gift to man. These give us an thought that there is a difference between the idea of the last end (an idea for the sake of which everyone acts) and the specific object in which the last end is thought to consist. Some people think that the last end consists in the acquisition of external goods, like riches, power, or fame. Others think it consists in goods of the body, like comeliness or physical pleasure. And still others think that happiness consists in acquiring goods of the soul such as knowledge, virtue, and friendship. But as laudable as some of these good are (particularly those of the latter category), they are all beset with unique deficiencies that preclude them from providing the kind of complete fulfilment characteristic of final happiness. What is it, then, in which our last end really consists or is realized? For Aquinas, the last end of happiness can only consist in that which is perfectly good, which is God. Because God is perfect goodness, he is the only one capable of fulfilling our heart’s deepest longing and facilitating the perfection at which we aim. Thus he says that human beings attain their last end by knowing and loving God. Aquinas refers to this last end—the state in which perfect happiness consists—as the beatific vision. The beatific vision is a supernatural union with God, the enjoyment of which surpasses the satisfaction afforded by those goods people sometimes associate with the last end. But if perfect happiness consists in the beatific vision, then why do people fail to seek it? Actually, all people do seek it—at least in some sense. As we have already noted, all of us desire our own perfection, which is synonymous with final happiness. Unfortunately, many of our actions are informed by mistaken views of what happiness really consists in. These views may be the result of some intellectual or cognitive error as a result, for example, of ignorance or ill-informed deliberation. CONCLUSION The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas on moral life is bracing and comprehensive in the sense that it emphasizes the collaboration of human action and faculties under the guiding interaction of reason and will as a response to the question of happiness or the ultimate end. Through reason and will, man is the master of his acts, and, consequently, free choice is spoken of as the â€Å"power of will and reason. † Hence, acts properly called human are those proceeding from a deliberate will act. Things that possess reason and free will can lead themselves to an end because they have control over their actions. Things that don’t possess reason are led to an end by natural inclination or by being moved by another. This is how human actions differ from others, particularly acts of irrational creatures. Aquinas further described human actions as that over one have voluntary control. This is moving or acting according to one’s own inclination. The role of the cardinal virtues on human actions is substantial as these are guide to reason well. On one hand, Aquinas follows Aristotle in thinking that an act is good or bad depending on whether it leads to or hinders us from our human end or final goal at which all human actions aim. That final goal is happiness, where it is understood in terms of completion, perfection, or well-being. Aquinas believes that all men are naturally inclined towards their highest good or happiness. However, achieving happiness requires a variety of rational and moral virtues that enable us to understand the nature of happiness and motivate us to seek it in a reliable and consistent way. The careful selection and use of actions to attain the final end is considered a difficulty in a man’s moral life. On the other hand, Aquinas believes final happiness involves a supernatural bond with God. We can never achieve complete or final happiness in this life without this union because an end lies far beyond what our natural human capacities can attain. BIBLIOGRAPHY Aquinas, St Thomas. Commentary on Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics. Notre Dame, IN: Dumb Ox Books, 1993 Aquinas, St Thomas. Disputed Questions on the Virtues. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005 Aquinas, St. Thomas. The Summa Theologiae. Westminster, MD: Christian Classics, 1981 Bourke, Vernon. The Pocket Aquinas. NY: Washington Square Press, 1960 Brock, Stephen. Action and Conduct: Thomas Aquinas and the Theory of Action. T T Clark International, 1998 â€Å"Cardinal Virtues. † New Advent, http://www. newadvent. org/cathen/03343a. htm Clark, Mary. An Aquinas Reader. NY: Fordham University Press, 2000 Elders, Leo. The Ethics of St. Thomas Aquinas: Happiness, Natural Law and The Virtues. Frankfurt am Main, NY: Peter Lang, 2005 Finnis, John. â€Å"Aquinas Moral, Political, and Legal Philosophy. † Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/aquinas-moral-political/ Floyd, Shawn. â€Å"Thomas Aquinas: Moral Philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, http://www. iep. utm. edu/aq-moral/ Grenier, Henri. Thomistic Philosophy: Moral Philosophy. Charlottetown, Canada: St. Dunstan University, 1949 Magee, Joseph. â€Å"Law and Virtue in Aquinas. † Aquinas Online, http://www. aquinasonline. com/Magee/virtlaw. html Mcinerny, Ralph. Thomas Aquinas: Selected Writings. NY: Penguin Books, 1998 Pilsner, Joseph. The Specification of Human Actions in St. Thomas Aquinas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 â€Å"Summa Theologica. † Sacred Texts, http://www. sacred-texts. com/chr/aquinas/summa/ index. htm

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Sustainable Management and Marketing for Commonwealth Serum

Question: Discuss about theSustainable Management and Marketing for Commonwealth Serum. Answer: Introduction CSL Company deals with various specialised pharmaceutical products and in this report, its marketing strategies will be discussed in order to develop their effective image in the global pharmaceutical industry. This company was founded in 1916 and their headquarters is situated in Victoria. They are also present in most parts of the world. Under this report, marketing analysis i.e. qualitative and quantitative analysis will be used in order to determine their values as per the size and the volume of the market. They are known for providing adequate qualitative medications to its users and with the effect of this, they have developed their appropriate market image in the dynamic business environment. Major products of CSL Company are antivenom, blood plasma derivation, vaccines and cell culture reagents. All of these products are known as the specialised products of the organization and with the effect of these products success in the market; they have developed their effective goodwi ll in the Australian market. Their revenues were $6.923 billion in the last year. In the next phase of this report, various strategies will be used in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the organization in the global market. Human resources, planning overview and the value chain analysis will be conducted for removing the barriers for the organization which is affecting its performance in the global market. Background CSL Company was founded in 1916 by the Australian government with the name of Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. Their primary activity is to cure the humans of severe diseases through their biotechnological medicines and to perform this function in an adequate manner; they have invented other crucial products like blood plasma derivation, cell culture reagents, etc. Organization was privatised in 1994 and their current CEO is Mr. Paul Perreault. They have gained effective market image in the global market and various hospitals and medical institutions are dependent upon the CSL Company in order to perform their functionalities in better way. These are some of the primary activities of the organization and with these functions; they have acquired an effective image in the global market through serving appropriate qualitative medicines. Their secondary activities include prevention of environment through restoring water, soil and natural resources at cheap prices (CSL, 2017). Being a part of the government bodies in the past, they still follow the same set of policies, rules, and regulations. This helps them to attain the competitive advantage in the global market because governmental considerations are the set of ethical policies which fulfils the requirement of the political, legal and the economic factors of the external business environment. It promotes the company towards the success and the chances of growth factor also increase. As organization is performing its activities on the basis of governmental rules and regulations, price of the products offered by them are quite cheap and they are easily affordable for all types of people. They have adequate amount of social as well as technological factors present in their methodologies which are the biggest strengths of the organization. Apart from CSL, Baxter and Grifols are two major companies which share the market share in the Australian pharmaceutical industry (CSL, 2017). Strategic Planning This is the crucial procedure of the market analysis as this helps the organization to organise its activities in an appropriate manner and in accordance with the global market. The company has adopted various effective strategies in order to attain its goals and the objectives in the global market context. Apart from this, the major and obligatory requirement for the organization is to follow the codes of the conducts in order to provide adequate qualitative products to the public. This helps the organization to gain the adequate benefits in the competitive business environment along with gaining the competitive advantage in the community (CSL, 2017). Following are some of the ethics and the values from the perception of the organization: Innovation: Organization is pretty much focused in performing its activities with the adaptation of the innovative techniques for enhancing the organizational performance. Patient: The primary objective of the CSL Company is to serve its patients in appropriate manner so that they could be able to fight with their severe diseases. Enhanced performance: They have updated its activities regularly for improving the performance of the organization and to build an effective image in the global pharmaceutical world (Grajales, et. al., 2014). Integrity: They have adopted this feature in their workplace in order to serve the society with appropriate qualitative medicines. This also helps the organization to develop distinct level of trust in the customers mind-sets towards the company. Team Work: CSL Company also believes in the teamwork activities for attaining its goals and the objectives in the standard time set up by the management of the organization. CSL has developed their vision and the mission for attaining the separate and adequate image in the global market and for this; they use natural resources for manufacturing medicines and other types of medical products. Apart from this, organization has adopted the strategy of holistic approach and the eco-friendly packaging to protect the environment. These strategies are capable enough to gather adequate amount of competitive advantage in the global market. These strategies help them to serve the patients with appropriate qualitative products. It shows the value of the organization towards its consumers and towards the society (Witcomb, 2015). For instance, if the medicines adopted by the consumers will not be of adequate quality, it will affect their health. To make the consumers experience better, organization has made their primary goals as to provide adequate qualitative and effective medicines so that consumers could be able to fight with the particular disease from which they are suffering. In context to this, organization has adopted the innovation strategy so that they could improve their medicines regularly as per the consumers requirements (Armstrong, et. al., 2015). Apart from these things, organization has implemented their quality and other measures sincerely in their workplace for meeting with its goals and the objectives. As discussed above, organization has implemented the ethical values in their workplace for matching up the level of expectations set by the consumers. The same is the reason which could help them to enhance their working procedures for enhancing their image in the target market. Organization has managed its activities in an appropriate manner through which they could develop a positive impact on the society. And the strategies adopted by them are updated regularly with their innovative techniques with the objective to enhance the organizational performance and to gain competitive advantage in the global market. CSL has developed its strategies in accordance with its competitors strategies in order to attain sustainable growth (Quintana-Garca Benavides-Velasco, 2016). Human Resource Management Managing the human resource available with the company is quite difficult process and in order to accomplish the targets of the organization, this activity should be performed with adequate amount of integrity and by appointing right person at the right position. With the help of these techniques, organization is able to gain appropriate positive image in the global market over its competitors. For the same, they have developed a separate team in relation to the research and development which are concerned about the inventing new technologies and formulas to enhance the performance and the effectiveness of the existing medicines of the organization. Apart from this, organization has also implemented the procedure of developing cooperation in their teams (Lainez, et. al., 2017). Cooperation is vital element through which organization could attain its desired goals inappropriate set of time. For improving its staff's capabilities, organization has adopted effective training and counsel ing sessions for enhancing the growth opportunities. Till the time, effective training measures will not be provided to the employees, organization will not be able to get the work done from its employees as per the expectations of the management. Apart from this, it also helps the organization to save its time because employees will be able to understand the expectations, procedures as well as the method used to perform the particular activity with regards to accomplish the targets of the organization (Bueno, Merino Murcia, 2016). Organization is also responsible towards the employees in terms of providing ethical and safe workplace because it is the major concern through which employees could feel safe and secure working in the workplace provided by the organization. This technique builds positive image in the employee's mindsets and fulfilling their basic needs influence them to perform in a team so that goals and the objectives could be attained in the appropriate period of time (Schaltegger Burritt, 2014). Leadership CSL has moulded their functionalities in such a manner which could have helped them to attain their desired goals and the targets. With the effect of this, it makes them unique and distinct from its competitors. CSL has a global leadership group through which they get appropriate directions to reach towards its objectives and to meet the standards built up by them are effective enough to accomplish its targets. They have adopted the democratic leadership style under which all the employees are invited to the decision-making process of the organization. And the most appropriate decision is being selected as per the majority basis. With the help of democratic style of leadership, organization is capable enough to gain appropriate goodwill in the dynamic business environment. To attain the sustainable growth in the competitive business environment, leaders focus on both the aspects i.e. organizational as well as employees'. Maintaining balance between the organizational requirements and the employee's requirements is bit difficult task but the leadership style adopted by the CSL group is impressive enough to gain adequate competitive advantage in the business environment (Strand, 2014). Controlling value chain and technology The concept of the value chain has been considered as an integral part as this process comprises of supplying the products to the potential consumers. CSL is required to essentially adapt an effective supply chain management system so as to offer timely services to the service users and patients. Modifications and up-gradation are also required in the value chain system for the entity so as to be in the competitive environment (Barea, 2015). Technology has also been considered as an empirical player in the operations and activities of the organization. For growing in the largest market the entity has implemented various advanced technologies and from which they have an ease in gathering opportunities for sustaining and growing. The therapeutic product is the latest advancement which has been invented by the company for fulfilling the requirements of the patients. Moreover, the business entity has also been operating in the various regions all over the world and so as to offer the services globally (Tseng, Lim Wong, 2015). Future managerial strategies The below described are the strategies on which focus should be made so as to initiate effectiveness in the operations: Product strategy: The business entity operates in offering services and products which are utilized for preventing and curing the lives of many people. The main objective behind offering the products and services is saving the lives and make them lead a healthy life. The below mentioned are the key products offered by CSL: Antivenom Vaccines Other diagnostic products Plasma therapies Moreover, the organization should also focus on a clear and visible packaging and labelling and that too in eco-friendly material (Clarysse, et. al., 2014). Pricing strategy: Competitive pricing strategy should be implemented by offering discounts and various offers over the products which will aid the entity in bringing prices of products down as compared to that of the rivals. In case of the bulk purchase, the entity can offer great discounts so as to bring a hike in sale (Short, Toffel Hugill, 2016). Promotional strategy: The term promotion has been considered as one of the significant mechanisms so as to increase and develop awareness about the product. The business organization will also be able to bring an enhancement in the effectiveness in making the products presented in-front of the potential consumers. The promotion strategies implemented will aid the entity in enhancing and developing the market share and goodwill (Pagell Shevchenko, 2014). Conclusion Recommendations In the limelight of the above-executed analysis, it has been inferred that CSL is a business corporation which has been offering products and services so as to cure and make the people in leading a safe and healthy life. The business entity is involved in the operations of development of the products in such a manner that they are assisting the audience in curing their diseases. The above report has been made focused on the sustainable practices and operations which are being practiced by the organization so as to survive in the competitive environment. It has been recommended that entity should concentrate on delivering quality products with a reasonable pricing scheme. The stores and health care centers should be located in the areas which are easily accessible for timely availability of the medications. Natural and environmentally friendly resources should be utilized so as to enhance the quality and societal approach of the products. References Armstrong, G., Kotler, P., Harker, M. and Brennan, R., 2015, Marketing: an introduction, Pearson Education. Barea, J.M., 2015, Future challenges and perspectives for applying microbial biotechnology in sustainable agriculture based on a better understanding of plant-microbiome interactions, Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 15(2), pp.261-282. Bueno, E., Merino, C. and Murcia, C., 2016, Intellectual Capital as a Strategic Model to Create Innovation in New Technology Based Firms, In Competitive Strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises (pp. 93-105). Springer International Publishing. Clarysse, B., Wright, M., Bruneel, J. and Mahajan, A., 2014, Creating value in ecosystems: Crossing the chasm between knowledge and business ecosystems, Research Policy, 43(7), pp.1164-1176. CSL, 2017, Board Management, retrieved from https://www.csl.com.au/about/board-management.htm. CSL, 2017, CSL Behring Acquires Biotech Company Calimmune and its Proprietary Stem Cell Gene Therapy Platform, retrieved from https://www.csl.com.au/investors/CSL-Behring-Acquires-Biotech-Company-Calimmune-and-its-Proprietary-Stem-Cell-Gene-Therapy-Platform. CSL, 2017, Our products areas, retrieved from https://www.csl.com.au/products. Grajales III, F.J., Sheps, S., Ho, K., Novak-Lauscher, H. and Eysenbach, G., 2014, Social media: a review and tutorial of applications in medicine and health care, Journal of medical Internet research, 16(2). Lainez, M., Gonzlez, J.M., Aguilar, A. and Vela, C., 2017, Spanish strategy on bioeconomy: towards a knowledge based sustainable innovation, New Biotechnology. Pagell, M. and Shevchenko, A., 2014, Why research in sustainable supply chain management should have no future, Journal of supply chain management, 50(1), pp.44-55. Quintana-Garca, C. and Benavides-Velasco, C.A., 2016, Gender diversity in top management teams and innovation capabilities: The initial public offerings of biotechnology firms, Long Range Planning, 49(4), pp.507-518. Schaltegger, S. and Burritt, R., 2014, Measuring and managing sustainability performance of supply chains: Review and sustainability supply chain management framework, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 19(3), pp.232-241. Short, J.L., Toffel, M.W. and Hugill, A.R., 2016, Monitoring global supply chains, Strategic Management Journal, 37(9), pp.1878-1897. Strand, R., 2014, Strategic leadership of corporate sustainability, Journal of Business Ethics, 123(4), pp.687-706. Tseng, M., Lim, M. and Wong, W.P., 2015, Sustainable supply chain management: A closed-loop network hierarchical approach, Industrial Management Data Systems, 115(3), pp.436-461. Witcomb, G, 2015, CSl growth to slow as competition rises, retrieved from https://www.intelligentinvestor.com.au/CSLs-growth-to-slow-as-competition-rises

Monday, December 2, 2019

The Role of the Poet in William Blakes Songs of Innocence and Experience free essay sample

This essay discusses the role of the poet as a prophet in William Blakes famous set of 54 poems, Songs of Innocence and Experience. The following paper discusses the role of the poet in reference to William Blake?s famous set of 54 poems. The author feels that the function of the poet is the feelings he is able to invoke, the tensions between forces/themes that he is able to create and the message that he is able to portray. From the paper: ?By the time we tumble into the second cycle of songs, those of experience, we are almost eager to do so. The poet no longer hears the voice of the child ?piping?; he announces: ?Hear the voice of the Bard!/Who Present, Past Future sees.? This poet sees ?in evey face I meet/Marks of weaknes, marks of woe.? (London). Many of the poems are paired with poems of the first cycle. We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of the Poet in William Blakes Songs of Innocence and Experience or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page For Blake, man is torn between the forces of experience and innocence, two states of the soul. Now, in experience, we see ?In a rich and fruitful land,/Babes reduced to misery? (Holy Thursday)?.