Describe the main strengths and weaknesses of Utilitarianism Essay Example for Free

Describe the main strengths and weaknesses of Utilitarianism Essay Strengths * Utilitarianism is simple. It doesnt have a lot of complex rules, but instead the individual can decide would be the best, by how it affects others. * It is flexible: no law or principle is unchallengeable. * It allows for circumstance, so you can decide what is the best thing to do given the current circumstance. * It ties in with the Christian ethic of unconditional love, as preached by Jesus. * If someone believes that both lying and breaking promises are acts that are intrinsically wrong, utilitarianism provides a principled way in which they can choose which moral rule to break if forced to make a choice between them. * The emphasis on impartiality, unselfishness and altruism is to be commended. * There is no need to consider precedents as absolute just because one action worked for someone does not mean that it must be enforced again, when it may not work for someone else. * It is also attractive to secular thinkers, because it makes no grand claims to the supernatural or metaphysical. It appeals to tangible results the consequences of an action will be perceived. Weaknesses * What do we mean by happiness? What makes us happy? It is hard to define happiness as it varies with person to person. * Should happiness always be pursued? What if we can only be happy if we achieve it in a bad way? Like if a murderer is only happy if he kills someone. * How can we say that happiness from one pleasure is greater than from another? There is no way to tell if a genius is any more happy than someone not so clever. * Humans do not always treat each other equal. We care more about the people close to us and would give them more consideration in an ethical dilemma. Some would claim that utilitarians are simply idealistic and unrealistic because they do not accurately evaluate human behaviour and just assume we are all perfect, caring equally for everyone. * It is impossible to be certain about a consequence, which is a general problem with teleological ethics. * It is very difficult to measure pleasure given by any outcome. It will take a great deal of time, thought and study, considering effects on both people and the situation. * Can we compare one persons happiness to another persons happiness? * If only the total happiness counts, imagine these two situations: [A] 80% population live very well and are very happy because the other 20% are their slaves. [B] There are no slaves and everyone is happy but not as happy as the 80% in situation A. The total and average happiness in both situations is the same, therefore to a utilitarian there is no difference between the two, and both are equally morally right, but slavery is considered wrong. * Is Act Utilitarianism too demanding? Someone buys a TV for à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½500, which would make them happy; but they could also spend the money saving 1000 lives in Africa. Some Act utilitarians would argue that, yes, we should send most of our money overseas, since that would create the most happiness for the most people, but is that too demanding? * The refusal to acknowledge intrinsically wrong acts: a judge might convict an innocent man in order to prevent a riot that would ensue if he were not convicted a utilitarian would argue that this is permissible because more people would be made unhappy by the lack of a conviction and the riot; but is it intrinsically wrong to imprison or execute an innocent man? * Act utilitarians might accuse Rule utilitarians of being legalistic: whats the point, they could say, of following a rule when it is clear that the consequences will decrease happiness? In their view, past experience can only give guidelines, not rules. * Rule utilitarianism may just be act utilitarianism in disguise: all the rules are focussed around the maximisation of happiness. Rule utilitarians believe that the best way to maximise happiness is to maximise happiness with every act- but this is just act utilitarianism. * Human rights, justices, and other such values may not have any place in a utilitarian ethical system if the wishes of the majority override them. * Christians, Muslims, and others of religious faith would argue that god decides what is rights, and what is the best outcome; it is not four humans to try to calculate. * Utilitarianism ignores meaning well benevolent motives. * Utilitarianism seems to require more of a human that many are capable of providing * Just as there are no absolutes for determining acts which are intrinsically wrong, there is also no way to define what is universally good. * There must be sufficient account taken of the minority view the majority are not always right, even though the satisfaction of their wishes might create the most happiness.

Literary Devices in Carvers Cathedral Essay -- Raymond Carver, irony

Upon reading Raymond Carver's short story of the Cathedral one will notice the literary devices used in the short story. When analyzing the story completely, one then understands the themes, motifs, metaphors, and the overall point of the piece. This leaves the reader with an appreciation of the story and a feeling of complete satisfaction. Carver tells the story in first person of a narrator married to his wife. Problems occur when she wants a friend of hers, an old blind man, to visit for a while because his wife has died. The narrator's wife used to work for the blind man in Seattle when the couple was financial insecure and needed extra money. The setting here is important, because Seattle is associated with rain, and rain symbolically represents a cleansing or change. This alludes to the drastic change in the narrator in the end of the story. The wife and blind man kept in touch over the years by sending each other tape recordings of their voices which the narrator refers it to being his wife's "chief means or recreation" (pg 581). The narrator does not move chronologically, contrarily, but uses small flashbacks to tell his point, leading up to the actual visit of the blind man where he then tells the story in a present tense. This lets the author seem like he is actually telling the story in person, reflecting on past occurrences of his life when necessary. His tone however, is a cynical, crude, humorous tone that carries throughout the story. The word choice and sentences are constructed with simple, lifelike words, which makes the reader sense the author is really telling the story to them. The narrator is biased against the blind from the beginning. For instance, he stereotypes all blind people thinking they ... ...irst time for everything." However, because of the way her "inhaled" and "held in the smoke", the narrator believes he has been "doing it since he was nine years old" (pg. 506). This alludes to Robert's childhood, another thing the narrator and him share. Hence, upon analyzing the story, one can conclude the certain themes that parallel through the pages. Firstly, a theme of unity and trust is present at the end of the play. This is supported by the image of the cathedral, which is a place of unity. Most importantly, the notion of equality among people is the main theme within this story. The narrator starts as a biased, idiot, who dislikes all people that are not like himself. He even at times is rude to his wife. Ironically, it takes a blind man to change the man that can literally see, to rule out the prejudices and to teach him that all men are created equal.

An Investigation Into the Effects of Temperature on Enzyme Action

An investigation into the effects of temperature on enzyme action An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of reaction in certain biological functions. They play a vital role in many aspects of human physiology and are necessary for the functioning of a number of systems, for example in the digestive system to help to break down food. All enzymes have a unique active site that can fit on to a particular molecular arrangement on a target substrate; a substance e. g. carbohydrate, protein, or fat, that the enzyme is designed to breakdown.There are a number of different enzymes in the human body; each type produced specifically to perform a certain role. Enzymes are not themselves destroyed in the reaction to break down a substrate but their effectiveness is reduced under certain adverse environmental conditions. The two most important ones are temperature and PH level; also concentration of enzyme is also a determining factor. Enzyme action is biochemical in nature an d, in line with many chemical reactions; it speeds up with an increase in temperature. This would continue until a certain critical temperature is reached where it’s working efficiency drops suddenly.This is due to a deforming or ‘de-naturing’ of the active site leaving the enzyme unable to bond with its substrate. In humans this can have life threatening consequences if the body temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius. As enzymes normally function in their own particular part of the anatomy, they operate most efficiently in a medium with a specific acid/alkali (PH) balance. If this balance is either too high or too low it’s functioning is reduced and in extreme circumstances this can lead to de-naturing also. An investigation was carried out in order to study the functioning of a particular enzyme ‘Trypsin’.This is produced in the pancreas and is found in the pancreatic juice; it is used to break down proteins. As it is believed that all e nzymes function most efficiently at some optimum (ideal) temperature this investigation looked at the ability of trypsin to function effectively over a range of discreet temperature settings. These included measurements from 20 degrees c, to 60 degrees c, in ten degree intervals and included a measurement at 0 degrees c, for comparison. The substrate used was protein from skimmed milk. Method A one per-cent solution of trypsin in sodium hydrogen carbonate was used to eliver a uniform dose in a favourable P. H. environment. A skimmed milk powder preparation of 5% in 95% purified water was used to mitigate undue discrepancy in the results. All equipment, that came into contact with the study mediums, was sterile e. g. test tubes, syringes etc. A cross was marked with a marker pen, on the side of one test tube at the bottom and then 2ml of trypsin solution was then placed in a second. The two test tubes were then placed in one of a number of water baths, set at varying temperatures, fo r five minutes, in order to raise them (or lower) to a target temperature.The time was measured with a digital stop clock. After five minutes both samples were removed and the trypsin was poured into the tube containing the milk. The stop clock was re-started and ran until the trypsin had broken down enough of the milk protein to make the marker pen cross clearly visible across the width of the test tube. This process was repeated, by five experiment groups, until each group had a measurement at each required temperature. The results were then recorded on a data table. All due health & safety precautions were followed including the wearing of lab coats and goggles.Care was taken when handling the samples at the upper temperature ranges e. g. ; 60 Celsius. As trypsin itself is an irritant care was taken with this and hands were washed thoroughly. Nobody drank the milk. One or two checks and tests were put in place in order to validate the data trends. A colorimeter was used as a more scientifically consistent measure of milk clarity: (one sample was taken from each temperature setting) and mean readings were calculated from the table results to hopefully reduce the effect of moderate outliers.Conclusion As expected the results did indeed show an increase in trypsin activity as the temperature was raised above zero towards forty degrees Celsius. The only surprising result was that the data trends showed that this increase was sustained until a maximum was reached at 50 degrees c, when it was expected that the maximum would be at 40 degrees c, which is closest to its working temperature of around 37 degrees c. There are a couple of possible explanations for this apparent anomaly.Firstly: Among the readings for the 40 degrees c, and 50 degrees c, samples there are a number of irregularities; including two low readings at 50 degrees c. It must be pointed out at this time that a shorter time recording indicates an increase in trypsin activity, so the table and graph are ones of inverse correlation; as the graph or data go down, the value (enzyme activity) goes up. Secondly: The samples were only placed in the water bath for five minutes and as soon as any samples were removed the temperature would have begun to gravitate towards room temperature.It stands to reason that the rate of change in samples that were furthest from room temperature, to start, would have been the greatest. Consequently, the sample that should have been 50 degrees c, to start, might have been considerably lower at the time of reaction. It is hard to believe that all of the trypsin would have been de-natured in one instant, so any that was not would have reacted rapidly causing a fast reaction time for the 50 degrees c, sample.Returning to the first point: As the trypsin reacted during the experiment, the marker pen cross would have appeared gradually as the milk sample cleared. This would have left a large margin for error because the point at which to stop the timer wou ld have been, very much, a matter of opinion. This has probably lead to a number of inconsistencies in the results. The effects on the data range seem to have been varied, for example: At 0 degrees Celsius, the difference between the highest and lowest recordings was 6%, at 60 degrees it was 241%.One check, previously mentioned, was the measurement of a data set using a colorimeter. This device measures the amount of light passing through a sample. The results from the back-up experiment confirmed the expected trends; namely as the temperature increased the trypsin activity increased up to an optimum of 40 degrees c, after which the enzyme activity tailed off rapidly. How the experiment could have been improved: Overall, the experiment was well conducted and good practice was followed.However, having one person with experience in analyzing samples deciding exactly when to stop the timers, would have reduced the occurrence of any outliers in the data. Also, it is not difficult to ima gine setting up equipment that would work along the lines of the colorimeter, measuring light levels through a sample, only set to stop a timer the moment a particular uniform reading was reached. The samples could then be placed in this equipment the moment the trypsin was added, hopefully resulting in an accurate and uniformly consistent set of data being extracted.

The Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children - 1423 Words

With gratitude, I would like to draw you into a situation that has occurred throughout history. All individuals who work at a center involved with domestic violence should hear my concern about how late elementary to late high school students lack the knowledge about domestic violence. Many individuals are not aware about who is being domestically violated in their communities. We should have a program that shows ways to cope, tell, and prevent domestic violence. This would educate students about what is considered as domestic violence. The students deserve to be herd; this program will give them the opportunity to tell their stories about being a victim of domestic violence. It will encourage scared and innocent children to confess their abuse. All information given in this program will be confidential to others. If any information is leaked to students outside of program then they will be asked to leave and not come back. This will be a safe environment for all abused and non-abused children. My desire is to help young individuals learn more about domestic violence. Also, I want to give a victim a voice because they will be heard. I propose that you consider helping young scared and terrified individuals a chance to learn and be heard by giving a grant to help make this possible. I have done a study, which will add evidence to my proposal. This program will help young adult become confident with confessing that they have been associated with abuse: seen, herd, or hasShow MoreRelatedThe Effects of Domestic Violence on Children1529 Words   |  7 PagesProject: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Trudy Root Kaplan University CM107-11 Children are negatively impacted by the surrounding of domestic violence in multiple ways, in which need to be identified. The audience that needs to be aware of domestic abuse’s effects on children is adults that care for children; such as pediatricians, teachers, counselors, and parents. The issue that needs to be addressed is the negative effects on children involved in a domestic violence situationRead MoreThe Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children1387 Words   |  6 Pages Literature Review: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children By Taralyn Dean SW 8570 March 11, 2015 Introduction Today this paper will be exploring the affects of intimate partner domestic violence and how this impacts the children. The children of theses situations are the bystanders of these physical and emotional events. This paper will review in depth what other professionals are saying about the children of the domestic violence relationships and also the findings andRead MoreThe Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children Essay1383 Words   |  6 PagesIn a similar study by Ybarra, Wilkens, Lieberman (2007) the goal was to determine if domestic violence leads to functioning shortfalls, and what its effects it has on a child’s behavioral and cognitive functioning. In homes where domestic violence happens, young children are more likely to witness violence than older children. It was hypothesized that children who witnessed violence at home had lower verbal capabilities, and would display greater internalizing and externalizing behaviors. ParticipantsRead MoreEffect of Domestic Violence on Children692 Words   |  3 PagesASSIGNMENT 1 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ID: S99003183; URIAM ROBATI ABSTRACT Domestic Violence has a great effect on children. Domestic violence also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse or child abuse is recognized as a pattern of abusive behavior by one or both partners especially those in marriage. This coercive behavior is used against another person to obtain power and control over the other party in a relationship. Domestic violence takes many forms such as physical violence which includesRead MoreDomestic Violence And Its Effects On Children1445 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is domestic Violence? Domestic Violence is described as violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Many children end up being the victims to seeing domestic violence in the home which is very unhealthy to their development. Some children may development resentment toward both parents- one for not leaving and the other for causing the abuse. Depression, aggressive behavior, emotional distress and suicide depending on the severityRead MoreEffects of Domestic Violence on Children1124 Words   |  5 PagesThe biggest victims of domestic violence are the littlest. The home is a suppose to be a safe and secure environment for children with loving parents and free from violence. Children need a secure environment where they can come home to when the outside world is unsafe. However, every year there are millions of children who’s homes are not a safe haven. Millions of children are exposed to a parent being violently assaulted. Domestic violence is a prevalent social issue in America today. First, whoRead MoreThe Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children And Children1541 Words   |  7 Pageslife. Domestic abused affect women and children. Lots of women are more at risk in their own home. Spouse abuses happen when one person in the marriage chooses to control the other party by using fair intimidation physical, emotional abuse. Domestic violence displaced many families because they are trying to get away from their abuser. Abuse can range from physical, mentally, emotional or psychological. One of every 5 woman are said to have experience an abuse from their partner. The effect of DomesticRead MoreEffects of Domestic Violence on Children908 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Domestic Violence on Children by Mary Pelham English 1010-19 5 October 2011 Pelham i Outline I. Effects on younger children A. Feelings of deprivation Read MoreThe Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children963 Words   |  4 PagesThe Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Many children witness domestic violence each day. Most times, children witness their mothers being abuse by their fathers, step-fathers, or mother’s boyfriends. According to Couchenour and Chrisman (2011), â€Å"Women and children are at greater risk of being victims of abuse than are men† (p. 131). Witnessing violence or being abused at home has serious effects on children. This article explains the short-term and long-term effects that domestic violence hasRead MoreEffects Of Domestic Violence On Children990 Words   |  4 Pagesexposed to domestic violence at an early age, that child adapts to these adverse circumstance and situations (Holmes, 2013). Therefore, children who are regularly exposed to domestic violence may initially display less aggressive behaviors than children who are never exposed. However, this is due to their fear of being a victim of a physical assault (Holmes, 2013). This finding was interesting because it shows how deeply the children are affe cted by exposure to domestic violence. The children become