Kant’s Critique of Utilitarianism Essay

Kant’s critique of Utilitarianism is that it treats people as a means not as an ends in themselves. Since he is a deontologist he presumes that there is a universal moral imperative, certain ways in which we must act, no matter what our individual desires or needs or utility might be. The Categorical Imperative is an idea of reason. This knowledge is not derived from experience but rather, it is a priori. It also binds us and we all act in a certain way because of it. It is unconditional. It is the first principle of the moral law and it applies to rational and reasonable beings. Since we are sensuous creatures, we experience the moral law as a constraint. We have a tendency to do otherwise because we may come across moral dilemmas. Sometimes we know we should do something but we might reason against it. Kant believed that by putting something through the CI procedure we would be able to see if it was moral or immoral. There are four steps in this procedure. First you formulate you subjective maxim. Let us use the example that: I will cheat on my philosophy test because I didn’t have enough time to study. The next step is to generalize this maxim, so for every time I don’t have enough time to study I will cheat on my philosophy test. Then you universalize this maxim as if it were an instinct: everyone will cheat on their philosophy test every time they don’t have enough time to study. You then take this new law and join it with the old law and compare its affects. Now that I have put it through these four steps it is a given that people will study on their philosophy test every time they don’t have enough time to study. This will take away the value of a good grade that a person that studies may receive. You then ask yourself two questions: Can I coherently conceive of such a world? And if so, Can I sincerely will such a world? If at the end of all this, the maxim drops out and passes all these tests then it is okay to act on it because it is morally permissible. As seen in my example, it is not moral to cheat on a test because if everyone did it then it would devalue the good grades that people got that put work and effort into studying for the test. Kant claims that acting from the categorical Imperative â€Å"reveals to us our freedom and dignity†, by this he means that Dignity brings about your morality which is what makes you part of the Kingdom of ends. It frees us from our senses by making us realize our own nature. The Categorical  Imperative reveals what is moral and immoral and therefore we are able distinguish the two and this allows us to be autonomous and if you are autonomous then you are free.

Nuclear threat

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has become a metaphor for 21st-century security concerns. Although nuclear weapons have not been used since the end of World War II, their influence on international security affairs is pervasive, and possession of WMD remains an important divide in international politics today (Norris 61).The nuclear postures of the former Cold War rivals have evolved more slowly than the fast-breaking political developments of the decade or so that has elapsed since the former Soviet Union collapsed. Nevertheless, some important changes have already taken place. By mutual consent, the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of 1972 was terminated by the United States and Russia, which have agreed to modify their nuclear offensive force posture significantly through a large reduction in the number of deployed delivery systems.Nuclear weapons are no longer at the center of this bilateral relationship. Although the two nations are pursuing divergent d octrines for their residual nuclear weapons posture, neither approach poses a threat to the other. The structure, but not the detailed content, of the future U.S. nuclear posture was expressed in the 2002 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), which established a significant doctrinal shift from deterrence to a more complex approach to addressing the problem of proliferated WMD.The Russian doctrinal adaptation to the post-Cold War security environment is somewhat more opaque. The government appears to be focused on developing and fielding low-yield weapons that are more suitable for tactical use, though the current building of new missiles and warheads may be associated with new strategic nuclear payloads as well. Despite the diminished post ­Cold War role of nuclear weapons in the United States, the cumulative deterioration of Russia's conventional military force since 1991 has actually made nuclear weapons more central to that government's defense policy.The end of the adversarial relati onship with the Soviet Union (and later, the Russian Federation) had to be taken into account in the NPR. The current nuclear posture is evolving in a manner parallel to the modernization of the U.S. non-nuclear military establishment. In stark contrast to Cold War ­era military planning, the 21st century is likely to be characterized by circumstances in which the adversary is not well known far in advance of a potential confrontation.The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is adjusting to these new circumstances by developing highly capable and flexible military forces that can adapt to the characteristics of adversaries as they appear. This makes the traditional path to modernization through investment in weapons systems as the threat emerges economically infeasible. Modern information technology lets the military change the characteristics of its flexible weapons and forces in much less time than it would take to develop whole new weapons systems. Thus, DOD is attempting to create a military information system: the integrated effect of command-control-communications-computation-intelligence-surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR). This system is inherently more flexible for adapting to changes in the threat environment.WMD and the means to deliver them are mature technologies, and knowledge of how to create such capabilities is widely distributed. Moreover, the relative cost of these capabilities declined sharply toward the end of the 20th century. Today, the poorest nations on earth (such as North Korea and Pakistan) have found WMD to be the most attractive course available to meet their security needs (Lieggi 2). Proliferation of WMD was stimulated as an unintended consequence of a U.S. failure to invest in technologies such as ballistic missile defense that could have dissuaded nations from investing in such weapons.The United States' preoccupation with deterring the Soviet Union incorporated the erroneous assumption that success in that arena would deter proliferation elsewhere (Barnaby 7). This mistake was compounded by the perverse interaction between defense policy and arms control in the 1990s. Misplaced confidence was lodged in a network of multilateral agreements and practices to prevent proliferation that contributed to obscuring rather than illuminating what was happening. Confidence placed in the inspection provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), for example, obscured efforts to obtain knowledge of clandestine WMD programs. NPT signatories were among those nations with clandestine WMD programs.Without a modernization of defense policy, the ready availability of WMD-related technology will converge with their declining relative cost and a fatally flawed arms control structure to stimulate further proliferation in the 21st century. The process whereby WMD and ballistic missile technology has proliferated among a group of nations that otherwise share no common interests are likely to become the template for 21st-century proliferation.The scope of this problem was recognized in part as a result of a comprehensive review of intelligence data in 1997 ­1998 by the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States (the Rumsfeld Commission). This recognition swiftly evolved into a set of significant policy initiatives that responded to changes in the international security environment. The arms control arrangements most closely identified with the adversarial relationship with the former Soviet Union were passà ©. In 1999 the Senate refused to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; the United States and Russia ended the 1972 ABM Treaty and agreed to jettison the START process, which kept nuclear deployments at Cold War levels in favor of much deeper reductions in offensive forces in 2002.U.S. policy began to evolve in response to these developments. The incompatibility between the Cold War legacy nuclear posture and the 21st-century security environment stimulated a search for approaches to modernize policies pertinent to nuclear weapons. In response to statutory direction, the Bush administration published the Quadrennial Defense Review, the Nuclear Posture Review, the National Defense Strategy of the United States, and the National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. Taken together, these documents constitute the most profound change in U.S. policy related to nuclear weapons since the Eisenhower administration (Krepon1).  The unique capabilities of nuclear weapons may still be required in some circumstances, but the range of alternatives to them is much greater today. The evolution of technology has created an opportunity to move from a policy that deters through the threat of massive retaliation to one that can reasonably aspire to the more demanding aim–to dissuade. If adversary WMD systems can be held at risk through a combination of precision non-nuclear strike and active defense, nuclear weapons are less necessary (Albright 2). By developing a military capability that holds a proliferators’ entire WMD posture at risk rather than relying solely on the ability to deter the threat or use of WMD after they have been developed, produced, and deployed, the prospects for reducing the role of WMD in international politics are much improved.The 21st-century proliferation problem creates a set of targets significantly different from those that existed during the Cold War. Few targets can be held at risk only by nuclear weapons, but the ones that are appropriate may require different characteristics and, in many circumstances, different designs than those currently in the nuclear stockpile. The nature of the targets and the scope of the potential threat also alter the character of the underlying scientific, engineering, and industrial infrastructure that supports the nuclear weapons posture.   This research paper will therefore seek to discuss the problem of nuclear devices or WMDs (as they are presently termed) and try to address to current policy issues surrounding the matter.RESEARCH OUTLINE:INTRODUCTION:a.)    what is the problem surrounding nuclear threats in the 21st centuryb.)    what are the recent developments surrounding this issuec.)    what solutions have been successful in addressing these problemBODY:a.)    who are nuclear threatsb.)    what has been done to stopc.)    What can be done?d.)   What can the US do? What can the UN do?CONCLUSION:References:Robert Norris and Hans Kristensen, â€Å"Chinese Nuclear Forces, 2006,† Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 62. no. 3 (2006): 61.Stephanie Lieggi, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, â€Å"Going Beyond the Stir: the strategic realities of China's No First Use policy,† Nuclear Threat Initiative, http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/realities-chinas-no-first-use-policy/ (accessed June 30, 2006).Frank Barnaby and Shaun Barnie, Thinking the Unthinkable: Japanese nuclear power and prolife ration in East Asia (Oxford, UK: Oxford Research Group and Citizens' Nuclear Information Center, 2005): 7†³8.George Perkovich, India’s Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation, (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999.)Michael Krepon, Rodney W. Jones & Ziad Haider eds., â€Å"Escalation Control & the Nuclear Option in South Asia,† The Henry L. Stimson Center, September 2004, https://www.stimson.org/?id=191, (May 2005).Text of â€Å"Export Controls on Goods, Technologies, Material, and Equipment Related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act, 2004,† Published in Gazette of Pakistan, 27 September 2004, Cited at, http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/ Infcircs/2004/infcirc636.pdf, (May 2005).Michael Krepon and Chris Gagne eds., â€Å"The Stability-Instability Paradox: Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Brinksmanship in South Asia,† The Henry L. Stimson Center, June 2001, https://www.stimson.org/research?ID=1, (May 2005).Feroz Hassan Khan, â€Å"The Independence-Dependence Paradox: Stability Dilemmas in South Asia,† Arms Control Association, October 2003, https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2003_10/Khan_10, (May 2005).Ashley J. Tellis, India’s Emerging Nuclear Posture: Between Recessed Deterrent and Ready Arsenal, (Santa Monica: Rand, 2001.)

After anne frank Essay Example For Students

After anne frank Essay After anne frank Essays diary, It continues onward to grim results. During their hiding in the secret annexe, a Dutch informer hinted to the Gestapo (German Police) that the frank family was in hiding. On August 4, 1944, the Frank family was discovered and sent Gestapo Headquarters in Amsterdam. The Franks, Van Daans and Mr. Dussel were sent to Westorbork in Holland. On September 3, the Allies captured Brussels and the Franks Along with the Van Daans were the last ones to be sent on a freight train with seventy-five people per car. Each car was sealed tight with only one window. For three days and nights the train ventured across Germany to reach its final destination, Auschwitz in Poland. There the Franks and the Van Daans were then sent to concentration camps. There the conditions were horrible. Healthier prisoners shaved their heads and worked twelve hours a day digging sod controlled by the merciless Kapos, Criminals who served the SS as labor overseers. In October 1944, Anne, Margot and Mrs. Van Daan were among a group were sent to Belsen in Germany. Mrs. Frank died in the infirmary back at Auschwitz. Otto Frank survived to be liberated by the Russians. Margot died February or March of 1945. Anne died soon after. This tells you the reason why the Franks went into hiding that long while and why hiding from everybody, your friends, your family was the sacrifice you had to take to stay out of these death camps. .

Six Philosophy Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Six Philosophy Questions - Essay Example Empiricists argue that empiricism is simpler compared to rationalism. It is supported by a simple scenario; that a blind person cannot tell what a given color looks like. However, an experience with one’s senses can solve the case therein. Answer for Question 2 Metaphysics - This is a branch of philosophy that is mainly concerned with describing and providing information about how nature came into being in the context of the world. Immanuel Kant is a renowned metaphysics philosopher, whose contribution to this branch entailed pure reason critiquing. Here Kant presents knowledge under aspects of constraining factors, such that what we know based on our knowledge is limited and constrained by identifiable factors. Ontology – This is the study of categories that are likely to be assigned to existing things or those things that are said to exist in/on some identified domain. A philosopher by the name Parmenides is rated among the initial proposers of ontology, fundamentally in the aspects of reality and its nature. Epistemology – This is a branch of philosophy primarily concerned with the definition and description of knowledge. It defines knowledge and outlines the process through which knowledge is acquired. In this regard, the idea is to assess the process through which people come to know what they know. This branch was introduced by a philosopher called James Frederick Ferrier. Ethics – This branch of philosophy addresses issues of morality. This branch of philosophy is also called moral philosophy. Socrates is a great figure in this branch. He successfully influenced scholars and citizens to diversify their attention and integrate humankind conditions in their subjects. Logic – This refers to a formal and a systematic exploration of principles. The principles herein include but not limited to validate inferences, correct and right reasoning. The discipline of logic in philosophy was introduced by Aristotle. Aristotle made em phasis on the fundamental roles of logic not only in philosophy but also in other fields of study. Aesthetics – This is a fundamental philosophy branch that addresses aspects and concepts of taste and preference, art and beauty. It focuses on how beauty is created and further outlines how to appreciate tastes, art and beauty. Political Philosophy – This is the study of specific topics that directly influence coherence of people in a given social setting. These topics include but not related to law, justice, rights and freedoms, as well the formulation and implementation of governing codes by an authoritative body. Cicero is among the greatest influencers of political philosophy. The philosopher’s work was to mobilize and influence the establishment, growth and development of organized societies. Answer for Question 3 Rene Descartes, born in France in the year 1956 is remembered for his contribution to the field of philosophy. Regarded as the modern science found er, Descartes is a man who offered philosophy and other fields of study a whole new way of thinking. His thinking disregarded assumptions and emotional-based ideas and beliefs. His doubt elicited the conclusion that he only believed and accepted ideas that could be proved or those that constituted a direct observation through systematic deductions. His starting point

Balance scorecard Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Balance scorecard - Coursework Example Jack (2009) explains that in the USA currently, the horticulture farming achieves a gross total of $98.9 billion and it’s ranked the third largest in the US agricultural industry. Grains farming accumulate to $111.3 billion while beef farming accounts to $99.2 billion dollars annually. Horticultural farming performs better than poultry, cotton and wool farming combined. It is estimated that the greenhouse horticulture would increase to 9.3% of the total agricultural sector by the year 2018. Greenhouse horticulture output leads to 3.5 million tones of agricultural produce annually which accounts to 5% of the agricultural output. Currently, the Gross Value of Production (GVP) generated by each employee accounts for $295,648 annually. A total of $9227 is generated per hectare in the gross value of production. Jack (2009) further illustrates that in terms of the Gross value of Production (GVP) developed per hectare, horticulture is the third successful productive sector in the agr icultural industry followed exceeding poultry farming. From the analysis it can be noted horticulture has vast opportunities for financial success which the nursery volunteers can embrace. Niven (2010) describes that Business Scorecard (BSC) was coined by Robert Kaplan from Harvard and David Norton in 1992 in the measurement of intangible assets which played a vital role in the increase of their financial figures. Kaplan and Norton believed that for managers to improve on their management of intangible assets; they had to incorporate the measurement of their value into their management programs. After the formulation of the business model several companies adopted it and 15 years down the line, it was further adopted by thousands of other public, private and nonprofit companies. The concept was further expanded to include the communicating, describing and implementation of the strategy. The four BSC perspectives include the learning and growth perspective, the customer perspective,

Digital Economic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Digital Economic - Essay Example competition is a factor that is brought about by the fact that there are many sellers, who in turn make the firms that are available to be price takers. It also includes the sale of homogenous products. Because of this, as is the case that is presented by Thomson, there are chances of both easy entry and exit. However, it is involved with the perfect knowledge about the product, as well as adequate information about their pricing. The speculations were raised because, with the explosive growth of the internet, it was thought that there would be the availability of perfect information on the prices and products at the fingertips of most of those involved. With this, the consumers would be better placed to get the best deals. Thus, it was perceived that it would be a brave world whereby the profit margins of retailers would be competed away and they would be forced to price at a cost. They thought that the internet would reshape the world of commerce by dominating most of the businesses in existence within the established trading environments. As such, it would in the long run attain a position of dominion within the global market. However, the current trends in internet retailing have revealed that this has not happened as the earlier commentators have realized that most of their speculations were rather overblown since the high street market has weathered the storm. This is mainly because the retailers who are taking part in the activities are not making their own custom cannibal; the marketplace is not being fully dominated by the virtual merchants and the fact that the high streets have not been completely put out of business. Thus, most of the predictions that were made at the dawn of the internet era have not come to reality. This is in spite of the fact that some of speculations have come to pass. They include the vital role that is currently being played by the electronic intermediaries, especially on the aspect of making one-on-one marketing become a

Business Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Plan - Essay Example 2. Name of the Ethical Business I would name my transport business as Comfy Travelling Agencies, since it corresponds to services offered in the industry, and strategy and set of laws central to the provision of services. 3. Mission Statement for Ethical Business The mission statement, for the ethical business I have selected states, â€Å"Comfy Travelling Agencies† aims at providing quality and affordable transport services to society† (Stephenson & Thurman, 2007, 34). 4. Business and Market Description My written business description for business and market are a business review, history, position and amenities, legal company outline and the proprietors. The business is motivated by the desire to have an enhanced bus transport service to offer, and cater for all stakeholders needs. My business offers quality and reasonably priced transport facilities to all the societal members. The business serves the society at any time of the day, since it also operates at night. Th e choice for the selection of transportation business environment will consider the significance of the location to the business; since, rent will be charged in the business operational environment. Consequently, the location should suitable for achieving business goals. My location choice for the business would be in Montana, USA. The facilities that would be available to the business are free access roads in the region and freedom from government tax systems (Audi, 2009, 44). Set of laws and regulations controlling the business operation will be clearly stated, and the Oder of command in the industry will be straight (Miller & Cross, F2011, 76). I will be the main business proprietor, since I will be the one funding the whole operation. I will also be the one with the idea of how the industry is to be managed. 5. Goals Objectives Actions Timing Short term The company’s short term business goal is to provide an affordable transport system to the town’s population, whi ch will solve the town’s undisciplined transport operators managing the company in an exploitative way. 1-6 months Mid term The mid term business goal is to retain the company’s entire staff, and motivate them to yield a high quality customer satisfaction and increased profit making in the company. 7-11 months Long term The company’s long term goals are gratifying the customers’ needs by improving on the quality and expanding the business to other key town after a year. 1-2 years 5. SMART Objectives for the Business Smart objectives will assist the transport business to realize the accomplishment of shot term plans and motivate the staff in achieving long term objectives. Specific The business objective is to earn customers loyalty within the first two months of operation. The reason for the objective is to create a secure liaison with clients and maintain them for a long time. The drives and the customer care department are involved in attaining the obje ctive. The site where the target is to be achieved is on the roads where clients are transported various localities. The driver should drive safely and timely to ensure that customers are on schedule with their plans for the day. Measurable The objective would be measurable, since, the number of clients travelling with the companies’ buses will be documented in a daily basis. The data will be tallied at the end of the first month to confirm whether