Compare and Contrast Utilitarianism with Christian Ethics

Compare and Contrast Utilitarianism with Christian Ethics The ethical teachings and values of utilitarianism and Christian ethics are similar in some aspects, yet however are diverse in others. Utilitarianism is a generally teleological ethical system, where the outcome is said to justify the act. The act is considered ‘good’ if it brings about the greatest good for the greatest number. Christian Ethics, however, can be quite different. Many aspects of its ethics are deontological, for example, the Decalogue and Natural Law. There are other differences and indeed some similarities which will be considered throughout this essay. Christian ethics has many aspects which do not agree with the fundamental doctrine of Utilitarianism. Firstly, the 10 Commandments in the Old Testament are deontological, as it is law based and the action is considered good or bad intrinsically. Jeremy Bentham, the founder of Utilitarianism, states that an action cannot be right or wrong in itself, and it can only be evaluated when the consequences are taken into account. The Bible implies that none of these laws should be broken, yet Bentham thought that any rules can be rejected should the person determine that the means can justify the ends. Bentham held that no one should take actions as right or wrong as a given, but should use empirical evidence to work out their effect and subsequently conclude on its appropriateness. Bentham’s empirical method of finding out whether the action is worthwhile was to use the Hedonic Calculus, a process of assessment which gauges the act’s outcome in several categories, such as its certainty, purity or extent. Natural Law is another example of the diversity between Utilitarian and Christian ethical attitudes. Although it teaches that humans should use reason to realise morality (which is similar to Bentham’s attitude), it fundamentally states that there are God given laws of the universe which eternally and constantly exist in nature. It is a Christian principle to live one’s life in such a way they strive to be like Jesus, and are motivated to follow Christian principles and rules in order to do this. This however fundamentally goes against Utilitarianism, which states that humans are merely motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This is how an action is considered good or bad in the Hedonic Calculus, if it brings pleasure for the most people or works to avoid pain. Furthermore, Christian ethics implies that one will find happiness by modelling themselves on Jesus and adhering to the teachings of the Bible. However, in Utilitarianism it is stated that one will find the most happiness when individuals are free to pursue their own ends. The process of using the Hedonic Calculus aspect of Utilitarianism can also be likened to the Christian ethical principle of using one’s Conscience. For this point, it is important to note that this is not in reference to the specific detail in the Hedonic Calculus, but is about the underlying reason for its use. In the New Testament, Paul advocated that the Conscience should be used when one needs moral guidance, which is linked to the will of God. Even though in Utilitarianism the ‘God’ aspect is not included in terms of justifying an action, the principle of mentally judging a deed is similar. John Stuart Mill developed his own approach to Utilitarianism called ‘Rule Utilitarianism’. There are some similarities with Christian ethics which lie in his doctrine. Firstly, Mill says that there should be general rules which people should follow in order to bring about the greatest communal good. This has two similarities with Christian ethics; first of all is the principle of law-making and secondly, the concept of the ‘greatest communal good’ can be traced back to the teachings of Paul in the New Testament, where he says that ‘a good should not be god for the individual, but for everyone’. Mill’s proposed laws would be those based on general Utilitarian principles. Mill likened this principle to the Golden Rule of Jesus, which is the teaching that Christians consider to be of the highest importance. The rule states to ‘do unto others as you would have them do to you’. Although this is essentially deontological, it is based on the principle of generating the most agape. Mill, like Jesus, held that general laws should be in place to help lead a good life. Situation ethics has also been pointed out as having similar principles o Utilitarianism. Firstly, both theories are examples of relativism, meaning that there are no absolute standard which apply to the rightness and wrongness of actions. Secondly Joseph Fletcher, the founder, argued that the Christian ethic of love can be labelled as ‘justice distributed’. ‘Justice’ is in reference to determining what the most loving thing is to do for everyone. This can be likened to Util itarianism, which replaces the word ‘justice’ with ‘goodness’, meaning goodness distributed (greatest good for greatest number).

Is Poetry Still Relevant in Today’s Society

Poetry has been used throughout the centuries, but is it still relevant in today's society? some major aspects of poems are relevant today such as; subject matters, structure, rhythm, rhyme and the desire for expression of one's own self in a written form. There are also aspects which may not be of relevance in modern society these are; form, language style and emotional complexity. The subject matters that nineteenth century poets wrote about are relatable to today's people. The sonnet ‘Summer Noon' describes an extremely hot â€Å"breathless hour† somewhere similar to the australian outback. This subject is not just relevant to the poets of the nineteenth century but also to today's society. People like to express their feelings, experiences and opinions of the enviroment around them. The sonnet structure allows a poet to express this mood and atmosphere in depth, helping you to visualise and feel that particular place. In the lines, â€Å"blur of sound/ that dulls the brain, with slumbrous weight† effectively describes a lazy mood and relaxed atmosphere. The majority of subjects depicted by nineteenth century poets focused on deep feelings and emotions such as love, joyfullness, anguish and sorrow. A common poem form in the 19th century; the sonnet which usually used beauty as a subject matter, which is also expressed in 21st century poetry. Various poem forms incorporate simple and effective structures, rhythm and rhyming schemes. Poets use these forms as it artistically illustrates and organises thoughts. The nineteenth century poets established these particular forms in which we use today in modern poetry. A song is a form of ballad and this form is the superior form used in todays society. songs are attractive because of their free, abstract and experimental structure while still using rhyme and rythm as a base. he other forms of poems are not as popular to listener and readers. This is mainly because they are personal and for one's own personal satisfaction and are therefore not created for other poeple to appreciate. Due to the old english language used in 18th and 19th century poems, it is difficult to accurately translate this formal language and therefore distracts the reader from the poems central meaning, making these poems difficult to decifer. The poeple of the 1800's expressed themselves and their emotions in a straight forward way whereas poeple of today are more insightful using indirect symbolism and deeper meaning in their poetry. odays youth find difficulty in relating to this type of thinking and cheesy expression of feelings, detering them from using poetry as a medium for personal expression. The use of poetry throughout the ages has always been a way of expressing inner emotions, views and experiences in a structured yet artistic way. varying differences in the english languages may have resulted through time but the concept of poetry still remains relevant and is ageless.

Types of Relationships

Human relationships have always perplexed me. These seemingly simple bonds between people can amount to so much and cause such commotion that lives change drastically within minutes in these relationships. Especially in the fast changing world of today. In my piece I am going to be telling you about the three types of relationships I see taking place. Over time, I have asked myself three questions, finding the answers along the way, which is what I will be explaining to you. To begin, how much does one compromise on self-gratification for the sake of commitment? Or should one compromise at all in the name of love? Finally, what happens when love is found outside ones’ commitment? To start off, how much does one compromise on self gratification for the sake of commitment? What I have seen in regards to this scenario is basically to satisfy parents or tradition. This basically comes hard for the person making the compromise mainly because even though they may be happy, they are just not in that totally-in-love state and as a whole, not fully in the relationship. In such a relationship the person who has made the compromise is just in the relationship in a lost state where the other person is there trying to take it further and make it work whereas just being in it for maintaining it sake. The person making the compromise I would say is robbing themselves their true love as well as the other person involved. Why have someone love you and want so much from a bond when you can’t seem to find the zeal for it as well? It makes no sense to spin a top in mud; it only brings hurt in years to come. This type of relationship can be seen in families of wealth and good economic status. Secondly, should one compromise at all in the name of love? My answer to this is NO! This really makes no sense and ends up just hurting the other person badly. It’s like a slap in the face saying that you have just played with them for so long. The other person would just take it as thought you were there to satisfy and act out the role of being in a bond. Compromising in the name love is just wrong to do; whatever the circumstances. This sort of actions you would find in arranged marriages and usually it is the female that has to make this compromise and suffer. A classic example of this type of relationship can be seen in arranged marriages in Indian families, but these are not limited for Indian families in India; these can still be seen in American or other parts of the world where Indian or Muslim families reside. Only true love can set them free of this compromise but it just ends up in a big blunder because it would create a lot of friction and pose a lot of questions. When someone truly loves, they expect to have it back in return. Not an act. Lastly, what happens when love is found outside ones’ commitment? This to me is a sad thing but also a happy thing when it is dealt with maturely and with much understanding. Regarding my earlier points; imagine in this compromise that is made. It takes a true person to understand when love is found outside a relationship by the compromising partner. Although the other party is strongly in love with this person, they would understand that this was not their love story after all and should be happy that their partner found theirs. Yes it is a sad thing to happen in a relationship, but when one understands the meaning of true love only then they can let go without any qualms. In conclusion I would just like to let you know that in these relationships listed above really toys’ with emotions and in somewhat way sets people free to truly love. So next time a relationship hinders your way I urge yourself to ask yourself the questions I explained or even more ask yourself while you are in it. How much does one compromise on self-gratification for the sake of commitment? Or should one compromise at all in the name of love? Finally, what happens when love is found outside ones’ commitment? I assure you if you can analyze these three questions of relationship, you would indeed have a good approach and grasp on your commitment.

Huckleberry Finn: Sweet Home Mississippi

Christian Morganstern once explained, â€Å"home is not where you live, but where you understand yourself† (Morgenstern 1). The transcendentalist finds his home, and therefore himself, not in civilization, but in nature. In Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck runs away from his â€Å"civilized† home to the Mississippi River to seek refuge. Much like Thoreau going to Walden's pond to escape the corruption of society, Huck finds solace on the river. Only when he goes ashore does the peace and tranquility of the River get interrupted by people and society. Ironically, they travel down the Mississippi toward the corrupt slave culture of the pre-Civil War South. The journey on the river symbolizes Huck's escape from the immorality of society into an idealistic, or utopian home on the raft where he can develop his own moral beliefs while the southward direction represents the ultimate inescapability of society. Although the Mighty Mississippi represents Huck's sanctuary, it ironically propels Jim and him southward toward the very slave culture they are trying to escape. Resembling Marlow's adventure on the Thames in Joseph' Conrad's The Heart of Darkness, the Mississippi transports Huck toward evil. While traveling into the Heart of Darkness, â€Å"the air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into mournful gloom, brooding motionless over†¦ † (Conrad 1). Although the circumstances differ, the idea that they are traveling down hints that they are bound for hell or in the direction of evil. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the evil they are headed towards is slavery. As they travel down the river, the world around them becomes increasingly chaotic. In the antebellum South, Huck witnesses this disarray first hand when Colonel Sherburn shoots Boggs. Sherburn explains to Huck that people â€Å"in the South†¦ think [they] are braver than any other people–whereas [they're] just AS brave, and no braver. Why don't juries hang murderers? Because they're afraid the man's friends will shoot them in the back, in the dark–and it's just what they WOULD do† (Twain 149). This passage is Twain making a reference to the Ku Klux Klan. He vicariously speaks through Sherburn, a Northerner, to convey with judgments of the corrupted South. As Huck travels further South, Twain†¦ However, as long as Huck and Jim stayed away from civilization, they were untouched by the evils of society. This suggests that maybe it is not the direction they are headed, but rather the people who lived upon the shores that are evil. As long as they stay on the raft, their own little lifeboat, Huck and Jim were untouched by the wickedness that dwelled around them. Thoreau, a Transcendental author, reinforces this reverence for nature when he explains that â€Å"Nature [is] not our foe, but an ally, not a dark force to be beaten back, but a marvelous force to be admired† (Garner 1). Nature acted as a sanctuary for Huck, and he felt more at home on the Mississippi than with the unethical people of society. Whenever Huck leaves his raft, his symbolic Walden sanctuary, and came to shore, he ran was faced with the corruption of society. The first time this occurred is when they met the King and the Duke. Not long after, Huck realizes that â€Å"these liars warn't no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds,† but puts up with them for Jim's protection (Twain 128). These two men would put on shows and con people out of their money and then run away. As soon as Huck could, he planned on leaving them behind so Jim and he could go back to their peaceful times on the river. In addition, when floating down the river Huck is able to define his own morals away from the pressures of society. The river is not just an unknowing, unfeeling body of water, but becomes the catalyst to assist Huck with his moral growth. He learns that â€Å"a sound heart is a surer guide than an ill-trained conscience† and that he should listen himself and not the ways of his more civilized elders (Hammond 3). Over the coarse of the novel, Huck finds a home and his morals while traveling down the Mississippi River. Although the people on the shores try to civilize and make him conform to their evil ways, he refuses because the river has become his asylum.

Database Management Essay

In his book Groupware — Computer Support for Business Teams, Robert Johansen defines groupware as â€Å"specialized computer aids that are designed for the use of collaborative work groups.† This definition is better than the â€Å"shared data† definition because it helps eliminate multiuser databases from the groupware category. Yet electronic mail fits this definition, as well as some other software sharing tools that experts are still debating. A more useful definition also appears to be one of the oldest. Peter and Trudy Johnson-Lenz are credited by many as coining the term groupware in 1978. They defined it as â€Å"intentional group processes plus software to support them.† Groupware enhances collaboration by allowing by the exchange of ideas electronically. All the messages on a topic can be saved in a group, stamped with the data, time, and author. Any group member can review the ideas of others at any time and add to them, or individuals can post a documents for others to comment upon or edit. Members can posts requests for help, allowing others to responds. finally, if a group so chooses, members can store their-work notes on the groupware so that all others in the group can see what programs is being made, what problems occur, and what activities are planned. Groupware utilizes primarily a form of database technology. While there are quite a few differences, groupware has many commonalities with the standard database. Groupware is not just a normal database, rather it is a developing technology to form an application to perform a specific task or set of tasks. Database technology is the main technology that makes groupware able to function as it does, as groupware is more of an extension of database capabilities. Groupware must be able to support interactions between large numbers of people for it to live up to its definition, and it is fairly typical to find it utilizing a client/server system of interaction. Databases are well suited to the task of powering the back end of groupware as they are specifically designed for just this type of interaction process. Databases are also well suited for use in groupware as they offer a persistent storage which always necessary in any type of collaboration environment. Therefore most groupware available will utilize a database as a way to provide this client/server interaction and persistent storage. The typical interaction process flows exactly as it would in a standard database. Requests for data manipulation are sent by the client to the server. The server acknowledges the request, performs the action, and stores the result. Once the action is completed, it sends confirmation back to the client. In this way, groupware at its most basic acts exactly as a normal database would be expected to act. However, what makes groupware an interesting concept is how it is different from a normal database. While groupware is not a new technology, it is a new way of combining established technology in order to achieve a new tool to promote productivity amongst a group of people. Groupware not only changes the way in which we think about databases, but also the way in which databases can be utilized to promote group functionality. By pairing databases with standard productivity tools, an entirely different concept emerges. Groupware, and in particular real time collaborative groupware, is the future of productivity.

Communication Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Communication Plan - Research Paper Example Furthermore, the manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary with an annual turnover of averagely $1 Billion dollars. It is located in California with its presence in terms of facilities felt all over the world. A communication for change has to therefore be up to date, integrated with a touch of modern technology. A change into an integrated customer management system is quite sensitive and requires and effective communication plan for such a change to be communicated to the involved stakeholders positively (Apollo Group, 2004). Communication in any formal setting involves written, spoken or electronic interaction with the association audiences. Given the vast existence of Riordan Manufacturing, the communication plan to be used should be swift, able to reach many people at a go and with the ability to remain relevant for a long time. I would therefore suggest a combination of periodic print publications, online communication through social sites and a comprehensive company site, surveys and annual reports. This is apart from the normal communications such as those on advertisements and formal meetings of the company. This plan should be developed around the budgeting and planning period to make its implementation realizable as it will be incorporated in the company budget (Cohen, 1990). Such a plan should be detailed and comprehensive and I would suggest that the stakeholders involved seek information from varied sources such; from the Association’s Mission statement, from communication audit reports, surveys from the stakeholders, customers and employees alike as they are the ones who will use the systems on a daily basis. The plan would therefore involve a conduct of research-communication audit on the current communications with the customers using the current system (Cohen, 1990). This will involve Riordan Manufacturing finding out what each of its staff do on a daily basis in way of communicating to the customer. This is coupled with

Medicaid and HMOs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Medicaid and HMOs - Essay Example Of the different types, HMO is usually the least expensive plan. Patients will not have any deductibles in HMOs and the co-pay is very reasonable. This plan covers preventive measures such as yearly check-ups. The perceived downside of HMO is that you have to choose your doctor and other health providers in your HMO network. You can be restricted in your choices. PPOs, or Preferred Provider Organizations, like HMOs, have pre-approved lists of healthcare providers. Like HMOs, this type of Medicare Advantage Plan allows for the insured to choose from doctors and other healthcare professionals outside of this network. However, this plan cost you more in the deductibles, co-insurance and other out-of-pocket expenses. In this plan, when you use a non-participating provider you will be paying more for that privilege. A Point-of-Service plan or POS is a bit like a combination of the HMO and PPO. Like the HMO, you must select your own doctor or primary physician but can also have the choice to go out of your network like in a PPO. If you stay within the network like HMO, your copayment and deductibles are small.