Capital Punishment Essays (1715 words) - Penology, Prison, Death Row

Capital Punishment From the beginning of time, crime has been evident in human existence, and from the first crime there has always been a punishment. "And it came to pass, when they were in a field, that Cain rose up against his brother, Able, and slew him" (Genesis 4:8). This for many people was seen as the first crime. This crime did not go unpunished. Cain was then ostracized from his colony and sent to wonder as a vagabond and a fugitive for his crime (Genesis 4:14). He was also branded with the mark of a murderer. Therefore, the presence of crime in human life is inevitable. Defined in Webster's Dictionary, crime is, an act of violation against society and its laws. Punishment is the consequence of the crime. Crimes like fraud, burglary, assault, etc., are usually punished by prison terms. Murder, manslaughter, and homicide maybe punished by prison terms or death. Ways to be executed Electrocution-the three legged oak chair was constructed in 1923 by inmates and is still used today. (ironic isn't it?) The electrocution cycle is two minutes or shorter in duration. Voltage and amperage levels peak on three occasions. Maximum current is 2000 volts and 14 amps. The executioner is an anonymous, private citizen who is paid $150 per execution. The position of executioner was advertised in several Florida newspapers in 1978. Lethal Injection-execution by lethal injection involves the continuous intravenous injection of a lethal quantity of a short-acting barbiturate in combination with a chemical paralytic agent. A number of doctors have pointed out that drugs may not work effectively on diabetics or former drug users, whose veins may be hard to reach. In some cases minor surgery may be required to cut in to a deeper vein, according to medical testimony. More states use this form of execution than all US states. Gas Chamber-prisoner is restrained in a hermetically sealed steel chamber below which is a pan. Upon a signal, the executioner opens a valve, flowing hydrochloric acid into the pan. On a second signal, about 8 ounces of potassium cyanide crystals or tablets are dropped mechanically into the acid, producing hydrocyanic gas, which destroys the ability of blood hemoglobin to perform. Unconsciousness occurs within a few seconds if the prisoner takes a deep breath, and longer if he or she holds their breath. After pronouncement of death, the chamber is evacuated through carbon and neutralizing filters. Gas-masked crews decontaminate the body with a bleach solution and outgassed prior to release. An unwary undertaker could be killed if this is not done. States using this method: Arizona, California, Maryland, Mississippi and North Carolina. Hanging-prisoner is weighing prior to execution. The "drop" is based on the prisoner's weight, to deliver 1260 foot-pounds of force to the neck. Essentially, the prisoner's weight in pounds is divided into 1260 to arrive at a drop in feet. This is to assure almost instant death, a minimum of bruising, and neither strangulation nor beheading. Properly done, death is by dislocation of the third or fourth cervical vertebrae. The familiar noose coil is placed behind the prisoner's left ear, so as to snap the neck upon dropping. States using this method: Delaware, Montana and Washington. Firing Squad-there is reportedly no protocol for the procedure which according to information involves a five man team, one of who will use a blank bullet so that none of them knows who was the real executioner. Since the reinstatement of the death penalty two prisoners have been executed by this method. Gary Gilmore in 1977 and John Taylor in 1996. There are only two states who use this method. They include Utah and Idaho. Who's in Federal Prison? statistics found in 1991 5% of prisoners were women 65% of prisoners belonged to racial or ethnic minorities 68% of prisoners were under age 35 96% of prison inmates were US citizens 59% of prison inmates has high school diplomas or its equivalent less than half of the inmates were sentenced for a violent crime (assault, murder, rape), a fourth were sentenced for a property crime (burglary, vandalism), about a fifth were sentenced for a drug crime (self explanatory) Who's in State Prison? statistics found in 1996 10% of prisoners were women (statistics show that prisoners were sexually or physically abused before admission) 63% of prisoners belonged to racial or ethnic minorities 24% of prisoners were between the ages of 35 and 44 (therefore 54% of inmates were under the age of 35) about 8% of inmates were not US citizens 54% of inmates have a high

Writing a Research Paper

Writing a Research Paper Writing a Research Paper Writing a Research Paper   Research paper is a long essay which should include results of conducted research, discussion section, and conclusions.   Research paper writing is a part of university education. If you do not know how to write a research paper, how to conduct a research, what style to use, you should think about your audience, their knowledge, needs and wants.   While writing a research paper, you should organize research paper ideas, collect relevant information, analyze gathered information, and start writing a research paper.   Research paper topic should not be too broad, stay focus on some aspect of the topic.   The sources for research paper writing can be very different; however, you should use only reliable publications (journal and magazine articles, books, etc.). You are welcome to gather primary data - through interviews and experiments, for example. Primary data and your ideas should be supported with information gathered through secondary research. It is not a good idea to leave research paper writing until the last day because you will not manage to write a good paper within one day, unless you are a professional writer. It takes a lot of time to collect information and organize your ideas, while most of the students do not have enough time. If you are not sure how to write an introduction, start writing with the chapter you feel comfortable with. It is wise to begin writing with some topic section which is of interest to you.   Leave introduction and abstract writing till the last stage. It is vital to use word processor which allows you to modify and rearrange whatever you've written. It is easy to go back and make changes as your ideas develop or as new information is discovered.  You should understand that writing a research paper is a long process and ideas will change. Research Paper Help Many students experience problems with starting research paper writing.   Do not wait until the last minute!   Good research papers are not written in a rush!   Set a deadline for yourself, create a timetable, and plan your time.   If research paper writing is too difficult for you, you may request professional writing help at our site. We are experienced in research paper writing and we are able to conduct a good research for you on any topic!   writers are educated and promote professional approach to writing.   Every research paper we deliver is 100% plagiarism free and meets your expectations.

Unemployment in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Unemployment in the UK - Essay Example To understand more about the unemployment in the United Kingdom, it is of vital importance to elaborate the different types of unemployment. The types of unemployment indicate the causes of unemployment in any country. There could be many reasons or causes for the unemployment. In this paper, the causes and types relevant to the unemployment in the UK are discussed. Below are three common types of unemployment: Cyclical/Keynesian or Deficient-Demand Unemployment: This type of unemployment is associated with the Gross Domestic Production (GDP). In this type of unemployment, the rate of unemployment goes up when the GDP goes negative. Seasonal Unemployment: As obvious with the name, the seasonal unemployment refers to the seasonal opportunities. As the businesses related to the hotel reservation have some peak seasons. Their businesses are at peak in vacation months like December. February is mostly their off season. Hidden Unemployment: People get frustrated when they constantly struggle to get jobs but unfortunately, they fail to obtain suitable positions. After some time, frustration makes them hopeless and government do not really count them so they are not reflected in the statistics. Such state refers to the hidden unemployment phase. The claimant count and the labor force survey are the most successful and accurate ways to measure unemployment (Gillespie, 2007, pp.347-60). The claimant count refers to the number of applicant applying for the Jobseeker’s Allowance. However, it is not possible that all clamant applicants get successful. Due to the rigid requirements, one can fail to claim. Such applicants cannot be reflected in the total claimant count therefore, it is necessary not to just rely on this record. Another way to measure unemployment is the labor force count (Worswick, 1991, p.15). This way is quite reliable than the first one, only because this way, interviews with the help of people in measuring individuals who wish to do some

Syriana Film assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Syriana Film - Assignment Example differing viewpoints to underline the main themes of the film, namely; international corruption, cartels and the issue of corporate social responsibility. Gaghan described his inspiration for the film beginning with his work on Traffic3, where he felt that America’s dependency on foreign oil had distinct similarities with drug addiction. Indeed, a fundamental issue reiterated in Syriana is how the role of oil is central to US policy towards the Middle East and the US position within the contemporary framework of international relations. In turn, the relationship between Matt Damon’s character Bryan Woodman and Prince Nasir also presents a different insight into Middle Eastern politics through Prince Nasir’s frustration at American control in the area and his desire to undertake national reform and develop the economy for sustainability in the long term. Additionally, the increasing work of Bryan Woodman’s character with the Prince comes at the sacrifice of his marriage due to the death of Bryan’s son. Bryan’s payment of $175 million from the Prince and role as economic advisor causes his wife to accuse him of exploiting his son’s death for commercial gain. To this end, the death of Bryan’s son and sacrifice of his marriage is arguably symbolic of the central theme of Syriana regarding the interrelationship between oil, globalisation and the balance of power in international relations. For example, it is submitted that the oil industry symbolises the sacrifice of ethical concepts of morality as the control of oil in the Middle East is seen as fundamental to the balance of power within the international framework. This is highlighted by the American unease with Prince Nasir giving a natural gas drilling rights contract to China. The three central stories that interweave throughout the film purposively depict three very different men operating over various continents to highlight the long term and immediate consequences of pursuing wealth and

Any historic event before 1877 Research Proposal

Any historic event before 1877 - Research Proposal Example Everybody, at least lost a person during the war, either through death or through separation. For instance, Abraham Lincoln’s brother-in-laws served in the opposing side, the â€Å"South† (Butler, Grant & Randall 233). However, the South had more deaths as its war force was small. This put the â€Å"North† on an advantageous position and the triumphed over the â€Å"South† as slavery was abolished and the infrastructure of the â€Å"South† was destroyed (Fletcher 122). The end of the war marked a novel initiative of national unity restoration and guarantying the civil rights of the freed slaves. However, it is disgusting that the contemporary Americans have not embraced the beneficial values, which were the outcome of the war. The social and economic disparities between the South and the North played a key role in stirring the war. The advent of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney, in 1793, made the production of cotton a very profitable business since the machine significantly reduced the time taken to separate the cotton form the seeds. As such, the South turned to the cotton plantation to take advantage of the benefits it brought, something that needed more cheap labor. To the end, the South adopted slavery as the main economic factor. In contravention, the North was industrialized and often bought the raw cotton and turned it into finished goods. Here, people of different classes and races works together as opposed to the south that had an antiquated social culture (Calore 10). These disparities gave rise to the Civil war as the North was for the idea that civil human rights should be spread to everybody and not the majority only, as the South practiced. Severally, the South tried to nullify the constitutio n but their efforts were futile and hence they opted for withdrawal, since they felt that they were not respected anymore (Mountjoy

Reducing Carbon Emissions Of The Construction Industry

Reducing Carbon Emissions Of The Construction Industry It is ideal to mention that almost all things emerging around us are constructed out of carbon. However carbons in forms of solid are less damaging; such forms are tree tail or a layer of coal in the ground [1]. CO2 is produced from diverse sources, one of which is energy, i.e, the production of energy takes place from burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, coal, used in power plants, transportation and other construction industrial conveniences and almost everything we do in our live is involved energy. All of the carbon emitters ranging from energy generation to transportation are found for the benefit of humans. So its essential for us to seriously consider and work on reducing CO2 emission. Subsequently, the future will force us to reduce our emission as we will see clearly what negative affect our emitters have had on the environment In addition, every facet of the UKs economy from construction to transportation to agriculture is dependent on fossil fuel imitative energy in fact the emissions of carbon dioxide were over 150 million tonnes in 2004[2] that comes from burning fossil fuels. As we search and try to discover different means of energy sources, we are still facing the certainty that CO2 emission from UK economy is still rising and actions must be come into view to equalise and cut the emissions that we cannot yet eradicate. Figure (2) [3] The UK is currently likely to reduce emissions of CO2 by 15-18% of 1990 levels by 2010 [4]as shown in the figure (2) above; In order from the government to meet these figures, variety of methods are implemented to reduce the CO2 emission, trees are one way to offset carbon emission. Planting tree is a probable process to deal with climate change and it is one of the few methods that in fact eradicate active CO2 from the environment by using a process called (carbon sequestration). Trees are known of absorbing CO2 of the atmosphere and provide it with O2 instead. This operation is referred to as Carbon Sequestration, in addition to the mentioned above, plants do also give back some CO2 but it is of such a small amount, that the effect of tree to nature and the atmosphere is seen totally positive. Other methods that can be used in reducing carbon footprint are factors such as Solar power, Recycling, Water saving and Thermal insulation. Solar power can be used to convert the suns power into other energy sources typically heat, electricity or hot water. This mean of energy generation was adopted due to its extremely low carbon print and hence having no negative effect on the environment during the power generation process. Recycling is significant in the process of reducing the amount of waste dispatched to land fill in comparison to new means of cutting the excessive use of natural sources and materials. Saving water is necessary because there is an increase in population and therefore the rate of water usage is greater than ever, but the water suppliers have a limited contribute obtainable for drinking. Those water suppliers need to use energy to run their treatment plants and pumping water; therefore reducing the usage will save energy considerably. Thermal insulation is used mostly in buildings to prevent having unnecessary heat driven in the structure; this will result in low running cost and less spending on central heating systems as well as reducing the power consumption from electricity. _________________________________________________________________________ Part 2: CO2 emission in construction: One of the major causes of CO2 emission in the UK is caused by construction. This is due to the fact that the construction industry uses untreated materials which are considered as major elements in generating noise, dust and considerable amount of waste. Furthermore, the production and use of concrete has an enormous environmental effect this is because Cement is an energy consumer and CO2 fabricated material. Other factors and causes of CO2 emission are things such as products that use high temperature processes to produce elements such as cement, bricks; these are considered as a main user of energy and emitter of greenhouse gases. Other material productions that can lead to CO2 emission are lead, iron and other chemical creation such as ammonia and titanium dioxide that can definitely cause negative impact to the environment. Part2: Changes have been made to meet targets of reducing CO2 emission Currently United Kingdom is working for changes toward producing and distributing a Greener and environmentally friendly energy. Simple example of those changes is pay-as-you-electrical supply, helping homes produce their own clean energy and boosting electricity production from low carbon sources, which in turn aid in the reduction of CO2 emission. At the moment 21 % of reduction has already been achieved from different sectors. This is equivalent to cutting all emissions from a city four times the size of London.[5] by making these necessary changes. So The UK government has already set targets to meet its goal of making reduction in the CO2 emission and construction is one of the areas that need to be considered in order to meet these targets. One of the actions the government has done to meet the targets is to reduce waste resulted from construction. Therefore, it has introduced the Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) which came into force to make construction companies manage their waste generated on site, (more details of this scheme can be found in the recycling section). Other organisations supported by the government that help contractors to manage and reduce waste are (Norfolk Waste Recycling Assistance Project) (NORWRAP) and The National House Building Council (NHBC), these organisation are part of the commitment and changes the government has done to help reduce CO2 emission by launching an outline plan for these changes including waste collection and recycling. Accordingly, this will reduce the landfill and the removal tax as well as reducing the labour costs of transporting these waste materials. Other Ways in which the UK will meet its targets in further reduction of CO2 emissions are set out in the following areas: Transport organism Homes and society Power system Managing lands, Farms more sustainably Figures of CO2 consumption in the UK from 1990 to 2007 resulted from different sectors are shown below: Figure (4) [6] Transport organism: Most of the energy consumed in this sector is caused from different fuel types; few of which are petroleum, diesel and gasoline. As most types of transport means use these fuels, thus the emission of CO2 caused from the transportation sector continued to increase since (1990). Transportation is deemed as one of the major sectors that can be mortified to meet CO2 reduction targets due to different reasons: People can be greener in the present and future by choosing the most sustainable and lowest carbon ways of meeting their transport needs. The government can support companies that generate low carbon vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Homes and society (Residential): The main goal in this sector is to make residential homes more efficient and support small scale renewable energy projects. This intern will be enhancing green infrastructure and reduce the production of CO2 as it can be seen in Figure (4). Which can then improve the flexibility of our places to impacts of climate change such as flooding and over-heating, therefore it is vital that we acquire a long-term view to develop the functioning of our existing places. Different type of energy sources are consumed by housing some of which are related to lights, water heating and cooking space. New targets according to Governments resource [7] include: Pay as you save pilots helping people make their house greener by using the savings made on bills to repay the upfront costs. Encouragement on the new clean energy cash-back scheme, which means people will be paid for generating electricity from low carbon sources. The power system (energy supply): The most effective way in which CO2 reductions can be achieved is by enhancing the way electricity is generated. Biomass is one of the means the government aim to use in producing electricity; biomass can be converted into gas or liquid fuels by using chemicals or heat to convert that energy into a usable energy source such as electricity. However, CO2 that is released during the production of energy (electricity) from biomass is balanced by that which is absorbed during the production of the fuel itself [8] which make this method considerably energy efficient. Managing land, Farms more sustainably: We have reached an era where we can use technical and methodological ideas such as recycling usable materials, converting the organic material into usable fuel and digging up landfills for extracting solid waste are all logical and feasible ideas whose time has come. Reduction of emissions from agriculture, land use and waste can be achieved by sustaining the resources available for growing food and by well managing water and soil quality. Also allowing undeveloped land for development that greenly meet human needs, as well as supporting the anaerobic digestion, a process that turns organic materials such as food waste, slurries and manures into renewable energy in form of biogas [9] this can be used as an electricity production source thats why it widely spread across Europe. Part 3: Recycling Recycling is considered as a method of making the best use of the waste materials as well as, reducing the excessive use of the currently available natural materials. Recycling also plays a role in reducing pollution caused by dumping waste materials in the ground. Such strategy is very useful in these times where natural sources are of limited existences and need for those resources are gradually increasing day after another. This isnt only for the sake of the current generation but the upcoming generation will live their entire lives in a world we left for them, hence, we must take maximum care. From a technical point of view, recycling is a process that takes less energy to perform and complete than starting the creation of that certain material from scratch. A clear example of that is the use of steel in construction, where melting it and reforming it is by far, an easier process than making the mixing and forming process from the beginning. In figures, researches reached the fact that Aluminium makes use of 5% less energy when made through recycling [10], in comparison to making from the original composites. In this project, the main recycling sector to be discussed is recycling in construction. Construction is considered in many researches as a result of its major impact on the total recycling in the country. The value of construction industry works out to be  £100bn a year and is responsible for 8% of the domestic product in the United Kingdom [11]. Given this field has this crucial influence, it will of course, have a positive impact on the recycling process in total. The recycle process in the construction industry is a process that is involved in the sub-fields of public buildings, houses, roads, public access points, marine structures and major factories. Despite of all the current policies to reduce the emissions and increase the efficiency of recycling, the UK still doesnt meet the drawn targets. This only means, new methods and strategies must be taken. In addition to the local preferences, government policies and legislations; the government was pushed by the EU in 2007 to come up with the Waste Strategy for England 2007. As mentioned earlier, if recycling doesnt take place, the alternative method to get rid of waste materials will be dumping them in the ground. The negatives of this process are a minimum if the dumped materials are bio-degradable, but in case they arent, recycling will play a major role in solving this problem, prevent causing damage to the environment and make a positive use of those non-bio-degradable materials. Following those government legislation, the construction field has followed the following strategies: Improve after-life of constructions to increase the efficiency and cause less need for waste removal. Appropriate disposal of hazardous waste to avoid causing damage to the environment and categorise the waste accordingly. Treat some of the materials those could be treated without the need for recycling to avoid unnecessary waste of energy. In relation with government strategies; the Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) regulation was released in 2008; targeting major construction projects in England with a cost over  £300,000 [12]. This scheme works on the basis of registering what materials will be used, how they will be demolished, when and how they will be dumped or recycled. This scheme stands on the following aims: Reduce the amount of waste produced from construction, demolition or refurbishing. Increase waste recycling and improve efficiency of the recycling process and the materials generated by it. Ensure appropriate disposal of waste materials and diagnose when they are reach the stage to be dumped in the ground (after how many stages of curing), alternatively make better and second use of them to minimize any waste generated, this is presented in the simple flow chart below: Process of minimising construction waste materials [13]

Rite of Encounter :: encounter

Rite of Encounter Rite of Encounter is, initially a very dry and imposing story. The reader is given same information repeatedly, as if it were not received the first time. This redundancy is an insult to the reader. For instance, in the very first line of the story the narrator tells the reader that, "In the third week of his fasting, Singing- Owl found the white man" (258). This information is given quite clearly, yet later the narrator repeats himself by saying, "A dog meant white men" (259). It is not necessary for the narrator to remind the reader. This "spoon-feeding" is insulting to the reader. The narration was also rather dry. There is little description. The story is conveyed to the reader without any details, and quite plainly, the story is simply reported. The omniscient third person narration is also, at times, confusing. The narration occasionally dips from third person to first without any explanation. For example, when Singing- Owl is suffering of dehydration, fatigue, and hunger the n arrator is reporting the condition of the character. Suddenly, the next line reads, "Water. Must get water" (258). It is unclear who says this. Not suprisingly, Bates, employs this strange tactic again to demonstrate Singing- Owl's exhaustion. The narrator comments on Singing- Owl's declining condition, then says, "Perhaps I'm tired. All right. I am tired" (261). Again, the reader is left unassured of who is speaking. This intentional alteration of narration only robs the story of unity. There is, however, one manipulation of the characters which is interesting. Smallpox is characterized beautifully. Giving life to a disease gives life to a story, which, from the beginning, is dragging on without such animation. Smallpox mocks our "hero", Singing- Owl. This tormenting by a naturally inanimate character saturates the story with fantasy and mysticism. The conclusion of the story, unfortunately, leaves the reader with the same sense of disappointment with which it was started. Singing- Owl, rather than becoming a hero, becomes a marionette for Smallpox to control. Singing- Owl breaks down and agrees to bring Smallpox back to the tribe. Even though Singing- Owl does not completely understand the methods of Smallpox, he does understand the negative repercussions. Yet, Singing- Owl grants Smallpox's wish. This event is disappointing to the reader and degrades the main character. Singing- Owl gains some redemption by trying to infect his enemies, but is not effective and is going to die a dishonored man.

John Stuart Mill: Greatest Happiness Principle Essay

John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarian Philosophy came to be known as the greatest happiness principle. It begs the question; what is happiness? Mill thought that the purpose is life is for the experience of pleasure and freedom from pain and that every action must be measured against this paradigm. Yet just like any other perspectives, Mill’s utilitarianism encounters criticism, one of which focuses on the meaning and realization of happiness. Mill however, conscious of the critique implied in his foundation of morality that humans are higher beings than animals or any other species, therefore have higher faculties and appetites. From this standpoint, the argument that men might choose actions that are irrelevant or offensive to other people in the light of satisfaction is rebuked. The source of pleasure and content of the swine could never be the same as that of a human. There is a given superiority of the mental pleasure over bodily ones among utilitarians, and this he maintains. Any act of men which rightly makes him a lower class of being is assumed to be avoided by the latter, as he would not allow himself to shrink into a lower kind of person or being that he is. He attributes this to a sense of pride, or the love of liberty and independence and dignity which he believes, every man possesses in one form or another. Apart from his notion of human domination over other living things, he nonetheless admits that men are capable of choosing and doing bodily pleasures that may be treated less valuable than another. This is true in instances when men have preferred alcoholism despite the knowledge of its negative repercussions in exchange for men’s bodily pleasures derived from the activity. He contests ergo that such incapacity for the nobler feelings is due to the nature of the latter, like a tender plant that is easily killed by hostile influences especially among the young people when the environment is not favorable to keeping that higher capacity in existence. This idea is perhaps a noble addition to the claims of utilitarianism: â€Å"†¦the happiness which forms the utilitarian standard of what is right in conduct is not the agent’s own happiness but that of all concerned†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This makes the values of utilitarianism compatible to other religious norms which states, â€Å"To do as you would be done by† and â€Å"To love your neighbor as yourself†. Hence, an important policy suggestion emerges in the fulfillment of utilitarian morality code; that laws and social structures must institute ways to make the interest of every individual one and the same as that of the whole; and that the association of one person to the happiness of the others must be realized through the utilization of the power which education and opinion embody. In the end, a few lessons have been learnt from Mill; the notion of the universal happiness; the possibility of harmony of interests; and then necessity of policies for the success of his scheme. The same flow of arguments run in Mill’s speech in 1868 in favor of capital punishment. To him, the punishment by death is most desirable for a person who committed heinous crimes such as murder unless there is a probability that the action was undertaken due to factors outside of the character of the individual. He also looks into the essence of conviction in the community relevant to his, â€Å"practical power depends far less on what it is than on what it seems†. He counters the amendment of capital punishment and the transition to lifetime imprisonment as he believes the former is more effective in the light of preventing the innocent from indulging in similar crimes. What seems to the public a dreadful death accrued in capital punishment is for Mill less important than the implementation of his penal justice which seeks to â€Å"deter by suffering from inflicting suffering†. John Stuart Mill’s principle in the final analysis have contributed much to our understanding of man’s greatest happiness, a justification to existing laws and the value of education. References: Ebenstein, William. â€Å"Utilitarianism. † Great Political Thinkers, 6th Edition. Singapore: Thomson Wadsworth, 2000. Mill, John Stuart. â€Å"Utilitarianism and the 1868 Speech on Capital Punishment†

Historical Context Essays - Ethics, Philosophy, Humanities

Historical Context Essays - Ethics, Philosophy, Humanities Historical Context The Beginnings of Social Change British society was divided at the end of the eighteenth century roughly into three classes: the aristocracy, the gentry, and the yeoman class. Yet the revolutionary fervor at end of that century, exemplified by the American and French Revolutions, was seeping into the social fabric of England. In the following several decades, class distinctions began to relax and be redefined. As people in the lower middle classes became more prosperous, they began to emulate their social betters, as did the landed gentry of the upper middle class. During the nineteenth century, increasing numbers of people rose financially through commercial work and factory production. These middle-class individuals increasingly became absorbed with a cultivation of the proper manners, dress, and dcor, practiced by the gentry and lesser members of the aristocracy. Examples of this rising middle class can be seen with the Murdstones and the Steerforths in David Copperfield. David's parents, his aunt, and the Wickfields are members of the middle class, but they do not try to adopt the pretensions of the aristocracy. Nineteenth-Century London The contrast between the wealthy and poorer classes, however, was evident in London during the nineteenth century. A small portion of the city was occupied by well-kept residences and shopping areas. Upper and middle-class residents stayed in these areas, predominantly in the West End, fearing to venture into the remaining threefourths of the city, especially in the rough East End, which was teeming with poverty, dense population, and corruption. The gulf between the rich and poor widened each year. New villages continually emerged, especially near the docks, but even though Londoners found work in the city's busy port, wages were not high enough to adequately provide for workers. The extreme stratification of the English urban centers was studied by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Together, they wrote the Communist Manifesto (1848), and Engels wrote The Condition of the Working Class in England (1844), in which he describes graphically the living conditions in the center of London and Manchester and how these contrast with the wealthy residences on the outskirts. Together, they outlined the causes, effects, and political solutions to the problem of poverty which became the inspiration for the communist revolutions of the twentieth century. Benthamism Benthamism, also known as utilitarianism, became an important ideology in Victorian society, especially among the middle class. The term was associated with a philosophy of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), explained in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789), which was widely accepted among the Victorian middle class, affecting their habits and beliefs. By the 1820s, the philosophy gained a number of disciples who promoted Bentham's theories in debates. Supporters gained political power in the 1830s when approximately one hundred were elected to the first reform-focused Parliament in England. At the core of this philosophy was the belief in "the greatest happiness for the greatest number," a phrase borrowed from Joseph Priestley, a late eighteenth-century Unitarian theologian, which appeared in Bentham's Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. In Victorian People and Ideas, Richard D. Altick explains: utilitarianism was wholly hedonistic; it made no allowance for the promptings of conscience, or for the forces of generosity, mercy, compassion, selfsacrifice, love. Benthamite ethics had nothing to do with Christian morality. At the heart of this belief was the supposition that self-interest should be one's primary concern and that happiness could be attained by avoiding pain and seeking pleasure, qualities that emerge in James Steerforth's character. Evangelicalism Another important middle-class movement in the nineteenth century was evangelicalism, a form of Protestant pietism. Evangelicalism focused less on doctrine and more on the day-to-day lives and eventual salvation of its followers. It set rigid patterns of conduct for its practitioners to follow in order that they might find atonement for their sins. Altick notes that "the Evangelical's anxious eye was forever fixed upon the 'eternal microscope' which searched for every moral blemish and reported every motion of the soul." Edward Murdstone and his sister's treatment of David provides good examples of this type of rigid, moralistic code. Both utilitarian and evangelical movements, however, are also noted for their involvement in humanitarian activities during the Victorian period and especially for their calls for social reforms. Benthamites supported universal suffrage and education while the evangelicals successfully fought for amelioration of brutal prison conditions. A Victorian Woman's Place During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, women (like men) were confined to the classes in which they were born, unless their fathers or husbands moved up or down in the social hierarchy. The strict rules for each social class defined women and determined their lives. Women in the upper classes had

Free Essays on High Speed Internet

In today’s world the bounds of information technology are being pushed further and further every day. With Local Area Networks spanning into Wide Area Networks and globalization happening to every small business with a connection to the Internet the need for alternatives is growing. Technology and hardware are increasing faster than people with the skills to support them are. With this the ways to connect and expand into the Internet are improving as well as the speed of connections. There are many ways to gain access onto today’s Internet and discussed here are going to be three common ways such as the modem, the cable modem and Microsoft’s WebTV. These three describe represent the novice, the intermediate, and the advanced. One of the most common ways to connect to the Internet is the modem or the dial-up adapter. It is the most prevalent of the three and was one of the first pieces of hardware used to connect to the Internet. The modem is very similar to a telephone in which the computer when instructed will dial up a telephone number given to you by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and establish a connection between you and your provider allowing you access to the Internet. The modem has made some advances from it’s initial stages and had managed to increase it’s downloading speeds, commonly used when browsing and its uploading speeds used more often when sending Email. Currently the modem is reaching it’s pinnacle as speeds are reached at around 56 Kilobytes per second which is for download only and the uploads are at a more modest 28.8K or 33.6K. Unfortunately top speeds in the United States will be initially limited to 53K because of FCC regulations. The FCC does not actually limit modem speeds rather it limits the amount of power that can be sent through the phone line. In order to prevent interference with other electrical devices the FCC places limitations not on the modem but on the server equipment at the o... Free Essays on High Speed Internet Free Essays on High Speed Internet In today’s world the bounds of information technology are being pushed further and further every day. With Local Area Networks spanning into Wide Area Networks and globalization happening to every small business with a connection to the Internet the need for alternatives is growing. Technology and hardware are increasing faster than people with the skills to support them are. With this the ways to connect and expand into the Internet are improving as well as the speed of connections. There are many ways to gain access onto today’s Internet and discussed here are going to be three common ways such as the modem, the cable modem and Microsoft’s WebTV. These three describe represent the novice, the intermediate, and the advanced. One of the most common ways to connect to the Internet is the modem or the dial-up adapter. It is the most prevalent of the three and was one of the first pieces of hardware used to connect to the Internet. The modem is very similar to a telephone in which the computer when instructed will dial up a telephone number given to you by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and establish a connection between you and your provider allowing you access to the Internet. The modem has made some advances from it’s initial stages and had managed to increase it’s downloading speeds, commonly used when browsing and its uploading speeds used more often when sending Email. Currently the modem is reaching it’s pinnacle as speeds are reached at around 56 Kilobytes per second which is for download only and the uploads are at a more modest 28.8K or 33.6K. Unfortunately top speeds in the United States will be initially limited to 53K because of FCC regulations. The FCC does not actually limit modem speeds rather it limits the amount of power that can be sent through the phone line. In order to prevent interference with other electrical devices the FCC places limitations not on the modem but on the server equipment at the o...

Financial Fragility, Capital Regulation and Bank Testing Essay

Financial Fragility, Capital Regulation and Bank Testing - Essay Example As the discussion highlights  bank mergers can reduce the cost of operation and increase scope of activities thus enabling them to control market and funding liquidity. This document examines the effects of bank mergers on market and funding liquidity and their interactions during the financial crisis. The activities of the bank influence their capacity to control market and funding liquidity. Investors prefer strong institutions that they perceive as being less risky because they are fairly stable during the periods of the economic downturn.  Ã‚  This paper outlines that liquidity risk is the risk that a particular asset or portfolio may not be exchanged in the market quickly in order to evade a loss, and it results from uncertain liquidity. Liquidity risk could either be due to the market liquidity or funding liquidity. Market liquidity is the condition whereby the assets cannot be traded in the market due to lack of liquidity in the market. The market liquidity can drain sudde nly, interlinked with instability, have cohesion across securities, co-varies with the market, and is dependent on â€Å"flight to quality†. Funding liquidity refers to ease with which traders can obtain funding for assets. The investors require portfolio security with high returns in case the market is illiquid and require return premium for an illiquid security in a situation where the entire market is illiquid. Small banks pose high risk to the investor because they may not be able to acquire funding during the periods of the economic downturn.

Biomedical Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Biomedical Ethics - Essay Example Where Mary Anne Warren maintains that legal rights should not be extended to fetuses as doing so would violate women’s rights such as the right to self-determination for one, I concur that it would prove difficult to protect individual persons who share one body. This was evident in the Supreme Court’s decision in the Case of Ms. G (Thomas & Waluchow, 2002). The ruling further supports Warren’s position on the issue. I will conclude the paper stating that a fetus is also a person and thus deserves our moral respect but any right it may have comes only second to a higher right, that of the woman who bears it. This may sound harsh but it will be best to remember, as history has shown us with slavery, apartheid & abortion, that what is legal isn’t always going to be moral. For the subject of this paper, I will be treating a fetus’ moral right separately from its legal right. In discussing why birth, not conception, is morally significant, Mary Ann Warren presented several opposing assumptions. Believers of the intrinsic-properties assumption find that birth does not change any intrinsic properties of a fetus. Both fetuses & newborn infants almost have the same intrinsic properties. According to one believer, only the capacity of sentience, or being responsive, and the degree of such is a valid basis for moral standing. Warren argues other species would have a higher moral standing than infants if proven that these species are highly sentient. She further says that if the sentient criterion is true then all sentient beings should be treated as moral equals. Therefore, killing other sentient beings such as a mouse or a fly should be considered as immoral as killing an infant. Another philosopher claims that unless a being is capable of wanting to exist, it can’t have a right to life. Since neither an infant nor a fetus is self-aware then killing them wouldn’t be inherently