A Guide to Masters and Doctoral Comprehensive Exams

A Guide to Masters and Doctoral Comprehensive Exams Graduate students take two sets of comprehensive exams, both masters and doctoral. Yes, it sounds scary. Comprehensive examinations, known as comps, are a source of anxiety for most graduate students. What Is a Comprehensive Examination? A comprehensive examination is just what it sounds like. It is a test that covers a broad base of material. It assesses the students knowledge and capacities to earn a given graduate degree. The exact content varies by graduate program and by degree: masters and doctoral comprehensive exams have similarities but differ in detail, depth, and expectations. Depending on the graduate program and degree, comps could test course knowledge, knowledge of your proposed research area, and general knowledge in the field. This is especially true of doctoral students, who must be prepared to discuss the field at a professional level, citing material from coursework but also classic and current references. When Do You Take Comps? Comps are generally given toward the end of coursework or afterward as a way to determine how well a student is able to synthesize the material, solve problems, and think like a professional. Passing a comprehensive exam lets you move to the next level of study. What Is the Format? Masters and doctoral exams often are written exams, sometimes oral, and sometimes both written and oral. Exams are usually administered in one or more long test periods. For example, in one program written doctoral comprehensive exams are given in two blocks that are each eight hours long on consecutive days. Another program administers a written comp exam to masters students in one period that lasts five hours. Oral exams are more common in doctoral comps, but there are no hard and fast rules. What Is the Masters Comp Exam? Not all masters programs offer or require that students complete comprehensive exams. Some programs require a passing score on a comprehensive exam for entry to the thesis. Other programs use comprehensive exams in place of a thesis. Some programs give students a choice of completing either a comprehensive exam or a thesis. In most cases, masters students are given guidance on what to study. It might be specific lists of readings or sample questions from previous exams. Masters comprehensive exams are generally given to an entire class at once. What Is the Doctoral Comp Exam? Virtually all doctoral programs require that students complete doctoral comps. The exam is the gateway to the dissertation. After passing the comprehensive exam a student can use the title doctoral candidate, which is a label for students who have entered the dissertation phase of doctoral work, the final hurdle to the doctoral degree. Doctoral students often receive much less guidance on how to prepare for comps as compared with masters students. They might get long reading lists, some sample questions from previous exams, and instructions to be familiar with articles published over the past few years in the prominent journals in their field. What If You Dont Pass Your Comps? Graduate students who are unable to pass a programs comprehensive exam are weeded from the graduate program and cannot complete the degree. Graduate programs often allow a student who fails the comprehensive exam another chance to pass. However, most programs send students packing after two failing grades.

Classification of Shoes

Classification of Shoes For centuries males have often wondered the same question that for most women have an obvious answer, yet it is something that many men do not fully understand: "Why do women have so many pairs of shoes?" This subject can often be found as the brunt of jokes or even the root of large arguments between spouses. Although greatly misunderstood, the numerous array of shoes has a purpose, and every pair is meaningful.One of the most misunderstood of all shoe styles is the lady's high heel. The shoe, although often associated with the "playboy" type women, is a very elegant and appropriate shoe. High heels show off a woman's feminine side quickly. Despite the feminine side of heels, they can be quite painful and somewhat a hassle when the heel proceeds to break while walking amongst a crowd; but it is all worth it when a woman feels the power that comes with her heels.Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conserva...High heels are a must for any occassion, such as weddings, dates, or a nywhere she may want to impress someone.Boots are usually thought of as the army-style kind, but have been re-vamped with a feminine twist by adding different details. The most noticeable feature of this style of footwear is the shape of the toe. Since the rest of the shoe is not ordinarily seen the toe's shape is essential to her outfit. Another detail that makes the boot unique is height of the heel. It ranges from a sexy stiletto to a graceful flat. Boots are versatile, and can go with a skirt, blue jeans, and dress pants, just to name a few."Even ladies with awful legs, like huge columns, they get very masked by the boot. The best idea for covering up terrible mistakes of nature is the boot."...

Stress and work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Stress and work - Essay Example Work is necessary to earn income to support man’s basic needs and to give one of the privileges for leisure. The objective of this essay is to discuss the results obtained from three assessments required to be completed in relation to conflict resolution, healthy behaviors, and barriers to behaving healthfully. The assessment for health behaviors covers six sections: safety; alcohol, tobacco and drugs; sexual behavior; eating habits; exercise and fitness; and stress control. Concurrently, a stress management technique focusing on diverse kinds of meditation is suggested to be practiced during the course of the exercise. A discussion of the expectations prior and after engaging in the activity would likewise be presented. The kinds of meditation one can select from are as follows: nadam, mantra, koans, pranayama, napanasati. Conflicts arise when the interests of people do not coincide. A number of approaches have been developed to resolve conflicts between individuals and groups. They range from avoidance strategies to third-party mediation and intergroup training. Conflicts cannot actually be eliminated. However, its scope and intensity can be controlled. The assessment on conflict resolution revealed that I basically resolve conflicts through compromise. I got a score of 26. I agree with the results in terms of engaging in mutual exchange of concessions to arrive at a decision which is amenable to conflicting parties. I would not like to impose terms which would be detrimental to the other party – as I would likewise not like to be at the disadvantaged end. I perceive this method of conflict resolution the fairest as the solution is acceptable to both sides. The scores to the following assessments are itemized as follows: 1. Safety – 90; 2. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs – 99; 3. Sexual behavior – 90; 4. Eating habits – 75; 5. Exercise and fitness – 69; and 6. Stress Control – 85. Therefore, I garnered excellent

The Reflex Arm of Behavior Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Reflex Arm of Behavior - Research Paper Example We should thus not treat cats, or animals in general, badly if they happen to do something to hurt us. Most likely, they were only responding to the environment as they sense it, and they did not mean to cause any harm. Why Study Cat Communication? The most important drive for the study of cat communication, particularly those of domesticated cats (Felis catus) is the prevention of untoward incidents between these pets and their owners. Despite their advanced communicating skills relative to other animals, theirs is still primitive as compared to humans. Thus, they are still incapable of giving explicit signals for the message they want to give out. As will be mentioned later, they have similar behavior for two different emotions. Idiosyncrasies of Cats One of the most characteristic traits of domestic cats is its knack for going for long periods without face-to-face encounters with other cats. They may not tolerate long periods of interaction. A moment of showing affection is fine; although cats may feel agitated once they feel they are confined to such for a long time (animal.discovery.com). ... Thus, domestic cats are capable of moving from being fully man-dependent, through commensalism, to total independent existence just within a few generations. One implication of this change within a few generations is that the ancestral, wild side of domestic cats is still retained, as evidenced by the occasional mouse-hunting inside their owners’ homes. The retention of their wild side is also influenced by the fact that most of the time, the home-made foods given to them by their owners are not enough to provide for the nutrition they need as obligate carnivores, such as arachidonic acid, niacin and taurine. They need to retain their hunting abilities to provide for the other nutrients that the food man provides lack (Bradshaw et al., 1999). What is interesting about cats, the owned ones especially, is that they are not really particular with the breed of their mates. Except for the purely domesticated, totally human-dependent Persian and Siamese cats, populations of domestic cats are free to interbreed with one another. However, the isolation of these pure breeds may have been artificially induced. In cases in which a Persian or Siamese cats mate with other cats, the pure breed genes that have penetrated the general pet population do not stay for long, because the phenotype of the interbred progeny, particularly their shortened jaws and long coats, is not ideal for a free-ranging lifestyle (Bradshaw et al., 1999). Fear and Aggression Despite being seemingly different, fear and aggression illicit a similar response of showing superiority over the object of fear or aggression. That is why both behaviors are the ones most difficult to

Ghetto Formation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ghetto Formation - Essay Example Its sheer size has induced a constant exchange and migration of people who move to facilitate employment, education, achievement of social status or family improvement. Thesis Formation of ghettoes is a cause of the problems of racial discrimination and segregation persisted despite the upheavals of war and the changes brought by social progress. Formation of ghettoes is caused by racial differences and racism, racial discrimination and oppression. Historically, the formation of the ghettoes was a response of newly arrived immigrants to the confusion and strangeness of the nineteenth-century city. Originally these "ghettos" were merely ethnic enclaves on a par with a series of other ethnic concentrations. This ethnic enclave based upon language difference or foreign origin became a fixture of urban areas. It was a form of social protection and expression and a testimony to the pluralist character of national life (Edwardson 339). During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, dozens of such immigrant clusters dotted the cities. These neighborhoods provided the setting for the drama of ethnic group life (Purdy 457). Today, critics underline the emergence of a new type of ghetto, 'outcast ghetto' "as a result of industrial decentralization and globalization. [It is] composed only of the poorest segments of subjugated racialized groups (mostly blacks and Hispanics) who are marginal to current production needs" (Walks and Bourne 29). It is important to note that seclusion can be voluntary or involuntary. In modern cities, the seclusion is voluntary used as a protective measures against racial segregation and racial oppression. In ghettoes people condition the common attitude and expectations with regard to the family and residential life of ethnic groups within the larger urban society. The ethnic neighborhoods almost always establish a picture in the public mind of poor living conditions and social disorganization (Fay 217). For over a century this picture was transmitted to a nation dominated by rural, native-born citizens, who prided themselves on their isolation from "foreign" influences and w hose virtues of self-reliance and stability contrasted with the disorders of the struggling urban immigrant groups. Today, the fluidity of urban society creates a great hunger for social status. Distinctions based on ethnic and racial characteristics become important instruments in the status seeking. Following Thabit (2003, 56) rising educational levels have reduced the crudity of the prejudices and stereotypes inherited from the immigration experience, that experience is too sustained and significant not to leave lasting impressions. The Negro areas have become something unique in their size and persistence (Winant 34). They are striking testimonies to the extension of racism right into the most advanced and active portions of society. The concentration of people of color in the "black belts" or urban centers has made a full-scale national phenomenon of a system of racial attitudes and restrictions which is formerly a regional condition.The greatest motivating force behind the mov ement of minority families in the urban centers, however, is the desire to overcome the housing problems. The desire for family improvement has been the positive element of this drive and has led to strenuous efforts to escape the old areas for newer ones (Chekki 585; Glazier 78). The movement

Utilitarian And Deontological Ethical Theories

Utilitarian And Deontological Ethical Theories Thesis: Despite both utilitarian ethical theory and deontological ethical theory can be applied usefully to the issue of stem cell research. I shall argue that utilitarian ethical theory is preferable, because it is most consistent with the considered moral judgments and can give most reasonable answers to the issue. Abstract The paper deals with the area of philosophical inquiry and discussion referred to as ethics or moral philosophy. As suggested by these terms, the primary focus of this inquiry area is about issues that emerge in moral or ethical situations, situations that pose questions regarding what we should or ought to do when the issue is not strictly a self-interest matter, but of right or wrong .For this case the issue is on controversy surrounding stem cell research. There are attempts to try to put some clarity of thought to the issue: This is to clearly define the language used to discuss it, to reveal the inference forms that underlie our thinking about it, and to justify and determine principles that can give guidance in solving these issue through bringing into consistency the best intuitions and thoughts on these matters. Background on Stem Cell Research Stem cell research has emerged to be one of the major issues dividing the religious and scientific communities around the globe. There is one central question with regards to the core of the issue: When does life begin? (Kristen et al, 313).To obtain reliable stem cells, either scientists need to use already conceived embryo or else clone an embryo using a cell from the patient body and a donated egg. Either way, scientists must destroy the embryo when harvesting an embryos stem cells. Despite that embryo may only have 4-5 cells, some religious leaders argue that destroying it is same as terminating human life. Inevitably, the issue is in the political arena. (Kristen et al, 313). Congress passed a rider to the federal appropriations bill in 1996, referred to as Dickey-Wicker amendment. Representatives Roger Wicker and Jay Dickey proposed abolishing the federal monies use for any research where a human embryo is destroyed or created. Federal monies are a primary funding source for stem cell research. Since then the amendment has been renewed every year. President George W. Bush, in 2001 restricted further the federal stem cell research. Bush stated in an executive order that federal funds may only be employed for research involving already established (only 22 cell lines) human embryonic stem cell lines. This restricted researchers from generating more embryonic stem cell lines for research. In 2009, an executive order issued, was issued by President Barack Obama to expand embryonic stem cell research. Obamas administration permitted embryonic stem cell research federal funding following conditions applied: The cell line was among the 22 cell lines that existed during the Bush administration or was generated from discarded embryos after the procedures of in vitro fertilization. The embryos donors were not paid in any way. The donors were fully aware that the embryos could be used for research purposes before giving consent. The political debate However, in political terms, at the heart of debate on stem cell is a battle over abortion but its with a twist. Yes, the cells are from embryos. And with regards to religious orthodoxy, an embryo is considered to be life. Infact, some pro-life advocates have not objected employing stem cells for research to what was done by Nazi doctors during World War II ( Maureen et al,29). But also the embryo cells hold great promise for many sick patients with their families. Furthermore, several embryos might otherwise be discarded unceremoniously. There are high political stakes, and those involved in the debate are obliged to review their position. Embryonic stem cells that come from the inner blastocyst (fertilized egg after four days of conception) are controversial ( Maureen et al,26). But while several pro-life advocates remain firm in their opposition to embryonic cells use for research, others including scientific community are in favor of research funding. High-profile activists, such as actor Michael J. Fox, with Parkinsons disease, appeared before subcommittees of congressional claiming that stem cell research should continue. The scientific debate We exactly dont know what stem cells can do for us; however, we do know that due to the fact that stem cells are undifferentiated, scientists may prompt them to whatever cell type. The cells can as well replace sick or damaged cells in an injured patient or in a patient with degenerative disease. The question is; where are scientists obtaining these cells? Until of recent, it was known that majority of various stem cells employed in research were obtained from embryos discarded (or excess) stored at in-vitro fertilization clinics. If potential parents make a decision of not having more children, they may be requested by scientists working with stem cells to donate embryos not needed for research. For the method that is most controversial, stem cells can be pulled from aborted fetuses by scientists. This can be after providing signed consent by the patient who previously decided to terminate her pregnancy. This is the most often highlighted procedure considered by pro-life activists who object stem cell research.( Maureen et al,28). For pro-life advocates, the moral cost of undertaking stem cell research supersedes any potential benefits. However, for scientists, the likelihood is both bewildering and awe-inspiring. Nobody denies the stem cell debate moral dilemma. Background on Utilitarian Ethical Theory. The utilitarian ethical theory is established on the capacity to predict actions consequences. According to a utilitarian, the choice which gives the greatest benefit to the majority is a correct choice ethically. One benefit of this ethical theory is that the utilitarian can compare similar predicted solutions and a point system is employed in the determination of more beneficial choice for the majority. This point system gives a rationale and logical argument for every decision and enables an individual to employ it on a case-by-case context (Postema et al, 56). There are two utilitarianism types, rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism. In act utilitarianism, an individual performs the acts which benefit the majority, regardless of societal constraints like laws and personal feelings. However, rule utilitarianism, is concerned with fairness. Hence takes into account the law. A rule utilitarian aims to benefit the majority but through the most just and fairest means available. Therefore, additional rule utilitarianism benefits are that it values justice as well as at the same time it includes beneficence (Ryan, 125). However, similarly to other ethical theories, both rule and act utilitarianism consists of numerous flaws. Inherent in both are the flaws related with future prediction. Despite persons can employ their life experiences to try to predict the outcomes, there is no one who can be sure that his predictions will be true. This can result to unexpected outcomes, hence it will make utilitarian appear unethical as time passes due to his choice never benefited the majority as he predicted (Ryan, 126).For instance, if an individual lights a fire to warm his friends, then later the fire burns down the house resulting from the soot in the chimney caught on fire, then now it seems the utilitarian chose an unethical decision. The outcome of unexpected house fire is taken to be unethical due to it never benefited his friends. Another assumption to be made by utilitarian is that he has the capacity to compare several forms of consequences against each other basing on similar scale. However, material gains comparison like money against intangible gains like happiness is not possible because their quality varies to such a bigger extent (Ryan, 129). Another failing that is found in utilitarianism is that it never allows supererogation existence. In other terms, persons needs to constantly behave so that the majority benefit despite the danger related to an act (Ryan, 127). As noted above, act utilitarianism is strictly concerned with maximum good achievement. With regards to this theory, the rights of an individual might be infringed upon for the sake of benefiting a greater population. In other terms, act utilitarianism always is never concerned with beneficence, justice or autonomy for a person if the individual oppression results to the solution that benefits a majority. Another instability source within act utilitarianism is experienced when a utilitarian encounters one variable conditions set and then experiences suddenly a change in those variables that makes her original decision to be changed. This indicates that an act utilitarian may be good to you at one moment then dislike you at the later moment due to the change of variables, hence no longer beneficial to the majority (Ryan, 124). Background on Deontological Ethical Theory The deontological theory states that persons need to stick to their duties and obligations when evaluating an ethical dilemma. This implies that an individual will follow her or his obligations to benefit another person or society because what is taken to be ethically correct is upholding ones duty (Freeman, 10). For example, often a deontologist will follow the law as well as keep his promises to a friend. Very consistent decisions can be made by a person who follows this theory because will be based on the set duties of an individual. Deontology gives a basis for special obligations and duties to particular people, like those within ones family. For instance, an older brother obligation may be to protect his little sister in crossing a busy road. This theory as well acknowledges those deontologists who exceed their obligations and duties, referred to as supererogation (Ellis, 859). For instance, if a train is hijacked and is with full of students and the demand of the hijackers is that one person should have to die in order for the rest to live, an individual who volunteers to die is exceeding her or his duty to the other students, hence supererogation act. Despite deontology has several positive attributes, it also has a number of flaws. One weakness with this theory is that there is no logical or rationale basis for deciding the duties of an individual. For example, a decision can be made by a businessman that it is his duty to be going for meetings on time. Despite this seems to be a noble duty, it is not known why the person decided to make this his duty. A similar scenario explains two other deontology drawbacks including the fact that duties of a person conflict sometimes, and that deontology is never concerned with other peoples welfare. For example, how is deontologist supposed to drive if he must be in the meetings on time and time is running late? Is he needed to speed, to uphold the law by breaking his duty to society, or is he required to arrive late to the meeting, to be on time by breaking his duty? This conflicting obligations scenario neither leads us to a clear resolution that is ethically correct nor does it protect ot her peoples welfare from the decision of deontologist. Because deontology is not based on each situation context, it never gives any guidance in a complex situation where there is conflicting obligations (Ellis, 860) Application of Act Utilitarianism In the avoidance of confusion, it is critical to clarify different issues which can be addressed from a utilitarian perspective. One of the issues, which is the primary focus in this paper, is the sensible moral value determination of an action in a moral situation which is controversy on stem cell research. This is a moral obligation question that is appropriate in deliberation: What is the right action among all alternative actions to perform in stem cell research controversy (moral situation)? From the act utilitarianism perspective, the answer is;The right action is the only one which will give the best probable consequences, as discussed earlier. Another different question that probably can be addressed from the perspective of act utilitarian is, moral responsibility: Is a moral agent morally accountable for the action already performed by him; is it logical to praise or blame the agent for their action. For instance, President George W. Bush, in 2001 restricted further, the federal stem cell research or Obamas administration permitted embryonic stem cell research federal funding. Basing on this, will they be responsible for their decision? The basis for such judgments will be considered in some greater detail. However, it should be noted here that from an act utilitarian perspective it is fallacious to determine the agents moral responsibility based on unavailable information present at the time they made their decision. However, it would not be fare to put blame on a moral agent for the consequences he/she could not probably foresee. Consequently, to determine moral responsibility from the perspective of act utilitarian it is crucial to make a judgment basing on available information at the time, and such a judgment made may be so different from the one that might be made from the privileged hindsight standpoint of what action was the right one to take. For instance, considering Stem cell research dilemma, it might be probably consistent upon act utilitarianism to come up with a judgment on hindsight that it is wrong to destroy embryo cells for the sake of stem cell research, but that the scientist need not to be blamed for taking the wrong action since they cant foresee the ultimate acti ons consequences. Now, with regards to moral deliberation issue, what must a moral agent do when he/she encounters a moral dilemma? The act utilitarianism answer is that the moral agents is required to do what is (basing on all available information and evidence) in their best judgment, the moral agent determines an action that is morally right, the action that will result to the best consequences for all. Therefore, moral judgment is a risky action. It is not possible to be sure in a given perfect foresight, of what the actions consequences will be. Still, we predict constantly the actions consequences, and it is believed that the reasonable predictions can be made basing on past experience. Invariably, due to the relative prediction uncertainty, moral judgment from the perspective of an act utilitarian includes considering the relative consequences probabilities of our actions. In certain cases, in the presence of accurate statistics, the probability mathematics can give a precise way of handling these issues. Hence, if a state legislature is considering whether to pass a bill that supports stem cell research, statistics indicating embryo destruction rate from the embryo donation as a function of the legal embryo donation can be used in the determination of the probability that the life cut short in embryo donation will increase by a certain amount if the donation limit is raised. In several moral situations, accurate statistics is not available; in this case, a moral agent will be required to rely on intuitive, less precise sense of probabilities (Frankena, 10). Despite intuitive probabilities assessments are imprecise; still they can be made reasonably basing on evidence available of past experience. It is sensible to judge, for instance, that the probability is greater to have lettuce available for purchase in the grocery than to say, imported Camembert cheese. Whether or not precise probability calculations are possible, derivative obligation is posed by act utilitarianism upon any moral agent to seek any and all evidence or information available that is relevant in the determination of the possible ones actions consequences, and consider in a conscientious and serious manner. Application of Rule Utilitarianism Rule utilitarianism widens the focus of ethical discussion and moral deliberation considerably when it is compared to act utilitarianism. The major concern here is not the limited consequences of specific acts of a persons moral agents, but the long-range and more encompassing consequences of social practices viewed by all moral agents in the society. Hence the idea is not what will take place if I do this and this, but what will result if everybody as a rule did this and this, as compared to other accepted practice forms. This moral issue (Stem cell research) raises a complication that may need attention when applying rule utilitarianism. In todays society, several persons believe, on the basis of traditional ethical perspective or religious convictions that human life is sacred. In such a case, to take or terminate any human life, even in brain death cases or embryo destruction is morally wrong. Individual with such views may be greatly aggrieved or distressed if passive euthanasia or embryo destruction for stem cell research were permitted in such cases. Must the rule utilitarian consider such moral sentiments as one probable negative consequence of allowing passive euthanasia or embryo destruction in such cases? What is strange with this issue, definitely, at this issue, it is that, sentiments are ones that result from moral perspective on ethical issue under consideration. It is not possible for a rule utilitarian to consistently rule out the consideration of any negative impact of certain rule implementation or practice in the society. Due to this, a rule utilitarian is restricted by their position to even take into the account the moral opinions of persons who might be opposed to such implementation. However, the crucial point to take into account from a rule utilitarian viewpoint is that it is not only the immediate implementations consequences of a particular social practice that should be considered, but also the long-range consequences. Moral opinions normally change with time, and usually, they change following major changes in social practice and policy. In the past, prior to the establishment of womens economic and political rights, several men, and infact, some women, had a belief that women need not be given equal rights in society as a matter of moral principle and traditional practice. No doubt such individuals were greatly disturbed by th e gradual womens rights advancement in society. But over time, such attitudes have considerably diminished. Today, few believe that it is objectionable morally for women to have same role in society; this is contrary to most individuals who are against women equal rights as it is a social injustice. And few may deny that the social and economic opportunities now open to women have benefited the womens lives, and society as well. Thus history provides us better reason in believing that when reasonable changes in social practices and policies are instituted, any negative feelings that may arise as a result of conservative moral perspective are relatively short-lived than those which are long-term benefits. Basing on this, concerns on negative moral opinions significantly diminish in rule utilitarian ethical evaluation. In summary, with regards to this rule utilitarianism, it should be noted that several points considered above regarding act utilitarianism application apply in a equall y to rule utilitarianism application as well. Also, as with act, in rule utilitarianism, predictions uncertainties must be dealt with inevitably, but in this case predictions regarding the impact of the social institution of rules. Also, in utilitarianism, such Uncertainties need to be dealt with through weighing the relative probabilities of uncertain outcomes. The rule utilitarian will as well presume that such assessments can be made sensible, because lawmakers evaluate routinely the probable institutions outcomes of socially adopted rules. In rule utilitarianism application, as with the theorys act formulation, the moral deliberation aim is to make the most intelligent and informed assessment of outcomes possible and moral decisions will be based on this assessment. Application of Universal Law Formulation First it is required to note a clear distinction between utilitarian theory and Kants theory: Kant argues that moral judgments made can be with greater certainty as compared with any utilitarian may consistently claim. This can be due to; as discussed earlier, utilitarian moral judgment is based on factual judgments regarding future consequences of current actions, and such judgments cant be made with certainty. On the other hand, Kant denies the idea that actions consequences are morally appropriate, hence moral judgment doesnt rely, with regards to his theory, on the predictions uncertainties. In fact, Kant claimed that moral judgment was a priori judgment instance, meaning, judgment that can be justified prior to or independently of empirical evidence, just as we normally believe that no empirical evidence is required to know that 2+2=4 is true. Hence, is not required to know anything empirically about where or when a a certain act will be performed, or what will be the consequences of the act, to offer a moral actions evaluation. But despite moral judgment is not based on Kants empirically known facts, in Kantian theory there is one major factual issue which should be resolved for the sake of determining the actions moral value. This is all relevant and sometimes, complex issue of maxim formulation of the moral agents action, because it is the maxim which determines action type that a moral agent does or should do. Kant gave no particular guidelines on the way one need to describe an action in the maxim form as moral judgment basis, but reasonable and clear guidelines can be made. First, because maxim is an actions rule adopted by the moral agent, it is supposed to be formulated normatively, but not descriptively, as an action guide. Hence, formulation of any maxim can be in a general form I (or one) should (or ought t o) do such and such. (Simpler and acceptable alternative to this form is critical, Do such and such.) This may seem to be strange, because as seen earlier, the maxim descriptively determines what the moral agent does or should do. Deontologists lack a lot of rules. In some situations, this offers a fair amount of freedom. Because their rules require or forbid only particular actions, other actions are there for them. A deontologist will never say, It is good to preserve the rain forest. After all, rain forest preservation all concerns consequences and this is not what a deontologist base on. So the deontologist will chop away the forest and not feel guilty for the act. Deontologists may say, respect the world God gave us and to respect the world may need rain forest protection but that may not be the reason why deontologists did so. The conflicting obligations scenario neither leads us to a clear resolution that is ethically correct nor does it protect other peoples welfare from the decision of deontologist. Because deontology is not based on each situation context, it never gives any guidance in a complex situation where there is conflicting obligations (Ellis, 857). In conclusion, deontologists are persons who freely decide to accept particular constraints and who choose what is right basing on the nature of the act itself. Some establish particular rules such as do not kill, keep your promises etc. and some follow Gods commandments or Kants categorical imperatives. They never evaluate consequences as a rule and in other cases they find themselves in very complicated situations. This is in contrary to utilitarian ethical theory that is established on the capacity to predict actions consequences. According to a utilitarian, the choice which gives the greatest benefit to the majority is a correct choice ethically. One benefit of this ethical theory is that the utilitarian can compare similar predicted solutions and a point system is employed in the determination of more beneficial choice for more people. This point system gives a rationale and logical argument for every decision and enables an individual to employ it on a case-by-case context. It is not possible for a rule utilitarian to consistently rule out the consideration of any negative impact of certain rule implementation or practice in the society. Due to this, a rule utilitarian is restricted by their position to even take into the account the moral opinions of persons who might be opposed to such implementation. Therefore, despite both utilitarian ethical theory and deontological ethical theory can be applied usefully to the issue of stem cell research. It is clearly evident that utilitarian ethical theory is preferable, because it is most consistent with the considered moral judgments and can give most reasonable answers to this issue. Philosophy can be of help in identifying the range of ethical conversations, methods and value systems which can be applied to a certain problem. But after clarifying these things, every individual is supposed to make his/her own personal decision on what to do, and then respond appropriately to the consequences. Uncertainties need to be dealt with through weighing the relative probabilities of uncertain outcomes. The rule utilitarian will as well presume that such assessments can be made sensible, because lawmakers evaluate routinely the probable institutions outcomes of socially adopted rules.

An Enemy of the People, Waiting for Godot and Civilization and Its Disc

Science and Human Values in Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, Beckett's Waiting for Godot and Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents Throughout the centuries, society has been given men ahead of their time. These men are seen in both actual history, and in fictional accounts of that history. Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon, and even Freud laid the framework in their fields, with revolutionary ideas whose shockwaves are still felt today. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and so society has also possessed those how refuse to look forward, those who resisted the great thinkers in science and civilization. The advancement of science and technology is like the flick of a light switch; research may be slow and tedious, but once discoveries are made, they are not long hidden. In contrast, advancement in the ideas of ethics and human values come slowly, like the rising of the sun; there are hints at advancement for a long time before the next step is ready to be made. Because of this, science and technology takes off in leaps and bounds before human values have awakened to find society moving again. This race between science and human values is a common theme in literature. Sigmund Freud discusses it in his essay Civilization and Its Discontents, bringing up themes later reflected in Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. In the more concrete story line of Ibsen's An Enemy of the People one finds intertwined this same conflict. It seems generally agreed that science and technology are winning in this race, at the expense of humanity. But there is less agreement as to just what to do about it, or what is needed to save humanity from its own scientific advances. Sigmund Freud breaks t... ...rson with the right balance of science and people skills can help slow science down and awaken the ideas of human values in people regarding scientific advances in human genetics. If human values are to keep up with scientific advancement, there needs to be not complacency but action. Freud saw both science and the search for happiness rooted in the outlet of energy from repressed instincts. The continual recharge of this energy promises to keep the race between these two forces going. As expressed in Ibsen's play, it seems the key to a thriving society is to let neither science nor human values get too far ahead. Works Cited: Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. New York: Grove Press,. 1954. Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. New York: W. W. Norton, 1961. Ibsen, Henrik. An Enemy of the People. Dover Publications: New York, 1999.