The AIDS inflicted citizens in Africa Essay Example for Free

The AIDS inflicted citizens in Africa Essay The dilemma regarding the AIDS inflicted citizens in Africa is a modern day paradox. On one hand, mankind can achieve huge strides in the research necessary to control the malady which has already killed so many. On the other, modern civilization risks the exploitation of fellow human beings born into a more unfortunate and primitive lifestyle deficient in modern healthcare. In general, the debate which takes precedence above all others is the question of equality in the context of morality. According to the traditional perspective of Immanuel Kant constructed in his Metaphysics of Morals, the universal presumption of moral principles is that they apply to all rational autonomous beings at all places and at all times. Thus, Kant would argue that the medical care provided to trial participants in Africa should be equivalent, or at least comparable, to the treatment offered to citizens in more advanced societies as long as it does not compromise the rational autonomy of the people involved. To approach the issue from Kants perspective, it is important to first delineate the considerations Kant would reason to be the most morally relevant when attempting to provide a conclusion. In his work, Kant clearly outlines three general principles about moral duties as well as other considerations which can are applicable to the situation. First of all, it would be essential to determine if giving inferior treatment to uneducated individuals in Africa is a choice based on a sense of duty, or if ulterior aims might exist. On first glance, this seems to lead to an initial conclusion that failing to provide volunteers with comparable treatment is an unfair and immoral choice based on monetary and political motives. However, further analysis reveals that the rational autonomy of the individuals in question must also be considered. Providing the luxurious treatments seen in more advanced countries to people in Africa may violate their rational autonomy by tempting or deceiving them into an action they would not normally undertake. Therefore, any choice made in regards to AIDS treatments must reflect a desire to do what is right while preserving and respecting the rational autonomy of the individuals. Kants second consideration would be to base the moral quality of his decision on the intentions of that choice, not the actions consequences. Thus, the issue cannot be resolved by developing a best case scenario, but must be determined by distinguishing which option is enacted with the best moral intentions. In this way, it is likely that the most morally acceptable choice would be the one which puts Africas citizens on an equal consideration with the rest of the world, and so would include providing identical treatment. Thirdly, it is important to make sure that whatever direction is taken, it is taken out of respect for the moral law and for no other reason such as need or desire. To fulfill the third principle, an action cannot violate the categorical imperative. Otherwise, the decision cannot be considered as a moral action. The moral law, as Kant explained, is a universal formula that ensures all actions are undertaken with pure motives without consideration of the consequences. When deciding whether or not to give Africans the same health benefits that AIDS phase II trial volunteers would receive in other countries, even if they are very expensive, it is important to determine whether the choice could be applied universally. In other words, Kant would compare the options faced by pharmaceutical companies by placing all of them in the categorical imperative, and observe which options are inherent contradictions. When weighing the options using the categorical imperative, the results once again suggests that providing African volunteers with equivalent treatments takes precedence over all other options. The concept of appropriate treatment, if determined only on monetary, social and political status, would seemingly contradict itself if it were considered a universal law. Kant would argue that by issuing care by status, people would be applying a different standard to their own behavior than they would want applied to themselves and everyone else. The problem with the contradiction argument, critics might argue, is that it may prove difficult if not impossible to provide supporting evidence that universalizing the maxim would result in a contradiction. Advocates would then turn to another method of formulating the categorical imperative to support their position. In the alternate interpretation, known as the second formulation, the categorical imperative serves as a requirement that we must not treat other rational beings as mere means to our own purposes. This tactic allows proponents of equal treatment to establish their position without attempting to prove any inherent contradictions. Instead, they simply have to show that by failing to meet the precedence of care in other countries, pharmaceutical companies are treating people as ends not as means. Critics may also claim that a truly moral decision would factor in the hard work of the manufacturers of the antiretroviral drugs, as well as anyone else involved in the trials. Kant would not dismiss this assertion. In Metaphysics of Morals, Kant does not attempt to claim that all actions must always be undertaken out of a sense of duty, he simply outlines the necessary components required to establish an individuals own autonomy based on reason. When considering the dilemma faced by pharmaceutical companies, the only critical consideration is whether the ultimate decision conforms to moral law. They may also argue that the drugs given to Americans and Europeans are so much more expensive to Africans that it cannot be deemed appropriate to treat African volunteers with them. To this argument, Kant would refute the idea that the term appropriate should not be applied universally. In his perspective, all humans are rational autonomous agents who deserve the same treatment. If a law or rule cannot be applied universally, a.k.a. fails the categorical imperative, then it should not be considered moral. The philosophy of the Metaphysics of Morals appears to lend itself nicely to the dilemma of conducting phase II trials in Africa by clearly addressing the major moral concerns involved while at the same time respecting the complexity of the conflict. Kant would recognize that other peoples livelihoods and incomes can be considered when deciding whether or not to provide expensive treatments in Africa, as long as the ultimate decision does not violate moral law. Pharmaceutical companies must insure that they are not manipulating or violating the rational autonomy of their possible test subjects in Africa, but may still consider other variables such as profits and benefits to society. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies appear to have a moral duty to provide adequately equal care to all phase II trial participants in Africa, providing they take steps to insure they are not violating anyones rational autonomy in the process.

Comparing the Use of Language in Titus Andronicus and Hamlet Essay

Comparing the Use of Language in Titus Andronicus and Hamlet As characters of high birth and important political positions, Titus and Hamlet are necessarily observed closely by those around them for their reaction to the tragic events that have taken in place in their lives; and it is primarily the unique language with which they express their grief and anger that disconcerts both their enemies and their friends, and keeps them under an exacting scrutiny for the duration of their eponymous plays. The other characters in Titus Andronicus and Hamlet interpret the language of these tragic heroes, the devices it employs, the lack of decorum it exhibits, as the symptom of madness. It is a language born out of suffering and crafted by intelligence and insight, and, above all, a desire to push language to its expressive limit, and as such, a language that characters like Marcus, Tamora, Polonius, Horatio, and Gertrude cannot appreciate, and are quick to label madness. And yet there is also a sense in which this term in not wholly inapplicable, for, a s these plays demonstrate, there is a fine line between poetry and madness. The language of the principal characters in Titus Andronicus is fraught with poetic devices, such as allusion to classical mythology and extended similes, many of which are in the heroic style of Virgil and Homer and appropriate classical themes. Titus compares his return to Rome with "the bark that hath discharged his fraught/ [and] returns with precious lading to the bay/ from whence at first she weighed her anchorage" and voices a desire that the virtues of Rome's new leader, Saturninus, will "reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth" (I.i.71-73, I.i.225-226). Lucius describes the bodies of his dead broth... ...ft, Horatio. The funeral baked meats/Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables," thus realizing, through language, all of the implications of such a union of opposites (I.ii.180-1). Titus is also the only character in his play to make full sense of its themes-through the devices of metaphor, which yokes together seemingly disparate aspects of life, and the device of metonymy, which pares people and concepts down to their very essence, he comes to an understanding of the true nature of violence, grief, and revenge. Works Cited: Kurmode, Frank. Shakespeare's Language. The Penguin Group. London, 2000 Shakespeare, William. Titus Andronicus. Ed. Eugene M. Waith. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 5th ed. Ed. Robert DiYanni. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2002.

Importance of College Education

Student Name: Student Identification Number: Course Number and Title: ENG110. 6. 3 Achieving Academic Excellence Assignment Number and Title: Writhing Assessment 5_06 Date of Submission: April 10, 2013 The importance of a college education to me will allow me grow professionally as well personally. Obtaining my degree will benefit me by helping me get the proper education to help further my career I chose in Human Resources. It will open a whole new world for me and allow me to grow. I can obtain my degree which is very important because I want to be financially stable and have a career in Human Resources.College will open doors and provide me with better opportunities than just having a high school diploma. Having a college degree for me would help me achieve what I want and where I want to go. That is to have a stable job and have a decent income coming in so I can live comfortable. One of my reasons for me to go back to college is my only son. He is thirteen now and I am hoping to get my degree before he graduates out of high school. I want him to have a positive role model to look up to. I want him to understand what a college education can provide to him if that’s the path he chooses after high school graduation.My lifelong goals sent me back to school so I can better my life and show my son what a college degree can take you. I’m hoping it will help me get a better job so that I will be able to provide for myself and my son. According to Mr. Scott Reed â€Å"with a definite, step-by-step – ah, what a difference it makes! You cannot fail, because each step carries you along to the next, like a track†. One can be more competitive in the growing job market. Having a college degree is going to help me pursue what I want and will help me grow personally and professionally.I chose to further my education at Ashworth because of the flexibility of taking classes online and being a full time mom and having a full time job, Ashworth made it possible to go back to school. In this day and age it’s hard to get a good paying job or having a career without obtaining a college education. By achieving a college degree I will have improved my chances of acquiring a great paying job in Human Resources. Bibliography Successstories. com 2011 http://www. successories. com/iquote/author/4072/scott-reed-quotes/1

Is Sexism Still a Force in Our Culture - 1212 Words

Is Sexism Still a Force in Our Culture? Sexism against women has been prevalent for hundreds of years, despite the fact that there is nothing inherently sexist about human existence, or that of other animals. In fact, there exist a number of animal species that are not sexist, and the sustained prevalence of sexism among humans is a topic that necessitates investigation. This paper examines sexism as it relates to contemporary culture, with particular emphasis paid to whether women have overcome the oppression that they lived with during preceding generations. Specifically, this paper begins with an examination of the different ways in which sexism manifests in todays culture, then discusses the specific ways in which sexism has been combated. Ultimately, it is argued that while substantial developments have been made in combating sexism, gender discrimination is still inextricably linked with culture. Sexism is still embedded in the fiber of contemporary culture. However, to further explore the ways in which sexism is in tertwined with culture, it is first necessary to define culture. For the purposes of this investigation, culture refers to the corporate environment and forms of employment, as well as the different entertainment industries and canonical literary texts that are endorsed in schools and the greater society. Although not necessarily a product of culture, this paper also investigates the possibility that there is inherent sexism that manifests throughShow MoreRelatedInequality Between Men And Women1315 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction 3 Thesis 3 Defining Sexism 3 Why is it a social problem? 3-4 Statistics 4 Identifying and Defining Four Concepts Related to Sexism 4-5 How is this problem being addressed? 5 Conclusion 6 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 7 Social problems have always been a part of society. Although some social problems have disappeared over time others have uprooted and evolved to fit our ever-changing world. Within our textbook, A. Leon-Guerrero definesRead MoreJapanese culture is one of the most well appreciated yet, sometimes intriguing and difficult to1000 Words   |  4 PagesJapanese culture is one of the most well appreciated yet, sometimes intriguing and difficult to understand in comparison to certain other cultures. The differences between men and women, different religious ideologies and many symbolic beliefs are characteristics that makes this a culture of world-wide study by many people from other parts of the world. Because of its complexity to understand and learn, Japanese culture not only reflects this major differences in the present day, but it follows theRead MoreWomen s Leadership Position Within The Sport Industry972 Words   |  4 Pagesmake unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, ‘She doesn t have what it takes.’ They will say, Women don t have what it takes. Clare Boothe Luce. 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Also, the expectations are the same in hip hop culture because men reject l esbians. An example is the murder in 2003 of Sakia Gunn after she declared her lesbian identity to a group of males. We all know that in hip hop culture men predominate and precisely masculine. Women can achieve a higherRead MoreHip Hop : The Rise Of The Post Hip Rap Generation1168 Words   |  5 Pagesnever be the focus of political change. 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Since the 18th century, when America first began colonization