The Euthyphro Dialogue free essay sample

In this paper I will describe and analyze the Euthyphro dialogue where Plato offered an argument against the divine command Meta- ethical view. In this dialogue, Socrates argued against Euthyphro definition of actions being pious and holy. In Plato’s Euthyphro, Socrates first heard that Euthyphro is trying to prosecute his father for murder. Euthyphro’s thinks that his action was pious, and his definition of piety is doing what the God(s) approve of. Socrates questioned Euthyphro’s definition of action being pious and quickly asks: â€Å"is the holy loved by the gods because it is holy? Or is it holy because it is loved? Socrates presents this premise to argue against Euthyphro definition of piety as he suggests this question. What Socrates has asked is whether something is lovable because the God (s) love it, or the God(s) love it for the reason that something is loveable. He points out this question because it introduces the Euthyphro dilemma. We will write a custom essay sample on The Euthyphro Dialogue or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This dilemma obstructs Socrates to draw the conclusion of what pious and holiness is. Socrates suggests that there are two horns in the Euthyphro dilemma. The first horn that he illustrates is the question of whether moral is loved by the God(s) because it is moral. Socrates points out that if an action is holy then the God (s) will love it. And no matter how the God(s) feels about it, or whether if the God(s) will approve or disprove it, and that action will still be holy. For instance, we all know that rape is impious. No matter how the God (s) think, he cannot change the fact that rape is impious. What this horn implies is that morality is independent of the God(s)’s opinion, and therefore the God(s)’s opinion is bounded by the morality. Following the first horn in the Euthyphro dilemma, Socrates introduces the second horn in the dilemma. As he again asks: â€Å"is the holy loved by the gods because it is holy? Or is it holy because it is loved? † Socrates addresses that the second horn is that the God(s)’s opinion or approval of a certain action makes that particular action pious. In other words, morality is bounded by the God(s)’s opinion. This second horn is also known as the Divine Command Theory. In this theory it claims that the God(s) is goodness. In order for us to judge whether an action is moral or immoral is solely based on whether the God(s) allows us to do it, or prohibits us from doing it. In contrast, the second horn is rather the opposite of the first horn. The first horn states that morality is independent of the God(s)’s opinion, and the God(s)’s opinion is bounded by the morality. Whereas, the second horn states that morality is depending and is bounded by the God(s)’s opinion or approval. The use of the Euthyphro Dilemma by Socrates to argue against Euthyphro’s definition of pious is relatively successful. Here are the analyses of how successful the two horns are in the Dilemma. Suppose the first horn: â€Å"is the pious loved by the god(s) because it is pious† is true, then we can conclude that the God(s) bases his decision what to love on what is already pious. As a result, piety must have existed before any of the God(s)’s love. Otherwise, the God(s) will not love anything since there isn’t any piety. If it is true that piety exists before any love, then it means that piety is independent of the God(s)’s love. And therefore piety is not affected or determined by the God(s). In other words, no matter whether the God(s) loves an action or not, piety still exists on the action. On the other hand, let us assume that the second horn that Socrates presented: â€Å"Is it holy because it is loved? † is true. Then in this point of view, nothing is good until the God(s) loves it. Suppose then, that the second horn: â€Å"It is holy because it is loved† is correct, then on this view, nothing is pious until the God(s) loves it. However, if this is true, then it raises three problems. The first problem is known as the problem of arbitrariness. It comes to this first problem when the God(s) chooses which action to love and to hate. And what the God(s) loves or approves of is based on some property of an action. In other words, the property of the action is what really makes the action pious, not the God(s)’s love or approval. As a result, in order for the God(s) to really make an action pious, the God(s) will have to love and approves the action(s) arbitrarily, with no reason at all. This problem is made worse when if it is true that the omnipotent God can love and approve of anything arbitrarily. For example, if the God(s) approves and loves assassinations or murders, then the action of assassinating and murder will automatically become pious. This doesn’t seem right though that even if the God(s) loves murders and killings and theses actions will still be pious. And therefore, this problem proves the Devine command theory to be false. The problem of caprice is the second problem that exists in the second horn from the dilemma. This problem suggests that the God(s)’s approval and his love for an action might be pious for today, but it might be impious tomorrow. In addition, Socrates explains that if there are many gods, how can things be determined if they are pious or not. â€Å"It would be at all surprising if you were thereby doing something agreeable to Zenus but odious to Coronus and Uranus. This second problem creates a grey area of whether an action is pious or not. Due to the fact that this grey-area exists, it implies that the Devine Command Theory can be false. The third problem that exists in the dilemma is the problem of triviality. We all know that â€Å"God is good† and â€Å"Whatever God does is good†. However, it is no triviality that the God(s) should act in accordance with these values. There is a possi bility that one day at which the God(s) fails to act â€Å"good†, and which it also means that there is a possibility that the Divine Command Theory can become false. By now, we have described and analyzed the two horns in the dilemma that Socrates presents in his conversation with Euthyphro. The use of the dilemma is successful at arguing against Euthyphro’s definition of piety. What Euthyphro defines piety is that doing what the God(s) approve of – The Devine Command Theory. As Socrates suggests the problems within horns from the dilemma, these problems again and again prove that the Devine Command Theory isn’t always right. In other words, what Euthyphro says about piety is doing what the God(s) approves of isn’t going to be true all the time.

Survival in Auschwitz - The Nazi Assault on Humanity essays

Survival in Auschwitz - The Nazi Assault on Humanity essays Twenty five year old Primo Levi, a chemist (and poet) who was an Italian citizen of Jewish Race, was arrested for being a member of the anti-Fascist resistance by Italian fascists and taken from his native Turin in Northern Italy to Auschwitz. Along with about 650 others he was transported by freight train. There were 45 people in Primos car. Only four of them saw their homes again. The trip took about 4 days and they were not given any food or water, and were not permitted to leave the train for any reason on its many stops. When they arrived at Auschwitz, Poland, they were subjected to the first of several selections into groups. The German SS soldiers divided them into two groups, the ones who could work and the ones who couldnt such as women, children, and older men. Husbands and wives were split from each other with the promise they would be together again later. One hundred and thirty-five on Levis train went into Auschwitz and the rest straight to the gas chamber. Of the 650 or so people who went on the train with Primo, fifteen men and nine women survived. They were herded into the camp after being stripped naked and having their heads shaved. They were given old striped uniforms and shoes made of cloth with wooden souls to wear. They each had an identification number tattooed on their arms just above the wrist. Primos number was 174517 (Hundert Vierundsiebzig Funf Hundert Siebzehn). The numbers signified the group they were with. The higher the number, the shorter the time they had been there. Primo felt humiliation as he was forced to grow accustomed to his new surroundings. The food rations were too small to ward off the hunger and thousands suffered and died as a result. Even though he was new to the camp, his own observations and his experience with others told him any protests or disobedience would end swiftly with a beating or death. Upon entering the front gate at A...

Homeostasis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Homeostasis - Essay Example The excretion of these hormones from the kidneys stops when intake is enough and diluted urine is excreted. The homeostatic mechanism at times acts as the sole surviving mechanism of the body. The presence of homeostasis in our body gives us the freedom to work in any weather, day or night, hot or cold, dry or stormy. If there was no homeostasis, we could not have been able to regulate our body temperature. That would have resulted in the hibernation of our species during winters like many other living things. The regulation and adoption of our body's internal environment according to the external environment has provided us with the freedom to work in summers when we could preserve water by excreting concentrated urine, work in winters by preserving heat by peripheral vasoconstriction and erection of skin hair which trap a layer of air preserving body heat. When the body is pushed beyond the limits of homeostatic control, cellular death occurs such as frost bite that occurs in extre me cold or stroke that could occur in extreme dehydration when homeostasis fails due to the extremes of temperature. Maintenance of homeostasis is especially important in a developing embryo since the developing organs require a perfect internal environment to grow in. also, the metabolic enzymes require specific conditions to function and produce the energy required by the embryo. Absence or failure of homeostatic mechanism in developing embryo could lead to in-vitro death or abnormal development and the new born may not be liable to life.

A Quality Study of the main Limitations of the Cyclic Casual Model in Dissertation

A Quality Study of the main Limitations of the Cyclic Casual Model in Establishing the Main Risk of Serious Problem Project - Dissertation Example I cannot afford to go without appreciating my friend Stephen for helping me type and edit this report. My dear parents and siblings gave me a lot of moral support throughout my study and for that I gladly appreciate them. Abstract The cyclic causal model is greatly reliable when dealing with serious problem projects (SSPs). The model has been successfully applied in respect of various SSPs. This study was dedicated to establishing the limitations of the cyclic causal model and involved a case study – the Vancouver building project which qualified as an SSP. The study involved face to face interviews with various stakeholders of the project. A total of eight respondents were sampled and participated in the study. We analysed the data obtained from the interviews statistically and noted that the main limitations of the cyclic causal model relate to the characteristic differences between the derivative and accelerating events when dealing with complex situations and its inability to provide a concrete solution to solving problems related to the derivative and accelerating events. ... couver Building Project and Its Failure 20 3.0 Research Methodology 25 3.1 Introduction 25 3.2 Research Paradigm 25 3.3 Research Philosophy 26 3.4 Research Approach 27 3.5 Research Strategy 28 3.6 Data Collection 29 3.7 Sampling 32 3.8 Time horizon 32 4.0 Results and Data Analysis 33 4.1 Correlation between Projects Problems and the Cumulative Quantity Accelerating and Derivative Events 47 4.2 Correlation between Derivative and Accelerating Events in Cyclic Models 48 4.3 Difference in mean frequency of cumulative events between the SPPs and Non-SPPS cases 50 4.4 Independent Samples Test 51 4.5 ANOVA 52 5.0 Conclusion 61 6.0 Recommendations 64 References 65 Appendix 1: Interview Questions 69 Appendix 2: Cover Letter 73 A Qualitative Study of the Main Limitations of the Cyclic Causal Model in Establishing the Main Risks of Serious Problem Projects: Vancouver Building Project Failure   1.0 Introduction In view of the interventions of the building code and regulations, it is possible t o cope with critical risk areas for various structural needs. Using the causal models of risk management, professional building and construction bodies have formulated several interventions for the industry for risk elimination and management. The seriousness of the risks involved in the building and construction industry border heavy financial losses for project clients and puts the safety of people frequenting the structure as well as the members of the general public using the structure at risk. The nature and application of the construction projects and their unique demands in terms of professional regulation raises questions relating to technical engineering considerations or ordinary project management. One of the risk management interventions that have been extensively applied in

Discuss 3 health promotion opportunities applicable Assignment

Discuss 3 health promotion opportunities applicable - Assignment Example The health problems that the patients were facing occurred due to excessive alcohol usage, excessive smoking, as well as obesity. A couple of patients underwent lung failure due to smoking whereas others were suffering from liver inflammation due to excessive alcohol usage and obesity. Fortunately, all the patients were in normal mental state therefore communication was easier. The patients primarily required counseling and amendments in daily habits. While entering a clinical placement, everything seems to take a completely different meaning. Life of patients depends upon the interventions and actions provided by healthcare professionals. During my interaction with all my patients, they began to express their experiences and medical history with me. The patients seemed to have fear of physical dependence and such fears must be addressed through communication, counseling, and compassion. Hope and moral support was vital in order to deal with such cases. When it comes to placement setting, if learners do not feel supported in the environment then it becomes difficult to participate in necessary communication for patients care and learning objective of students. The placement setting of ABC Nursing Home was more organized and the staff was very cooperative. The staff assigned wards and patients to us. Furthermore, they ensured that all learners receive handover sheets and tea breaks with other team members. Staff assigned responsibilities such as setting up the environment and trolley, comforting and positioning the patients, reviewing the policy and order etc. These two factors proved to be positive contributors in personal learning. Smoking is known to have severe effects on individuals. In UK, nearly 100,000 deaths are caused by smoking. The major health effects of smoking include coronary heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, as well as

Reluctant Learners and the Causes :: essays papers

Reluctant Learners and the Causes In order to discuss how technology motivates reluctant learners, we must first agree upon what exactly a reluctant learner is. According to Joyce M. Herzog, a reluctant learner is one who "is not interested in life at all, is not interested in what you are teaching, and is not able to learn in the time-frame or manner of presentation" (2002). There are several reasons as to why the student may feel the way he/she does. As a teacher, one must be very careful to make sure to take into consideration all of the reasons as to why a student may feel reluctant to put forth the necessary energy in the classroom. One reason may be that the student suffers from a learning disability, which is defined by the educational dictionary Wordsmyth as "any of various conditions thought to be associated with the nervous system, that cause difficulty in mastering a basic skill such as reading" (2002). "Various disabilities include ADD, communication disorders, and behavioral disorders" (Woolfolk, 200 4, p.124-131). Students with these disabilities are often seen as disadvantaged when it comes to learning in a typical school setting. Problems at home could also be a cause for reluctancy of students. According to BJUP.com, the primary stimulation for a child to develop and maintain enthusiasm for learning should come from the home. Families who are a solid unit and do activities together tend to have more motivated children (Let's Talk Motivation, 2005). Students who have supportive parents that foster learning are less likely to show reluctancy to learn in the classroom, while students whose home life is full of fighting and little academic support may show less interest in the classroom (Let's Talk Motivation, 2005). Another reason why a student may not be motivated to learn could be because of a low-socioeconomic status (SES). According to Woolfolk, low-SES students suffer from "poor health care, low expectations, low self-esteem, and learned helplessness" (2004, p.158-159). These students have much more on their mind than learning. One final reason why students may be reluctant to learn is because they have fallen into the stereotypes of gender traps. Knudson-Martin argues that "perceived gender differences are rooted in power differences that limit relational development for both women and men" (Knudson-Martin, 1999). This means that in a co-ed classroom, teachers may challenge boys more often than girls, attributing male fa ilure to a lack of effort and female failure to a lack of ability.

Economy 320 Money and Banking Essay

The Federal Open market Committee has twelve voting members. Seven of these members are the board of governors who are appointed by the president and serve for terms that are fourteen years long. The appointment has to be approved by the senate. The reason as to why the terms are long is so that the committee can be freed from presidential and political influence. The years also end on 31st of every even year eliminating the possibility of a president appointing a majority of the board in their four year terms. The board members are permanent voters and vote every time the exercise is carried out. One of the remaining five positions is filled by the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York who is a permanent voter while the rest of the positions are filled by the remaining eleven Federal Reserve Banks on a rotation basis. These include the Reserve Federal Banks of Cleveland, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Richmond, Kansas City, San Francisco and Minneapolis. Chicago and Cleveland vote alternatively (vote once in every two years) while the rest of nine Reserve Banks vote after every two years (vote once in three years). This committee is important as it functions to formulate and regulate monetary policy for the country’s Federal Reserve System . which describes the actions implemented by the central bank. The committee also determines the capability of the Federal Reserve joining the Treasury department in the intervention of foreign exchange. It is important to note that the Federal Reserve is in charge of the monetary policy tools which include discount rate and the reserve requirements which are controlled by the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System. The third tool which is market operations is the third tool controlled by the Open Market Committee. Where does the power lie within this committee? The power lies with the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The New York Fed also acts as the vice chairman to the committee and is a permanent voting member. In the event he is not present during a voting session, his place can not be taken by another Fed, rather, one of his vice presidents votes in his place. This is because the New York Fed plays an important role in the system such as carrying out intervention in the foreign exchange market in the event it is required and conducting all the open market operations for the Federal Reserve. 2. If the Fed lends five banks an additional total of $100 million but depositors withdraw $50 million and hold it as currency, what happens to reserves and the monetary base? From the above question, there will an increase in the Reserves by $50 million, while the MB (Money base) is increased by $100 million. Banks Balance Sheet Assets Liabilities Reserves +$50 M Discount loans +$100 M Deposits -$50 M -$50 M Balance Sheet of Fed Assets Liabilities Discount loans + $100M Reserves +$ 50M Currency +$50M 3. What are the advantages AND disadvantages of inflation targeting? Advantages Inflation targeting unlike exchange rate peg makes it possible for the monetary policy to focus and concentrate on domestic considerations that need to be addressed and respond appropriately shocks that are affecting the domestic economy. When compared to money targeting, inflation targeting is advantageous in that its success is not hampered to a great extend by the stability in the relationship between money and inflation (Mishkin, 2007). This is because instead of depending on such relationships, it utilizes all the information that is available in determining the best strategy and settings for the monetary policy tools. Inflation targeting is also easy to explain to the public as it can easily be understood enhancing transparency. This increases accountability on the central bank’s part (Mishkin, 2007). It also makes it possible to eliminate the possibility of the central bank falling into traps such as time-inconsistency because of the enhanced transparency. Eliminating time-inconsistency which is usually caused by central bank being politically pressured to undertake monetary policy that is overly expansionary makes it possible for inflation targeting to focus and concentrate on political debate that is directed towards what the steps the central bank can take to address issues such as unemployment, increase output growth and external competitiveness through formulations of the monetary policy (Mishkin, 2007). Disadvantages Inflation targeting is associated with some disadvantages as a monetary policy strategy. The method is argued to be too rigid such that it has no allowance for changes in the event they need to be done fast. The method is also said to have the potential of allowing discretion which is not good as it hinders transparency hence accountability of the central bank (Mishkin, 2007). The strategy also feared to be capable of lowering the rate of economic growth as it has the potential of increasing the output instability. Inflation targeting is also argued by critics to only be able to produce weak accountability on the part of the central bank because of the fact that inflation can not easily be controlled and also because of the long lags that exist from the monetary policy tools to the outcome of the inflation. This is a serious problem specifically for countries that have emerging markets. Inflation targeting is also said to be incapable of preventing fiscal dominance (Mishkin, 2007). The exchange rate flexibility that must exist for the inflation targeting to be function can result to financial instability which is very crucial for emerging market countries. 4. You often read in the newspaper that the Fed has just lowered the discount rate. Does this signal that the Fed is moving to a more expansionary monetary policy? Why? One of the instruments used by the Fed to formulate the monetary policies is discount rate. This is the interest charged on loans given to depository institution by the Federal Reserve Bank. This interest is the only one Fed usually charges. Banks usually loan each other money and would not go to the Fed under normal circumstances. However during economic and financial crisis such as the current recession, most banks raise the interest charged on the loans they lend to other banks, in an effort to help banks especially the small ones which are not in a position to afford the high rates demanded by big banks, the Fed usually offer loans to these banks to enable them maintain the reserve requirement they need hence run their operations as usual. The interest rates on these loans are usually low making it easier for banks to borrow from the Fed what they need to remain in business. Market analysts and experts argue that as much as the Fed has the responsibility of lending money to banks in times of need, its announcement of lowered discount rate usually is an indication of a more expansionary monetary policy to come. This is because of the impact lowering discount rates have on the government’s finance. The effects are positive when well managed and if the country recovers quickly from the financial crises. This is because low discount rate is usually the last resort that banks turn to in the event of crises. A decline in interest rates also affects government finance. It is done to lower inflation rates as it increases the number of available projects at a cheap price attracting investors to invest so that there is no money floating around. This is based on the fact that the more money there is the higher the rate of inflation. Lowering the discount rate is hence signals another monetary policy on the way. 5. What happens to nominal GDP if the money supply grows by 20% but velocity declines by 30%? M*V = P*Y a %&? 916; PY = %&? 916; M + %&? 916; V = 20% – 30% = -10% If the money supply grows by 20% and the velocity decreases by 30%, the nominal GDP will decrease by 10 percent. 6. If Mexicans go on a spending spree and buy twice as much French perfume, Japanese TVs, English sweaters, Swiss watches, and Italian wine, what will happen to the value of the Mexican peso? This would result to a negative value being reported during the trading period as the imports will have exceeded the exports resulting to a trade deficit. This would have a great impact on the Mexico’s foreign exchange market. A trade deficit as the one described above, Mexico will have to convert its peso to the currencies of the countries it is importing from. Since it is buying from many countries in large amounts, the supply and presence of the peso will increase on the forex markets causing the peso to lose value as they will no demand for it. The value of Mexican peso would therefore decrease against the French, Japanese English, Swiss and Italian currencies (Mishkin, 2007). 7. If the money supply is 250 and nominal income is 1,900, the velocity of money is v= (P ? Y)/M Where v is velocity, P = price level Y = 1,900 M = 250 Since the price level is not given, velocity of money can also be calculated by dividing the GDP value with that one of money in circulation. Hence v = GDP/ money supply, v=1900/250 v=7. 6 8. What are the key advantages of exchange-rate targeting as a monetary policy strategy? The advantages associated with exchange-rate targeting are several. They include the fact that its nominal anchor is able to fix the rate of inflation of goods that are traded internationally. This enables the strategy to keep country’s inflation rate under control. A credible exchange rate target has the potential of anchoring the inflation expectations to the rate of the anchor country that has its currency pegged (Mishkin, 2007). Exchange rate target has the potential of eliminating the occurrence of time-inconsistency of the central bank if commitment is present as it provides rules of conduct that should be complied with. Exchange rate target strategy is alas simple and clear making it easier for the public to understand hence increasing transparency and accountability of the central bank (Mishkin, 2007). 9. If a pill were invented that made workers twice as productive but their wages did not change, what would happen to the position of the short-run aggregate supply curve? Aggregate supply is used to determine the volume of products (goods or services) produced in an economy at a certain given price level (Mishkin, 2007). The relationship between the aggregate supply and the general price level is such that an increase in price levels implies that the business has to expand and increase its production so as to meet the demand for its products. Increased demand hence results to expansion in the economy’s aggregate supply. Aggregate supply can also be described as the total amount of goods and services present in an economy at all possible (low or high) price levels (Mishkin, 2007). In the short run, nominal wages of employees does not change while production output increases. This implies higher profits. In the event the event the price levels rise, the short-run aggregate supply curve would have an upward sloping because the nominal wages are fixed while the output (production) is rising. However in the event the prices of the products were not increasing, this curve would remain horizontal (Mishkin, 2007). 10. Explain the law of one price and the theory of purchasing power parity. Why doesn’t the purchasing power parity explain all exchange rate movements? What factors determine long-run exchange rates? The law of one price postulates that for a market to be efficient, all goods that are identical in functionality should be sold at one price (Mishkin, 2007). This law is very closely related to the out comes of globalization and the different free trade areas and markets. It seeks to explain that in future, all countries and market areas in the world will earn the same amount of money for equal amount of work/service, product and their quality (Mishkin, 2007). This implies that all sellers will look for markets that have prevailing high prices while the buyers will flock to sellers that are offering low prices for the goods and services. This will force the sellers to converge and agree on one price for the goods. Purchasing-power parity is a theory that explains how the exchange rate is determined and provides a way of comparing the cost of goods and services amongst countries. It postulates that when domestic purchasing power of a country is equivalent to that of another one at a particular exchange rate then the exchange rate between their currencies will be at equilibrium (Mishkin, 2007). This takes form of the law f one price eventuality in which at some point in life it is considered that similar goods will have the same price irrespective of the location or country. Purchasing power parity does not explain all exchange rate movements because the comparisons used in the method have the potential of being misleading (Mishkin, 2007). Most comparisons are usually based on the living standards of the citizens of the countries in context. It is done through assumption that the real value of the goods and services is the same in both the countries being compared. This can however be misleading as cultures vary such that what is considered to be a luxury may not be the same in the other country. Purchasing power parity has no allowance for this diversity hence the exchange rate based on this method differs depending on the goods chosen for use for the index. The major factors that determine long-run exchange rates are inflation and expectations. This is because a change in the levels of money supply causes price levels to change. Inflation also causes increase in the nominal interest rate to its long run rate during the phase of transition. Expectations of inflation usually result to increase in the expected returns on the foreign currency causing domestic currency to lose value (depreciate) before the transition phase (Mishkin, 2007). Since rate of inflation is always on the increase due to the increase in growth rate of money supplies, nominal interest rate also increases. Other factors include yield differentials (difference in interest rates) in the various countries, the flow money/funds used for buying stocks and bonds, the countries’ public debts band the trade balance merchandise (Mishkin, 2007). Word count: 2400. Reference