Recent orders
ethical reasoning
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Key ideas
The main idea in the article is ethical reasoning in a business setting. As per the article, people value acting with a decent expectation and attaining the best outcome. As per the article, ethics refer to an individual’s moral judgment about what is wrong and what is wrong. The process of decision making within a business is highly influenced by the culture of the business.
Repeated information
Ethical reasoning is very important for business. In the business environment, employees and employers have to behave ethically. This means that they have to consider right and what is wrong when making their decisions.
Summary
Ethics include individuals from distinctive strolls of life, diverse nations and distinctive societies all conceding to some fundamental standards of how to act. Conducting oneself ethically as an issue holder and urging one’s representatives to participate in ethical business behavior achieves a few advantages for business.
Important dates, people and places
As per the article, the business environment is an important place where people have to behave ethically. Both the employees and the employers have to behave ethically. Additionally, the aspect of ethics is gained from the family. Children are taught what is right and what is wrong from the family institution.
Work cited
Manikutty, S. Being Ethical: Ethics As the Foundation of Business. Noida: Random House India,2011.
Are Cell Phones Dangerous Annotated Bibliography
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Are Cell Phones Dangerous? Annotated Bibliography
Thesis Statement: The advancement of cellular technology has been extremely rapid over the past few years that the hazards posed by these devices have been scantily studied.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Leonard, R. Differing categories of Cellular Phone Conversations & Dangerous Driving. Accident Prevention & Analysis 43. 1 (2011) pp187. Print.
This study hypothesized that, engaging in increasingly emotional conversations over the cell phone, at the same time as one is driving, may produce greater incidence of dangerous driving behavior. This source is helpful in the study since it presents the findings of a recent study that is pertinent on the subject. The study is shows how different types of conversations over the cell phone pose risks to drivers.
Conclusion. Whereas conversation on a cell phone as one is driving is risky, engaging in emotionally passionate conversations on a cell phone as one is driving is significantly more dangerous.
Nathaniel, R. For Whom the Cell Phone Tolls. Harper’s Magazine 320. 19. (2010) p44-53. Print.
The article sought to investigate if cell phones are hazardous to humans. Emphasis is given to theory that brain tumors can be caused by the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from cell phones. This source is helpful in the study since it provides information in relation to where to find electromagnetic radiation, the duration for which it lasts, as well as the frequency at which cell phones discharge radiation.
Conclusion. Cell phones discharge roughly identical radiation frequencies as the microwave oven. In the recent past, numerous trials have been performed to establish whether radiation from the cell-phone may have any detrimental consequence on the health of human beings, but the findings have been inconclusive.
Gilman, E. Hold the phone. Woman’s Day 71. 3 (2008) p49. Print. This article reviews a study which revealed that the use of a cell phone can result in damage of the inner ear as well as hearing loss. The study found that using a cell phone for a period of more than one hour per day would most probably cause the damage. This source is helpful in the study since it presents the findings of a recent study that is pertinent on the subject.
Conclusion. According to this article there is a need for rigorous research in order to verify whether the use of the cell phone causes damage to the inner ear.
Dell, K. The Spy in the Pocket. Time 167. 3 (2006) p45. Print.
According to this article anybody with a credit card may purchase wireless phone reports from various data brokers. Marketing firms, private detectives, as well as criminals, all have unproblematic access to wireless phone reports. This source is helpful in the study since it presents probable hazards of cellular technology that agrees with the thesis statement.
Conclusion. The easy access of cell phone record pose great privacy risks in a society that is growing increasingly smaller as a result of advances in technology. The act of accessing phone records may not be unlawful, but it feels like somebody intruding into the private lives of others. This has led to increasing pressure on the government to outlaw the trade in cell-phone records.
Ng Kwan, H. Radiation, Mobile Phones & Your Health. Cyberjaya, Millennia Press. 2009. Print
The extensive usage of mobile phones has without doubt raised the subject of whether there exist any repercussions for human health. Ng Kwan book addresses issues as regards human health effects that may be due to the usage of mobile phones. This source is helpful in the study since it presents the findings of a recent study that is pertinent to the thesis statement. The universal perception in relation to radiation as well as health shapes the actions concerning the use of the cell phone.
Conclusion. There is a need to endeavor to separate the facts from myths concerning the dangers of using cell phones. This is because there is no convincing and consistent scientific verification of repulsive health effects that may be associated with RF radiation. In the meantime, further current research based on recognized scientific methods will go on to shedding light on understanding of this vital health issue.
Lahkola A. Meta-Analysis of Mobile Phone Use & Intracranial Tumors. London: Macmillan, 2010. Print.
This study investigates the effects of cell phone use on danger of brain tumors, mainly meningiomas as well as gliomas and acoustic neuromas. To comprehensively compute the effect of cell phone use on danger of brain tumours, the accessible verification from the published epidemiological studies on the topic was pooled by means of meta-analysis. This source is helpful in the study since it presents the findings of a recent study that is pertinent on the subject. In the scrutiny, a pooled estimation was computed for all brain tumours collectively and also independently for the three commonest tumor types, namely acoustic neuroma, meningioma, and glioma by means of inverse variance-weighted technique.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the current studies do not imply that use of the cell phone may cause brain tumours. This is because, according to this study, there were diminished risks according to the case-control study, the likelihood that the outcomes are affected by prejudice, requires being carefully measured in their analysis.
Works Cited
Gilman, E. Hold the phone. Woman’s Day 71. 3 (2008) p49. Print.
Dell, K. The Spy in the Pocket. Time 167. 3 (2006) p45. Print.
Lahkola A. Meta-Analysis of Mobile Phone Use & Intracranial Tumors. London: Macmillan, 2010. Print.
Leonard, R. Differing Categories of Cellular Phone Conversations & Dangerous Driving. Accident Prevention & Analysis 43. 1 (2011) pp187. Print.
Nathaniel, R. For Whom the Cell Phone Tolls. Harper’s Magazine 320. 19. (2010) pp44-53. Print.
Ng Kwan, H. Radiation, Mobile Phones & Your Health. Cyberjaya, Millennia Press. 2009. Print.
Ethical principles of Residential Architecture
Ethical principles of Residential Architecture
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Brief description of the situation
The designed apartment is situated in North Bondi. The project has its inspiration from the Moriyama House design. It is a ‘neighbourhood-scaled flexible format minimalists steel prefab compound’. Tradition and innovation interlink to create a new form of community while connecting to the inside and outside. The traditional whole apartment is separated into different units. In addition to creating a community among the individuals who will use the building, the design is intended to give them a house feeling. Despite each apartment being separate, there is still some connection between each of the units. The entire apartment is divided into four units and two different types of units that are for single or couple occupancy and family occupancy. In both units, the staircase is functional as circulation, as well as room for whole units. In respect to the single/couple apartment, the staircase is located at the centre of the room and as a section of the interior courtyard. For the family unit, the staircase connects the interior and the exterior. Additionally, it is a section of the balcony, where parents can cook inside the kitchen while watching children play in the courtyard. The family and single/couple apartment that is close to the pass way has a ramp that can allow disabled persons to get in. Most of the materials used in the construction include timber for the interior and concrete for the exterior.
Ethical Dilemma
Population issues:
The design is intended to solve the growing concerns of over population, in relation to limited housing. The design will provide a suitable living condition and enough space for people to live in. The design provides comfort and happiness to the occupants. The two types of housing units have tramps for use by disable persons. The two units’ exterior spaces face north, hence allowing for the natural light to stream into the housing during daytime.
Privacy issues:
The open space stressed in the design may not facilitate sufficient privacy when the occupants undertake outside activities. The open space will, however, facilitate communication among individuals who live there. The design is also appealing as the outside space is also introduced into the interior space (Hull 2000).
Environmental issues:
Use of concrete and timber are issues of environmental concern, as they cause ecological degradation. The designs are also to be customised in accordance with the home needs of the type of the occupants (single/couple, family).
Stakeholders
The stakeholders include the client, the neighbourhood, users of the building, non-governmental organisations, the architect company, the state government and local authorities, architects and environment.
What is at stake for each of stakeholder
Users
The design depicts sustainable construction facility, as the building is designed to provide urgent basic needs to the growing housing needs, such as access to shelter. However, the privacy is at stake due to the open space.
Neighbourhood
The building responds to the psychological and emotional needs of the people in the neighbourhood as it stimulates the environment, raises significance of the need for better housing, inspires human spirit and bonds the community by providing an open space for socialisation and for children to play. However, privacy issues are at stake.
The state and local government
Failure to comply with environmental regulations may cause termination or delay of the projects or civil action. The state and local governments have local building codes and standards that should be complied with. States and municipalities have legislations that restrict use of asbestos as roofing, noise in the neighbourhood and the type of construction materials to use.
Non-governmental organisations
Non-governmental organisations promote the use of eco-friendly products in designing, construction, use and recycling of houses. In the design, the use of timber and concrete are not eco-friendly materials. Civic organisations may have input into the design and construction of the project because of land planning issues.
Architect Company
The architect company is at risk of civil actions and litigations in case of failure to comply with the government regulations or bypassing contractual arrangements with the client. This could result, when the architect company changes site conditions or design that was originally agreed on. Architect company may suffer loss due to the expenses related to compensating injured parties at the construction.
Neighbourhood
Pressures on land use may also originate from adjacent property owners or the public, such as the community groups and adjacent residences to the construction. The community may have greater input by engaging citizen advisory boards in the project design and construction.
Architect
Safety is a vital concern for the architect and the construction workers, as constructions are inherently dangerous. The constructions accidents that may happen indicate human suffering and financial loss (Parson 2005).
Client
Time constraint is among the issues at stake for the client, when he fails to receive return on investment and negative marketing impact of the design. There are also the financial scandals due to improper budgeting on the part of the contractor and breaches in construction, resulting to the high cost of unethical behaviour, such as court litigations (Parson 2005).
Values at stake
Based on the above analysis, it is clear that the values at stake include honesty, transparency and accountability, integrity, loyalty and fairness (Navran 2014).
Ethical principles at play
Honesty
Honesty is a key ethical principle in play. The architect must be truthful and forthright in enforcing the contract he has agreed on with the client. He should not deliberately mislead or deceive the client or the local government by overstatements and misrepresentations or selective omissions (Ehsan et al 2009).
Integrity
The architect must maintain personal integrity in order to earn the trust of the client and the community where the construction of the building will take place. Integrity implies that the architect must demonstrate consistency in thoughts and actions. Hence, the architect must comply with his express and implied promises to build the designed building according to plan (Ehsan et al 2009).
Loyalty
The architect will have to justify trust by being loyal to the architect company and the builders he works with. Further, he must give high regard to protection and advancement of the legitimate and lawful interests of the architect company and that of his colleagues. The architects and the designer can show their loyalty by restraining their ability to make independent decisions, avoiding conflict of interest and not disclosing information that they learn in confidence from the client.
Fairness
The architect will have to be fair and just in all undertakings. He should not use indecent or overreaching means to force the implementation of the design, without regard to its overarching consequences. He should also commit to accepting diversity and equal treatment of the builders and colleagues (Vee & Skitmore 2003).
Course of Actions in Ethics
Consequentialism holds the perspective that morality entails producing the right overall consequences. For instance, if the whole rationale for morality is to spread happiness and to eliminate suffering , to encourage freedom as much as possible and to promote survival of species, then consequentialism can be accepted. In which case, if the rationale for the design of the building is to spread pleasure and happiness, then it can be accepted as a moral design. However, the theory does not specify what forms of consequences are bad or good. In which case, the consequences of the housing design can be agreed on by the stakeholders even though they disagree on the kind of design.
Despite the fact that the three views disagree on the kinds of consequences that matter, they relate in promoting the idea that ‘consequences are what should matter.’ The Utilitarianism suggested by John Stuart Mill provides an example of consequentialism. Utilitarian theory relates to natural sentiments that originate from the social nature of humans. Hence, if the society is to embrace utilitarianism as ethic, then people would inherently internalise such standards as morally binding (Anderson 2001). Happiness is therefore the basis of morality and people only tend to desire happiness. Hence, all subjects of people’s desire such as good housing, socialisation and freedom to socialise are means to happiness. Hence, the sentiments of justice in constructing the designed building is basically on utility and such rights only get to exists since they are necessary to happiness (Hammond n.d.).
Classical Utilitarian identifies ‘good’ as ‘pleasure’. It proposes that only goodness should be maximised to being about the greatest amount of happiness, as pain is inherently bad while pleasure or happiness is good (Hammond n.d.).
On analysis, the design is intended to bring happiness to the larger population, community and users of the building. For instance, it will provide a suitable living condition and enough space for people to live in. The design provides comfort and happiness to the occupants. The two types of housing units have tramps for use by disable persons. The two units’ exterior spaces face north, hence allowing for the natural light to stream into the housing during daytime.
Additionally, while there is a concern that the open space may not cater for privacy issues of the occupants, it still facilitate communication and socialisation among individuals who live there. The pleasures the design intends to bring mean that the design is moral.
Moreover, while there are concerns that use of concrete and timber are issues of environmental concern, as they cause ecological degradation, they are intended to bring greater goodness to the occupants, as they have enabled the designs to be customised in accordance with the home needs of the type of the occupants. To a greater extent, the design depicts sustainable construction facility, as the building is designed to provide urgent basic needs to the growing housing needs, such as access to shelter. Additionally, the building responds to the psychological and emotional needs of the people in the neighbourhood, as it stimulates the environment, raises significance of the need for better housing, inspires human spirit and bonds the community by providing an open space for socialisation and for children to play.
In sum, it can be concluded that the design is moral and ethical as its key rationale is to spread greater pleasure and happiness to the users, community, client and local government.
Conclusion
Basing on Consequentialism Utilitarianism ethical theory, I conclude that the design conforms to the highest ethical standards. It also shows support for social equity at all stages of construction, from designing and constructing processes to the long-term sustained consequences of the fabric of the community. In my view, the issues at stake that cause ethical dilemma include safety, socialisation, basic needs, political correctness, legitimacy and basic needs. Within his perspective, I submit that the project will greatly impacts my future professional and personal life. I have learnt that the projects must provide advanced response to the social and ethical responsibility and adhere to ethical standards, in all stages of the life cycles of a project. Projects should also contribute to the creation of a socially-viable environment and community values. In future I will approach sustainable construction projects with an understanding that they require highly-principled treatment of individuals during the design and construction phase, as well as utility and recycling.
Reference List
Anderson, K 2001, Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number, viewed 28 May 2014, http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4224805/k.B792/Utilitarianism_The_Greatest_
Ehsan, N, Anwar, S & Talha, M 2009, Professional Ethics in Construction Industry of Pakistan, Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2009 Vol I WCE 2009, July 1 – 3, 2009, London, U.K.
Navran, F 2014, Defining Values, Morals, and Ethics, viewed 29 May 2014, http://www.navran.com/article-values-morals-ethics.html
Hammond, P n.d., Consequentialist Decision Theory and Utilitarian Ethics, viewed 28 May 2014, http://www.stanford.edu/~hammond/SienaLect.pdf
Hull, G 2000, An Introduction to Issues in Computers, Ethics, and Policy, viewed 28 may 2014, http://clas-pages.uncc.edu/gordon-hull/files/2014/04/introbk.pdf
Parson, E 2005, The Construction Industry’s Ethical Dilemma, viewed 28 May 2014, http://ecmweb.com/content/construction-industrys-ethical-dilemma
Vee, C & Skitmore, R 2003, Professional ethics in the construction industry. Engineering Construction and Architectural Management vol. 10 no. 2, pp. 117-127