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Analysis on Albert Einsteins Question which states.
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The focus of this paper is to provide an analysis on Albert Einstein’s Question which states. Does mankind today place more value on commodity or on self. The paper provides an argument in support of my stance on the issues. Human beings have indeed changed their priorities thus placing self interest before the greater good of society.
Albert Einstein is one of the most significant scientists of all time. Most of his work was dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the society. Einstein is known for his quotes that sort to challenge social-cultural norms in the community. One of the statements addresses the change from the socialist way of life to the individualistic way of life. In the past, society worked had so as to fulfill objectives aimed at their personal growth. The study of the work of a majority of the philosophers is dedicated to personal fulfillment and self actualization. Concentrating on oneself involves leaning about ones soul. One of the deeds that bring satisfaction to human beings is serving of society (Seligman, p. 127).
“The individual feels more than ever dependent on society, but he feels this dependence not in the positive sense — cradled, connected as part of an organic”.
When individuals dedicate themselves to working towards the benefit of a community they get self satisfaction and self worth. The responsibility to society is expected so as to improve the growth of the community. Most cultures place emphasis on performing good so as to improve the relationships between family and friends. Cultures are prone to change due to the change in social cultural aspects. The introduction of globalization changed the dynamics of most societies. People were exposed to new inventions and innovations that improve the quality of life as a whole. The spread of globalization resulted in the shift from socialism to capitalism. Capitalism involves policies that support the personal growth and development in regard to economic, social and cultural policies. Individuals can maximize on their wealth as much as they can as long as they use legal means. This is contrary to the socialism system that encourages society to work for the benefit of the whole community. People thus place emphasis on their personal desires as opposed to basic needs like happiness and love (Velkley, p. 109).
Commodities are assets that can be bought or sold in any given market. People have been trading commodities from the ancient days. Barter trade was the preferred medium of trade; it involves the exchanged of goods for goods. This was a simple form of trade aimed at sustaining the communities. As people began to interact, the methods of trade developed into more complex activities. Traders begun to produce goods and services that were competitive in nature. This in turn led to the improvement of the quality of goods in the market.
Commodities have changed from their simple nature to more complex and differentiated items. Most commodities are created to meet other needs apart from their primary function. An example of this is the use of the cell phone. Cell phones are a product of technological developments in terms of communication. Cell phones are primarily intended to improve the communication between people in different locations. Over the years, the commodity has been developed to include services such as internet, GPRS and entertainment services. This is reflective of the demands that society places on manufacturers. An immense amount of value is placed on physical items as opposed to emotional and personal features (Velkley, p. 211).
People are thus less interactive with each other due to the shift in priorities of society. The focus on self is ideal for the recognition of the people in the surrounding environment. Human beings are social creatures in that they are more sustainable when they work as a community. The value of self does not regard the value of commodities and thus makes them the least of priorities. Focusing on personal development and education is encouraged to improve the relationship between different individuals. This in turn promotes love and understanding in regard to different ideologies (Seligman, p. 312).
Reducing the need for material goods makes an individual realize the value of the basic things in life. One can have all the wealth in the world but lose their friends, family and respect. This achievement does not amount for allot thus displays the lack of value of commodities. Society continues to forget the significant of self as opposed to commodity. Some argue that commodity is equally as essential as self. This places an immense amount on pressure on individuals to achieve these items. Research has shown that people who value commodities lose out on the basic factors such as family and relationships. These elements may be simple in nature but account for 90 percent of a human beings life (Seligman, p. 234).
In conclusion, the world continues to change, values continue to change. More and more people are beginning to realize that commodities are not as significant as they look. Society should encourage the value of self so as to change the current situation. This in turn will improve the state of the globe which has a lot to be desired.
Works cited
Seligman, Martin E. P. Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being. New York: Free Press, 2011. Print.
Velkley, Richard. The Tension in the Beautiful: On Culture and Civilization in Rousseau and German Philosophy. Being after Rousseau: Philosophy and Culture in Question. The University of Chicago Press. 2002.Print.
Here Comes the Sun by Paul Krugman, (Critical Reading and Critique)
Here Comes the Sun by Paul Krugman, (Critical Reading and Critique)
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Paul Krugman’s argument about politics and energy sources is very true because the government plays a significant role in ensuring sufficient and reliable energy sources. There has been minimal change in the sources of energy compared to advancement in technology. The government and political influence may bring success of every project to a standstill. The fact that politicians should be engaged in a country’s business may at times be very disappointing because most of them have special interest. Energy source is amongst the things that have remained stagnant for a very long time because of political influence. However, mastery of the material world has not advanced slowly as Paul Krugman claims because people have become more aware of various things. Sources of energy could have advanced but political suppression has been very dominant. Great advancement technology can only be helpful if there is political and government backing.
Slow adaptation of renewable energy may perhaps be attributed to low confidence that the public has on the energy sources. Utilization of energy sources may not just be increased by decreasing the cost of solar energy. Government agencies and the solar panel manufacturers should employ means of boosting public confidence. It seems that Krugman blames the political system so much especially on the increased use of fossilized political system that largely defends and supports fossil energy. I don’t think that political propaganda has a role to play in in the failure to adapt to solar energy. This is purely based on minimal or lack of adequate campaign regarding the use of solar energy. The public should be well informed about the benefits of using solar energy such as conservation of environment.
Just like any other good investment especially in sources of energy, fracking is also not expected to cost less. Being an impressive technology as Krugman asserts, it is expected to have very high capital investment but it is unfortunate that it is very harmful to human life. It is likely that the traditional or previous energy source extraction would cause human destruction just like fracking. With the current damage on environment I would also not support environmental degradation. I even think that compensating or paying for damages caused to the public may not be enough because it cannot be compared with human life. Development of energy sources in a safe and responsible manner is key and should not be left in the hands of politicians as Krugman claims.
I do not concur with Krugman that the issue of Solyndra’s failure is political as he portrays it. The business simply failed because of market mechanisms. Technological success is not the real cause of the business failure. The business could simply not withstand the intense competition. Paul’s argument that cheap solar panels may influence many people to turn into renewable sources is very right. Use of solar energy may be increased due to the larger environmental concern and the high cost of other sources of energy. If the public decides to adopt solar energy sources they will definitely succeed without any political influence. I think Paul blames the political system so much.
Moore’s law is indeed very evident in solar energy. The government should ensure sufficient subsidy for her domestic solar and other renewable energy sources. Brad Plumer argument that solar is being deployed on a large scale is very true and it may reach grid parity when something is done to store the solar energy and public confidence and belief is raised to a higher standard. Government policy is however a significant factor in influencing the production and the cost of solar panel. Government should institute financial policies that favor cost of solar panels. I agree with Brad Plumer that if cost elements constituting solar energy are reduced then the solar panels will have more users added to the already good number of current users. This is because the solar panels will be cheap and affordable to a good number of people.
Social Performance
Social Performance
Corporate ethics is an applied ethical form examining ethical principles and moral issues arising in a business environment. It covers all aspects of conduct in the business and relates to the conduct of individuals and the organization at large. It takes the descriptive and normative dimensions with careers and corporate practices falling under normative and studies trying to understand the behaviors of the business employing a descriptive method. Governments direct business behavior in the right and beneficial directions by the use of laws and regulation. People in the same set of business ventures rarely come together not for merriment and diversion but for scheme against the public (Paul and Elder, 2006).
Briefly describe your company and then benchmark the codes of conduct used by similar companies in the industry. Critique the codes of conduct of at least three (3) similar companies in order to write codes for your company.
Bp is a company that specializes in the installation of solar powered streetlights contracted in the lighting of streets due to the increased insecurity resulting from poor lighting in most areas. Valmont industries specializes in producing lighting materials and according to Mogens Bay, ethics is the driver of an organization. The company tries to embrace a family mode of operation in the industry where each one in the organization treats as an equal. Ethics is how you treat your fellow employees and not only making decisions ethically (Bay). Employees need to be treated with compassion but the compassion has to be limited to achieve the set goals, as some duties need an override of ethics for them to be achieved.
Advanced lighting technologies observe the importance and significance of ethics within its corporate governance program. Rules regarding persons and peer responsibility embody the ethics code as well as their responsibilities to the company, stakeholders, and public. The company requires individuals to demonstrate honest at all times by avoiding personal or professional conflicts. Provision of accurate, complete, relevant, and timely information to the constituents (public, stakeholders) is a requirement. A company should preserve some information from the eyes of the public and competitors, as an insight to every happening in the company is critical to the growth and achievement of its set goals. The company requires all its employees to comply with rules and regulations of the land (federal, state, provincial, and local government).
General Electronics embraces ethics and compliance as a benchmark for its operations. Employees have freedom to associate with their managers directly, anonymously report to an ombudsman through different channels, and take their concerns directly to the Human Resource manager (Mackie, 2000).
Analyze ways ethical challenges affect your business and create a code of conduct for your company. Provide a rationale on how these specific codes enhance your company’s ethics program.
Ethics create an enabling environment for a corporation to carry its daily operations in an organized manner. They provide a framework from which an organization maintains a cordial relationship with its employees and stakeholders as it dictates the dos and don’ts in the organization. They make the core values of an organization the driving force in decision-making. They enable employees communicate readily and comfortably on issues typically sensitive and difficult to discuss (Kidder, 2001).
Organizations ought to grow beyond the view that ethics as a necessity to safeguarding their reputation hence avoiding bad public image. Bp strives to embrace all the above to provide an enabling environment for successful execution and delivery of service.
After reviewing the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, explain how these guidelines influence the ethics program you created.
To attain an effective compliant and ethics program, Bp strives to diligently detect and prevent criminal conduct. It also works to promote an organizational culture encouraging ethics and a commitment to enforcement and compliance. For effectiveness in prevention and detection of criminal conduct, the compliance and ethics program require reasonable design, enforcement, and implementation (Paul and Elder, 2006). The sentencing guidelines require Bp’s governing authority to be knowledgeable on operations and content of the program and to sensibly exercise oversight in implementation and effectiveness of the program. The sentencing guidelines require delegation of day-to-day operations of the organization to individuals in the organization to monitor the ethics program.
The guidelines further require the organization from period to period practically communicate its standards and procedures together with other aspects of the program to the governing authority, high-level personnel, substantial authority personnel, its employees, and its agents if deemed appropriate.
The program is after the detection of criminal conduct and is required to respond by taking reasonable steps to prevent further similar conducts. It is achievable through making necessary modifications to the program.
Anticipate where the challenges or setbacks may be in the adoption and enforcement of the codes of conduct for your company. Explain how you will address these challenges and anticipated setbacks.
Companies experience a lot many huddles in the implementation of the ethics code and Bp expects a rough road towards attaining an ethical environment within the organization and its environs. As ethics are laws, regulators cannot control compliance to them but can only enforce consequences to violation and ingenuity “don’t get caught” behavior crops in. commitment to comply becomes a decision based on integrity (Paul and Elder, 2006).
Some ethical values greatly contradict with some people’s believes and traditional and this imparts major huddle in enforcement of the ethics in an organization. During the implementation, all the interests of the affected parties put into consideration giving rise to contradictions.
Given the influences of changing economic, political, social, cultural, and technological forces on business and society, explain how you can ensure that your codes of conduct will remain relevant in the years ahead.
Time does change at an alarming speed and the best overall ethical program is one that is dynamic. Bp will ensure an environment that keeps trends up to date so that the program updates at the slightest change in values.
A projection ahead for expected changes in the market, society and business will enable the technical team in ethics evaluate the possibility of a need to change the ethics and provides a clear cut route to doing so (Kilcullen, & Kooistra, 1999).
References
Mackie, J. L. (2000). Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong. London: Penguin.
Paul, R., Elder, L. (2006). The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. New York: Foundation for Critical Thinking Free Press.
Kidder, R.M. (2001). Ethics is not optional. Association Management. Retrieved 05 Mar. 05 2013 from http://proquest.umi.com.eres.regent.edu/Kilcullen, M., & Kooistra, J. O. (1999). At least do no harm: Sources on the changing role of business ethics and corporate social responsibility. Reference Services Review, 27(2), 158-178.