Comparing Destruction in Steinbecks Flight and Londons...

Journey to Destruction in Steinbecks Flight and Londons To Build a Fire Not many people have to face death in the cold wasteland of the Arctic or rugged mountains of California, but Pepe and the man do. Although the ironic destruction of Pepe and the man were caused by relentless forces of nature, their attitudes and reasons for going on their journeys differed. The setting in both stories consisted of extreme climate and conditions. In Flight the climate was desert hot during the day and chilling cold at night. The Torres family had their farm, a few sloping acres above a cliff that dropped to the brown reefs and to the hissing white waters of the ocean. Behind the farm the stone mountains stood up against the sky.†¦show more content†¦He spat again, in the air, before it could fall to the snow the spittle crackled. He knew at fifty below spittle crackled on the snow, but this spittle had crackled in the air. Undoubtedly it was colder than fifty below--how much colder he did not know. Both of the mens attitudes lead to their destruction. Pepe was very lazy and immature. All day you do foolish things with the knife, like a toy-baby, his mother stormed. Big lazy, you must catch the horse and put on him thy fathers saddle. Pepe also had a hot temper. During the travel to Monterey, Pepe had a little to drink and ended up killing a man. There was wine to drink. Pepe drank wine. The little quarrel--the man started toward Pepe and then the knife--it went almost by itself. The man said names to me I could not allow. In the other story, the mans attitude problem was that he was too self-confident. He pushed himself to the limit which was farther than he could go. But the temperature did not matter. He also didnt listen to the advice of others. The man from Sulphur Creek had spoken the truth when telling how cold it sometimes got in the country, and used his knowledge to his best advantage. Fifty degrees below zero was to him just precisely fifty degrees below z ero. That there should be anything more to it than that was a thought that never entered his head. Their reasons for going on their journeys differed. Pepe was forced to go on his

Business Strategy Marketing Management

Question: Discuss about theBusiness Strategyfor Marketing Management. Answer: Introduction The study concentrated in the process of developing a proper situation analysis of the selected organization Zynga. SWOT Analysis is one of the most important marketing tools, which is used to scan the factors of both the inner environment as well as the outer environment of the business (Kotler and Armstrong, 2012). Strength and Weakness are the two factors which comprise the internal environment and on the other hand, Opportunities and Threats are the two factors, which comprise the external environment (Kotler and Keller, 2012). The following part of the study will analyze each factor of both the external environment as well as the internal environment of the organization. Background of the Organization The selected organization in the study is Zynga. Zynga is an American organization, which is a service provider of social video game services founded in the year 2007, and its headquarter is situated in San Francisco, California, United States. The CEO, of the organization is Frank D Gibeau and the organization maintains overall revenue of 764 million USD (Zynga.com, 2016). Critical Analysis of the Study Strength The organization maintains a strong user base, which is about 289 million, who spend a lot of time in this particular platform. Zynga is a company, maintain a strong brand value. Zynga is no longer dependent on other social media platforms. It develops its own business operation in the proceedings. The organization is known for its fifth largest mobile platform for the daily customers who spend time in mobile. Weakness Based on the latest statistical report, the average usage of the users has gone down to 56 million from 72 million. The users are often reluctant to spend money towards online social media games, on a recurring basis, which is one of the most negative impacts for the organization. The organization is facing certain persistent loss in the revenue since 2010. Opportunity The company has a huge business opportunity with the view of developing a proper expansion process in other key cities of the country. The company holds a strong position in the US gaming market. The world is changing at a rapid pace due to technological advancement. Introduction of 3D games provided certain technological opportunities for the selected organization. Further expansion on other social platforms will provide an additional opportunity in the organization. Threats The numbers of users in the organization are majority of casual social media players. One of the major threats is the organization is facing major threats from the other gaming platforms. Due to lack of consistency of the users, the organization faces certain ups and downs in the revenue. Conclusion The study analyzed all the major factors, with the view of scanning both the inner as well as the outer environment of the organization. With the application of a proper SWOT Analysis, the management will be able to identify its Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Treats. All the important factors of both the inner environment as well as the outer environment are analyzed in an effective way. Reference List Kotler, P. and Armstrong, G. (2012).Principles of marketing. 1st ed. Boston: Pearson Prentice Hall. Kotler, P. and Keller, K. (2012).Marketing management. 1st ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Zynga.com. (2016).Online Games Mobile Games | Free Games by Zynga. [online] Available at: https://www.zynga.com/ [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016].

Summary of B.F. Skinner and Piaget free essay sample

One of the most influential members of the behaviorist movement, as well as among psychologists who study human development was B. F. Skinner (Diessner, 2008, p. We will write a custom essay sample on Summary of B.F. Skinner and Piaget or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 134). Skinner was notable for his description of the acquisition of new behavior through the use of reinenforcement and punishment called operant conditioning (Diessner, 2008). Skinner also contributed his behaviorist explanation of language development through his concept of verbal behavior (Diessner, 2008). To Skinner verbal behavior is basically a behavior which is â€Å"reinenforced through the mediation of others† (Skinner, 1957, p. 2) and ultimately the speaker by applying controlling variables of operant conditioning principles (Burk, 2009; Diessner, 2008). We use words to express many things such as feeling, emotions, ideas, needs and desires, and how a person communicates depends on the verbal community they are a part of, the â€Å"community† which encompasses their socio-economic status (class), religion, job/career, culture, etc. (Burton Kagan, 1994; Diessner, 2008). Skinner states that a â€Å"verbal repertoire† can have similar effects on various listeners due to the speaker who possesses different repertoires which are shaped and maintained by different verbal communities and languages (Diessner, 2008, p. 134). It is also noted by Skinner that verbal behavior does not need an audience, and that a speaker can become a listener as a result reinenforcing his own behavior (Diessner, 2008). The interaction between language and behavior is emphasized by Skinner in Diessner (2008), in which the speaker is â€Å"in contact with a situation to which a listener is disposed to respond† (p. 35), and the verbal response from the speaker allows the listener to respond properly. Even though it is implied by communication theory that the speaker and listener share the same meanings in the messages conveyed, Skinner states that meanings are not the same in the speaker and the listener; instead the verbal responses are understood as signs or symbo ls of the situation, by the listener (Diessner, 2008). Through the manipulation of sentences, invention of alphabet, and discovery of grammar and such, it is understood that verbal behavior has its own independent status, which can be further explained by the meaning onveyed in written records by the writer and the meaning a reader produces on his own without regard of the verbal behavior of the writer (Diessner, 2008). Skinner’s concept of verbal behavior â€Å"outlined his analysis of verbal behavior, which described a group of verbal operants, or functional units of language, explaining that language could be analyzed into a set of functional units, with each type of operant serving a different function† (Burk, 2009). Simply, learning new words is the effect of a â€Å"singe reinenforcement† (Diessner, 2008, p. 138). Jean Piaget: Volume Conservation Jean Piaget, a Swiss born scientist often referred to as a developmental psychologist, but truly an epistemologist, who made many contributions to educational psychology conducted many experiments to support his theories and concepts (Diessner, 2008; Mooney, 2000). One of his experiments called the conservation of volume experiment, had suggestions of children learning and understanding arithmetic, geometry and aspects of spatial reasoning by trying to understand how substances maintain the same quantity in volume even after the shape changes (Diessner, 2008). Piaget’s theory, the four stages of cognitive development directly correlate to the theory of conservation presented in the experiment but it must be noted that everyone develops at their own pace, some faster than others in certain areas (Maranowski, n. d. ). In the experiment described in Diessner selection 25 Conservation of Continuous Quantities, two identical, squat beakers and one tall, narrow beaker were used, despite a different setup in the original experiment by Piaget, with children ages ranging from 4 years to 7 years and 2 months old. Children in the first stage â€Å"Absence of Conservation† corresponding to the preoperational stage, thought there was an increase of decrease in the quantity of liquid contingent on the size or number of containers (Diessner, 2008). An explanation of this can be since in the preoperational stage a child’s ideas are based on their perceptions and only focus on one variable at a time, like the smaller containers of liquid (Mooney, 2000). In the second stage of â€Å"Intermediary Reactions† which would be the transition between the preoperational stage and the concrete operational stage, behaviors not displayed by all children was noted (Diessner, 2008). First, some children were able to assume that the quantity of liquid would not change when poured from the one tall beaker into the two smaller glasses, but when more glasses were introduced the child went back to the prior stage belief of nonconservation (Diessner, 2008). Another reaction to the experiment was that the child accepted the concept of conservation but as soon as the quantity was greater the child became uncertain (Diessner, 2008). An explanation for these reactions can be that as the child transitions from preoperational to concrete operational stage their ideas of reasoning are still developing (Mooney, 2000). Finally in stage 3 â€Å"Necessary Conservation† corresponds to Piaget’s concrete operational stage of cognitive development (Diessner, 2008). In this group children recognized that the quantities of liquid are conserved and the nature of its changes immediately, for the most part, without hesitation (Diessner, 2008). Since the children in this stage are considered to be in the concrete operational stage of cognitive development, it can be said that their understanding of the experiment can be explained by the behavior of being able to form ideas based on reasoning and their perception of the changes is better (Mooney, 2008). References Burk, C. (November, 2009). What is AVB?. Retrieved from http://www. christinaburkaba. com/AVB. htm Burton, M. , Kagan, C. (1994). The verbal community and the societal construction of consciousness. Behavioral and Social Issues. 4(12). (90-91).

A Literary Review Dealing with Nursing as a Profession Essays

A Literary Review Dealing with Nursing as a Profession Essays A Literary Review Dealing with Nursing as a Profession Paper A Literary Review Dealing with Nursing as a Profession Paper The purpose of this paper is to present a literary review dealing with nursing as a profession which pertains to health care. There are also five recent scholarly journals that have been specifically chosen, to complete a detailed annotated bibliography. Mullane, M. (2000). A Glance Back in time: future, higher education, and professional development. Nursing Forum, 35 (4), 41-45. Throughout this article the author presented information that demonstrated the concern of the future of nursing. She compares the past and present, stating that we are at a junction which is demanding a choice of direction in which way nursing may go. The direction of nursing is unknown especially concerning nursing education. The future of nursing depends upon many different things, it is affected by progress in health care and by it? s past. The scientific social forces that surround it today enforce it. This all rests upon nurses themselves and is shaped by administrators of our health services and by practicing physicians. The author feels that in the education field of nursing apprenticeship has advantage over other forms of education. She has acknowledged that the graduate is an expert in techniques, however by reinstating the apprenticeship system that was used in the past we will create a greater nurse. After reviewing the literature it is important to assess the level of expertise of the author. Mullane (2000), at the time of publication, had her RN, PhD, was Annotated Bibliography: 3 Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. This journal was also one of many journal articles she has written. After completing the review of this research article I was able to determine the purpose of this article was to inform individuals that nursing is at a point where changes need to be made. With all the advancements we have we are able to make these changes to better the nursing profession. The author also suggests that we can return to the way things used to be, with more hands on. The article provides sufficient background information with specific dates and events. The intended audience of this paper was healthcare professionals, nurses, teachers, general public and colleagues. The author painted a picture of a nursing student who graduates out of University is an unprepared nurse not mentally but with hands-on tasks. The only sort of supplementary data this article offered was one other source from the Nursing Forum. Overall, this article is useful for nurses and healthcare professions who are interested in looking into the future of nursing. Annotated Bibliography: 4 Cardillo, D. (2001). Nursing, promote thyself: public relations, professional development and guidelines. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 14 (2), 40-49. The author suggested that nurses have been working quietly in the background, with little recognition. Therefore, it is time for nurses to come through and self-promote. The author feels it is vital to the survival and the long-term success of the profession. The article suggests ways to promote yourself as a nurse such as: taking stock of your strengths and assets, become active in nursing associations, when winning an award make it known, attend work-related social events and volunteer on committees. In order to determine the credibility of the article the credentials of the author must be assessed. Cardillo had achieved her RN, BS, is president of Cardillo Associates Professional Development Seminars in Wall, N. J. , also a keynote speaker, author and consultant. I am extremely confident the author is capable due to her credentials and the amount of experience she has accumulated throughout her years of being a nurse. Throughout this article the fundamental purpose is self-promotion in health care and how to accomplish it. This article however, does not deal with a great deal of background information, and does not use any other sources. The scope of the article is towards nurses in general. All the points throughout the article Annotated Bibliography: 5 pertain to promoting themselves. The general usefulness of this work for other individuals who are researching this topic is not extremely important, because they are more self-promotion tips for nursing staff. Annotated Bibliography: 6 Wyatt, J. S. (2001). How do you spell nursing? With a capital ? C?! : Nurses and caregivers. Pediatric Nursing Journal, 27 (1), 103-109. Throughout this article the author explains how nurses have remained dedicated caregivers, however the complexity of caring has changed. She discusses how nurses can strengthen the valuable foundation of caring and make it a greater visible part of the nursing profession. The article states that since the world has exploded with new scientific discoveries, theories and technologies it over powers what health care is all about, caring. She acknowledges the shortage of nursing staff but for many nurses patient care has become a game of ? beat the clock?. They want to see how many procedures, how fast and how efficient. When you look at the task you completed you realize the main goal of patient caring is gone. In order to determine if the author is an expert on the topic her credentials must be discussed. Wyatt has her PhD, RN, CRP and has over thirty years of experience in nursing. Her clinical nursing experience includes practice in intensive care units, community health settings, and as a primary care nurse practitioner and nurse researcher. She also has over twenty years of experience in undergraduate and graduate nursing education and now serves as the Executive Director of the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, she also holds the leading certification organization for pediatric nursing. Annotated Bibliography: 7 I believe that this authors credentials are extremely impressive making her an expert in the field of nursing and caring. The fundamental purpose of this article is to show nurses what nursing is really about, caring. I t allows nurses to take a step back from their job and realize that maybe they have not been treating patients the way they should be treating them. This article provides a great deal of backgrounds information. It includes many other articles pertaining to caring also providing statistics. The main audience of this article is nursing staff and caregivers. It is geared towards helping them increase there caring towards patients. The general usefulness of this article for an individual who is doing an essay on the selected topic is by reading the article it makes you realize how the profession has changed over the years. It shows what can be done about the mistakes that the healthcare individuals are making and what nursing is really about. Annotated Bibliography: 8 Mee, C. L. (2001). Magic Moments: Nursing Careers. American Journal of Nursing, 31 (8), 6-10. The author presented her ideas on nursing and why she chose to become a nurse. She states the important aspects of a nursing career and the benefits on becoming a nurse. She has many specific ideas on what a nursing career contains she mentioned such aspects as holding patients hands, talking with them, making them smile, being kind, intelligent, making the frail feel sick, having great strength and control. Most importantly being aware that you could contribute to someone else wanting to be a nurse. In order to determine the credibility of the article the author? s credentials have to be assessed. Mee has achieved her RN, BScN and PhD she has the experience of years of nursing and has written many other articles on different aspects of nursing. One aspect of this article that increased my confidence level in the information was the author provided examples of her own nursing beliefs, values and experiences however there were no statistics or charts which decreases the value of research. The purpose of this article is to inform nurses that everything you do, people are watching you and you could impact there future. The author also states her ideas of what a nurse should include. The main audience intended for this article is nurses and individuals entering the nursing field. The general usefulness Annotated Bibliography: 9 of this article for individuals researching Nursing as a Profession is it allows you to absorb what nursing involves and how important a career in nursing really is. Annotated Bibliography: 10 Castledine, G. (2001). Healthcare professions must work better as teams. British Journal of Nursing, 10 (14), 959-964. Throughout this article the author discusses the essential ingredients of an interprofessional team. The essential ingredients are a common purpose, distinct professional skills, and a process of communicating effectively with each other. If each team member represents his/her own profession? s expertise adequately, then all that is needed is a little teamwork. He clearly states that in the healthcare field working, as a team is an essential factor. The author? s credentials are vital to determine the credibility of the article. Castledine is a Professor and Consultant of General Nursing at the University of Central England. I am confident that this author can be classified as an expert on the topic of Nursing as a profession due to his involvement in Nursing. To further his credibility this article was published by a scholarly refereed journal. The main purpose of this article was to inform individuals in healthcare that teamwork is needed to get the job done, without it you create chaos. The main audience of this article is anyone in the healthcare profession or anyone in a profession where you have to work with other individuals. The usefulness of this article for individuals writing an essay on this concept is it shows you ways in which you can improve your teamwork skills, because without teamwork in a healthcare profession you might as well go into another profession. Annotated Bibliography: 11 Conclusion After completing this Annotated Bibliography it is evident that nurses have an extremely large role in the health care profession. Throughout all five articles there was a connection, showing that without certain skills such as caring and team work nursing is not what it can be. The five selected articles within the Annotated Bibliography have provided me with a great source of information on Nursing as a Profession, I now have background information that will be used in every day class work and upcoming tests and assignments. Annotated Bibliography: 12 References Cardillo, D. (2001). Nursing, promote thyself: public relations, professional development and guidelines. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 14 (2), 40-49. Castledine, G. (2001). Healthcare professions must work better as teams. British Journal of Nursing, 10 (14), 959-964 Mee, C. L. (2001). Magic Moments: Nursing Careers. American Journal of Nursing, 31 (8), 6-10. Mullane, M. (2000). A Glance Back in time: future, higher education, and professional development. Nursing Forum, 35 (4), 41-45. Wyatt, J. S. (2001). How do you spell nursing? With a capital ? C?! : Nurses and caregivers. Pediatric Nursing Journal, 27 (1), 103-109.

Justification Report on Marketing Research Paper

Justification Report on Marketing - Research Paper Example Norton is antivirus software, which can prove to be significantly useful for the company to efficiently run its business activities in future. It is so because Simmons Company is engaged in the business of providing professional tax services for its clients who are either individuals or any business firms. Hence, it needs to make use of computers and internet frequently. This fact suggests that Norton can be very helpful for the company to increase its internet security through prevention from various virus and malware attacks. The potential resource that is required to support this recommendation is the use of computer and internet by the company in its business processes. It is also required to have information regarding the need of antivirus for the computers used by the company based on various customers’ feedback which can be easily obtained online and by undergoing a survey. The website of the company can also prove to be a valuable source of getting information regardin g the details of the services offered by the company. Hence this report can prove to be useful for the company to help run its business effectively and efficiently in future. Moreover, it can also help the company identify the needs of implementation of such antivirus software and know how it can be helpful for the Simmons Company. Justification Report Introduction Revise: The introduction should introduce the product (Norton Antivirius software) to the potential client the Simmons Company is selling the product to. Simmons Company is a professional CPA firm located at Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (Simmons & Company, 2012a). Marc L. Simmons is credited to be the owner of the company who is responsible for running the business activities in the organization (Simmons & Company, 2012b). It is engaged in the business of offering professional services related to the field of taxation requirements for its clients. The clients of Simmons Company include either individuals or the bus iness firms (Simmons & Company, 2012c). This report deals with the recommendation of implementing Norton branded computer security product which are produced by Symantec Corporation. Norton Antivirius is a software that is reputed for been effective in protecting computer and network systems against several threats. The software is designed to remove antiviruses, block malicious software, prevent hacking and phishing, clean infected files, and secure online transactions. The recommendation of Norton Antivirus is based on the issues or problems faced by the company related to its computer internet security. The problems identified, the methodologies used to collect information pertaining to the issue, the findings from such information collected, analysis of the findings and finally a conclusion and recommendations based on the findings and analysis will be discussed in this report. Problem Statement Simmons Company offers a variety of services to customers mainly online. However, ev ery now and then, the company’s systems are affected by viruses and malicious software so that customers receive products that are virus infected further risking their systems. In some cases, the company fails to deliver in time as a result of the threats posed by the viruses and malicious software. In some cases, customers complain that their accounts have been hacked following online transaction

QUESTIONS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

QUESTIONS - Essay Example Many times a company has tried it once with failure thus they do not try it again. Attempting to determine why it didn’t work and implementing a new plan or successful approach can yield positive results. Often Managers see it as taking too much time to develop; this usually means the value they received from the effort put forth did not justify the resources they put forth. Also organizations complain they do not have enough data about the people in their organizations, in these cases implement the strategy where you do have enough data. Other initiatives are also seen as more important but without adequate staffing it is difficult to meet these successfully. 2. Explain the difference between a staffing strategy and a staffing plan? A staffing plan describes the staffing actions an organization is going to take to implement a staffing strategy; the plan may address recruiting, promotions and internal movements, retention, the use of part time staff and overtime and possible outsourcing of work. 3. How would you go about defining the right staffing levels for your company? To define required staffing levels it is important to understand what is behind changes in staffing levels in your company, identify what is driving staffing needs. Is this a change in the company’s activity, a shift in the product or service mix, geographic expansion or improvements in service levels? The organization also needs to identify limiting factors and define changes in roles and positions. Use a combination of quantitative techniques such as ratios or time based ratio’s where they are applicable. Supplement these with qualitative techniques such as conducting structured interviews with managers when quantitative approaches do not work for your company. 4. Provide three uncontrollable and three controllable staffing actions that could occur when creating a staffing model? Uncontrollable staffing actions include voluntary turnover, normal

Kant on Suicide Essay Example for Free

Kant on Suicide Essay 4. Explain and critically assess Kant’s argument that one has a duty to preserve one’s own life. As rational beings Kant believes we have a categorical duty of self-preservation to not wilfully take our own lives. Kant talks in depth about duty and believes we should act out of respect for the moral law. The will is the only inherent good, as we are only motivated by duty and nothing else. We should act only out of demands of the law, not from inclination, desires or to achieve a particular goal. Duty dictates we should never act or will something if we do not want it to become a universal law. Kant was against any form of suicide. He strongly believed that: in taking a life you treat humanity merely as a means to an end. Kant wouldn’t be interested in the suffering or pain caused to even a person who was terminally ill and wanted to end their life, nor would he take into consideration the family/friends suffering. In this essay I will be arguing that if we follow the categorical imperative it is immoral to sacrifice a life because it involves treating humanity merely as a means to an end. I will examine John Hardwig’s counter argument that we should end our own lives if more pain and suffering is caused by prolonging it/living it even if we are no longer a rational being. We must understand that Kant is saying; if I make a maxium e. g. – ‘if I am in unbearable suffering, I should take my own life’ – it must meet the universal law and be applied to everyone. Kant believes we ought to preserve our own lives because it is our moral duty (it is necessary and universal). John Hardwig however, would argue we also have the right to end our lives. Kant would dismiss this because ultimately humans are the bearers of rational life (e. g. it is too sacred to sacrifice). Suicide fails Kant’s Categorical Imperative on the following grounds: It seeks to shorten a life that promises more troubles than please, this would be killing yourself out of self-love; when in fact the real aim would be to live a life worth living, with more pleasure than difficulties. Kant isn’t claiming that it’s impossible for everyone to commit suicide or for everyone to will it (and therefore it becoming a universal law). He believes ‘it would not exist as nature; hence the maxim cannot obtain as a law of nature’. (Immanuel Kant, The Groundwork of the methaphysics of morals, Mary Gregor and Jens Timmermann, Cambridge University 2012, p45 emphasis added). Here Kant seems to be suggesting that suicide isn’t a natural path of life; that it goes against our purpose and that it’s a contradiction to end your life when your goal would be to have an enjoyable life. The idea that the destruction of life is incompatible with improvement suggests that nature couldn’t/wouldn’t allow self-love to be used in a way that is contrary to its purpose. There is surely an obviously contradiction here; in ending one’s life to prevent suffering, one is using one’s life mere means to an end, which automatically fails the categorical imperative. Take the case of Maria Von Herbert- she is clearly appealing to Kant, if under any circumstances; suicide is morally acceptable? He isn’t as blatant with her as in his writings, but let us not forget, Kant doesn’t see woman as rational beings. I agree with Rae Langton that Kant totally bypasses the reason Herbert is writing to him. He doesn’t confront her on suicide but instead reduces her problem to a moral dilemma (regrets lying or telling the truth ), which as an intelligent woman whom has read all his writings; she could work out for herself. Could this have made Kant certain that she did lie and therefore fail the kingdom of ends? Perhaps Kant is being hypocritical; he doesn’t tell Maria the whole truth of suicide merely reducing her to ‘a thing’. He tells Maria she should be ‘ashamed’ for not telling the truth to her former friend but, doesn’t this apply for himself too? Is he just avoiding the truth (states this is just as bad a lying) by not confronting her about suicide? Most likely he wants her to be autonomous and get to the reason herself. Hardwig disagrees with Kant. Take a different situation; Is a terminally ill person-needing 24/7 care, who is entirely financially reliant- only using their family as a means to an end? You can see this as a ‘two way street’ situation. Kant doesn’t look to consequences of an action; it wouldn’t matter to his philosophy that the ill person’s family suffers because they are preserving their life. But is there a flaw? (1) I ought to do my duty as long as I am alive; and (2) It is my duty to go on living as long as possible. Kant strongly believes that you can’t affirm life by taking your own. There is only one exception. Kant claims those who die in battle are ‘victims of fate’ (not simply suicide because they chose to fight). He holds the view that it is better to die in battle than to die of a wound in hospital. Kant believes it’s noble to risk our lives for others- nobody uses us as mere means and we follow our own maxium. We are no longer forced into serving for our country or deceived into joining (if this did happen it would fail the CI because we wouldn’t be treated as rational beings and would be used as mere means and not as ends in ourselves). John Hardwig strongly believes that life should be treated no differently from death. We are free to live in the way we want, so why aren’t we free to die in the way we want (when and how)? He also switches the question but Kant would simply say we have a duty to live. Hardwig has also argued that medical advances eliminate the threats of many terminal illnesses. He then concludes, if our continued existence creates signi? cant hardship for our loved ones, we have a duty to die. By continuing a live of suffering the burden that this person imposes on others is often great. One may have the duty to die in order to relieve them of these burdens. This argument seems to be based on fairness. Kant would refute this; suffering is a tool of reasoning and it ensures the development of mankind. Kant strongly believes that we should preserve our own lives. The argument though strong is flawed. 1- All duties are absolute- Kant doesn’t advise us on how to resolve conflicting duty (for example: help others vs. never kill). 2- He discounts moral emotions like compassion, sympathy, desire and remorse as appropriate and ethical motives for action. 3- Kant completely ignores the consequences of an action and is purposefully blind to following circumstances. He states that human life is valuable because humans are the bearers of rational life. We have the great capacity to think, organize, plan etc. and Kant holds this as being valuable. Therefore we should not sacrifice this for anything (as previously discussed autonomous creatures should not be treated merely as a means or for the happiness of another). There are also great issues with Hardwigs counter argument; if we agree that we have the duty to die; who has the duty to die? When do they have they duty to die? Although this argument is strong is some areas (greater burden), it is greatly flawed. It would be extremely difficult to universalize a maxium for everyone to follow so they could decide if at that moment they had the duty to die. A problem would also occur if the family disagreed with the ill person’s decision, which could cause great problems within society (though Kant would not look to consequences but they are greatly important to Hardwigs argument). I believe –and agree with Kant- that if we follow the categorical imperative it is immoral to sacrifice anyone at all (including yourself) because it involves treating the humanity in that person as merely a means to an end. I also accept and agree with his point that it seems to go against our purpose and is an unnatural path for us to take a life. I find it interesting that Kant believes suffering is a tool of development and therefore essential to us. Though John Hardwigs argument is partly convincing, if we were all given the choice of when we should die, would we find the right time? This would be very hard to govern, as people would of course take advantage of this right. I’ve found it hard to find a counter argument to Kant’s stance -without suffering there wouldn’t be cures and perhaps less happiness. Therefore I have to agree with Kant that it only allows us to grow and develop. Thus we do have the duty to preserve our own lives even if it is riddled with suffering.