Ethics of Child Labor Essay Example for Free

Ethics of Child Labor Essay Ethics of Child Labor I. Intro A. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century child labor was a rampant problem with the advancements in technology. Then during the mid twentieth century, the United States started implementing child labor laws such as setting an age limit for somebody to work for pay and also setting certain health and safety codes at the work place. Despite efforts to prevent child labor, it is still prevalent in some areas in the world today. Most of these children work on small farms. II. Is Child Labor right or wrong? A. Pros: i. Human Rights Watch says that child farm workers in the United States- the vast majority of whom are Latino- regularly work 12 to 14 hour days, often suffering pesticide poisonings, heat-related illness, machine and knife-related injuries, and life-long disabilities. Many are forced to work without access to toilet or hand-washing facilities or adequate drinking water. (Cray 4) i. Helps support a struggling family financially ii. Child labor has a place in the world economy as long as it is neither hazardous or dead-end work, where the child laborers can still get an education and thereby help their families out of poverty since an education will ensure better paying jobs in the long run. iii. Work alongside their parents is both a financial necessity, and also part of the ethnic family work ethic. B. Cons: i. Illnesses, injury, lifelong disabilities. ii. The associative qualities of child labor is it produces a negative image of the associated company, country, family that enforces it. iii. Emotional distress is put on that child for life III. Jeremy Bentham A. Ethical System including the influence of Theology 1. Moral Aspects of Awareness: i. Finitude-â€Å"capacity of transcendence which gives humans the ability to imagine their own end†(Schaffer 66). ii. Incompleteness-â€Å"Comes from a sense of transcendence- we are able to imagine states which we can never quite achieve. This is about the individual†(Schaffer 66). 2. Beliefs about Right and Wrong i. Hedonic calculas:â€Å"According to this doctrine, the way to judge between alternative courses of action is to consider the consequences of each, in terms of the pleasure and pain of all the people affected†(Mills 281) 3. Definition of Good i. â€Å"Utilitarianism presupposes one overriding moral principle: that one ought to aim at the greatest happiness of the greatest number. â€Å"(Mills 280) ii. Bentham thought what was good was whatever gave the most amount of pleasure to the most amount of people iii. Subjective Theory of Value-â€Å"How I feel, not a matter of right or wrong, knowledge not needed. â€Å"(Schaffer 73) 4. Obligations i. â€Å"If the central question of political philosophy is taken to be: â€Å"Why, if at all, should the citizen obey the state? The utilitarian answer is quite clear. The citizen should obey just so far as obedience ill contribute more to the general happiness than disobedience. If the central question is taken to be the nature and ontological status of the state, the answer is equally clear: the state is not a super-entity with purposes and a will of its own, but a human contrivance to enable men to realize as many of their desires as possible. â€Å"(Mills 281) ii. Explanation: Bentham believes it is the obligations of the state to provide the people basic pleasures and if the state is doing that then the people should comply with some of the states’ demands and if that is not the case then the people don’t have listen to the state. 5. Ideals and Virtues i. â€Å"It is as the exponent of utilitarianism and as the acknowledged leader of the philosophical radicals, whose program of social reform was firmly based on utilitarian theory, that Bentham is chiefly remembered. He thought of the principle of utility as primarily a guide for legislators. Thought it he hoped to impart some order into chaos and illogic of the law†(Mills 281) ii. â€Å"Perhaps the crucial question for a utilitarian ethic intended mainly for lawyers and legislators is whether it can account adequately for justices. It may be argued that justice requires the equalization as well as the maximization of pleasures. It is not unjust to require me to endure five units of pain on Monday for the sake of ten units of pleasure on Tuesday. But is it just to require Smith to endure five units of pain for the sake of ten units of pleasure for Jones? It is doubtful whether Bentham can meet this objection. He does, however argue that the maximization of pleasure will itself involve an equalizing tendency. This is because the economist’s law of diminishing utility applies to pleasure. The minor amenities of life afford much pleasure to someone whose other pleasures are few, but comparatively little to someone whose pleasures are many. Consequently, while it is true that a utilitarian, forced to choose between a course of action that gives X and Y 10 units of pleasure each and one that gives X 31 units of pleasure and Y 10 units of pain, will prefer the second, it is also true that such choices are most likely to arise when X’s life is as a general rue more painful than Y’s†(Mills 283) iii. Sincerity-free from pretense or deceit, proceeding from genuine feelings (Oxford American Dictionaries) iv. Tranquility-quality or state of being tranquil;calmness;peacefulness;quiet;serenity(Dictionary. com) 6. Culpability/Consequence i. â€Å"In Bentham’s view, our conviction that it is unjust to punish an innocent man is based on nothing but the empirical consideration that punishing the innocent is not likely to deter others from crime. This is, however, not always true: the innocent man may be a hostage, or he may be generally thought to be guilty. †(Mills 283-284) ii. Consenquence:â€Å"a conclusion derived through logic, something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions. † (Merriam Webster Dictionary) B. How Bentham would address Child Labor i. If Bentham were assessing the issue of child Labor he would probably take into account the pleasure and pain involving the children and the employers. From the employers point of view their getting workers working for lower pay and also more capability of certain tasks rather than adults. From the children point of view, Bentham would see that it would be a advantage for a struggling family for their children to work to help put food on the table also it could help inspire a stronger work ethic for the children. Then when calculating the pain involved, that would be attributed to possible injuries and diseases the child might get and also the trauma inflicted upon the child and family. Bentham would also recognize the outrage of other countries around the world that condemn child labor as a legal practice. Using hedonic calculus, Bentham would determine if this right or wrong and taking account of all the pleasure and pain involved he would probably come with the conclusion that Child Labor is wrong. IV. Aristotle A. Ethical system including the influence of theology 1. Moral aspect of awareness i. Unfinished-â€Å"Seeking the Other half-we have to drive to discover otherness through poetry, literature, movies, etc; profound desire to be in relation/community Philosophical Religious Understandings-in complete (dream) Aristotle, long for innocence Augustine†(Schaffer 66). ii. Explanation: Aristotle thought that to reach a higher level of being we must engage ourselves in the field of arts to reach the other half of our self 2. Beliefs about right or wrong i. Aristotle believed good was something that brought you happiness or fulfills your desires. ii. Aristotle also believed if you don’t overly indulge yourself in your desires then it would be considered ethical but if you indulge in excess then it would be unethical 3. Ideals and Virtues i. Temprance:†The Greek philosopher Socrates considered temperance to be almost synonymous with self-mastery. The temperate person, he argued, is the one who exercises control over his or her desires and thereby escapes domination by them. Aristotle took a similar view, holding self-indulgence to be childish. For these philosophers, and for many of the ethicists that followed them, the hallmarks of temperance are moderation and restraint of one’s desires and passions. †(Ruggiero 112) ii. Prudence:† This virtue known also as practical wisdom, consists of choosing one’s behavior judiciously by consulting experience and deliberating thoughtfully about what response is most appropriate. Prudence is the exact opposite of rashness and impulsiveness. †(Ruggiero 111-112) 4. Definition of Good i. Subjective theory of Value: â€Å"How I feel =not a matter of right or wrong; knowledge not needed†(Schaffer 73) ii. Aristotle thought whatever was good was whatever fulfilled your desires or made you happy 5. Obligations i. Obligations of friendship:â€Å"Friendship entails mutual respect and a special interest in the other’s well being. It requires one to rejoice at the other’s success and good fortune and to share the pain of the other’s disappointment and failure. It also requires on to be trust-worthy about confidences, to provide emotional support when it is needed, and to restrain the urge to be critical in small matters. †(Ruggiero 100) ii. Obligations of friendship:â€Å"Citizenship obligates a person to promote the well-being of the country and fellow citizens by respecting and observing the law and respecting the legitimate initiatives of the country’s leaders, even if one disagrees with their political perspective. In a democracy, it also requires participation in the electoral process. When the country is unjustly attacked, it is also a citizen’s responsibility, conscience permitting, to support the country’s response and even, if one is young and healthy enough, to play an active role in the country’s defense. † (Ruggiero 100) 6. Culpability/Consequence i. Consenquence:â€Å"a conclusion derived through logic, something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions. † (Merriam Webster Dictionary) B. How Aristotle would approach Child Labor i. Aristotle would approach Child from a subjective theory of value and determine if it was right or wrong depending on the situation. For example if the family of the child is in desperate for money then he would consider it ethical for child to work. But if the child is suffering from the work then Aristotle would then consider it unethical. VI. My ethical system A. Ethical System Including the Influence of Theology 1. Moral Aspect of Awareness i. Incompleteness: â€Å"Comes from a sense of transcendence-we are able t imagine states which we can never quite achieve. We have a desire to have a complete awareness of our incompleteness† (Schaffer 66). ii. Unfinished-â€Å"Seeking the Other half-we have to drive to discover otherness through poetry, literature, movies, etc; profound desire to be in relation/community Philosophical Religious Understandings-in complete (dream) Aristotle, long for innocence Augustine†(Schaffer 66). 2. 3. Beliefs about right and wrong i. Believe you should do whatever gives you most amount of satisfaction and security. 4. Definition of Good i. Subjective Theory of Value: â€Å"Subjective theory of Value: â€Å"How I feel =not a matter of right or 5. Ideals and Virtues i. i. Justice-â€Å"Evaluation of situations according to their merits, without prejudice, and giving each person his or her due†(Ruggiero 102) ii. tranquility: quality or state of being tranquil;calmness;peacefulness;quiet;serenity iii. Temprance:†The Greek philosopher Socrates considered temperance to be almost synonymous with self-mastery. The temperate person, he argued, is the one who exercises control over his or her desires and thereby escapes domination by them. Aristotle took a similar view, holding self-indulgence to be childish. For these philosophers, and for many of the ethicists that followed them, the hallmarks of temperance are moderation and restraint of one’s desires and passions. †(Ruggiero 112) iv. Prudence:† This virtue known also as practical wisdom, consists of choosing one’s behavior judiciously by consulting experience and deliberating thoughtfully about what response is most appropriate. Prudence is the exact opposite of rashness and impulsiveness. †(Ruggiero 111-112) 6. Obligations i. Obligations of friendship:â€Å"Friendship entails mutual respect and a special interest in the other’s well being. It requires one to rejoice at the other’s success and good fortune and to share the pain of the other’s disappointment and failure. It also requires on to be trust-worthy about confidences, to provide emotional support when it is needed, and to restrain the urge to be critical in small matters. †(Ruggiero 100) ii. Obligations of friendship:â€Å"Citizenship obligates a person to promote the well-being of the country and fellow citizens by respecting and observing the law and respecting the legitimate initiatives of the country’s leaders, even if one disagrees with their political perspective. In a democracy, it also requires participation in the electoral process. When the country is unjustly attacked, it is also a citizen’s responsibility, conscience permitting, to support the country’s response and even, if one is young and healthy enough, to play an active role in the country’s defense. † (Ruggiero 100) 7. Culpability/Consequence ii. i. Consenquence:â€Å"a conclusion derived through logic, something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions. † (Merriam Webster Dictionary) 8. Ethical influences i. Parents: My parents have instilled a strong ethical foundation for life. Since I was little kid, they have taught the importance of kindness and honesty. ii. Coaches: I have played sports my entire life and it has been a major influence in shaping my character. Sports have helped keep me disciplined and how to stay cool under pressure, and not letting my emotions control my actions. 9. My tradition i. â€Å"Natural Law-(def) the view that there is an unchanging normative order that is a part of the natural world†(Schaffer 83) ii. â€Å"One way to provide criteria of judgment on major issues, examine natural law (in relation to divine law) and human law to show the way in which they complement each other. † (Schaffer 83) iii. â€Å"Orders of Creation- (def): a hierarchy is given in creation which reveals obligation, responsibility and offer criteria for morality† (Schaffer 84) B. How I would address Child Labor i. I believe child labor is an unethical practice. It puts way too emotional distress and also physical injuries to be justified. The only positive I can see coming from child labor is the money that child would bring in. Conclusion A. Child labor is not as pressing as an issue as it used to be but still practiced around some parts in the world. I believe Bentham and Aristotle would both disapprove of child labor based on their idea that the basic goal in life is too find happiness and satisfy your desires which labor does not serve.

Invisible Man Essay: Search for True Identity :: Invisible Man Essays

Search for True Identity in Invisible Man      Ã‚   "Who the hell am I?" (Ellison 386) This question puzzled the invisible man, the unidentified, anonymous narrator of Ralph Ellison's acclaimed novel Invisible Man. Throughout the story, the narrator embarks on a mental and physical journey to seek what the narrator believes is "true identity," a belief quite mistaken, for he, although unaware of it, had already been inhabiting true identities all along.    The narrator's life is filled with constant eruptions of mental traumas. The biggest psychological burden he has is his identity, or rather his misidentity. He feels "wearing on the nerves" (Ellison 3) for people to see him as what they like to believe he is and not see him as what he really is. Throughout his life, he takes on several different identities and none, he thinks, adequately represents his true self, until his final one, as an invisible man.    The narrator thinks the many identities he possesses does not reflect himself, but he fails to recognize that identity is simply a mirror that reflects the surrounding and the person who looks into it. It is only in this reflection of the immediate surrounding can the viewers relate the narrator's identity to. The viewers see only the part of the narrator that is apparently connected to the viewer's own world. The part obscured is unknown and therefore insignificant. Lucius Brockway, an old operator of the paint factory, saw the narrator only as an existence threatening his job, despite that the narrator is sent there to merely assist him. Brockway repeatedly question the narrator of his purpose there and his mechanical credentials but never even bother to inquire his name. Because to the old fellow, who the narrator is as a person is uninterested. What he is as an object, and what that object's relationship is to Lucius Brockway's engine room is important. The narrator's identity is derived from this relationship, and this relationship suggests to Brockway that his identity is a "threat". However the viewer decides to see someone is the identity they assign to that person. The Closing of The American Mind, by Allan Bloom, explains this identity phenomenon by comparing two "ships of states" (Bloom 113). If one ship "is to be forever at sea, [and]  ¡K another is to reach port and the passengers go their separate ways, they think about one another and their relationships on the ship very differently in the two cases" (Bloom 113).

The Effects of Traveling Abroad

Cause and effect essay The Effects of Traveling Abroad Why do people take a journey for a short or long period of time? Even though journey takes a lot of money and time, most people want to take a journey to learn something from the journey when they can afford to. Journey is precious especially when people leave themselves from where they live. What kind of benefits do they have from the journey? By leaving where they live, people come to know themselves, their family and friends who are always with them. There are numerous old proverbs regarding the journey over the world.One thing those proverbs indicate is journey is a great experience in our life and helps the life improving. I am going to talk about the effects of journey by giving my own experience of traveling abroad with the proverbs. â€Å"To make your children live successful, send them on journey early on. † There is an old proverb with journey. This proverb comes up with my parents who sent me and my brother to E ngland when I was 13 years old. At that time, I was too young to know where I was going to and who am I. However, the staying in England, consequently, made me know myself a little bit and meet the totally new world.The experience in England contributes to my thinking and dream in a global way. Ultimately, my parents’ decision sending me and my brother on journey early on had great effects on our life. â€Å"To know and understand your friend, take a trip with her or him for four days. † I’ve heard many times from my friends about traveling abroad with friends. Most people who took a journey abroad with their friends had a fight during the journey. When couples go on a trip together, they always have a fight during the trip.I know two couples who broke up after traveling abroad. They realized that they don’t get along well from the journey. In my experience, I’ve been to Japan for five days with my best friend who I’ve known when I was middl e school student. Before beginning our journey, I was really worried about our friendship. That’s why I tried to being nice and understand her point of view in planning our journey. We had a disagreement when we were traveling in Japan but we got over soon because we know each other very well and we didn’t want to break our friendship.Through this journey with my closest friend, we have been getting closer and thinking each other more precious. â€Å"Journey makes people not only pure but also strong. † This proverb implies the importance of journey in our life especially regarding oneself. In 2009 before the Vancouver Olympic Games 2010, I went to Vancouver to do volunteering activities for 6 months at the Olympic venue. At that time, I lived in a foreign country for a long time, bought some foods, made my plates, and did laundry by myself for the first time.This life in Vancouver, as a result, changed the way of thinking and made me see the broad world. Someti mes I had trouble living other country and was in a slump doing my volunteering activities. This led me to look back on myself. By living other country alone, I had much time thinking about my life, dream and future in my country. After then, when I come across challenges, I can overcome even though how hard they are. It is an undeniable fact that people have learned a lesson from traveling abroad. We can experience new culture, food, people and atmosphere from the journey.During the period of time traveling abroad, we can have enough time to think about ourselves and change our point of view. Journey makes us grow up in a good way. That’s why people always want to leave somewhere nice to feel a new environment and make their life plentiful. Traveling abroad always accompany with troubles and problems. We can realize wisdom of life by experiencing lots of hard times during the traveling. Like the old proverbs, â€Å"Travel broadens the mind, and raises the spirits. †, traveling abroad teaches how to see and live our life.

Anne Brontes Literary Success as a Visionary Writer

Anne Bronte as a visionary writer: her literary success I am reminded of a parable as to what happens when one desires to beat time. A childless couple approached the Perfect Master for his grace to be blessed with progeny. The Master who had the power to know the past, present and the future, advised them that they were not lucky in this respect in this birth. They pleaded for His grace and the Perfect Master warned them of the consequences of taking liberty with the laws of nature. Yet, the couple was persistent. â€Å"So be it†, said the Perfect Master and after nine months a baby-girl was born to the couple, but strangely, her right was folded and the child had a natural cell phone (made of flesh and blood) in her grip. She was not able to stretch her hands. â€Å"This child is part of the generation that we are going to get after ninety years, and I have pulled a soul that was due to take birth then, for your present benefit†, said the Perfect Master. â€Å"I have picked up one soul from that lot, and you are thus spe cially graced†. Similarly, Anne Bronte was able to visualize in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall the characteristics of the twenty-first generation. Anne Bronte (1820-1849) was the contemporary of Karl Marx (1818-1883) but her lifespan was just 29 years. If her literature is read today in front of the grave of Karl Marx it would make him shift in the grave. At such a young age, her thinking was revolutionary, even without being exposed to the secular world in a big way.Show MoreRelatedVictorian Novel9605 Words   |  39 Pagesis one transcending aspect to Victorian England life and society, that aspect is change. Nearly every institution of society was affected by rapid and unforeseeable changes.  As some writers greeted them with fear and others embraced the progress, this essay will guide a reader through an important era in English literary history and introduce with the voices that influenced its shape and development. It was the novel that was the leading form of literature in the 19th century England. The term ‘novel’