Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Philosophy and ethics

Bertrand Russell: The King of France Paradox

• Russell's philosophical inquiries often explored the limits of language and logic.
• He posited that certain statements, like "God cannot save humanity. He does not exist," reflect a particular stance on metaphysical claims.
• Russell also considered situations where "fighting is the best possible option" under exceptional circumstances.
• A paradox is a statement that appears to be true and false at the same time.
• The famous proposition, "The current King of France is bald," is considered false because there is no King of France today. This illustrates Russell's theory of definite descriptions and the problem of non-referring terms in logic.

A.J. Ayer: Verificationism and Emotivism

• A.J. Ayer, a prominent logical

Incarcerate

To imprison, confine, jail

Indulgent

Lenient, characterized by excess generosity; overly tolerant

Illicit

Forbidden by law; improper; unauthorized

Inundate

To cover by overflowing; to flood; to overwhelm (as if by a flood)

Inscrutable

Mysterious or obscure; hard to grasp; not easily understood

Intercede

To plead, or petition, on another's behalf

Irrevocable

Not capable of being retracted, recalled, or withdrawn; unalterable

Impair

To make worse; to damage or weaken

Incorrigible

Incapable of being reformed or improved; very bad

Impassive

Having, or revealing, no emotion; Still or motionless

Ludicrous

Ridiculous, laughable, absurd

Litigation

A legal proceeding in a court; a judicial contest to determine and enforce legal rights

Magnanimous

Generous in overlooking... Continue reading "Vocabulary Enrichment: Essential Words for Effective Communication" »

Premise: There is an invisible "only" in front of the words "Black Lives Matter"

Critique: There is a difference between focus and exclusion. If something matters, this does not imply that something else does. If I say "Law Students Matter," it does not imply that my colleagues, friends, and family do not. Here is something else that matters: context. The Black Lives Matter movement arose in a context of evidence that they don't. When people are receiving messages from the culture in which they live that their lives are less important than other lives, it is a cruel distortion of reality to scold them for not being inclusive enough.

Vicarious Liability in Employment Law

Key Conditions for Employment (Mackenna J)

Mackenna J outlined three conditions for a contract of employment:

1. The employee agrees to provide their work and skills to the employer in return for a wage.
2. The employee agrees, expressly or impliedly, to be directed as to the mode of performance.
3. The terms of the contract are consistent with a contract of employment.

Atkin's Approach to Employment

Courts may be prepared to find a relationship akin to employment if it is just, fair, and reasonable to impose vicarious liability as a whole.

Case Example: In JGE v Portsmouth, a judge ruled that a Bishop in the Roman Catholic Church was vicariously liable for sexual abuse committed by a priest.

Cases on Vicarious Liability

Various

Lack of Internal Democracy in Indian Political Parties

The lack of internal democracy within political parties in India is a significant concern, stemming from several key reasons:

• Concentration of Power: There is a strong tendency in political parties towards the concentration of power in one or a few leaders at the top.
• Irregular Internal Processes: Parties often do not hold regular organizational meetings or conduct internal elections consistently.
• Limited Member Influence: Many members lack the necessary means or connections to significantly influence party decisions.
• Absence of Membership Registers: Parties frequently do not maintain proper membership registers, making internal accountability difficult.

These characteristics are observable in... Continue reading "Indian Political Parties: Internal Democracy & Global Systems" »

1. Double Salary?

Justify: 'Accept the offer'

• In USA business is governed by law and contract. There is apparently no relevant non-compete (stand-down) clause in her current contract.
• She should show them the new offer and ask them to pay her more than the new offer, or perhaps to match it. They had evidently been underpaying her.
• Point out that the other company evidently has found a way of making better use of her skills in order to serve the market or customer 'needs', that is, 'to drive forward the industry of mankind' for the common good; so she arguably has a moral obligation to accept it and move into that position

2. Wendy's Ads

Justify: Continue to advertise

• Our tests validate our claim and our ads refer to our tests only. It obviously depends

Moksha: Liberation

- Moksha is the end of the death and rebirth cycle and is classed as the fourth and ultimate artha (goal). It is achieved by overcoming ignorance and desires.

Jivas: Individual Souls

- Jivas are individual souls that come from water (chaos, universe) then illumination (order, liberation) then reincarnate.

- They are bound by maya, which hides their true self, which is characterized by eternal existence, consciousness, and bliss. There are an infinite number of jivas.

Mahayana: The Big Raft/ Karuna (Compassion)

- It literally means "Great Vehicle" and teaches universal salvation with emphasis on social concerns.

Bhagavad: Hindu Text

- Became an important work of Hindu tradition in terms of both literature and philosophy.

Tanha: Life

English Grammar: Conjunctions, Transitions, and Prepositions

Conjunctions (Clause Connectors)

• Because, as, since: Introduce a cause.
  • Example: Because it was raining, I stayed at home.
• So: Introduces an effect.
  • Example: It was raining, so I stayed at home.

Transitions (Sentence Connectors)

• Therefore, consequently, as a result: Introduce an effect, connecting two complete sentences.
  • Example: It was raining; therefore, I stayed home.

Prepositions (Noun Phrase Connectors)

• Due to, because of, as a result of: Introduce a cause in the form of a noun phrase.
  • Example: I stayed at home due to the rain.
  • Example: Because of the rain, I stayed at home.

Expressing Result and Reason

Understanding how different connectors express cause (reason) or effect (result) is crucial... Continue reading "Mastering English Connectors and Social Terminology" »

The Abortion Debate: Points For and Against

Abortion is a deeply sensitive issue that has generated significant controversy and discussion among children, adolescents, and adults for several years. It is a subject that has had a profound effect on society. For this reason, it is crucial to consider the following points in favor of or against this issue.

Arguments for Legalization

• Protecting Maternal Health and Safety

  One primary argument in favor of legalizing abortion, particularly in cases of rape or when the mother's life or health is at risk, is the prevention of maternal mortality. When this medical procedure is performed illegally, it often leads to unsafe practices by unqualified individuals, significantly increasing the risk of complications