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

The Case Against Mandatory Exams

Many people believe that exams should be mandatory, arguing they don't necessarily need to value student effort or attitude. However, I disagree with this perspective. Why should assessment focus solely on the final "product" rather than the entire learning process?

High Stress and Mental Health Concerns

Firstly, high school students often face numerous exams, frequently scheduled on the same day or within the same week. To achieve good marks for university admission, they study intensively. This immense pressure can be detrimental, causing significant stress and tiredness, which may eventually lead to mental health issues.

Unfairness Due to Cheating

Secondly, a significant number of students cheat on exams, sometimes... Continue reading "Mandatory Exams & School Uniforms: Student Impact Debated" »

Employment Law: Key Concepts

1. Contract Terms vs. Psychological Contract

   A written employment contract contains terms and conditions like salary, working hours, and benefits. The psychological contract is an implicit agreement between employee and employer based on mutual expectations and loyalty.

2. Benefits of a Contract

   For the employee, it provides security, legal protection, and clarity on obligations. For the employer, it offers stability and a legal framework for managing employment.

3. Standard Employment Contract Terms

   Salary, working hours, workplace location, probationary period, vacation policies, and dismissal procedures.

4. Implementing the Psychological Contract

   It is more challenging because it is based on unwritten expectations, values, and interpersonal

What Are Values?

Values define what is worthwhile, beneficial, important, useful, and desirable for people. They influence feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. Values encompass various types, including economical, aesthetical, and moral/ethical values.

Values and Facts

Ethical questions are challenging because value judgments (e.g., good, bad, beautiful, fair) cannot be proven true or false. While facts like "grass is green" or "the earth is round" are provable, concepts like the morality of racism or murder are not.

Different Conceptions of Ethics

1. Situational Ethics

In situational ethics, right and wrong depend on the specific situation. There are no universal moral rules or rights; each case is unique. This approach emphasizes flexible guidelines... Continue reading "Understanding Ethical Values and Frameworks" »

Mastering Comparatives in English

Advanced Comparatives

To show things are about the same, we use as (adjective) as. To contrast two things, we add not and use not as (adjective) as. To emphasize that something is constantly changing, we use less and less. To show that two things are linked positively or negatively, we use parallel statements with the (comparative), the (comparative). The better the athletes are, the more exciting they are to watch in their events. To show that two things are inversely linked, we use the more ..., the less ... The more often I see him, the less I like him.

Qualifying Comparatives

To show things are identical with comparisons as ... as, we use just, equally, or exactly. To talk about smaller or bigger differences,... Continue reading "Mastering English Comparatives and Quantifiers" »

Introduction

The concept of "home" in literature often serves as a central theme, reflecting characters' identities, desires, and conflicts. This essay explores how "home" is conceptualized in George Orwell's Animal Farm, Doris Lessing's To Room Nineteen, and Stephen Frears' My Beautiful Launderette, highlighting their unique and overlapping themes.

Animal Farm: From Utopia to Dystopia

In Animal Farm, the farm itself represents a communal home, initially envisioned as a utopian society of equality and harmony. The animals overthrow their human owner to create a society free from oppression. However, as the pigs consolidate power, the farm becomes a site of betrayal. The concept of home shifts from equality to tyranny, mirroring the corruption... Continue reading "Literary Homes: Identity, Belonging, and Conflict" »

The Significance of April 4, 1984 in Orwell's Novel

By a strange coincidence, the first chapter of George Orwell's famous dystopian novel, 1984, begins on April 4, 1984. On this day, the hero, Winston Smith, takes the first seditious step toward independence from externally imposed structures of meaning: he starts writing a diary. When Winston begins the diary, he writes the date: April 4, 1984.

Winston Smith's Diary: An Act of Rebellion

This attempt to find his own voice symbolizes the hope of liberation, the cleansing of consciousness from imposed ideas, and the movement towards a goal, however hopeless it may seem.

The Search for Truth and Freedom

He wrote:

"Freedom is the right to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else

1. Insurance Agents

An insurance agent legally represents the insurance company (principal) and acts on its behalf. Their authority stems from express, implied, and apparent authority.

2. Insurance Brokers

A broker legally represents the insured. They don't have the authority to bind the insurer but can solicit and accept insurance applications, placing coverage with a suitable insurer. Brokers receive commissions from insurers where the business is placed.

3. Exclusive Agency System

In this system, an agent represents only one insurer or a group of insurers under common ownership. Agents may be contractually restricted from representing other insurers. They don't own policy expirations or renewal rights; the agency does. Renewal commissions are... Continue reading "Insurance Entities: Agents, Brokers, and Insurer Types" »

Metaphysics: An Introduction

The term *metaphysics* was coined by students of Aristotle. The literal meaning was "after the physics." Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that addresses basic questions about the nature of reality.

Determinism and Freedom

According to determinism, everything that happens is determined by prior causes. The state of the universe at any moment could not be otherwise. One implication of this view is that all future states of the universe are, in principle at least, completely predictable. The principle that every event is caused is known as the *causal principle*. It is presupposed in science in everyday life. Most of the astonishing progress that science has made over the past four centuries has been made on the... Continue reading "Metaphysics: Determinism, Freedom, and the Nature of Reality" »

How Ethics are Defined

Ethics are a branch of philosophy that reflects on what is right and wrong.

Ethics vs. Morality

Ethics involve analysis, while morality is putting ethical ideas into practice.

Ethical Values

Guiding ideals like justice, freedom, honesty, love, and respect.

Ethical Principles

General rules guiding proper behavior.

Two Ethical Principles

Confucius: 'Don't do to others what you don't like done to you.' Christian: 'Love others as yourself.'

Ethical Virtues

Habits aiding correct behavior and moral actions.

Ethical Vices

Bad habits leading to harmful actions.

Ethical Codes

Set of values, principles, rules, duties, and responsibilities guiding behavior.

Requirements for Ethical Reflection

• Reason
• Freedom
• Knowledge
• Responsibility
• Universality
• Education

Applied

Understanding Share Forfeiture

Share forfeiture occurs when a shareholder fails to pay the required call money (either in part or full) on the shares issued to them. When this happens, the company may forfeit the shares as a means of canceling the unpaid shares and reclaiming the unpaid amount. This process is crucial for maintaining the integrity of a company's share capital.

The Share Forfeiture Process

1. Failure to Pay Calls: If a shareholder does not pay the call money on shares within the prescribed time, the company can initiate the forfeiture process.
2. Board Resolution: The company's board of directors must pass a formal resolution to forfeit the shares due to non-payment of calls.
3. Notice of Forfeiture: A formal notice is sent to the defaulting