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

Introduction: Echoes of 1984

George Orwell's 1984 depicts a society under Big Brother's control, where constant surveillance is the norm. Today, technology mirrors this reality, as we share personal information and activities, making us vulnerable to surveillance.

Thesis: Modern technology, with its erosion of privacy and social media surveillance, brings us closer to the dystopian world of 1984.

Erosion of Privacy

Social Media Overexposure

Firstly, young people and adults are often tethered to social media, sharing their daily lives and consequently sacrificing their privacy.

Digital Footprints and Surveillance

Secondly, the digitalization of our lives leaves data trails across various platforms, leading to mass surveillance.

Conclusion: A Warning

Norbert Elias: The Civilizing Process

Norbert Elias was a 20th-century sociologist who studied how people have gradually changed their behavior over the centuries. His most important work, The Civilizing Process, shows how, since the Middle Ages, human beings have learned to control their impulses (such as violence, sexuality, or aggressiveness) due to social, economic, and political changes.

This process is closely related to the birth of the modern State, which, as Max Weber said, holds the legitimate monopoly on violence within a territory. In other words, only the State has the legal right to use force. Thanks to this, people no longer need to defend themselves individually and can trust that the authorities will resolve conflicts. As a result,... Continue reading "Societal Evolution: Key Thinkers on Progress and Conflict" »

Imagine you're standing at a crossroads, faced with a decision that could alter the course of your life. At that moment, who are you? Are you defined by your past experiences, your aspirations for the future, or something deeper, more fundamental?

The Philosophical Roots of Identity

This existential quandary has puzzled humanity for centuries, captivating the minds of philosophers from ancient Greece to the Enlightenment.

Aristotle's Soul and Identity

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, posited that the essence of identity lies within the soul—our innermost core that remains constant throughout our lives.

Descartes: Consciousness and Existence

Building upon Aristotle's ideas, René Descartes, the 17th-century French philosopher, famously... Continue reading "Human Identity Unveiled: Consciousness & Existence" »

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" »

Advantages of Company Incorporation

• Separate Legal Entity

• Limited Liability

• Perpetual Succession

• Transfer of Shares

• Right to Sue & Be Sued

• Ability to Own Property

• Professional Management

• Better Access to Funding

Public vs. Private Companies: Key Differences

Company Classification: By Liability, Members & More

• By Liability: Share, Guarantee, Unlimited

• By Members: One Person Company (OPC), Private, Public

• By Control: Holding, Subsidiary, Associate

• By Capital: Listed, Unlisted

• By Ownership: Government, Foreign, Section 8 (NGO)

Memorandum vs. Articles

Contractual Capacity

Individuals Lacking Capacity

• Minors (under 18 years of age)
• Individuals suffering from a mental disability
• Individuals who are intoxicated

Misrepresentation in Contracts

Types of Misrepresentation

• Fraudulent Misrepresentation
• Innocent Misrepresentation
• Negligent Misrepresentation

Proving Duress

Elements of Duress

• Demonstrate that illegitimate means were used.
• The illegitimate means used were a reason for entering the contract.
• The evidence presented is honest and accepted.

Undue Influence

Presumed Special Relationships

• Parent/Child
• Guardian/Ward
• Doctor/Patient

Discharge of Contracts

Primary Methods of Contract Discharge

• By Performance
• By Agreement
• By Frustration
• By Breach

Discharge by Agreement Methods

• Mutual Discharge
• Release
• Waiver
• Substitution

Recovering

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" »