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

Relevance and Reliability in Accounting Information

To be useful, information needs to be relevant and reliable. Relevance and reliability are of crucial importance, but, unfortunately, they are not always compatible. Hence, we have to trade-off between them.

Accounting information is relevant when it is provided in time, but at early stages information is uncertain and hence less reliable. If we wait while the information gains reliability, its relevance is lost. After the balance sheet date, during the time when an audit is carried out, it becomes clear which debts were realized and which were not, hence it improves the reliability of the bad debts estimate, but the information loses its relevance due to too much time being taken. Timeliness... Continue reading "Relevance, Reliability, and Information Asymmetry in Accounting" »

Romanticism's Core Themes

Romanticism, a philosophical and artistic movement, profoundly influenced science, politics, and literature. It emphasized several key themes:

• Autobiographical Tendency: Exploring the self, often through introspection and a search for identity.
• Existentialism: Questioning existence, purpose, and the meaning of life ('Who am I?').
• Search for Identity: A deep dive into personal origins and the essence of being.
• Nature as Inspiration: Finding divine inspiration and artistic motivation in the natural world.
• Narcissistic Ego: A focus on the individual's perspective and experiences.
• Break with the Past: Rejecting traditional norms and embracing new ways of thinking.
• Political Animals: Recognizing the inherent political nature of

 He had just stood there, not really trying to save himself, just stood there, joking, needling, thought Montag, and the thought was enough to stifle his sobbing and let him pause for air." Instantly, the reader and Montag understand Beatty in a much different light. Montag suddenly sees that, although he always assumed that all firemen were happy, he has no right to make this assumption any longer. Although Beatty seemed the most severe critic of books, he, in fact, thought that outlawing individual thinking and putting a premium on conformity stifled a society. Beatty was a man who understood his own compromised morality and who privately admired the conviction of people like Montag.

In a strange way, Beatty wanted to commit suicide but was... Continue reading "The Complexities of Beatty and the Social Malaise in Fahrenheit 451" »

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

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

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

What is whistleblower protection?

All employees are encouraged to speak up, seek guidance, and raise issues related to business ethics or compliance, without fear of retaliation.

What is described by the term glass ceiling?

Glass ceiling is an intangible barrier that prevents women and minorities from being promoted to top jobs in management.

What is the rationale for building a leadership pipeline?

Succession planning is a process to ensure that qualified people are in place to take over key management positions once they become vacant. The goal is to help ensure a smooth transition and operational efficiency by creating a leadership pipeline.

Identify three types of selection tests.

• Reliable and accurate means of selecting qualified candidates
• Cost