Euthanasia Essay Example for Free

Euthanasia Essay In his accounts, Gay-Williams raised important arguments with regard to euthanasia. Being a serious point of debate for many decades now, there are people who approve of it claiming it provides humane death for someone otherwise not capable of living a normal life anymore. On the other hand, there are others who stay conservative and disapprove of euthanasia believing that in no way can people decide should another person is already bound for death or not. One point of contention is the differentiation between active and passive euthanasia, which further segments the population. Gay-Williams assert that active euthanasia is illegal yet passive euthanasia can be morally favored. Some do not believe on the differentiation and say that whether it is active or passive, euthanasia should be regarded as illegal. Gay-Williams also argued that euthanasia takes out the hope in a patient. This further proves the negative notion on euthanasia. This along with the argument that euthanasia is a practical choice for medical practitioners is raised by the author and was explained in detail. This paper aims to discuss these arguments and evaluate their strength, which may prove or otherwise disprove the motions of Gay-Williams. In developing the paper, it hopes to evaluate euthanasia in light of its moral viability; the distinction cited between active and passive euthanasia and their moral statures, and two arguments that embody mercy killing: the argument that states how euthanasia affects the will to live and survive as well as how it may be used for practical applications—rather surprising conclusions that were taken by Gay-Williams which are worth a lengthy point of discussion, evaluation, and comparison. Passive and active euthanasia Gay-Williams stated that there is a big difference between passive and active euthanasia. In phrases, passive euthanasia is letting die while active euthanasia is killing. It should be noted that passive euthanasia happens when a person was not given relief from a certainly fatal situation which is otherwise medically alterable. For instance, a person with extreme difficulty in breathing who can still be resuscitated but was not given an apparatus or aid for the purpose may die under the circumstance of passive euthanasia. This is often done when there is an order by the patient or the family that the patient should not be resuscitated. Alternatively, the situation can be the other way around. The patient may be in a dying situation, but still technically alive. For some circumstance such as the thought that the patient is constantly in pain, hopeless, or if the patient himself can no longer bear the pain, there may become a request or a suggestion for the pain to be stopped—rather permanently. At this point poison may be intravenously given to end the suffering of the patient. According to Gay-Williams, this big difference between the two is obvious in light of their moral statures. The first one which let the patient die without medical intervention is acceptable as there was no effort in ending the life of the patient. Divinely, the patient may still be saved. On the other hand, the latter-described procedure deliberately put an effort in ending the suffering and the life of the patient. The author stated that this is killing even if the purpose of the act is to save someone from a lengthy and costly suffering. The thought of euthanasia Every one of us is gifted with survival instincts. When the going gets tough, they say the tough gets going. And so when an illness hits someone and he is tough enough, he finds hope rather than despair. He focuses on the positive rather than the negative and strives to find a way to battle the sickness and eventually win it. Thus, when the mind says that it wants to live, the body and the person will most likely follow. (How to live a longer and healthier life, 2007) This is the same argument raised by Gay-Williams as an issue of euthanasia. He states: knowing that we can take out our life at anytime (or ask another to take it) might well incline us to give up too easily. The will to live is strong in all of us, but it can be weakened by pain and suffering and feelings of hopelessness. This will to live is essential as many doctors have proven. Gay-Williams himself stated that there are many miraculous survivals that occur which even medicine cannot fully explain. Many shows, testimonials, and books have discussed how people in the brink of death were able to miraculously survive. Some were from serious illnesses or were declared in comatose. Some claimed to be back from dying. This relationship between the will to live and getting well has been the premise of many studies. Doctors started incorporating psychological therapies to their patients’ treatment plans hoping to get better results. Often, the results even exceed their expectations. This led many doctors to adapt the concept, to the relief and advantage of thousands and maybe even millions of patients around the world. As Gay-Williams says: The very presence of the possibility of euthanasia may keep us from surviving when we might. Euthanasia and practical effects Gay-Williams state that doctors and nurses’ main thrust and aim in their professions is to save lives, and that when a patient dies in their care it becomes a personal failure which may not be too easy to accept. Thus it is not surprising if the author argued that euthanasia is a practical way for practitioners to avoid this quicksand. If they endorse or support euthanasia, any impending deaths in their care can be pre-empted—no one will ever die in their responsibility again. Euthanasia is a product of free will. It takes the patient and/or his family into a higher level of decision-making whereby they choose whether to prolong the patient’s illness and let live or end the suffering and let the patient die in peace. Its proponents agree that approving euthanasia as a social policy lets the people exercise the freedom of will that was given to them by the divine and the constitution. This is true in that even if euthanasia becomes a social policy, it still boils down to the decision of the person if euthanasia should be chosen or not as a way of getting out of one’s suffering. If a patient or his family does not want to exercise it, it is also for them to decline. However, Gay-Williams claim that euthanasia will bring an all new low in the quality of healthcare where euthanasia is acceptable. The quality will be sacrificed because if practitioners know an easier way out of an untreatable disease rather than letting the patient die naturally in their hands, the process may be taken in non-serious cases as well. In connection, Gay-Williams stress that as a social policy euthanasia will bring worse concerns. For one, it can permit authorities to eliminate those who are hopelessly ill, the way those who are mentally ill are sent in mental hospitals—a comparison Gay-Williams was clever in making. Conclusion So did Gay-Williams’ argument win or lose? The argument revolved around the innate willingness to live by people, especially the sick. It played up the fact that the will to live is a fragile characteristic inherent to everyone. It further stated that euthanasia blotted onto this inherent character; that the provision of a choice to end life gave people the reason to end life; that giving patients, their families, and the doctors an easy route out of the situation gave them the authority to take this easy route out as well. With these arguments, Gay-Williams reiterated that whether as a social policy or an open option for patients, families, and medical practitioners, euthanasia is a slippery slope where no one wins. Gay-Williams, theoretically speaking, was able to deliver his points well. It is true that euthanasia is an exercise of free will, but the fact that free will is given and thus the idea of euthanasia is suggested to a patient is already initially detrimental to the patient. It entails responsible choices to be made by the patient, the family, and the doctors. It requires a full understanding of life, and the willingness to allow life to take its course. The doctors can suggest this graceful exit option to the patient or the family but if the patient or the family’s will to live or let live is stronger than the will to end everything, euthanasia becomes out of the options and medication can continue. But if the patient or the doctors already have the way out it will be too tempting to resist. (A plea for beneficent euthanasia, n. d. ) Even if euthanasia is unwise for conservatives, it is a matter of choice and conscience. For the unbelievers, they can go through life without considering it. For modernists, it is an available choice. In the end, one should never and can never decide for another. Gay-Williams failed to include this in his distinctions. It is true that it can be used by doctors as a practical way out of a medical case, or disillusion patients, but it should still be a choice given for all.

George Mason Essay -- essays research papers fc

George Mason's greatest accomplishment was being the founding father of the national Bill of Rights. He was a planter from Virginia, had grown up rich on one of the nicest and best plantations in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia. He was an important member of the town's church, had all the best tutors growing up, and had been raised to be a Virginian aristocrat (Miers 39). Mason married 'well' and had a large family of nine kids. He raised them in Gunston Hall, a house which he had built himself (Miers 41). He was the type of guy who, if he believed strongly enough, did not abandon his beliefs. He strongly believed in the cause for the American Revolution (he had given his son a plantation named 'Lexington'), in citizen's rights, and a non-tyrannical central government (Miers 41). He was known as a great debater, the best that James Madison had ever seen. Mason spoke up many times during the constitutional convention, about different subjects he strongly believed in. During the convention, Mason was directly and strongly involved with the topics of the electoral college, slavery, the Bill of Rights, and a strong central government (Solberg 280). He was a bestfriend to George Washington, and around 1760, became involved in Virginia's politics. Six years later, he was called to Williamsburg to help with Virginia's Bill of Rights. He took the one that had been drafted before he got there. The thing was incredibly weak, and he took it in hand. Mason proceeded to reduce it to ten simple articles and declarations. It took only four weeks to be rewritten and to go through the system of ratification, with only six more articles added, and all of his big points left in (Miers 41-46). The Declaration was taken to Philadelphia, to Thomas Jefferson, where he was just about to finish up with the Declaration of Independence. Many of Mason's ideas were 'decorated' and went into the Declaration of Independence (Miers 42-46). George Mason's Virginia's Declaration of Rights was used as the base for almost every other states (Collier 250). George Mason went to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 with writing a new form of government in mind, though he did not believe in a strong central government. He agreed with the Virginia Plan. The Virginia Plan had two houses of our government, but the population of the state determined the number of repr... ... states are no security," (Leone 27). Later when George Washington took office, a committee was formed to add a Bill of Rights to the Declaration of Independence. It was the only way to get all the states to ratify the Constitution. They too, used Mason's ideas from Virginia's Declaration of Rights to draft the Bill of Rights and amend them into the Constitution (Miers 85). George Mason was an intelligent, outspoken person who stood up for what he believed in and would not back down. Being the base of the Bill of Rights, which gave America the reputation of freedom, he gave a backbone and a firm ground to stand upon to the United States of America. bibBibliography Christopher and James Collier, Decision in Philadelphia; The Constitutional Convention of 1787 (New York: Random House, 1986), 148, 250. Bruno Leone, ed., The Bill of Rights; Opposing Viewpoints (San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc., 1994), 27, 41. Earl Schenck Miers, The Bill of Rights (New York: Grusset and Dunlap, 1968), 39, 41-46, 72, 78, 85. Winton U. Solberg, ed., The Constitutional Convention and the Formation of the Union (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1958, 1990), 280.

The Party of Life

The party of life Life is a challenge that we all must take and overcome. Like a never ending obstacle course, we must jump through the hurtles of work, run through the pain of tragedy, and climb up the ropes of solitude. Life never goes the way we plan it to but that is why I follow the most important law of life: It may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here, we should dance. When life goes wrong and pushes you down, it’s our job to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and keep on going with a wide smile and broad shoulders.We have all found ourselves in situations, where all we wish for is to leave, and for it to be over. There are times where we question, why things happen to us, and why we must suffer. I believe that this law of life is the perfect solutions for these situations and questions. This law of life means that no matter what situation you are in, you should still try to enjoy yourself and make the best of everything that is given to you. I chose this quote because I believe if you be positive in a rough position, then you can withstand anything that life launches at you.These are the moments that keep us waking up in the mornings, and going to bed at night. Living by this quote means we should go out with an optimistic attitude, with our heads held high, and ready to enjoy everything the world has to give to us no matter what has happened. I remember when I was younger; I flew to Russia and saw one of my old family friends. She showed me the town I used to live in and I was baffled to see how much things changed. I was surrounded by poverty and alarming conditions, but what surprised me the most was how the people reacted.They were not sulking and sobbing like I thought they would be, instead, they were enjoying themselves. Children ran around with their friends playing with a worn out soccer ball in their tattered clothing giggling and with jubilant looks on their faces. They didn’t care that their clothes werenâ₠¬â„¢t as expensive or new, they were just grateful that they were with friends that cared for them and would help them out in their time of need, and family that would risk anything just to make them safe and happy.They might not have gotten the riches or money, but since they were alive and with loved ones, they relished what they had and were truly content. When we were young we all had our dreams. â€Å"I want to be a doctor! † someone would say. â€Å"I want to live in a big house and have a nice car! † another would reply. These thoughts are simply contagious as a human being so when I saw the families in my old town I thought to myself â€Å"This isn’t what they wished for but they still found a way to make it work†.Their lives weren't the â€Å"parties† they hoped for but they still had a great time â€Å"dancing†. So when life jumps out of the bushes and scares us, we shouldn't shriek and run, instead, we should turn around and laugh . When we trip and fall, we shouldn't hope no one saw us and walk off embarrassed. Preferably, we should get back up on our feet and embrace the moment and enjoy every seconded of it. Life will never be what we predict it to be, but that’s just what makes it fun and more entertaining to dance to.

Entrepreneurship Assignment - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2177 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? Entrepreneurship is the process of bringing together factors of production, and organizing profit oriented activities, or the process of distributing economic goods and services for profit. Definition of an Entrepreneur This is a risk taker who possesses skills, such as knowledge and self-confidence. This individual bears the risk of starting a business venture, in the face of uncertainty about future conditions. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Entrepreneurship Assignment" essay for you Create order Most successful entrepreneurs are self-motivated. Entrepreneurs start their own businesses because they do not like to work for others, but prefer to be their own boss and be responsible for the decisions they make. Entrepreneurs have the ability to spot a business opportunity and utilize it, with the hope of succeeding, rather than failing. Entrepreneurship is a creative activity, as it tries new methods, rather than following routine methods. Entrepreneurship is closely related to innovation, as the success of entrepreneurship, largely, depends on the ability to respond to innovation. It has its objective of economic success, based on the utilization of new means of production. Entrepreneurship is a result-oriented activity, since it emphasizes high levels of achievement and performance. The qualities of an entrepreneur are acquired; thus, an entrepreneur need not be born as one, but can become one through progressive learning. When selecting the type and size of a business v enture, an entrepreneur should consider and conduct analyses on the factors below. Raising capital most entrepreneurial activities, normally, depend on the availability of capital. Market research it is the systematic collection of data regarding the consumer levels of demand for the product and cost. Determination of the objectives of the business these should be spelt out, clearly, and should, also, be realistic. Recruitment and selection of competent and qualified employees this is required of an entrepreneur. Making the plant operational is the specific act starting the business venture. Micro2 Business Venture This is the establishment of a business, or industrial unit, by an individual, who organizes and manages it for profit making. Micro2 venture has the following merits and demerits. Merits of Micro2 business venture There is no sharing of profit. Micro2 business is a one-man venture, thus, an individual need not share his profits. The owner of the business is his own boss. It increases self-confidence. If the venture is successful, it gives the owner immense satisfaction. Demerits of Micro2 business venture The owner has long working hours. Lack of success will affect self-esteem. If the business fails, the owner will develop low confidence levels and, thus, low self-esteem. Pressures of the business will affect one’s social and family life. In case of a loss, the owner will bear it alone. All decisions are in the hands of the owner. In the social context, Micro2 business is a way of employment creation among citizens. This comes as a benefit, since it has reduced idleness among the jobless, which has, also, significantly reduced cases of drug abuse. The micro2 venture provides financial satisfaction, in terms of meeting basic needs, thereby, improving the living standards of individuals. Micro2 ventures have reduced crime rates, as people are able to fend for themselves. Macro2 businesses should use modern computer technology, and view similar products to enhance quality by a comparison with international standards. It is important, also, to observe the operations of SMEs at the national and international levels. A small banker plays a major role in the financial support of a micro2 business. The reason why small bankers are suitable for micro2 businesses is that their cost of capital is, slightly, lower compared to huge financial institutions. Their demands, in terms of collateral, are also lower. Small banking institutions provide free financial advice to customers on project viability and financial management strategies. Community-based advisors play a major role in understanding the business environment. Business environments are external and internal, and can have a positive or a negative impact on the organization. They play a significant role in the establishment of commodity markets. A venture capitalist is a financer of a business opportunity and will be of help to the micro2 business, if there is room for expansion, or a shortage of capital. A venture capitalist finances businesses found to have finance as their main growth constraint. For a business owner, it is necessary to partner with a venture capitalist, than to take debt financing, as debt exposes investments to risk. Professional services are important to every business, as they are used in preparing reports on the performance of the firm. These reports are used, by financial institutions, to evaluate the credit worthiness of the business. Consultant services provide the firm with information, on various options it can undertake, to maximize profits. Micro Business Venture A micro business has less than five employees, including the owner, who is responsible for making every decision and financing the entire enterprise. The owner may use personal assets to raise finances to start the business; meaning, if the business fails, the owner is negatively impacted. If, however, the business is successful, the owner will reap all benefits. Merits of a micro business venture It requires less capital a micro business requires less capital, which may be easily obtained, through soft loans, or savings, reducing exposure to risks associated with borrowed capital. The owner enjoys profits alone the owner of the micro business reaps all the benefits from the investment, if a profit is generated. The owner of the business is responsible for making all the decisions decisions of the owner are, usually, sound and ensure growth of the enterprise. Creation of employment the Micro venture has created employment for a majority of citizens in developing countries. Demerits of the Micro Business Venture If a loss is incurred, the owner will bear the burden alone. Lack of capital micro business ventures are challenged by lack of capital, or cash flow. This is because their financial statements cannot be relied on, by financial institutions, as the bases for providing finance; therefore, the owners have to use their personal assets. Unfavorable policies by the government a major blow to the micro business venture are unfavorable government policies, which impose a lot of requirements for starting up a business. In the social context, micro businesses have created employment for a large number of people, thereby, improving their living standards. Micro businesses engage community charities working within the location they operate. Social contributions may include cleanup activities, within their location. Changes in technology should be incorporated into every business, to match international standards and modern business practices. The use of computers will reduce operational and communications costs to a significant degree. In the corporate world context, micro business have brought healthy competition in the eyes of consumers, as the quality of goods and services has improved, significantly, with different investors trying to win more customers. Micro businesses have, also, seen the government impose unfriendly policies, in an effort to regulate their activities. In the technological context, a micro business has to adapt to the fast evolution of technology, to remain relevant in the modern world. Modern technology has dealt a huge blow to micro businesses, as technology keeps on changing and within a short period a business may be outdated, requiring the adoption of new technology. The primary role of a small banker, in a micro business venture, is the provision of capital. Small bankers are friendly to approach, as they do not have many requirements, and their cost of capital and payment terms are more affordable, than other sources. The limitation of small bankers is that they may not be able to provide all the capital required. Community based advisors play a major role in advising entrepreneurs of micro-based businesses, on tastes and preferences of different products, made by different producers. This will assist the entrepreneur, when producing his brand, to make it unique. Community based advisors will, also, assist the entrepreneur in the evaluation and understanding of the business environment. They, also, help the entrepreneurs in assessi ng demand. A venture capitalist provides capital to a business, hopeful that the company will go public and sell its shares at a higher price, than the amount invested in the business. Venture capitalists, also, provide managerial skills to the firm. One of the reasons why most firms do not qualify for venture capital, is that they focus on low risk ventures, investing in low growth sectors, which do not attract venture capitalists. In addition, most micro businesses are family owned, thereby, excluding venture capitalists. Professional services are a requirement in every business. They provide useful recommendations on how the firm should be run. Consultant service providers are, also, important to every firm, since they provide information on how to reduce expenditure, thereby, increasing profits. Professional services enable analysis by independent parties, such as financial institutions, on the determination of credit worthiness, or the Court of law in monitoring fraud com plaints. Small Business Venture This business organization operates within a specific location, and does not, significantly, influence the business competition, within its area of operation. Merits of Small Business Ventures Small business ventures are a source of jobs for many individuals. They improve living standards of people through employment creation. They are well distributed throughout the country; reason being they are easy to start and operate, since they do not require much capital. They discourage monopolistic market structure a monopoly market does not adhere to the rule of demand and supply; therefore, the prices are controlled by the owner of the business, leading to the exploitation of customers. Demerits of Small Business Ventures Lack of financial resources a majority of small business persons lack access to financing, because they are unable to prove themselves credit worthy, to the satisfaction of the financial institutions. Inadequate entrepreneurship skills and knowledge lack of entrepreneurship skills is a huge problem for small investors, as they are unable to prepare for the future, and to adjust to uncertainty. Unfavorable policies of the government the government imposes unfavorable policies in terms of duties and licenses, which are unaffordable to small business operators. Health and safety at work place a small business venture is unable to afford a safe and secure health facility for its workers. Lack of market and inadequate information on marketing. In the social context, small businesses have improved the livelihood of individuals by employment creation. Employment creation creates self-reliance, increasing the self-esteem of individuals. Small businesses engage in charitable environmental programs, such as the planting of trees within their area of operation. Small businesses should, progressively, train their employees to improve their technological skills. They should, also, redesign their existing products, once they are modified, to enable them to fit in the current technology. They should, additionally, use technology to venture into the international market via E-commerce. Small banking institutions provide financing to small business ventures, at an affordable cost. They provide advice on the best venture for the investor, and the ideal timing and size of business expansion. Community based advisors provide information on customer preferences, thus, helping the small businesses in the evaluation of costs. The y play a major role in demand evaluation. A professional consultant service plays a major role in small businesses. It ensures conformity with the legal requirements, such as the accounting act. It safeguards the interests of the shareholders, who are not part of the management. Professional services are used in the creation of reports showing the true and fair picture of the business. Venture capitalists raise a pool of capital, which they use to invest in small businesses that have potential to become publicly traded. They do this in return for an ownership interest. In instances where finance is a constraint to development, venture capitalists are of great benefit to the small business venture. Growth Ventures Growth ventures are groups of investors, who provide working capital. Small businesses are required to establish business relationships with a pool of investors, to acquire capital to increase their growth rate. Growth ventures convert small businesses to big in vestments. Growth ventures lead to an increase in production and profits of the business. Growth ventures are done, mainly, through direct purchase of shares. They involve long periods to make huge profits. They may, also, provide managerial skills to the new firm. Before adopting a growth venture, it is important to evaluate why the funding is required. Generally, it is preferable that the life of a project matches the period and the requirements of its investor. The firm should, also, consider the need for immediate growth. Other factors being constant, the firm should consider the worthiness of joining a growth venture, rather than obtaining financing on its own. Funds obtained from growth ventures affect, to a great degree, control of the firm, by increasing the stakeholders and the existing shareholders’ desire to retain control. Growth ventures, however, increase the profits, thus having a positive impact on the earnings per share. A growth venture, also, enables the firm to be well established, have access to the capital market and be able to raise capital or debentures.