An Argument for the Legalization of Drugs. Based on John Stuart Mills Revised Harm Principle

An Argument for the Legalization of Drugs. Based on John Stuart Mills Revised Harm Principle The question of whether or not to legalize certain drugs has been debated for decades. Although opponents have thus far been successful in preventing this, there are nonetheless a substantial number of people who believe that legalization should be given a chance. Their arguments range from the seeming ineffectiveness of current drug laws to the simple premise that the government has no right to prohibit its citizens from using drugs if they choose to do so. This essay will address the issue from the standpoint of John Stuart Mills' 'Revised Harm Principle",' which asserts that people should be free to do what they want unless they threaten the vital interests (i.e., security or autonomy) of others.Using Mills' principle as a litmus test for this issue leads one to come down on the side of legalization. Since Mills is concerned not with individual rights, but with the consequences of one's actions on other people, the question becomes: Is drug use an action that, although performed b y an individual, threatens the vital interests of others? Using the example of a casual, responsible drug user who is a contributing (or non-detracting) member of society, it is clear that more harm is done to others if the user must resort to illegal methods to obtain his drugs.English: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (May 31, 2005) &ndas...The very act of buying drugs is intrinsically illegal and carries the threat of establishing a criminal record for the buyer. This can have a devastating effect on his family, his lifestyle, and his career. The effects on society as a whole include more crowded jail cells (prompting politicians to demand more jails be built), higher taxes to support these jails, and the loss, or at least diminution, of a productive citizen. In order to buy drugs illegally, the user may be forced to...

The Fashion Channel

The Fashion Channel The Fashion Channel is a TV network which features mainly fashion related content in its programs. It has a large subscriber base who are attracted by its content. Most of its viewers are women aged 35 to 54. The firm has operated without any customer segmentation, brand awareness or overall market strategies for a long time.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on The Fashion Channel specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The firm seeks to change its market approach because it has realized that other TV networks are airing fashion programs targeting specific demographics. TFC intends to build a brand that will compete effectively in the market based on its reputation to capture more valuable customers. The vice president of marketing, Dana Wheeler is setting up strategies to help the firm become more competitive in the market. The firm has not been able to increase the revenue it earns from adverts because advertising firms feel programs aired have low ratings.The firm intends to push up sales revenues by focusing more on specific viewers to help it strengthen its position in the market. TFC wants to target specific customer segments in the market to make sure that its content reaches the right viewers. The firm needs to boost its ratings to attract more advertising revenue. The only way the firm can make advertisers interested in it is by airing content which appeals to young viewers who appreciate fashion. The firm also needs to maintain its spot on cable TV affiliates by ensuring viewers are more interested in programs it airs. Cable TV subscriptions offer the second largest revenue stream and it needs to improve the ratings of its programs to help it earn higher revenues. TFC is facing a lot of competition from mainstream TV networks which air a variety of content including fashion. Therefore, TFC needs to come up with content that targets premium viewers who have a strong appreciation for quality fashion. Lifetime and CNN, the two channels which threaten to overtake TFC in cable TV viewer ratings, have higher customer satisfaction scores compared to TFC. Low ratings have made the price cable TV consumers pay to subscribe to the channel to decrease. The firm needs to effect radical marketing strategies to help it increase the value of its service in the market. TFC needs to profile its customers to understand their behaviour and attitudes towards its services. This approach will help the firm to sustain strong relationships with its clients to make them feel valued.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More TFC will have to do a lot more to compete effectively with CNN and Lifestyle. The firm needs to improve its market insight to make its marketing approaches more dynamic. The company has to face the reality that advertisers are interested in younger viewers bec ause of their willingness to try out bold trends in fashion. This has made the company’s marketing team to target a younger demographic of viewers aged 18 to 34. However, there are some serious issues the firm has to contend with by shifting its market strategy. This shift in market strategy have far reaching impacts on TFC’s long term operations. The 18 to 34 demographic is also targeted by many other networks and as such, the firm may not realise an increase in its advertising sales as it had projected. TFC needs to engage with its customers to understand their needs in order to serve them better. TFC ‘s strategies of focusing on many demographic segments, fashionistas and shoppers may offer it a wide range of benefits. However, the focus on multiple segments may deny the firm a chance to come up with niche content for its specific customers thereby limiting its market potential. If the firm opts for multiple segment programs, it will retain its loyal customers who do not want to see any radical changes in content aired. The focus on fashionstas will enable the firm to target more female viewers willing to try out new content that appeals to them. This approach may entice more advertisers to air commercials through TFC. However, TFC will incur a lot of costs when producing programs that target fashionistas. The focus on both fashionistas and shoppers will help TFC to increase its ratings because more viewers will be interested in its offerings. However, the firm will need to spend a lot of money to effect this change which shows that this alternative is highly risky. TFC needs to find a way to boost its ratings. It should allocate specific time slots for multiple segment programs to retain its loyal customers. TFC should introduce specific content targeting fashionistas and shoppers and assess the way viewers and advertisers react to it. The introduction of new content targeting these two segments should be done cautiously to ensure the f irm does not spend too much money which it cannot recover. The firm needs to increase premium content targeting fashionistas and shoppers only after getting positive reviews from customers.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on The Fashion Channel specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This approach will help TFC increase the ratings of its products to make it more competitive in the market. Therefore, advertisers will be willing to pay more to air commercials through the TV network which will increase the firm’s sales revenue.

A Rose for Emily Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

A Rose for Emily - Research Paper Example Emily in her course of life lost her father and lover and was living an aloof life. We have sympathy for Emily but cannot really have a deep visual about her life. Anyway, it was obvious from her life that she had spent a tragic life mainly filled with skepticism and tragedy (Thesis). Emily has never lived an independent life. All she had was poverty and the house that her father left before his death. Emily was always under the control of her father and did not find a suitable partner to live with. Her father always wanted to control her and in this struggle she was left all alone after her father’s death. After her father’s death she was not paying tax and she kept herself away from the township. Later she met Homer and fell in love with him, but killed him with arsenic and continued to keep his rotten body with her. Describing the poverty of Emily The poverty of Emily is described here with the criticism from various authors and each one is as follows. 1) Father†™s hidden body From my analysis of the short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, we may gauge the character of her as a psychopath. She is definitely a case of mentally unstable woman, and people did not have much connection with her, hence none could acknowledge her disorder. This is the understanding of mine and this thought of mine is similar to that of the criticism of Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren. Both of these authors conducted an evaluation of the story of Faulkner and claimed that Emily is a pathological case. A normal person would not hide the body of another person from the public sight. The stench coming from home could be that of her father’s hidden dead body. She loved her father as they shared a nice and warm relationship with each other and she was barely able to accept her father’s death. She loved him because he provided for her life and comforted her and also handed over the house to her. However, both authors feel that the story lacks ju stification and meaning as Faulkner was only keen on narrating the psychopath nature of Emily. It is a fact what authors have said because even I feel that the story looks incomplete in some way. According to Brooks and Warren, â€Å"Miss Emily is obviously a pathological case. The narrator indicates plainly enough that people felt that she was crazy.† Emily here does not have an identity or characterization since the author intends mainly to portray her as a victim of the dominating world of men. 2) Homosexual Homer Emily loved Homer and her character evoked piety and sympathy from her contemporaries. Emily killed Homer just after one year of their alleged love relationship. She sleeps with the dead body of Homer, which is rotting in the bed in a room upstairs. Here we can perceive the state of Emily as abnormal, where she is mentally disordered and shows signs of a pathological condition. Here we can understand that Emily killed Homer because he was a homosexual. She believ ed that Homer was still alive and for that reason she hugs his decayed body and sleeps. She killed Homer because she could not accept the fact that he was homosexual. According to critic Ray West, Homer was an unheroic figure and Emily had a resisting quality which can be mentioned as â€Å"heroic.† According to West< â€Å"Her tragic flaw is the conventional pride: she undertook to regulate the natural time-universe.† Emily never wanted the time to move on as she wished to cuddle up with the body of her dead lover. The Barron Homer and Emily did have an affair

Corporate Profits versus the Protection of Natural Environment Essay

Corporate Profits versus the Protection of Natural Environment - Essay Example Therefore, it is advisable that while organizations work towards increasing their profit margins and expanding their businesses, they should as well put in place measures to protect and conserve the natural environment, as the latter is more important than any aspect in the business world (Sharfman, Shaft & Tihanyi, 2004 p. 23). This paper seeks to analyze the significance of profits and protection of the natural environment in an organization, clearly the most important of them while at the same time discussing the impact of media involvement on this issue. According to Steiner & Steiner (2012 p. 567), virtually all organizations set up with the sole aim of making profits within a given business environment. While profits play an important role in determining the solvency or otherwise of the said organization, it is imperative to consider that profits do not come from vacuum. The accumulation of profits and the conservation of the natural environment are an inseparable pair that ena bles corporates to operate their businesses in a sustainable manner. It is true that no business can survive without making profits that will sustain it even in times of economic hardships and propel its growth and expansion. That said it is apparent that the need to make profits is crucial to all businesses more than any aspect within the business concept, as this is the driving force (Sharfman, Shaft & Tihanyi, 2004 p. 26). ... Due to the significant aspect attached to profits within the corporate world, it serves to say that urge to make profits can never be overestimated, the approach notwithstanding (Sharfman, Shaft & Tihanyi, 2004 p. 30). The concept of environmental protection and sustainable development has been with us for a while, at least in the wake of concerns about global warming. Natural environment is important in that virtually every business enterprise and all organizations derive part of their resources directly or indirectly from the environment (Michalisin & Stinchfield, 2010 p. 138). Organizations may use natural resources as their raw materials or products from natural resources for their production processes. Perhaps it would be appropriate to confess at this point that the protection of the natural environment is more important than the need to make profits. Since the most businesses have their operations surrounded by the natural environment, they ought to take into consideration the impact of their activities on the natural environment (Steiner & Steiner, 2012 p. 537). In the recent past, the world has been very conscious on the environment especially due to the adverse effects of climate change, a revolution that has affected most businesses across the globe. More environmental organizations like the UNEP and the NRDC have advocated for sustainable development and have particularly put up a spirited campaign for the adoption of clean energy and cleaner production (Natural Resources Defense Council, 2013 para. 4). The environmental issue has gained more support prevalence especially in the business world where the rating of business enterprises is based on their efficiency in production and

What are the similarities and differences between Single Loop and Essay

What are the similarities and differences between Single Loop and Double Loop Learning - Essay Example Given that single-loop learning is more applicable for immediate learning, this model is often applied in our routine and repetitive day-to-day learning (Agryris, 1999, p. 69). Double-loop learning can take place given that errors or mistakes are being corrected by modifying the organizational norms (Choo, 2002, p. 14). Unlike the double-loop learning, single-loop learning can occur in case the immediate action performed to modify or correct errors is sufficient enough to correct mistakes without having the need to challenge the validity of an existing organizational norm. In line with this, Choo (2002, p. 14) explained that the main goal of single-loop learning is to â€Å"increase organizational effectiveness without the need to change the existing norms†. Single-loop learning is similar to incremental learning in the sense that the learning of new skills happen through incremental improvement. For example: Knowing that the marketing manager does not appreciate negative outl ook with regards to achieving the sales target, the sales people should learn how to deal effectively with the sales manager by simply questioning how the sales team will be able to meet the sales quota rather than saying that the sales target is unrealistic and demanding of their time and effort. By learning how to immediately deal with the sales manager, the sales people could avoid encountering work-related problems without the need to change the existing organizational norms. Double-Loop Learning Double-loop learning is more complicated as compared to the single-loop learning. Unlike the single-loop learning, several authors explained that double-loop learning is more complicated in the sense that the use of this... Lots of theories were developed to give us a better understanding on how learning can take place and how it can be improved in the long-run.Specifically the loop learning models are among the few learning theories that could enable use have a better understanding on how learning could happ Learning can take place wherever we are. It is possible to learn from our own mistakes or mistakes of other people. Considering the usefulness of loop learning models, this report will focus on discussing the similarities and differences between single-loop and double-loop learning. Similarities and Differences between Single-Loop and Double-Loop Learning Applicable to any types of organizational learning, single-loop and double-loop learning are models that could make us have better understanding on how formal or informal learning could take place (Agryris, 1999, p. 69). According to Kelly (2008, p. 57), single-loop learning can be utilize to increase our stock knowledge and make final decision ba sed on what we already know whereas the double-loop learning is applicable in cases wherein what we have learned in the past could give us the opportunity to create further questions based on assumptions or what we understand about something.Single-loop and double-loop learning are learning models that are applicable in any business organization. As compared to the use of single-loop learning, the use of double-loop learning is more effective in solving complicated organizational problems which requires the need to change organizational goals, values, frameworks and strategies.

Intervention and Rehabilitation for Sexual Abuse Trauma

Intervention and Rehabilitation for Sexual Abuse Trauma Presenting Problem The case is about an adult woman’s struggle to get over her trauma for the sexual abuse she suffered in her childhood. Apparently, her painful memories of such a traumatic experience were triggered when she and her workmates visited a friend’s farm in the country. While in the farm, she had flashes of her painful childhood memories which she thought she has forgotten over the years. However, the sights, smells, sounds, etc. of the farm only made the flashbacks more vivid. Sherry was only four years old when her grandfather began sexually molesting her in his barn. He did this to her until she was nine years old when she and her family had to move to another city due to her father’s employment. Sherry used to adore her grandfather because he brought her on trips around the country side and had ready treats for her every time she and her parents came to visit him and her grandmother. It is in the barn when he would sexually abuse her in the guise of pretend play. Sherry did not enjoy that kind of play at all and felt uncomfortable with her grandfather’s touch. Even if she was already toilet trained, she would sometimes soil her underwear in the hope that her grandfather will not rape her. Although he told her that it was their secret and she was not supposed to tell anyone, she tried to tell her mother when she was five years old, and in response, she was spanked, in the belief that she was lying. She never told anyone again. Bowlby’s Attachment Theory (1969) is one theory that explains the development of attachment of children to their significant others. It posits that a person’s real relationships in the earliest stages of life shape his or her survival functions as he or she grows and develops throughout the life span. To Sherry, her attachment relationships to both her grandfather and mother may have been shattered by her disappointment in them. Ringel (2012) contends that children like Sherry develop disorganized attachments alternating between ambivalent and avoidant behaviors as well as dissociative behaviors like freezing and repetitive behavior. The dissociative processes used by the child have been developed from his or her dysregulated, traumatic interactions with the people they are attached to. These provide protection from overwhelming and unacceptable affects like being fearful or angry towards the significant other. Dissociation can also mean adopting alternate and disconnec ted identities, developing bodily sensations and conflicts in relationships. The individual may realize that such dissociative behavior is very unlike his or her character (Ringel, 2012). In Sherry’s case, if she developed dissociative behaviors (such as soiling her underwear when she was with her grandfather), it was to cover up the fear and anger she keeps for her grandfather, who violated her, and her mother, who did not believe her and instead, rejected her. Trauma theories point to the victim trying to control the resurfacing of the memory of the painful event and stashing it away in some part of the brain to enable him/her to focus on living day to day. However, such memories can still be triggered by physical factors from the environment causing the individual to react physically to the memory, be it conscious or not. Nonverbal messages are conveyed by facial, gestural body language (Jacobs, 1994). Recently, with the old pain being resurrected, Sherry always felt stressed out. She would feel palpitations and sudden episodes of intense fear that makes her unable to concentrate on her work. She also felt worthless, as if she is â€Å"damaged goods†. Her self-esteem became so affected that she feels she has lost the former confidence she exuded. She does not feel like socializing with others and would rather be alone. That was the reason why she sought professional help. Proposed Intervention In designing the most appropriate intervention for Sherry, who has been through such an intense trauma and is in need of more understanding and less judgment from a counsellor or therapist, it is important to remember that gaining her trust necessitates a more humanistic approach such as the one advocated by Rogers’ Person-Centered model. This emphasizes unconditional positive regard and the quest for congruence of self to achieve authenticity, meaning the integration of the person’s public and actual selves. This approach has great respect for a person’s subjective views and potential for self-actualization. It offers a fresh and hopeful perspective on its views on human nature no matter how dire his or her past experiences may be (Weiten McCann, 2006). The intervention should target all aspects of Sherry’s development, namely her socio-emotional, cognitive, physical and even spiritual aspects. The intervention includes counselling sessions with a competent counsellor or therapist who can accurately empathize with Sherry’s subjective experiences on an interpersonal, cognitive and affective level to fully unlock her perceptions, feelings and motivations for her behaviors (Corey, 2005). Sherry will find in Person-centered therapy a trustworthy and accepting friend who is ready to listen but not judge her painful past. She will be encouraged to express her innermost feelings, both positive and negative, and feel assured that she remains acceptable to the counsellor. Eventually, the goal is for her to overcome her trauma by being reassured that it was not her fault, nudged to move on and finally, begin her healing by deciding on a positive action towards self-actualization. A huge part of Sherry’s healing is forgiveness. This releases her from the heavy burden she has been struggling with all her life that she has managed to keep it repressed in her unconscious. The counsellor may help her process this huge step and support her when she finally makes that step to forgive her grandfather for the damage he has done to her person as well as her mother for not believing in her and losing her trust. Since Sherry’s trauma not only brings about emotional and mental anguish but manifests physical symptoms as well, the intervention should also address that. One therapy for trauma victims is the Observed Experiential Integration (OEI). This requires keen observation of the client’s responses to their experiences brought up during therapy. Counselors provide continuous feedback to their clients as to the physical and emotional changes observed while processing shared traumatic experiences. Even minute changes such as the reddening or moistening of the eyes, blushing, tension in the jaw may depict higher levels of emotional or somatic responses while hesitations, brow furrowing, inconsistencies in narration of incidents may denote confusion or emotional conflict (Bradshaw et al., 2011). Making the client aware of her bodily responses will make it easier for her to manage them. Walsh (2009) provides specific guidelines in helping clients deal with stress namely relaxation skills and stress prevention training. This involves the joint processing of relaxation skills and the agreement of relaxation techniques that work for the client such as listening to music or deep breathing exercises to calm the bodily reactions to the traumatic memories that surface. It also teaches the client to prevent further stress by avoiding things that would trigger stress in her system. Evaluation Evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention can only be done after a certain period of time when Sherry has totally moved on from the ghosts of her past. The effectiveness will be apparent in how she manages her behaviors and attitudes. If she can effectively live her life without being bothered anymore by her painful memories, if she can talk about it with deep wisdom and understanding and most importantly, if she has forgiven her grandfather for his transgressions and patched up her strained relationship with her mother. She should also manifest her old confidence and positive disposition as well as sustain her healthy relationships with her family and friends while also expanding her social network. If all of that happens after the designed intervention, then it can be considered effective.

Luxuries Even For the Environmentalist :: Essays Papers

Luxuries Even For the Environmentalist Imagine, instead ofbeing stuck in morning rush hour because you drive by yourself, youget to go in the HOV lanes simply because of the car you drive. This occurs within some states for those who own hybrids. Hybrids are the most practical vehicle for the majority of America ’s population because not only are they better for the environment but they also have almost all the features of luxury cars. Few individuals think of hybrid vehicles as a practical option when car shopping. With the combinedtechnology of electricity and gasoline, hybrid vehicles are more environmentally friendly then the standard gasoline driven car. However, most consumers worry more about their comforts than their effects on the environment, leading to disagreements on the best vehicle for the consumer’s needs. They argue that many luxuries are lost in the hybrids because hybrids are more expensive to manufacture, and are not as large as some conventional gas cars. This has changed though. Since hybridsbecame available there has been an increase in efficiencies, moreluxuriesand increased driver benefits. When first designed, hybrid vehicles aimed toreduce fuel consumption by half ofalready high gas mileage vehicles. The hybrid’s historystarted off rocky because the electric batteries, generators, and motorshad losses of 15-25 percent in energy, causing it to be more desirable toroute as much of the engine power directly to the wheels (Cheng 114). Doing so, however, was not sufficient for power. Since 1975, five improvements were made that rendered itmore available to the public. These included decrease in electrical losses down to 2-4%, improved shapes to produce far higher energiesand powers, magnetic bearings, new turbines from other materials to increasethermal efficiencies, and small turbochargers for piston engines (Cheng 114). Together these improvements made the hybrid more aerodynamic,efficient and lower in cost to manufacture. In a recentstudy by W. Chenget al, the hybrid was compared to gas turbine-engine vehicles. Their results showed that the hybrid engi ne would producevirtually no vehicle pollution during trips less than 30 minutes, and lessthan normal cars when trips were longer. The strongestcharacteristic of the hybrids is the higher gas mileage which allows it tobe more environmentally friendly and cost effective.