Papper 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Papper 2 - Essay Example The explosion at Deepwater Horizon can be traced back to several key missteps by all the companies involved. Their actions, purposefully or not, changed the lives of many individuals and ultimately deprived them of their fundamental international rights, hence violating their minimal duty and acting in a completely unethical way. In addition, the Deepwater Horizon spill is the exact opposite of the utilitarianism theory, because it actually minimized utility for everyone who was affected. The spill devastated coastal beaches and businesses that relied on tourism and fishing besides being a health hazard. This was unethical because the oil spill caused more harm than good to the society. However, the profits from the BP spills benefited the new wildlife fund. Still referring to the Deepwater Horizon case, an engineer’s responsibility to safety was violated. United States federal report blamed the worst spill in the US history on poor leadership and poor cement job by BP and its engineers. The explosions were as a result of poor risk management, last minute changes to plans, failure to observe and respond to critical indicators, inadequate well control response, and insufficient emergency bridge response training by companies. In relation to the code of ethics view, BP failed to institute safety and risk management policies that would help protect individuals from deprivation. Furthermore, their disaster preparedness plan was poorly

Hindu religion in yoga Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Hindu religion in yoga - Essay Example yoga can hardly be called a religion; however, it is absolutely clear that it heavily relies on the spiritual tradition that was developed by the Hindu. In other words, yoga should be regarded a disguised religious practice and if it is really so, should not it be regulated by other rules and regulations that are different than those which are applicable at the moment? In addition to that, one of the biggest negative aspects of the influence of the above mentioned activities is that they eliminate the difference between ordinary citizens and believers: people who take up yoga classes end up operating a large array of terms that are used in Hindu tradition. It is quite obvious that the state should be concerned that a considerable part of the population is being converted into religious followers. Secondly, one would make no mistake arguing that yoga glasses have a negative impact on Christianity as a religion. Indeed, no matter how sorrowful it may be, but most people tend to go to church once a week – on Sundays. Contrary to that, yoga classes are at least twice or even three times a week. As a result, people tend to be in this religiously filled environment more often than they would be in the church that they associate themselves with. It is my strong belief that this distorts spiritual outlook of the people and does not allow them to be good Christians. In addition to that, it is quite obvious that the religious traditions that are being promoted in the course of yoga classes are quite different from the religious traditions that are preached in churches. There may be no doubt that if a believer spends one day in one religious environment and three days in a different one, the chances that his or her faith will become less strong are quite high. Finally, the great est threat lies in the fact that the views in yoga as well as in Christianity are incompatible. The latter is largely based on faith in Jesus Christ which is considered to be the cornerstone of

Critically evaluate the effectiveness of performance appraisal as a Essay

Critically evaluate the effectiveness of performance appraisal as a means of identifying and meeting employee development needs - Essay Example Performance appraisal therefore is very evident especially in total quality management. Quality is of higher significance especially in industries where there is a need to come up with competitive advantage. In the case of car manufacturing industry for instance, quality assurance is of high interest because the output or product offerings should be enough to convey customer’s trust and loyalty. Thus, an organisation belonging to this industry must be able to come up with performance appraisal among its employee to constantly check quality and organisational performance. This evaluation is centered to an individual’s performance and potential development (Singh et al., 2008). It is clear that employee performance appraisal is one of the bases in which the company has corresponding idea on how to determine employees’ given compensation and other privileges. However, despite the presence of performance appraisal in almost every company or organisation, there still a need to evaluate if it actually helps identify and meet employee’s development needs. Performance appraisal defined Evaluation is very important especially in the corporate world because it is a way in which corporate performance is known at a specific significance. The case of evaluating employee performance is a complex task depending on the nature of business operation. Employee is naturally under evaluation and it may be monthly, quarterly or annually depending on the organisation. The evaluation is said to be formal because it determines an employee’s career in the organisation. This evaluation is known as the performance appraisal and it actually helps the company decides of one’s career opportunity (Randhawa, 2007). It is a form of assessment in which an employee’s strengths and weaknesses are identified and observed for the purpose of enhancing, improving or commending performance for potential development (Landy and Conte, 2009; Aswathappa, 200 5). Performance appraisal is very complex because it involves specific standard that if not properly understood, it would result to a certain level of confusion and unnecessary feedbacks (Sandler and Keefe, 2003). Thus, it is important that employees must be able to understand what performance appraisal is all about and what it is for (Landy and Conte, 2009). The role of performance management Managers have important role to play when it comes to performance management process. One of the most and obvious role of performance management is to create a business environment that supports development and effective coaching for individual performance (London, 2003; Podger, 2009). With performance management, there is a considerable feedback that can become the basis of evaluation and control. The case of Investors in People is a good example because it is about business improvement and it tries to coach organisations to achieve their full potential. They target to help businesses improve their performance by knowing their priorities. There are many priorities that an organisation should focus. The Investors in People accredited organisations have significant priorities which include managing change, increasing efficiency, maximising profitability, increasing sales, improving productivity and strategic leadership. All of these priorities are eventually integrated with understanding the essential potential of company and its employees. Citing the case of AA Security Ltd, quality

Chinese art - From the Foundation-fount of Painting Essay

Chinese art - From the Foundation-fount of Painting - Essay Example The essay "Chinese art - From the Foundation-fount of Painting" discovers Chinese philosophy of art from the foundation fount of painting. Chinese painters were a conservative bunch. They did not see the relevance of exploring other themes aside from their culture until the Europeans came to their land. However, this does not mean that the Chinese art of painting did not evolve at all. Initially, the painters were tied to making frescoes on temple and palace walls. The frescoes’ themes were mostly religious in temples while in palaces, the paintings were meant to celebrate the ruling family at that time. From frescoes, painting shifted to silk surfaces and paper. Artists relied on their own inspiration and pleasures to come up with the paintings. Painters concentrated on the beauty of landscapes and also strived to keep the memory of prominent leaders and individuals from disappearing once their eras came to a close. From literati paintings that concentrated on landscapes, hum ans and physical things, the craft shifted to formless beings and creatures. The painters became conscious of the spiritual world and they tried to enjoin the visible and invisible world through their paintings. At this point, art was acknowledged as a power to explore both the physical and spiritual world. They believed that physical creatures depended on these formless creatures for survival. Quoting from the text: what has form must rest on the without form. This means that physical life is a continuation.

Teachers connecting to todays Learners Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Teachers connecting to todays Learners - Essay Example Also, pattern recognition substitutes psychological processing functions in multifaceted milieu. 2) Currency is the intent of all connectivist learning activities because it is in our observation that the technological and education industries are continuously undergoing changes and advancements. Connectivism emphasizes upon the fact that learners have to remain up-to-date with all the changes occurring in their learning environment and must ensure that the knowledge they are acquiring and using is current so that all modern learning needs are satisfied (Rowley & Hartley, 2008, p.16). This is important if learners want to excel in their respective fields. 3) Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources because in today’s modern world, it is important for the learners to make connections between specialized technological sources or nodes if they want to perform the complex tasks effectively. This enables them to make a collection of contradictory knowledge fields and perceptions which enhances their learning process. Such an aggregation of knowledge enables them to build better opinions and judgments, which makes them better individuals in the long run (Anderson, 2008,

Auditing Process and Procedures for Smackey's Dog Food Inc Term Paper

Auditing Process and Procedures for Smackey's Dog Food Inc - Term Paper Example SEC influence over the Smackey Dogs food Inc. relate to issues of independence roles for the audit team. The audit standards is one of the influences to be observed, that have to be followed in establishing the independence of auditing team involved in the audit of Smackey. The relationship between the owner’s (Kim) husband and the audit manager Pete is going to influence the disclosure and materiality of the audit contents. The fact that there is a relationship between the bank the loan is being sort and Alan, Kim’s Husband depicts a loan relationship. SEC requires ethical principles to be observed by auditors. Independence is one of the six ethical principles of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct. The other principles are responsibilities, the public interest, integrity, objectivity and independence, due care, and scope and nature of services. Section 303 of the SEC prohibits officers or directors of a company f rom manipulating, misleading, coercing or acting fraudulently towards the audit team in a manner to influence the auditor to issues financial information, knowingly or not, that the act could lead to rendering the audit immaterial. In this case, Alan obtains information from the audit manager during beers that will be shared with Kim, the owner and further Sarah who is seeking the loan. This is an issue that ought to be addressed as the result will be an adverse opinion. The underlying issues of Ben’s relationship with the bookkeeper Anita could be controversial in the resulting audit opinion. SEC elaborates on quality of disclosure and evidence. There is no proof of how far the relationship went but the reliance on the word of mouth. Mutuality of interests is identified in this case between the two parties. This is likely to jeopardize the independence of the audit staff. Over auditing of a company’s financial reports only materializes to full disclosure. However, the audit process should be within the required set guidelines given by SEC. Question two In the initial planning of the audit, the activities to be included are: an understanding of the company in terms of description and history of the company, tax issues disclosure, types of the customers, the internal audits, timing of the audit process amongst others. An assessment of the client’s business risk will be done to see whether it is achieving its objectives. The audit team should assess the risk of material misstatements arising from Smackey’s business risk. This is seen in the high wastage in Smackey’s Best Dog division that presents a lot of business risk, and therefore material misstatement risk. Performance of preliminary analytical procedures. – A comparison will be made to that of the industry. This helps in identifying the areas of high risk of materiality. Set materiality and assess acceptable audit risk and inherent risk- precise and reliable judgme nt is going to be applied by the auditor in assessing the materiality levels. Question three Stages of an audit Planning – the auditor outlines all the activities that he will follow during the entire process. The auditor should lay down his plan for the vital internal controls to be assessed. In the case of Smackey, the team should focus on: sales forecast, receivables approval and authority followed, stock taking, fraudulent dealings in the company, debts approval etc. Test of Internal control – this process follows a critical analysis internal controls of the records, procedures and processes followed in the company. The auditor should analyze the sales forecast process, be present during the stock take, and consider evaluating the control checks for stores. The weakness in the stock control is seen where the employee is stealing from the company, assessing the debts and the pending legal suits. The effects of the customers’

Comparison of Freud’s and Plato’s Aspects of Human Character Essay Example for Free

Comparison of Freud’s and Plato’s Aspects of Human Character Essay Aspects of human character have been discussed in a number of fields; inputs from the philosophical and political perspectives can be identified by how human character is in place with respect to the society whereas concepts from the psychological field can be observed to focus more on the individual and its relationship with his environment.   Such is demonstrated by Plato in his The Republic which can be seen to potentially contrast with Sigmund Freud in his discourse in Civilization and its Discontents.    Plato had apparently came up with literature describing a functional society according to certain controls needed in order to establish a civilization according to certain ideologies such as justice, authority, and the ideal state, among others.   Freud, on one hand, tackled a world that is already in existence and presented an analysis on life and reality. From this, when it comes to their respective discussions on the human character, Plato’s The Republic presented how human character should be while Freud discussed what human character is through instinctual drives.   Plato’s prescription for the Guardians, the social class tasked to rule the society, mentioned that their education should emphasize their â€Å"love for wisdom† and â€Å"high spirits†.   This characterization can be therefore compared with Freud’s discussion on Eros and Death; the comparison can thereby give way in identifying whether their references for the twin aspects of human character were the same or not. Plato’s â€Å"Love of Wisdom† and â€Å"High Spirits† Plato proposed the formation of a social class called the Guardians who would rule the society.   Given the great responsibility that is going to be vested in them, these Guardians are proposed to learn certain aspects that would make them an effective ruler and manager of the state.   In this case, it was brought up in the discussion in The Republic that [†¦] its our job, as it seems, to choose, if were able, which are the natures, and what kind they are, fit for guarding the city (Book II, 374e).   Hence, the discussion resulted to a description of the Guardians, as follows (Book II, 376c): Then the man whos going to be a fine and good guardian of the city for us will in his nature be philosophic, spirited, swift, and strong. The context in which they discussed the trait of â€Å"love of wisdom† (Book II, 376b) apparently referred to the philosophical leanings of the Guardian.   In addition, possessing the love of wisdom is also associated with having the â€Å"love of learning† (Book 2, 376b).   It can be gathered that â€Å"love† in this context is based on having the nature to pursuit a deep interest for knowledge thereby demonstrating how an individual can have the characteristic of an ideal ruler. In addition to the discussion on â€Å"love of wisdom†, possessing a high spirit or â€Å"spirited† is also seen as a significant characterization of a Guardian.   The characters initially discussed this aspect in the context of citing animal behavior, hence, demonstrating that the high spirits may initially come from the individual’s courageous nature.   What makes the human distinctive from the animals, as seen in the discussion, is how this ideal person also injects a sense of gentleness in this instinctive characteristic (Book II, 375c): Yet, they must be gentle to their own and cruel to enemies. If not, theyll not wait for others to destroy them, but theyll do it themselves beforehand. In this case, what they are looking for in a Guardian is someone who is â€Å"gentle and great-spirited† (Book II, 375c); the challenge, however, as noted in the dialogues, is how these two traits oppose each other. The concept of â€Å"love of wisdom† and â€Å"high spirits† in Plato’s work, in the context of Guardians’ characters, clearly show that they are discussing human characteristics that are admirable.   The twin aspects of human character, in this case, show how these two characteristics complement each other in which case, the ideal person for the function is some who is spirit and by nature, philosophical. Freud’s Eros and Death The context in which Freud discussed Eros and Death in Civilization and its Discontents is how these two instinctive forces, albeit opposing, work together in life.   As Freud discussed (66): That is to say, as well as Eros there was an instinct of death. The phenomena of life could be explained from the concurrent or mutually opposing action of these two instincts â€Å"[†¦] A more fruitful idea was that a portion of the instinct is diverted towards the external world and comes to light as an instinct of aggressiveness and destructiveness. In this way the instinct itself could be pressed into the service of Eros, in that the organism was destroying some other thing, whether animate or inanimate, instead of destroying its own self. Conversely, any restriction of this aggressiveness directed outwards would be bound to increase the self-destruction, which is in any case proceeding.† Although Freud noted that Death, which is also associated with destruction, and even Evil, may â€Å"name his adversary not what is holy and good, but Natures power to create, to multiply lifethat is, Eros† (68), he noted that Eros and Death can be â€Å"alloyed† with each other, thereby resulting to an integration which hides either purpose.   An example Freud cited is how this is evident in sadism in which destruction can also bring satisfaction, the very idea in itself brings a certain degree of enjoyment. Conclusion: Comparison Based on the above discussions, the contexts in which Plato and Freud discussed â€Å"love for wisdom† and â€Å"high spirits†, and Eros and Death can be regarded to be total opposites.   For Plato, how these human aspects function is for the purpose of greater good; the ideal nature of the individual in the form of the Guardians is meant to benefit the society which the Guardians are tasked to serve.   In this case, the intent to define these traits, which is the union of philosophy and spiritedness, is meant to put together an exceptional leader.   In Freud’s discussion, on one hand, presented a justification as to how two opposing ideas, Eros and Death, actually work, and how these are in fact a reality of human nature. Plato and Freud discussed human nature in different contexts: for Plato, the opposing twin aspects of human nature (â€Å"love of wisdom† and â€Å"high spirits†) can be reconciled and further enhanced through education, thereby resulting to an ideal functional leader for the ideal city.   Freud, on one hand, discussed how the opposing Eros and Death do exist in human nature and how this is exemplified by the presence of satisfaction in destruction; the integration of Eros and Death may not result to an ideal person, but this demonstrates the humanness of the individual. Apparently, the similarity ends there; the similarity can be seen in the seed of the argument which is how opposing ideas do work together as a part of human nature.   Both demonstrated how internal contradictions further contribute to human characteristics that lead to how people eventually function.   In this case, the premise of their discussion is the same yet the intent of the discussion is different.   For Plato, the marriage of â€Å"love of wisdom† and â€Å"high spiritedness† gives way to an ideal class in an ideal society whereas Freud’s â€Å"alloyed† Eros and Death benefits the destruction more because it is in the face of Eros that Death can hide. Upon a close reading of the texts, there is also a similarity of the premise in terms of these two works; Plato’s The Republic contains a series of discussions leading to the definition of an ideal state whereas Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents showed how the individual can be in conflict with the society.   In addition, both agreed how the implementation of laws can establish control in a society basically manned by individuals with baser instincts; however, Plato pointed out how education can manage these instincts and how people can be formed into functional citizens while Freud mostly highlighted how individuals will be always governed by the pleasure principle.