The Discord of Relativism in Relation to Universal Wrongs Essay

The Discord of Relativism in Relation to Universal Wrongs - Essay Example But ultimately there are conduct and actions that are acceptable or at the very least inoffensive and which holds in it a universal truth of applicability. In a directly inverse rationalization of the same concept, there are things that are inherently wrong no matter which corner of the world the same is committed. Lenn Goodman in â€Å"Some Moral Minima† exemplified on the assumption that there are inherently wrong things that would never pass any test of appropriateness. This assertion was based on four instances Goodman relates as ‘Deserts’ or expressions which distinguish human beings. His discourse on the verity of this proposition revolved around 1. genocide and induced famine, 2. terrorism and other acts such as hostage taking, 3. slavery, incest and polygamy and 4. rape and clitoridectomy or the removal of a female’s pleasure organ. The author recognizes the commonality among the enlisted illustration of wrongful acts because â€Å"All the wrongs m y proposed norms speak against drag with them some violation of the truth. Not that truth is somehow the arch-imperative from which all others rise, as if by deduction. But the linkage does suggest a way of looking at (or looking for) key moral norms† (Goodman, 2010, p.92). Essentially this argument is in direct contradiction to relativism which suggests that what constitutes right and wrong is dependent upon every culture, person or society. This truly is an appealing take on ethical perspectives because it creates a very wide ground to exonerate wrongful acts as long as they are permitted at any one exception. It qualifiedly extinguishes the distinction between right and wrong whenever relativism is accurately applied. â€Å"This approach seems to allow us to avoid having to defend ethical claims that can be difficult to defend; however, others maintain that relativism has certain crippling problems† (Mosser, 2010, p.11). The adherence to relativism would render the a rgument of Goodman devoid of any merit in the same way that Goodman’s proposition is in direct contradiction to relativism. Goodman did make a direct mention of relativism as the same was inevitable due to the conflict between the concepts. There are cultural and individual distinctions which qualify and fundamentally affect the customs of normal life. But emphasis was divulged in that people can deliberately perplex every given situation to distort the same through the simplistic reasoning that is anchored in relativism. There are objective values that are to be upheld above all others. This is not to say that they are absolutely unjustified but that they are not to be used indiscriminately. The opposition to relativism in the essay was delved into with Goodman’s suggestion that polygamy is among those that are simply wrong. â€Å"Relativists will say that romantic love and companionate marriage are recent inventions, culture-bound and fraught with troubles of their own†¦ But to say that an institution has a history or cultural setting does not imply that any alternative to it is equally humane† (2010, p.91). This is among the arguments that I do agree with. Yes, it may be true that divorce does occur and it is virtually available in all countries, but this does not in any way lessen the value given to marriage by any culture. There are different rituals that occur and the celebration of which vary accordingly but this only goes to show that the same is given much import. Polygamy is even perhaps among the reasons which perpetuate the truth in why Goodman states

Aristotle & Socrates Essay Example for Free

Aristotle Socrates Essay Philosophy comes from the Greek roots meaning â€Å"the love of wisdom. † Philosophers are persons who have a compelling need to pursue wisdom. Since the beginning of time, wise man and women have dedicated themselves to asking â€Å"Big Questions†. Depending on the questions, there are various areas of philosophy including metaphysics, epistemological, axiology, ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, social philosophy, and logic. Homework Make a â€Å"Creative† representation of someone (fictional or real) you consider a wise person. Be prepared to present it in class and explain what characteristics make a person wise. Archetypes Archetypes are basic images that represent our conception of the essence of a certain kind of person. usually considered to be shared by all of humanity throughout time. Philosophical archetypes are philosophers who express an original or influential point of view in a way that significantly affects subsequent philosophers and non-philosophers. Western philosophy has been dominated by males of European ancestry. Relativism- Relativism is the belief that knowledge is determined by specific qualities of the observer. In other words, absolute (universal) knowledge of the truth is impossible; â€Å"one opinion is as good as another†. Philosophy week 2 Pre- Socratic philosophy: Asian sages and the sage The Sage The sage is an archetypal fig. Who combines religious inspiration with a love of wisdom? Found in ancient Asia, they are the oldest philosophical archetypes, identifying happiness and teaching the good life. Asian cosmology is not based on empirical (numbers, data, statistics) or scientific evidence. It contends (argues) that everything is working  harmoniously, following the Tao (Force or flow of energy in life), or the â€Å"path† or the â€Å"way† There is no separation between heaven and earth, divine and human, but is working together; all is one reality containing yin and yang. Yin represents earth, weakness, darkness, negative, and destruction. Yang represents heaven, strength, light, positive and construction. One cannot live without the other, keeping the universe in balance. Think Lao-tzu Confucius Siddhartha Gautama The Sophists (Meaning Wise in Greek) First professional educators, Charged fee to teach. Argued that the difference between a good and bad argument is custom and individual preference, nothing is bad or good in nature. They argued for relativism, both cultural and individual. Journal 3 Read pages 59-60 Reflect upon ways you have been a victim of ethnocentrism. Reflect upon ways you are ethnocentric Reflect ways America is ethnocentric. Since 911. The Person Socrates (470-399 B. C. E) was the first major western philosopher. He wrote no philosophy and what we know of him comes chiefly from his pupils Plato and Xenophon. Socrates challenged the sophists doctrines of relativism and moral realism he often taught that beauty and goodness determined by utility (If it serves a purpose) His Teachings Socrates is most famous for his style of philosophical inquiry known as the Socratic Method or dialectic. Education is supposed to draw knowledge out of you instead of riding with you like an empty vessel. Among his teachings, his most persistent command was know you. Believing an unexamined life was not worth living, he saw himself as a kind of â€Å"Physician of the soul. † He believed that the real person is not the body, but the physics-mind-soul. Journal 5 Read the trial and death of Socrates on pages 110-115 How does death and his art of dying relate to his teachings History Plato was a member of the Athenian aristocracy and Socrates’s most favorite and important student Athenian democracy was irrational mob rule. Founded famous academy to educate wise rulers In Plato’s metaphysics, the highest level of reality consists of timeless â€Å"essences† called forms. Platonic forms are independently existing, noncapital â€Å"some-things† Plato divided reality into to two world’s dualism. The highest level of reality is eternal and changeless being. The other is the evolving physical world, known as the coming According to Plato the sophists could not discover truth because they were preoccupied with the world of ever changing perceptions and customs. For Plato the chief distinction between knowledge and opinion is that knowledge is fixed, absolute and eternally true. Whereas opinion is unanchored and changeable. According to plait opinion lives in the realm of becoming truth and knowledge are found on the level of being. The Divided line 133-135. The simile of the sun 135-137 The Allegory of the cvae137-139 The divided line A+B= World of Forms (Being, Knowledgeable) C+D= Physical world (Becoming Opinion) Metaphysics | Epistemology(study of knowledge) | Higher Forms(Example: the good) | A: Understanding | Lower Forms(Example: Form human) | B: Reasoning | Sensible Objects (Example: Mother Teresa) | C. Perception | Images(Example: Mother Teresas Photograph) | D. Imagination | Simile of the sun Plato compared the absolute form of the good to the sun; the good makes the existence of everything else possible. The good cannot t be observed by the five senses and can be known only by pure thought or intelligence. It is the source of both the value and the existence of all other forms. Allegory of the cave In the allegory for the cave, Plato categorized three levels of awareness by referring to three distinct levels of reality: two levels of becoming and one ultimate level of being. Lowest Level: No imagination or perception Informed level: Wider range of basic understanding. Awakening Highest level: Soul has no need for perception or interpretation. The Republic (Socrates book for perfect utopia) Plato agreed that there is a reciprocal relationship between the individual and the kind of society in which he or she lives. The ideal state, for Plato, meets three basic characteristics 1) Nourishing needs, 2) Protection needs 3) Ordering needs These needs are best met by three classes: Workers, Warriors, Guardians or Philosopher – Kings. The republic contrasts two views of morality. The instrumental theory of morality asserts that right and wrong must be determined by the consequences our actions produce. The functionalist theory of morality holds that right and wrong can only be understood in terms of the way they affect our overall functioning as human beings. According to Plato, the just state functions fully; the unjust state is dysfunctional, only when all classes of people are virtuous according to their natures is the state whole, healthy, balanced and just. In order to be a just human being, balanced. Virtuous. temperance, courage, wisdom, justice(essence and balance of the soul) Plato thought the worst kind of Gov. was a tyranny. And democracy was a tyranny. Democracy makes little tyrants out of everybody. Journal 6 According to Plato’s philosophy, please answer these questions: Carefully explain the relationship of the individual to the state in Platos Republic. Why is the relationship significant? What does Plato see as the most unjust type of person and state? Do you agree? Explain. Explain the origin and nature of democracy according to plan. Aristotle The person Aristotle was Platos most illustrious student and went on to be the personal tutor of Alexander the great. He eventually created his own school called the lyceum. In contrast to Plato, Aristotle introduced the idea of naturalistic or scientific knowledge gained from collecting facts and usual factual info to make the world a better place. Aristotle was a naturalist. Naturalism if the belief that reality consists of the natural world and that the universe is ordered. Everything follows discoverable laws of nature. His Philosophy Aristotle believed that form and matter can be intellectually separated but cannot live independently in reality. The form of something is called its essence. Matter is the common physical material stuff but it has no distinct characteristics without a form. Aristotelian form is that which is in matter and makes thing is what that is. So, individual things are â€Å"formed matter. † Aristotle argued that complete understanding of a thing required identifying its â€Å"four causes. † 1st cause: Material cause, the material thing is made of Cause: formal cause. The form the thing takes cause: Efficient cause, the triggering motion that begins the thing Cause: Final cause, the Telis, or the ultimate purpose for which the thing exists. In living things, Aristotle called the final cause, Entelechy, meaning having its purpose within. He believed every living thing had an â€Å"inner urge† or a drive to become its unique self. He believed nature was ordered and guided internally. Journal 7 Consider the quotes on page 153. Please write a few paragraphs for each one describing what they mean to you and how they relate to you. For Aristotle, psyche or soul is the form of the body. Soul is entelechy. Like every other instance of form and matter, for Aristotle the soul cant be separated from the body and its body and its impossible to affect the body without also affecting the soul or to affect the soul without affecting the body. Aristotle taught that humans had a hierarchy of three kinds of souls, each higher level containing the aspects of the lower levels: 1st level: Lowest soul called vegetative or Nutritive, responsibility for absorption 2nd Level: the sentient or sensitive soul, registers all info regarding form of other things. 3rd Level: Highest Soul found in humans only, called rational soul, and includes the other two plus the capabilities for analysis, understanding relationships and decision-making. According to Aristotle the good is that which all things aim. It is their entelechy Eudemonia which often translated to happiness means being really alive rather than just existing. According to Aristotle happiness requires activity good habits and practical wisdom. Aristotelian moderation is based on the concept of wisdom hitting the mark between too much and not enough Virtue consists of hitting the mark or the mean but vice consist of being off by too much (excess) or too little (Deficiency) Journal 8 Read pages 172-176 Explain the importance of hitting the mark and character to Aristotle’s concept of happiness What is the principle of meaning? Philosophy study guide Academy- Alexander the Great An Unexamined Life Aristotelian Forms Aristotle’s Hierarchy of souls Aristotle’s Idea of a Good life Aristotle’s Teacher Entelechy Hitting the mark Lyceum Naturalism Plato’s 3 classes of people Plato’s feelings toward democracy Democracy Plato’s four cardinal virtues Plato’s teacher Platonic Forms Simile of the sun Socrates Death sentence Temperance The republic Three levels of human souls Tyranny journal 1 Wisdom | Knowledge | Theoretical Knowledge | Practical Knowledge | Belief | Mere Belief | Willed Ignorance | Definition and Examplesjournal 2 Write how each of the eight paths are relevant in today’s world journal 4 · Socrates’ â€Å"electric shock† effect on Athens resulted in death, however it gave him a place in history as a great thinker wise sage. From pages 87-95, read each quote in the margins · Please write the quote that shocks you and Reflect upon its meaning to you. Absolute truth is â€Å"Truth† with a capital T. What do we know so far? Modern Philosophy(How do you know that it’s true? ) After Christianity began to grow, most Europeans turned to god as the ultimate source of wisdom and the church as the ultimate authority. However, by the 17th century scientific ad advancements and the decline of the authority of a single church began the era of modern philosophy. It was a shift from metaphysics to epistemology. Rene Descartes(1596-1650) is the father of philosophy. He came up with rationalism. Dcccd. edu then go to student services, then libraries. 3 ears of Western Philosophy- 1 Classical, what is truth? essentialism; Modern- How do you know it’s true? Rationalism; Rationalism is the epistemological position in which reason is said to be the primary source of all knowledge. Rationalist believe in the coherence theory of truth: that new or unclear ideas should be evaluated in terms of rational or logical consistency and in relation to already established truth. Rationalism says that abstract reasoning can produce absolutely certain truths about reality and that some truths can be discovered without observation, experiment or experience. These truths are innate ideas or a priori ideas. A priori can be known without experience or experiment but Posteriori ideas are derived from experience and experiment. However he arrived at the cogito, ergo sum, latin for â€Å"I think, therefore I am. † This, along with a satisfactory belief in god, stood as his undoubtable truth. Journal 9 Please do the philosophical queries(Green Boxes) on pgs. 252 and 253 Jeremy Bentham- resurrected hedonism, in direct response to the conservative ruling class in Britain. The result he created the â€Å"greatest happiness† principle also known as the Principle of Utility, that states we should always act to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Benthams hedonic calculus was a crude method of reducing stress to simple calculation of units of pleasure versus units of pain. Psychological hedonism- pain and pleasure determine what we shall do Ethical hedonism- pain and pleasure point to what we ought to do. Bentham extended the ethical reach of the pleasure principle beyond the human community to any creature with the capacity to suffer. He argued that insisting that animals lack moral worth was akin to racism. John stuart mill He believed that there is an empirical basis supporting his claim that refined pleasures to crude ones. Mill disagreed with Bentham that all motives are egotistic and based his more refined philosophy in the social feelings of all people for unity with each other. Mill believed in the possibility of altruism, the capacity to promote wellbeing of others, he argued that the lack of altruistic feelings and ignorance of the higher pleasures were products of poor education and harsh conditions, not quality of human nature. According to mill, the selfishness and lack of mental cultivation are the chief causes of unhappiness, and can be cured with a proper education and legislation.

Systematic approach to recruitment and selection,

Systematic approach to recruitment and selection, Systematic approach to recruitment and selection, and its efficacy in attracting diverse workforce within the equal opportunities employment legal framework Introduction In modern organizations, diversity management has become synonymous with fair and equal opportunities employment, even though traditional context of equal opportunities is closely related with legal aspects of treatments of potential and current employees. Today, diversity management activities are grounded in monitoring of direct and indirect discrimination and interventions to reinforce fair treatment of women, ethnic minorities, the aged and the disabled. Therefore, the fairness paradigm has become the benchmark for managing differences and must be congruent with business objectives. This paradigm emerged from the perspectives that organizations need a diverse workforce to re-think and re-define primary tasks related to strategies including organizational objectives, goals, markets, products and resource allocations (Cornelius, Gooch and Todd in Noon and Ogbonna 2001). Diversity management is different from equal opportunities, yet it is based on the same foundation. Equal opportu nities amplify policies and practices that reflect the external legal framework and offer chances for competition. In human resource management, this is usually inherent in the practices of recruitment and selection, and at times in training and development. The basic premise is to ensure that equal opportunities should be given to people who are in competition with each other for areas of employment and selection, regardless of their age, gender, race or disability. The objective is not to elicit equal outcome. When implemented within the organizational framework that follows systematic approach to human resources management, the fine line between equal opportunities and diversity management, at times, becomes blurred. Consequently, organizations are often found striving for a balance in maintaining diverse workforce within the realms of the equal opportunity laws to achieve equality and organizational strategic objectives. Given the blurring definition of diversity and equal opportunities in employment, critics find systematic approach to recruitment and selection less appealing as strategic human resource management component. Others argue that as a critical component of HRM, recruitment and selection accommodates for both external and internal environmental change. In the ensuing discussion, the researcher shall evaluate the extent of the validity of this debate, and determine how attractive systematic approach to recruitment and selection is in acquiring diverse workforce in organizatio ns, and how successful organizations have been in integrating equal opportunities practices. Critical Evaluation of Systematic Approach to Recruitment and Selection Recruitment and selection processes are essential for strategic HRM involving and including job identification, job description, interviews, selection and orientation. It involves complex techniques and skills that assist decision-makers in selecting applicants for achieving organizational objectives, as well as personifies the organizational values, culture, behaviour and discipline. Recruitment and selection processes are based on systematic evaluation of personal and professional values, interpersonal skills, problem solving ability, attitude and behaviour of candidates, and testing them whether their attributes are congruent with the organizational values and objectives. Testing the type of employees the firm is about to hire helps determine the type of personality and how to mould them to the organizational culture. Selection decision is often based on a host of factors pertaining to job match, ability, professional qualifications, personal abilities, as well as employee's personality to match with the organization (Cornelius, Gooch and Todd in Noon and Ogbonna 2001). This traditional approach (also known as systematic approach) has evolved over the years and become refined as strategic recruitment and selection processes. Traditional approaches to recruitment and selection in earlier organizations based on psychometric models often assess applicant's performance with job fit whereas in modern organizations the systematic approach to recruitment and selection processes is strategic in nature, even though the foundation of the system has remained congruent with traditional approach (Beardwell and Holden 2003). Experts (Beardwell and Holden 2003; Thornhill et al., 2000) believe modern systematic approach to resourcing organizations has harmoniously integrated overall organizational strategies and processes rather than merely focusing on job-specific criteria. As a result, recruitment and selection processes have strategic implications, starting from how resourcing offers competitive advantage in the short run to valuing employees as organizational assets. The processes are aimed at achieving organizational objectives aligned with long-term organizational strategic vision. Components of systematic approach to recruitment, which include job analysis, job descriptions, development of competence frameworks, identification of person specifications and accountability, as well as advertisement, executive search, and Internet recruitment provide alternatives and ease to the process of recruitment for organizational resource acquisition. Alternatively, traditional approach to selection has remained somewhat similar to the preceding methods. For example, earlier recruitment processes have heavily relied on evaluation criteria, reliability on validity of candidate information, techniques of interviews and psychometric tests. Selection has also been based on matching job types with work styles through simulated evaluation tests. Today these components of selection are conducted in the same manner but often aided by the use of information technology systems and refined by integration of organizational objectives. Nevertheless, the fact remains recruitment and selection processes play critical roles in resourcing organizations and pooling of work skills. According to Beardwell and Holden (2003), HRM processes such as recruitment and selection are no longer viewed as the best-fit approach but have changed to resource-based view or best practice approach†. This makes them imperative for supporting corporate strategie s and organizational change management by acting as a lever for competitive advantage for organizations. Not only this, systematic approach to recruitment and selection has been set out to enable organizational management to establish frameworks for performance management. It is at this initial stage that managers determine roles, responsibilities, and performance outcomes to match with the most suitably skilled and motivated candidates for achieving organizational objectives. Moreover, basic principles for systematic approach to recruitment involve setting competitive framework for candidates to gauge future performance. For instance, evaluation and testing processes involve simulated tasks, psychometric tests, and validation of qualifications. It is through these simulated tests that managers gauge attitudes, behaviours, personality, and interaction with the candidates to determine job and candidate match. Selection is based on merit defined by the job specifications, individual commitment, and suitability for the positions within the company. The objectivity is to combine worker attr ibutes, skills, and abilities, and fit it within the organizational policies, procedures, and cultural frameworks, and thereby not to waste efforts and resources in conflict, power relations, subordination and normative institutional clashes in the future (Lucas 2003). In this regard, one could observe that systematic approach to recruitment, selection integrates external environmental factors like legal frameworks in policies, and procedures to ensure organizations establish a direct relationship with the candidates, job market and the legal environment. From this perspective, systematic approach to recruitment and selection processes is also said to have contributed to promoting and establishing trends for fair employment. However, critics do not have a consensus on fair distribution of representations of individuals where recruitment and selection processes are concerned. For example, Cornelius, Gooch and Todd (2001) are of the view that traditional equal-opportunity practices usually have unequal outcomes, depending on the culture of the organization, as well as the type of workforce required for the job. For example, gender and age discrimination are likely to become issues for unequal employment in industries where workers are required to be male of young age such as the logging industry. Commitment towards equal opportunity for fair representation of groups of individuals in recruitment and selection processes does not add value but rather hinders achievement of organizational objectives. Consequently, systematic approaches to recruitment and selection are not really effective in resolving strategic HRM issues pertaining to establishment of legal frameworks. Yet, one cannot deny the fact that organizations have not benefited from the systematic approach to pursue fair treatment and equal opportunities for employment. It is the essence of the systematic approach to recruitment, which takes into account of the changing environment, as well as business strategies that makes it dynamic, and thereby is effective in resolving management issues of diversity. Attraction of diverse workforce and implementation of equal opportunities employment There are many factors that are responsible for making an organization attractive for employees. Organizational reputation recognized for its fairness, culture, wage and talent pool, for example, are attraction for candidates. Similarly, job attractiveness is also dependent on the processes of recruitment and selection, and goals and ideology of the organization. In most organizations today, having a diverse workforce is no longer a luxury but a necessity and even a competitive advantage. A diverse workforce is essential in pooling skills and qualifications for achieving organizational strategic objectives in today's complex business environment (Sims 2002). Diversity, many claim, is distinguishable from equal opportunity as it serves the self-interest of organizations rather than social justice. It involves pursuance of policies that meet the demand of labour pool, and thereby gain the best qualifications from employees. It makes the economic justification for hiring individual s valuable in terms of business requirement, and labour market supply. It takes into account of the expressed need for employee satisfaction, which would lead to quality in productivity and increasing the talent pool direly required by dynamic organizations (Noon and Ogbonna 2001). Diversity is intrinsically linked with equal opportunity, according to experts (Thornley 2003). They argue that the labour market is typically characterized by competition where individuals compete for employment based on commutative justice. Free competition is prevalent and the reward for it is employment. Candidates vie for positions in organizations through display of qualifications, academic performance, ownership of skills, attitudes, and positive behaviours. Employers, on the other hand, form benchmarks for employment based on organizational requirements, policies and procedures in recruitment and selection. Employers are also mandated to follow government policy to benchmark wages, inflation and competitiveness for fair distribution of income and wealth. The government controls fair distribution of income by implementing policies of equal employment opportunities to eliminate formal and informal discrimination based on gender, age, race and disability. In the UK, this practic e is regulated by the EOC and through legal Acts often tends to constrain organizations for implementing fair employment. Despite critical objections to the efficacy and strategic nature of systematic approach to recruitment and selection, management of organizations cannot deny the fact that HRM processes have integrated diversity and equal opportunities policies and procedures to avoid adverse effects of the law. The EOC has formulated laws such as the Employment Act 1989/2002, Sex Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act, Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Race Relations Act 1976, Employment Relations Act 1999 and the Employment Equality Regulations 2003 to curb discrimination of applicants for employment based on their gender, race, age and disability. To ensure that these laws are implemented within organizations, organizations have started to invest heavily in HRM processes congruent with the prescribed legal frameworks set by the EOC and the government. For most organizations, investment in these processes are necessary for compliance, while for others it is the long-term objective-achievement efforts as they view making their organization attractive to potential talents a strategic activity in itself. Consequently, HRM processes have been devised based on objective testing of candidates. Recruitment and selection models used for evaluating job performance, personality tests, cognitive ability tests, as well as testing of job knowledge take into account of achievement and skill proficiency. Organizations no longer depend on individual interviewer impressions to select and match candidates based on qualifications matching with job criteria. Instead, candidates are being tested for their abilities, skills and knowledge correlating with job performance regardless of their sex, age, race or disability (Hough and Oswald 2000). Furthermore, organizations are also using integrity tests and self-reports to check reliability and validity of counterproductive work behaviours. These systematic methods of recruitment and selection are based on the premise that effective recruitment leads to smooth functioning of organizations and successful recruitment and selection is based on finding the right person with the right skills, expertise and qualifications for achieving organizational objectives and contributing towards organizational values. For this purpose, a fair and consistent system of recruitment helps lessen the burden of employee conflict, turnover, absenteeism and dismissals. According to the Workforce Development Plan (2004) in the UK, for organizations to develop leadership capacity in their respective industry, they must develop skills and capacity of workforce, organizational performance management framework, pay and rewards system and, most importantly, ensure that equal opportunity and diversity practices are aligned with the entire recruitment and selection processes. The focus on abilities and aptitudes, and not stereotypes, would help lead to fair judgements about individuals based on their merits rather than their gender, age, race or disability (EOC 2006). Conclusion From the above discussion, one can conclude that the strategic nature of the systematic approach to recruitment and selection has made it the ideal tool for today's organizations to gain a competitive advantage in acquisition of skills and a diverse workforce. Strategic HRM requires that processes be in line with internal and external factors affecting organizational dynamics. For this purpose, these processes have to be flexible to accommodate change in the business environment. Two of the main factors that have been affecting modern organizations are equal employment opportunities and diversity. Self-interest for competitive advantage, as well as legal mandates have motivated organizations to invest in HRM processes and techniques to promote diversity and equal opportunities employment. These are evident in the various techniques used in recruitment and selection tests, as well as policies for hiring candidates. The practice is not isolated but rather has become the benchmark for organizations to attract a diverse workforce and remain aligned with the legal framework. Despite critics’ arguments, one could conclude that the traditional approach to recruitment and selection in today's organizations is objective in providing the required competitive advantage and strategic edge for competing in the highly dynamic business environment. References Beardwell, I. Holden, L. and Claydon (2003) Human Resource Management A Contemporary Approach. Fourth Edition. FT Prentice Hall. Employers Organization for Local Government (2004) Workforce Development Planning Guidance Document – May 2004. Employers Organization for Local Government, Online accessed on 12 January 2007 from: http://www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk/idk/aio/4465769. Equal Opportunities Commission (2006) Recruiting Staff Guidance for Managers and Supervisors, May 2006. Equal Opportunities Commission. Hough, L. M. and Oswald, F. L. (2000) Personnel Selection: Looking toward the Future-Remembering the Past. Annual Review of Psychology. pp. 631. Lucas, R. E. (2003) Employment Relations in the Hospitality and Tourism Industries. Routledge: New York. pp. 84 Millmore, M. (2003) Just How Extensive is the Practice of Strategic Recruitment and Selection? Journal of Management pp. 87 Noon, M. and Ogbonna, E. (eds) (2001) Equality, Diversity and Disadvantage in Employment. Palgrave: Basingstoke, England. pp. 32. Sims, R. R. (2002) Organizational Success through Effective Human Resources Management. Quorum Books: Westport, CT. Publication Year: pp. 107 Storey, J. (1992) Developments in the Management of Human Resources, Oxford: Blackwell. Thornhill, A., Lewis, P., Millmore, M. and Saunders, M. (2000) Managing Change: A Human Resource Strategy Approach, Harlow: Financial Times, Prentice Hall. Thornley, C. (2003) Labour market policy and inequality in the UK in Industrial and Labour Market Policy and Performance: Issues and Perspectives (eds) Cofey, D and Thornley, C., Routledge: New York. pp. 83

Success And Determination As Shown In Eyes Of The Dragon :: essays research papers

Determination in life is often viewed as an excellent quality for people to obtain and practise. The novel Eyes of the Dragon gives three prime examples of the process of determination in relation to everyday life. Determination to obtain a material object or position is often rewarded with success. Determination when used for others will often gain admiration and respect. Being determined to escape a dangerous situation may be the catalyst between life and death. Although it may be easier to stay in a comfort zone and remain apathetic, success in life depends upon the degree to which individuals are willing to take risks for self and others. Success can be measured by the rate or degree people are determined to accomplish their goals. Peter, his friends and Flagg all had different levels of perseverance which determined their ultimate success. Throughout the novel Eyes of the Dragon Flagg the magician is determined to gain control of Delain. Although he did not achieve this goal he had many methods to try and achieve this goal. Because Flagg had not taken enough precautions to ensure his success, Peter was able to rise up and make a determination to escape from his imprisonment. Through hardships Peter was able to overcome adversity and with each one gained determination to escape from his hellish stay atop the needle. Without this determination to risk death, he would have most likely died earlier than he would have had he escaped. After Peter?s daring escape, he and his friends were determined to go after and kill Flagg for his crimes against humanity so as not to let his actions continue. It was Peter's determin ation that his friends admired that ultimately decided his fate when his friends were inspired to help him escape and kill Flagg. Human determination will be the ultimate decision between success and failure throughout their entire lives. It is only by the strongest of will and determination that result in the inheritance of the treasures of human development.

Canadian Economy, Labor, And The Global World Essay

The Federal Open Market Committee report indicates a decline in output and employment. Household spending has been increasing gradually though there have been several constraints such as high unemployment rates, tight credit, and slight income growth. The United States is the biggest trading partner to Canada and economic slumps within the American economy affect the Canadian economy negatively as well. Such a decline in output will affect the Canadian economy since a decline in goods that Canada obtains from the United States will mean the country will lack them and have to find other countries to trade with. In addition, the low output will result in American businesses importing less goods from Canada that they use in the process of producing their goods. The high unemployment will affect Canadian labor based on the large number of Canadians who work in the United States. During an economic recession as this one most foreign workers lack unemployment in other countries as governments give first priority to their domestic workers first. As such, American nationals would be considered first during employment exercises while the Canadians will be left out and stay unemployed until the economy is seen to have recovered. The role of the state in a global world The worlds today is a global one with people from different countries, social backgrounds and cultures interacting on a daily basis. States are part of these interactions as well as they encompass the geographical boundaries that divide our continents into smaller units. States exist as a result of a host of reasons such as political, historical, economic, social, cultural and militaristic. States form different corners of the world are carrying out trade with one another as a result of the growth of the idea of competitive advantage that allows countries to export what they have in abundance and import what they lack. Apart from trade, there are numerous organizations and agreements around the world that have brought numerous countries together in pursuit of common goals so as to create a modern world that is safe and productive to live in. As such, a state has to find a way to effectively take part in such a global world despite having its own independent political, social, cultural, and corporate way of doing things. This requires states to come up with policies that will enable them to actively take part within the global world without compromising their independence (Plattner, 2002). This creates the need for due attention to the theoretical rationales of the state’s formation that ensure that the state remains pertinent in the global world. This is in line with the fact that domestic policies can not be made to treat the economy as a closed entity but need to consider the implications and counterbalancing effects that arise from globalization. The state has a role in the global world that is aimed at legislating its policies that protect its domestic market as well as give opportunity for its country’s participation in globalization. Labor unions in a global world Globalization has grown over the years and has now become an important part of our corporate and social lives. Labor is one of the institutions that have been greatly affected by globalization as businesses and institutions are now able to employ individuals from anywhere in the world as far as they have the required skills and knowledge needed for the job. With the growth of capitalism and international trade, most companies realized the only way to stay in business and continue making huge profits was to cut down on overall expenses and labor costs were one of the expenses cut. The growth of globalization has also lead to the development of outsourcing where businesses have some of the operations carried out by other institutions that are specialized in that field and therefore do not have to employ people to carry out those jobs internally. Most businesses are opening factories in foreign markets that have cheaper labor such as China and Indonesia. As such, labor unions have responded in order to protect their domestic workers from the increasing amount of unemployment that could result from the employment of foreign workers who could be asking for lower wages and salaries as compared to the domestic workers. Labor unions have responded to globalization by engaging in several strategies that limit the negative effects of globalization on labor. One such strategy has been the opposition towards free trade initiatives and agreements involving several countries. One such agreement has been the North American Free Trade Agreement by asking for there to be provisions within the agreement for the inclusion of a charter that would entail a number of labor principles that would be put into effect and enforced by both domestic and international courts. Secondly, labor unions have began to organize regional as well as international organizations that seek to harmonize the labor needs of their members. This is the case especially for multinational companies that operate in several countries where unions facilitate workers from the different factories in the various countries to be able to have collective bargaining of their needs (Herod, 2002). Thirdly, labor unions have been involved in the process of developing labor regulations that are incorporated in most business codes of conduct. Due to the possibility of business including legally correct phrases that could be detrimental to workers when effected and which would affect workers negatively. By have access to the policy formulation stage, unions are able to prevent the inclusion of such codes and policies that would end up leaving workers at a disadvantaged position. How the federal government responded to growing labor militancy The onset of the depression found the provincial as well as municipal governments in debt following expansion in infrastructure. This was at a time when Mackenzie was the prime minister and he held the belief that the crisis would pass thus failed to provide aid to the provinces. The federal government was reluctant in making efforts of reviving the economy that followed the depression (Robert, 2009). After the depression the government started a relief plan faced with mounting pressure from World War 1 veterans who demanded to be protected from poverty that was known as the New Deal The federal government under R. B Bennett campaigned on high tariffs as well as large scale spending. The federal government also increased welfare and assistance programs as well as programs intended to increase work opportunities. This was a move that led the federal government to more deficit (Neatby, 1963). This worsened the situation based on the fact that it caused a great number of government employees to loose their jobs as well as the cancelation of many public works projects that were underway. The federal government had a burden of the Canadian National Railway that had been highly affected by the depression. The government has as well taken over a number of railways that were bankrupt and out-of-date over the period of the world war. This increased the debt that the government had to a massive sum that was hard to be repaid at the time based on the hard financial time that the nation faced. The decrease in trade had made the Canadian National Railway to loose substantial amounts of funds a crisis that had been worsened by the depression. This created a burden for the federal government on the basis that it had to bail out the CNR baring in mind that the government was as well facing other debts. The failure of the federal government to revive the economy led to its defeat by the liberal party. The future for Keynesian economics Keynesian economics is struggling as it seems to have a dimming future. Since the 1970s when Keynesian economics faced a significant decline due to its failure as a result of the resultant high inflation rates and economic recessions, there has been an emergence of monetarism. In the 1980s, classical as well as supply-side economics have increasingly challenged the appropriateness of Keynesian economics further (Rousseas, 1986). As a result, Keynesian economists have responded to this decline and have created new schools of thought based on early Keynesian economics. These are †¢ The neoclassical Keynesianism †¢ The post-Keynesianism †¢ The new Keynesianism All these school of thoughts have emerged mainly as a response to the criticisms that new classical economists have raised against Keynesian economics (Gordon, 1990). Due to the focus on the demand side, Keynesian economics has proved to be important especially during economic revival after recessions as was witnessed after the recent 2008-2009 global recession where most affected countries engaged in Keynesian economics by providing economic stimulus packages aimed at reviving the economy again. This is based on the Keynesian view that markets usually lack a mechanism to self correct themselves and therefore government interventions are required to restore the economy once again. References Gordon, R. J. (1990). â€Å"What Is New-Keynesian Economics? † Journal of Economic Literature 28, no. 3 1115–1171. Herod, A. (2002). â€Å"Organizing globally, organizing locally: union spatial strategy in a global economy. † In Harrod, J. & Robert, O. Global Unions? Theory and Strategies of organized labor in the global political economy. London: Routledge. Neatby, H. B. (1963). William Lyon Mackenzie King, 1924-1932: The Lonely Heights. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Plattner, M. (2002). â€Å"Globalization and Self-Government†, Journal of Democracy 13(3): 54-67. Robert, L. (2009). â€Å"The Workplace and Economic Crisis: Canadian Textile Firms, 1929-1935,† Enterprise and Society, Vol. 10 Issue 3, pp 498-528. Rousseas, S. (1986). Post-Keynesian Monetary Economics. London: Macmillan.

Causes and spread of infection

You need to understand the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites; this also covers cell structure and growth pathogens. 1. 2 Common Illnesses and Infections Include bacteria for example tuberculosis, MRS., tetanus, gangrene, Legionnaires ‘disease, salmonella and conjunctivitis. Viruses like winter vomiting disease, measles, mumps, chickenpox, HIVE, Hepatitis B, warts and influenza.Fungal infections a few examples of these are thrush, ringworm and athlete's foot and finally arise infestations like scabies, lice, head lice, fleas, threadbare and roundworm. 1. 3 Infection is Microorganisms transmitted to host's cells, tissues or body cavities they might but do not always cause illness. Infectious diseases are transmissible from one individual to another. Colonization means to cause infection organisms colonies cells and tissues and compete with normal micro-flora in order to multiply to a level which causes harm.Finally non- pathogenic microorganisms colonies the skin, oral cavity, colon to form the normal micro-flora; they do not normally cause disease ND may be beneficial. 1. 4 Systemic Infection affects whole system of the body, whereas localized Infection affects a specific area of the body. 1. 5 Poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection includes poor personal hygiene, failure to wear the correct PEP, inadequate cleaning, poor hand washing, reuse of UN-sterilized equipment and failure to follow procedure. 2. Understand the transmission of infection 2. Conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms are optimum temperature, moisture, nutrients, gases and time. 2. Ways an infective agent might enter the body can be Entry/ exit routes including: nose by inhalation, mouth by ingestion, rectum, urinary tract, eyes, broken skin, unbroken skin, genital tract, body fluids route and blood by Inoculation. 2. 3 Common sources of Infection Include body fluids for example vomit, tears, breast milk, semen, vaginal secretions, uri ne, blood, mouth or nose secretions, sweat, sputum, droplets spread by sneezing and coughing; food; water: air-borne and also carried by insects or animals. . 4 Infective agents can be reanimated directly from person to person in body fluids or on hands. Indirectly can be transmitted via contaminated water, food, animals, insects, objects, dust etc.

Obamas Speech 2013 essays

Obama's Speech 2013 essays On Tuesday, February 19, 2013, Barack Obama, President of the United States, presented his State of the Union Address to a joint session of the United States Congress. President Obama began the speech describing several goals that nation already reached - such as businesses having created more than six million jobs, people buying more American cars and our use of less foreign oil. Furthermore, Democrats and Republicans have been working to reduce the deficit more than $ 2.5 trillion dollars through spending cuts and raising the taxes of the wealthiest in America. Additionally, he stated that the housing market is finally healing from the recession in 2007 with the percentage of home purchases increasing close to 50%. In addition, President Obama proposed certain solutions for the economy, creating jobs, modifying taxes, etc. Beginning with a plan for deficit reduction, the President stated that both parties must work on the plan in order to reach the deficit reduction of $4 trillion dollars. He also proposed the new tax reform which could help to create more jobs and bring down the deficit. The new tax code will help small business spend more time on expanding and hiring; and also provides lower tax rates for businesses - thus, creating jobs throughout America. As the matter of fact, the President stated that: Caterpillar is bringing jobs back from Japan. Ford is bringing jobs back from Mexico. And this year, Apple will start making Macs in American again (Obama). Additionally, President Obama proposed an upgrade to our infrastructure, which would bring more jobs which would then lead to the Fix-It-First program and Partnership to Rebuild America. More importantly, he also raised the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour so we can tie the minimum living cost and eventually offer a wage that people can live on. Barack Obama also stated that we should invest every available dollar in science, innovation, clean ene...