...Why do humans love puppies and kittens? Why don’t humans love baby fish and insects as much? The answer lies in how humans value life. Life is a complicated idea containing layers of meaning ranging from a philosophical to a biological side. Humans associate animals like a puppy as a friend yet for many, a fish as a meal. While both animals are alive in the biological sense (living, breathing, eating, etc.) humans think of and treat them in a completely different manner. The value of the life of an animal or robot is directly related to its similarity with human life, thus the closer something is to resembling human life, the more humans value it as shown in the outcry over the death of Harambe, and our emotional attachment towards robots....
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...Life Value What is a life worth? Can it be valued, no it cant. A life is a priceless thing that no one can put a value on. The government will try and place a value on a life by using a monetary value. When families are looking for an answer after their loved one passes on, what they are doing is placing a value by looking for answers. When a tragic ordeal happens there will be lawsuits filed because people may say that they need more money. When someone places a value on a life nothing good can come of it, because something that is worthless cant have a value of any sort. The government will always try to put a monetary on a life. The human life calculator conducts how much a persons life is worth with questions about who their dependencies are and if they have a spouse. If that person has neither then they are worthless in their eyes (human life calculator). Why is it that someone can say that we are worthless, neither the government nor anyone can do such a thing. Some people nay not have kids or a spouse, but they want to leave something to their family ( i.e. parents). The article Whats a Life Worth by Amanda Ripley, stated that the government would pay out more to families that had different jobs when the attack of 9/11 happened. Its not right that a family with two children don't get enough money to strive but a family with no children get an abundance of money. "the court started to put a dollar value on a life, after death" (Ripley 1). That is when the lawsuits start...
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...morality, is a code of values to guide man’s actions and decisions. The actions and decisions that a man makes determine the purpose and direction of his life. A value is “that which one acts to gain and/or keep.” Water and sunshine are valuable to plants, money, health and friendship are valuable to man. Organisms must do something, either intentionally or not, to achieve certain ends. Ethics is concerned with what one should seek and how one should act. Nonliving things have nothing at stake. Nothing is good or bad for a river, a rock or a tree. What happens to those things might matter for some organism (such as a river flooding a city to it’s residents, the tree to an owl for it’s nest) but not for these objects intrinsically. Living things have something at stake -- their life. This alternative, life or death, is at the bottom of every alternative faced by a living organism. It is fundamental and inescapable. Every action, however indirectly, either helps or hurts a organism to survive. An organisms continued existence is not assured -- certain actions must be taken by it to survive. Organisms must achieve the values it’s nature requires. As with any organism, the kinds of actions human beings take either impede or advance their life. These are facts of reality that we can observe and apply reason to. In other words, they are objective. They also apply to all human beings, since we all face the same choice and have the same essential nature. This is why ethical principles (a...
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...THE ABSURDITY OF LIFE Steven Luper, Trinity University In "The Absurd"[i] Nagel claims that self-conscious human beings are necessarily absurd, so that to escape absurdity while remaining human we would have to cease being self-conscious. Fifteen years later, in The View From Nowhere,[ii] he defends the same thesis, supplementing some of his old arguments with a battery of new ones. I want to suggest that Nagel has misdiagnosed, and exaggerated the inescapability of, our absurdity. He does so partly because the grounds on which he bases his conclusion are spurious, and partly because he does not acknowledge the extent to which we can eliminate absurdity by suitably redesigning our plans and modes of justification. Nonetheless, I do not mean to imply that we can easily eliminate absurdity from our lives. Life is not necessarily absurd, but unfortunately, in a world like ours, there are limits to what we can and should do to reduce the absurd elements of our affairs. The View of the Nowhere Man "In ordinary life a situation is absurd," Nagel says, "when it includes a conspicuous discrepancy between pretension or aspiration and reality: someone gives a complicated speech in support of a motion that has already been passed. . . ; as you are being knighted, your pants fall down."[iii] In this passage from "The Absurd" Nagel claims that absurdity is a particularly striking sort of incongruity, and the conception of absurdity he discusses in his book is the same. What...
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...feeling of honor and not just putting up with the other person. Respect is an important first step in building a relationship and I value my relationship with the Army. Respect is not something that is done when it is convenient, it is done at all times. The Army teaches this as part of the 7 Core Values for many reasons. Even though the Army teaches us that respect is something that is given to the ranks, it is important to have respect for every soldier that I am in contact with whether or not I like them and whether or not they are ranked above me, below me or with me. It is not about respect for the individual as much as it is about respect for the rank. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect but especially those I am serving my country with. We all have to be part of the same team and treat each other the same way we expect to be treated. It is what keeps us a strong and unified. By having our superiors teach us the value of respect, they are uniting us for when we have to do combat. We have to rely on fellow soldiers as well as our superiors and without respect we would not care about helping each other. I can not expect others to treat me with respect when I am not showing them the same. This is taught to us in boot camp and we are expected to maintain the 7 Core Values at all times without even thinking about it. The 7 Core Values are: Loyalty (Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers.), Duty (Fulfill your...
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...A list of sample questions in philosophy Metaphysics: questions concerning the nature of reality, being, or existence Ontology 0 Why is there something rather than nothing? 1 Is it possible that there was a time before now when absolutely NOTHING existed? 2 What is ultimately (or REALLY) real? [Appearance -v- Reality] 3 Is reality fundamentally one or many? [Monism -v- Pluralism] 4 What, if anything, endures through change? 5 Is reality primarily material or spiritual (or mental)? [“Materialism” -v- “Idealism”] 6 Is the “external world” objectively real, or is its existence mind-dependent? If the latter, what mind is it dependent on? My mind? Your mind? The divine mind? 7 Is there a “supernatural” reality, or is nature “all there really is”? [Naturalism -v- Supernaturalism] 8 What is the difference between necessary and contingent being? Is there a necessary being? Is there only one necessary being? Philosophical cosmology 9 What is the cosmos made of? How is it structured? 10 Did the cosmos come into being? If so, how? 11 Will the cosmos cease to be in the future? If so, what does that mean for us? 12 What are the philosophical implications of scientific answers to cosmological questions? Philosophical theology (and the philosophy of religion) 13 Does God exist? [Theism; Atheism; Agnosticism] 14 What is the nature of God? 15 What about the existence of evil (pain, suffering, and disorder)...
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...correct? Why or why not? The junior accountant has opinioned that the lease is an operating lease. He has reasoned that it is an operating lease because the equipment reverts to Lessor, Inc. at the conclusion of the lease term. This assertion would be correct if it were the only factor. However, International Accounting Standard (IAS) 17 (2010) lists “Examples of situations that individually or in combination would normally lead to a lease being classified as a finance lease” There are two other situations that qualify this lease as a financing lease. The lease term is a major part of the economic life of the asset. The lease term is 3 years. The useful life is four years. The present value of the lease payments amounts to at least substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset. The present value of the leased payments is $248,690. The fair value of the equipment is $265,000. the lease term is for the major part of the economic life of the asset even if title is not transferred; International Accounting Standard 17 (2010 states “Examples of situations that individually or in combination would normally lead to a lease being classified as a finance lease are (a) the lease term is for the major part of the economic life of the asset even if title is not transferred; and (d) at the inception of the lease the present value of the minimum lease payments amounts to at least substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset substantially all of the fair value of the leased...
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...something that we all have, it is something that defines who we are. Culture is the reason why you enjoy the things you do and the reason why you act the way you do. “Culture is what makes you as an individual, it can be your lifestyle or even things that interest you or what you do on a daily basis” (McNeil). I have learned that culture is not only your ethnicity or religious group you belong to, it is also your characteristic and things that you like to do that make up your culture. The elements of my culture have shaped me into the person I am today. My family, work environment, school environment, and community are all things that have made me who I am. My family has had a major impact on who I have become. Growing up I never had a big family, to this day I am the only child that my mother has had. By having a small family I have learned how to establish stronger relationships and tighter bonds with my relatives. Having a close bond with my family has allowed me to be able to rely on them through the tough times that I have. “Family can be part of your motivation and help you to strive for success” (McNeil). I consider my family to be my support system, because of this I have a very strong value for family. The one person in my family that I value the most is my mother because she is the only parent I have had my entire life. My mother has raised me into a very good person that is the reason why I look up to her so much. My mother has taught me a bunch of different things such as...
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...paid to Goliath will be included in the minimum lease payment. Under ASC 840-10-25-6 (e), “fees that are paid by the lessee to the owners of the special-purpose entity for structuring the lease transaction. Such fees shall be included as part of minimum lease payments (but shall not be included in the fair value of the leased property) for purposes of applying the 90 percent test in paragraph 840-10-25-1(d).”1 Legal fees incurred by Goliath are considered as fees for structuring the lease transaction. Therefore, it should be included in minimum lease payment. Provision 2 If any of those conditions do not exist, then the maximum amount that the lessee could be required to pay under the default covenant shall be included in minimum lease payments for purposes of applying paragraph 840-10-25-1 (d).”1 Thurber will be in default under the credit arrangement if there is a “material adverse change” in its financial condition. Since financial condition is a customary provision in leasing arrangements, Thurber has met this condition and the penalty payment will not be included in the minimum lease payment. (B) 1. Was the junior accountant’s analysis correct? Why or why not? Junior Accountant considers this lease as...
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...three years. The remaining useful life of the equipment is four years. The fair value of the equipment is $265,000. At the end of the lease term, Lessee Ltd. has guaranteed $20,000 as the residual value. The agreement contains no purchase or renewal options, which means at the end of the lease term, Lessee Ltd. needs to return this equipment to Lessor Inc. in original condition. According to the agreement, Lessee Ltd. needs to make lease payments of $100,000 to Lessor Inc. each year. Also, Lessee Ltd. is responsible for other expenses like insurance, tax and maintenance that cost $2,000 per year. The lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is 11% and Lessor’s implicit rate is 10%. Two accountants of Lessee Ltd. analyzed the assets of the lease. For the present value of lease obligation, if using the implicit rate in the lease (10%), the residual value would be $15,026 and the present value of annual payment would be $248,690. If using the incremental borrowing rate (11%), the residual value would be $14,624 and present value of annual payment would be $244,370. But on the computations of lease payments, the junior and senior accountant used two different ways. The junior accountant defined it is an operating lease and simply added lease expense and insurance expense together. The senior accountant used three steps to calculate the expense. He classified the lease as finance one and used the incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments, then allocated...
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...more intelligent than others and fascinated with the creation of life. After much time, he creates his monster that rejected by Victor and society. From his rejection, he plans to get revenge on Victory and mankind alone. There are many thematic ideas that arise during this novel. However, the two main themes are risky knowledge and secrecy which makes the novel easier to identify with. The consequences of arrogance are portrayed through the intelligent person which is seen mostly through Victor who goes above and beyond what the average person. The value of technology and invention is obviously observed through Victor’s creation “the monster”. Lastly, the loss of relationships is a main issue that not only Victor experiences. In Frankenstein, there is much value still alive today through the issues of risky knowledge and secrecy which is revealed by arrogance of intelligence, value of technology, and loss of relationships. The issue of arrogance through the intelligentsia is developed in several places throughout the novel. Victor is most easily identified with this issue because of his starvation for knowledge which he satisfies at the University of Ingolstadt. “My departure was therefore fixed at an early date; but, before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred-an omen, as if were, of my future misery.” (37). He is so passionate for learning; he ignores his social life and family, but makes extreme advancements in his studies. Like...
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...Don Marquis, “Why Abortion is Immoral” Marquis’ claim is that abortion is prima facie wrong because abortion deprives somebody (the fetus) of its future of value. Marquis observes that there is a stalemate in the arguments that both anti-abortionists and pro-choicers put forward about abortion: 1. The anti-abortionist argument 1) It is always prima facie wrong to take a human life. 2) A fetus is a human life from the moment of conception. 3) Abortion involves taking a human life, and is therefore prima facie wrong. A Problem with this argument: i) A cancer cell culture is also a human life (it is both living and human), but we don’t think it wrong to destroy cancer cell cultures. The anti-abortionist can try to overcome this problem by changing her argument to: 1) It is always prima facie wrong to kill human beings. 2) A fetus is a human being from the moment of conception. 3) Abortion involves killing human beings, and is therefore prima facie wrong. 2 problems with this argument: i) Are fetuses really human beings? ii) What is so special about human beings that makes it wrong to kill them? Why is killing human beings wrong, while killing rats or chickens is not? 2. The pro-choice argument 1) It is prima facie wrong to kill only persons.. 2) A fetus is not a person. 3) Therefore, abortion does not involve killing persons, and is not prima facie wrong. Problems with this...
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...Throughout all our lifetime we are searching for answers to the questions of why we were created, why exactly we are here and what is the purpose of our existence? Not everyone, of course, is actually aware of what he or she is driven by, what makes him or her live. That is why people’s daily thoughts and speculations are focused mainly on the same topic, for instance, what is the meaning of life, why do we all have to wake up in the mornings in order to go to school or office, why do we struggle with ourselves, overcome problems, learn from mistakes we have made and then make new ones, etc. Lots of scientists’ and other outstanding people’s works from different times and generations were contributed to trying to come up with a definition of a life meaning matter. And the only thing that is obvious is that the answer to this eternal question is fully individual. What one might see as the purpose to exist, another might address as absolutely irrelevant and not interesting matter to consider. What individuals search...
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...three years. The remaining useful life of the equipment is four years. The fair value of the equipment is $265,000. At the end of the lease term, Lessee Ltd. has guaranteed $20,000 as the residual value. The agreement contains no purchase or renewal options, which means at the end of the lease term, Lessee Ltd. needs to return this equipment to Lessor Inc. in original condition. According to the agreement, Lessee Ltd. needs to make lease payments of $100,000 to Lessor Inc. each year. Also, Lessee Ltd. is responsible for other expenses like insurance, tax and maintenance that cost $2,000 per year. The lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is 11% and Lessor’s implicit rate is 10%. Two accountants of Lessee Ltd. analyzed the assets of the lease. For the present value of lease obligation, if using the implicit rate in the lease (10%), the residual value would be $15,026 and the present value of annual payment would be $248,690. If using the incremental borrowing rate (11%), the residual value would be $14,624 and present value of annual payment would be $244,370. But on the computations of lease payments, the junior and senior accountant used two different ways. The junior accountant defined it is an operating lease and simply added lease expense and insurance expense together. The senior accountant used three steps to calculate the expense. He classified the lease as finance one and used the incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments, then allocated...
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...Why Death Isn’t So Bad For You When it comes to death, many people are often afraid of the unknown. Because everyone may have their own beliefs about what occurs after death, the thought of death can be scary. Nobody, except for perhaps God (if He exists), knows what happens after death. But if death is defined as total, permanent annihilation, then it really is not bad for the person who dies. I do not mean for this statement to be confused with the attitude that there are no bad aspects of death. Death is not bad for the person who dies because they no longer exist, and therefore anything that happens in any world no longer affects them in any way. Also, one does not need to be afraid of death, because in the state of permanent annihilation, they will not be aware of their loss of life. Before discussing why death is not a bad thing for the person who dies, it should first be noted why total, permanent annihilation is not a bad thing. Permanent annihilation means just that; everything is completely destroyed and non-existent forever. In regards to the asymmetry problem, if pre-natal non-existence is not viewed as something bad, why should post-mortem non-existence be viewed as something bad? Non-existence is not bad thing. There is an infinite list of people, objects, and events that have and will never exist. Is it bad for these people and things that they are non-existent? Many argue that the asymmetry problem does not work because pre-natal non-existence...
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