What Has Posterity Ever Done For Me By Robert Heilbroner

Natasha Jayez Philosophy 20 6/26/17 Moral Responsibility to Posterity An increasing number of people believe that we have responsibilities towards future generations in regards to preserving the planet. In this paper, I will present Heilbroner s arguments for posterity, in relation to how we treat our environment. In addition, I will compare two ethical theories, Kant s Categorical Imperative to Mill s theory of Utilitarianism. I will then argue as to why Utilitarianism is more plausible in respect to Heilbroner s environmental view on posterity. Furthermore, I will point out why Kantian theory does not at all support the idea of environmental preservation for future†¦show more content†¦Immanuel Kant called this principle The Categorical Imperative. The categorical Imperative can be defined as a universal law without contradiction. Kant s Categorical Imperative states that rationality and reasoning are the source of universal moral obligations, and rational beings are the embodiment of the moral law itself. The only way that moral goodness ca n exist at all in the world is for rational creatures to understand and adopt the rules of moral law and do it as a sense of duty. Therefore, if there were no rational beings, the moral dimension of the world would not exist. This deontological perspective focuses primarily on the intention of our actions, rather than the consequence. Under the categorical imperative, one must follow formulations in order to make rational ethical decisions. The first formulation states that any act that you commit must become universal. If that act cannot become universal, then we must refrain from it. For example, in making a decision on whether or not to steal, one must ask if it would be acceptable to them if someone were to steal from them. In making an act universal, we must imagine a world in which the act is always permissible. The second formulation proclaims that you may not use any human being, including oneself, as a mere means. This explains that you cannot use any form of humanity as merely an object or tool, regardless of independent desires or passions. Kant alsoShow MoreRelatedEssay on Evaluating Our Responsibility to Future Generations1855 Words   |  8 Pagessolution of Euclidian geometry. -- R. Heilbroner    The above quote from Robert Heilbroner speaks well to my feeling after reading some of the theoretical approaches to the ethics of our obligation to future generations from this weeks readings. For example, I found Derek Parfits essay to be particularly unfulfilling. He set out to find a formula X which was derived from logic and yet could provide us an answer to all difficult questions about what we owe to the distant future. Unfortunately

The Sociological Imagination and Freedom from Feelings of...

The sociological imagination is the â€Å"quality of mind† (Mills, 1959: 4) that enables individuals to look outside their private sphere of consciousness and identify the structures and institutions in society that influence or cause their personal experiences. In this way, by looking at the bigger picture, they can understand their place in society and explain their circumstance in terms of societal influence. It was developed by Mills in a time of great social upheaval – industrialisation, globalisation and capitalism meant that the social phenomena were different to those previously experienced. The meta-narrative of science and ‘scientism’, previously used to develop theories of society, began to be presenting more moral questions and†¦show more content†¦The sociological imagination raises three core questions. Firstly, what is the structure of the society being studied? Secondly, what relevance does its context in history have? And thirdly, how does it influence and shape those within it? (Mills, 1959: 6-7). The consideration of these questions enables the greatest understanding of the relationship between society and an individual’s position and circumstance, and is what makes the concept sociological. The term ‘imagination’, in turn, is used originally used by Mills (1959) (rather than ‘perspective’), because the concept also fits with cultural and literary understanding. It seeks to combine some of the qualities of art that it prizes (capturing and expressing the needs of the individual), and some qualities already in literature (presenting the social norms that shape individuals), with a â€Å"social and historical reality†, a â€Å"big picture in which... [individuals] can understand themselves† (Mills, 1959: 20). In this way it hopes to blend â€Å"the scientific and the humanistic† (Mills, 1959: 16) to form a comprehensive basis for the study of the social sciences. An example, first provided by Mills but that is still relevant today, which highlights the value – nay, necessity of sociological imagination, is unemployment. Looking at one individual asShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pages10.5/12 ITC New Baskerville Std Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, in this textbook appear on the appropriate page within text. Copyright  © 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval

Theology Essay free essay sample

We know from scripture that God walked around in the garden of Eden; Genesis 3:8. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.. This shows us that God is actively involved in the lives of his people. As I have grown up in Church I have heard many sermons and seen many things, but the thing that has seemed to escape the view of leadership is to make God a reality to a generation that believes that God a so far from them that he can never understand what they face in life. The scriptures are clear that we serve a God who is a â€Å"kinsman redeemer which in the Greek is translated, as redeemer or near relative. This means that he not only redeems us, but he redeems us from a place of closeness and understanding. As there is preparation and study this has to be at the heart of the pastor how can I make God a reality to the people that are sitting in the audience and they are facing real issues and problems and they don’t need a nice sermon, but a real sermon, about a real God. We will write a custom essay sample on Theology Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The beauty in Jesus is that He was both man and God. He was man enough to feel compassion for the sick and God enough to heal the infirmity. Over and over again in scriptures we see that Jesus was moved was compassion for the people in which he encountered. An example would be the feeding of the five-thousand in Matthew 9:36. He was moved with compassion on them; this shows Jesus and his humanity which if Jesus operated this way then we as Pastors have the same responsibility. We cannot operate like we are not human but show people that we are human as they are and have been given a grace to lead them. Outside of the pulpit is where many pastors get in to trouble because many don’t know how to connect with people outside of a sermon and the pulpit. A pastor’s responsibility does extend outside of the pulpit into the community and society that to which they have been called. This means that whether or not a member of the congregation or not there are people that should be positively affected by the impact the ministry has on the community. The is means that the Jesus must be presented as a God that has not been touched with the feeling of our infirmities according to Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. This is how we make the words jump off the page and Jesus becomes real when we communicate that he can relate to us and He understands where we are in life. He is not far from us but is available to be an active part of our lives. We must teach this generation how to acknowledge God. As the scripture says In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Prov 3:6 to make in this passage is an action word that shows that he is present with us when we acknowledge Him. Through miracles and interventions that take place even today show us that God is very much active in the lives of his people most recently with the release of women who had been kidnapped and held in captivity for over ten years and now they are free! This is God at work. This should be the passionate work of every Pastor to make it know that Jesus is not only real but he acts of behalf of His people. This does not mean that people will not go through issues in life, but it does mean that because God is active in the lives of His people we can make it through every situation. We must learn and grow in this walk knowing that we are ambassadors and with that comes the responsibility to represent Christ to our generation. Word Count: 798 Bibliography Unknown †Do We Matter To God† http://www. internationalstudents. org/kgp-God_matter. php? idlv2=78 May 2013 Stewart, Don â€Å"How Involved Is God in Running the Universe† http://www. blueletterbible. org/faq/don_stewart/stewart. cfm? id=1370 May 2013. Kulikovsky, Andrew â€Å"Creation, preservation and dominion: part 1—God, humanity and the created order† http://creation. mobi/creation-preservation-and-dominion-part-1 May 2013 The Blue Letter Bible www. theblueletterbible. com31 May 2013. Bible Gateway www. biblegateway. com1 May 2013

The Metomorphisis Essay Example For Students

The Metomorphisis Essay Word Count: 452Gregor was the most unselfish person inThe Metamorphosis. This characteristic shows with hisdedication to his work. He was the only family member witha job, believing he was the only one capable of it. Sacrificinghis social life for his work, he had no friends at work, andnever went out at night. His only hobby was fretwork, sittingalone in his room. The only person he was ever intimate withwas his sister Grete. His devotion to his work wasremarkable. In all of the five years he had worked for hisfathers creditor, he had never once been absent. Alwaysready to go out on his rounds as early as possible, he nevertook advantage of time for a break. By the time he got back,the other employees were still eating breakfast. Under thebelief that he was the sole provider for the family, Gregortook up a job with his fathers creditor, before evenconsulting his family. We will write a custom essay on The Metomorphisis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now They, at the time, were of courseimpressed. The flat they were living in was chosen byGregor. Making enough money, he hired a cook andservant. He was even thinking of sending Grete to theconservatorium to further enhance what he believed to bemusical talents. Even after his metamorphosis, he neverasked for much. Showing his concern for others wellbeing,he hid under the couch so as not to disgust anyone by hissight. Although they brought him food everyday, he barelyate any of it. He even wished he were not such a burden onthe family, and that he could have transformed back into hisold self. All of the actions mentioned above displayedGregors unselfishness. After his metamorphosis, nobodyindicated they were grateful for what he had done. After hisfirst absence, the chief clerk himself appeared at Gregorshouse to see what was the matter. When Gregor did notopen his door, the chief clerk accused him of stealing thecompanys funds, and degraded him in front of his parents asbeing insubordinate. After the transformation, Gregorsfather gave little or no love or support. Instead, he had hurtGregor many times while ushering Gregor back into theroom. Grete and her mother do, for some time, show a littlesupport. After having Gregor around for a while howeverGrete asserted that they should somehow get rid of him. Atthis point, Gregor realized that his family no longer loves him,and gave up on life. Although Gregor did aid his family in acritical time of need, they hardly acknowledged this fact afterhis transformation. They never even tried to understand him.For the past five years, he provided for his family, and whenhe needed them, they did not care. After his metamorphosis,they all got jobs, something Gregor thought they wereincapable of. After his death, they moved out of the flat,which was too expensive for them, leaving all of theirmemories, starting anew without him.