The Divine Command Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Divine Command Theory - Essay Example Too many words and arguments have been expended on this topic, but let me draw my reason from this simple passage to why this theory should be endorsed: " God is love." [1 John 4:8]. If we believe that God does not declare what is good, and simply commands us to do it, just because he is the stronger and he is therefore the authority, isn't it hard to obey The human nature is stubborn, that I believe. But if we are to think that there are these existing commandments, from an authority who knows our inmost being, Someone who provides our needs even before we ask for it, the One who loves us unconditionally (these I learned from Sunday schools), isn't it true that it will be easier to follow I deem that the same God I got to know on Sunday schools is the same God being talked about in the Divine Command Theory. Therefore, to endorse the theory will mean no harm; instead this will lead people to do good, embrace what is good, and to obey His commandments. One main objection to the Divine Command theory is the so-called Euthyphro Dilemma, proposed by Plato. The dilemma goes like this: "are morally good acts good because God commands it, or God commands it because God Himself is good" From this, at least three problems for a Divine Command Theory arise: The problem of emptiness, whereby "God commands what is good"; the problem of independence, whereby God only commands things because they are already morally good, thus making God irrelevant to the moral rightness of action; and thirdly the problem of horrendous commands, whereby God could, if DCT is true, command acts that we find horrendous The independence problem: how can the notion of "goodness" be objectively separate from God How can one judge God to be good if God is the source of what we call goodness (Peoples). I chose to cite the implication that morality is arbitrary as another standard objection to the theory aside from the well famous Euthyphro Dilemma. It implies that if the theory is true, morality is based only on God's whim. Therefore if God commands cruelty then, it would be only right to obey him and commit cruelty as well. One reply to this objection denies that God, the familiar omnipotent, omniscience, and omnibenevolent theistic deity (Miller), would have commanded such things because, He necessarily does not command evil. Whether God is red in tooth and claw (Kevin Kim), or whether He is the God of love I came to know on Sunday schools, it only means that all of us, from time to time, reflects on that Being to whom goodness emanates, may it be absolute or not depending on your beliefs. Works Cited Wheeler. http://www.philosophy.uconn.edu/department/wheeler/divine.pdf Glenn Andrew Peoples http://www.berettaonline.com/articles/philosophy/echo.html Miller, Christian. "Divine Theory and Obligation". New Waves in Philosophy of Religion. Ed. Y. Nagasawa and E. Wielenberg. Palgrave Macmillan, 105-124.. http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/Z5230U.pdf Kim, Kevin. http://bighominid.blogspot.com/2005/05/divine-command-theory.html Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism is the philosophical principle which says that an individual's beliefs and activities is to be understood by his culture. It holds

Mark McMinn, the author of the book Psychology Essay Example for Free

Mark McMinn, the author of the book Psychology Essay Theology and Spirituality, did an excellent job discussing the aspects of psychology, theology and spirituality, and how they can be integrated by a Counselor. Each chapter opened with a real life example of what it would be like to not properly integrate psychology, theology and spirituality. Christian counselors are charged to incorporate spirituality in their personal lives and properly display these same practices with their clients. Christian counselors are individuals who seek and successfully become trained in counseling theories and techniques as well as theology practices such as using prayer and scripture. â€Å"This type of training can rarely be accomplished in the classroom. But it calls us to lives of spiritual discipline and a personal love for scripture† (McMinn, 2011, p. 139). According to McMinn, the goals of Christian counseling are multi-faceted (McMinn, 2011). Most counseling maps are focused on mental health. McMinn (2011) presented a healing map. This map displayed the link between self-sufficiency, brokenness and the healing relationship and how they relate to the core foundations; prayer, scripture, sin, confessions, forgiveness and redemption. Effective counselors are passionate and irrepressible in the walk with God. McMinn also cautions counselors on the limitations and challenges they will face in counseling. Each section discussed one core foundation. McMinn not only discussed these topics in depth, he also related them to the healing map by answering these three questions; Will this help establish a healthy sense of self? Will this help establish a healthy sense of need? And will this help establish a healing relationship? (McMinn, 2011). McMinn discussed the true purpose that self-sufficiency served and pointed out that this purpose was greatly corrupted, leading to the brokenness that requires a healing relationship. Self-sufficiency is our freedom to love and be kind. When we take this freedom too far, we end up having to face consequences that can have lasting effects, with the absence of a healing relationship. Brokenness not only causes us to seek counseling, but it draws us nearer to God and this in turn allows a true healing relationship to begin (McMinn, 2011). The foundations that McMinn discussed; prayer, scripture, confession of sin, forgiveness and redemptions, are all needed to properly devise therapy that will have actual results. When a counselor uses prayer in their session, it  enhances the client’s spiritual growth which also strengthens their faith (McMinn, 2011). â€Å"When we pray we humble ourselves and ask to become a partner in knowing and doing God’s will† (McMinn, 2011, p.85). When scripture is applied in counseling, it not only teaches the client how to understand it, but how to incorporate it in their lives, further strengthening their relationshi p with God. Scripture also helps the client recognize and understand sin. The realization of sin, helps the client understand why they are suffering and that there is real hope to overcome the suffering when they overcome sin. After acknowledging their sin, the client can now accept forgiveness and mercy. When the client is competent in acknowledging their sin and accepting mercy, they are not capable of establishing a sense of self (McMinn, 2011). The best part of the process is redemption. Redemption allows the counselor to honestly look at each core foundation with the client. Redemption provides that mirror of change and the growth to overcome obstacles in the future. Concrete Response Reference McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (Rev. ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House

Media Stereotypes Essay -- Media Stereotypes Stereotyping

Media Stereotypes â€Å"Media stereotypes are inevitable, especially in the advertising, entertainment and news industries, which need as wide an audience as possible to quickly understand information. Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or group of people—usually relating to their class, ethnicity or race, gender, sexual orientation, social role or occupation.† Stereotypes are deeply embedded in every society in numerous ways. The dictionary definition of a stereotype is â€Å"one that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.† Stereotyping or Labeling is a technique that â€Å"attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labeling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, loathes, or finds undesirable.† These stereotypes become so clichà © that they begin to form daily thoughts and views and one is unable to look beyond them. They then become dominant ideologies that are impossible to remove. These stereotypes are inevitable since they have been a key player in the propaganda that the west promotes to other cultures and societies. Media plays a vital role in producing these stereotypes. This is because the media is a very dominant mode of communications in the society that we live in today. In the past 50 years the media has shaped thoughts and influenced people in numerous ways. â€Å"Most common forms of media are television, radio, newspaper, magazines, direct mail, and billboards.† We are bombarded everyday in some way or the other by images from the media world. Therefore, it becomes impossible to escape the messages that are presented to us over and over again. These stereotypes are there in order to form propagand... ...ns.biz/marketing/marketing_definitions.htm. consulted on Monday, March 29, 2004 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Online at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda . Consulted on Monday, March 29, 2004 PRATKANIS, Anthony and ARONSON, Elliot. Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion . New York : W.H. Freeman and Company, 1991. Media Network Analysis. Media Portrayals of Girls and Women: Introduction. Online at: http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/index.cfm . Consulted on Sunday, March 28, 2004 Quote from the text on the woman in the Bijan image. Online at http://www.mediawatchyouth.ca/images.php?cat=rr . Consulted on Friday, April 02, 2004 . DYER, Richard. Gays and Film. Online at http://gente.chueca.com/peliculas2/libros/richarddyer/gaysandfilm.htm . Consulted on Friday, April 02, 2004

Lads & Lassies

Arthur Gharakhanian Lads & Lassies (LL) ACCU-620 Brandman University Week 4, Assignment 2 November 14th, 2012 Lads & Lassies Introduction Classifying how the income statement needs to be coded for Lads & Lassies is a two step processes. I will be using the data provided in the case along with information from FASB's Accounting Standards Codification. FASB's coding system is being used to help prepare the layout and ensure proper reporting of the items listed in the case analysis. Some minor changes need to be done to the income statement format to make it presentable which will be noted in the analysis.Please reference Appendix A throughout the analysis to see how the income statement is ultimately being constructed. Analysis – 2005 When constructing the 2005 income statement for Lads & Lassies, I will be using a multi step income statement as this is the format that â€Å"includes other important revenue and expense classifications makes the income statement more useful† (Kieso, 2012). We have limited information to use for 2005, but we can still construct an income statement up to gross profit.We will adhere to FASB rule ASC 225-10-S99-2 (Regulation S-X Rule 5-03, Income Statements), which regulates the relevant items and their components which should be separately stated in the income statement and their arrangement for the presentation. This coding rule provides us the guidance on how to label and present the revenue generated by Lads & Lassies. Also included in this rule is the requirement on how to report costs and expenses associated with the applicable sales be reported separately on the income statement. Therefore we will breakout the expenses directly tied to sales on their own line item (Cost of Goods Sold).Lastly in 2005 we will calculate the gross profit, which â€Å"tells us how much money an entity would have earned if it Lads & Lassies didn’t pay any other expenses such as salary, income taxes, office supplies, utility, ren t, etc. † (Kieso, 2012). Analysis – 2006 The accounting reporting standards mentioned in the 2005 analysis still apply, however, there are additional standards that need to be applied in 2006. When constructing the income statement we will have to address the gain on sale of corporate headquarters and the class action settlement.In accordance with ASC 225-20-45-4(d), † the sale or abandonment of property used in the business is being excluded from being presented as an extra-ordinary item† (FASB, 1973). However, when the gain or loss of a building is associated with the movement of corporate headquarters, we would use ACS 225-20-45-16 (Presentation of Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items). This rule states that â€Å"a material event or transaction that is unusual in nature or occurs infrequently but not both, shall be reported as a separate component of income from continuing operations† (FASB, 1973).Rules ASC 225-20-45-4 & ASC 225-20-45-16 also a ddress the presentation of the settlement received from the class action lawsuit. We must report the gain or loss from the class action lawsuit in other income (expense) section of the income statement. This section will follow the income and cost of goods sold sections, thereby â€Å"adding back† revenue to the gross profit to reveal a new gross profit. These transactions could be considered below the line entries and would follow indirect expenses (salaries, rent, etc. , but since those items are not present these entries will follow revenue and cost of goods sold. Conclusion Using FASB we are able to determine how to properly present Lads & Lassies income statements. The changes that accompany the growing company from 2005 to 2006 are easily Lads & Lassies recorded and presented in the income statements year over year. Being able to distinguish what is an unusual or infrequently occurring item is crucial in determining if it falls under operations or non-operating income ( loss).Although the income statement is not complete as we are missing information regarding expenses not directly tied to revenue, the income statements presented (Appendix A) are complete and prepared to code. References FASB ASC 225-20-45-2. [Predecessor literature: â€Å"Reporting the Results of Operations,† Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board No. 30 (New York: AICPA, 1973), par. 20. ] FASB ASC 225-20-45-4. [Predecessor literature: â€Å"Reporting the Results of Operations,† Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board No. 30 (New York: AICPA, 1973), par. 3, as amended by â€Å"Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets,† Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (Norwalk, Conn. : FASB, 2001). ] FASB ASC 225-20-45-16. [Predecessor literature: â€Å"Reporting the Results of Operations,† Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board No. 30 (New York: AICPA, 1973), par. 23, as amended by â€Å"Accounting for the Impairm ent or Disposal of Long-lived Assets,† Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (Norwalk, Conn. : FASB, 2001). ] Kieso, D. E. , Weygandt, J. J. , & Warfield, T.D. (2012). Intermediate accounting, 14th edition binder ready version. (14 ed. ). Wiley. Appendix A | | | Lads & Lassies Income Statement| Fiscal Year Ending on January 29, 2005| (Figures in Millions)| |   |   | Revenue|   |   | Clothing| $ 70. 60 |   | Sassy Spa| $ 3. 90 |   | Total Revenue|   | $ 74. 50 | |   |   | Less: Cost of goods sold|   | $ 46. 50 | |   |   | Gross Profit|   | $ 28. 00 | | | | | | | Lads & Lassies Income Statement| Fiscal Year Ending on January 28, 2006| (Figures in Millions)| |   |   | Revenue|   |   |Clothing| $ 71. 10 |   | Sassy Spa| $ 11. 20 |   | Transaction value| $ 4. 20 |   | Total Revenue|   | $ 86. 50 | |   |   | Less: Cost of Goods Sold: Clothing| $ 46. 50 |   | Cost of Goods Sold: Sassy Spa| $ 9. 60 |   | Total Cost of Goo ds Sold|   | $ 56. 10 | |   |   | Gross Profit|   | $ 30. 40 | |   |   | Non-Operating Income|   |   | Gain (Loss) on Sale of Building| $ 1. 70 |   | Income from Law-Suit Settlement| $ 2. 70 |   | Total Non-Operating Income|   | $ 4. 40 | |   |   | Net Income|   | $ 34. 80 |

Animal Farm Summative Essay

Animal Farm is an allegorical novel by George Orwell. It is considered to be an allegory because the farm and the various controversies within it are representing Russia’s condition before and after its overthrow of the tyrannical tsar. The novel explores more than just political conflicts – it shows the lengths human nature and gluttony can go, how surplus of power can destroy the truest of morality, how greed is present in every governing system, and no book, rule, or law can obliterate avarice. It also cleverly observes how humans alter their relationships and mask their true feelings towards others for their own security, and this course of action is evident in the relationship between Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington. Napoleon plays a greater role in the aftermath of the rebellion, rather than evoking the rebellion itself, and Mr. Pilkington does not play a great role in the novel until after the rebellion. Napoleon, from the very beginning, is made out to be an antagonist as he indulges in all sorts of suspicious activity, and constantly engages in arguments with Snowball, his partner in looking after the new â€Å"liberal† Animal Farm. The Seven Commandments are against everything man stands for, including Pilkington of Foxwood, and even if they do not have a direct relationship with each other in the beginning, Mr. Pilkington and Napoleon are enemies, because, as Old Major had once said, â€Å"Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever† (4). Napoleon and Snowball have a very idealistic view of Animal Farm, but Napoleon’s attitude towards everything is noticed to be changed after the overthrow of Snowball. His hatred towards the other farmers had already started to falter when their rations fell short, but it is perceived that Napoleon started favoring Mr. Pilkington as he was against Frederick of Pinchfield, where Snowball was rumored to have resided. But their relationship is much like a seesaw as Napoleon goes through a phase of indecisiveness as to whether or not trust Mr. Pilkington as he had declined him any help during the Battle of the Windmill. For instance, when he had sent the pigeons to ask for help, Mr. Pilkington only replied with, â€Å"Serves you right†. As the novel progresses, the commandments are slowly altered, and this shows that Napoleon’s mind is slowly changing, his attitude towards the commandments are changing, and his attitude towards the humans are changing as well. For instance, the commandment â€Å"No animal shall sleep in a bed,† is altered to â€Å"No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets,† for Napoleon’s own luxury, and this not only shows that Napoleon has a new outlook on life, but also a new outlook on humans – not only that, but he alters all commandments, showing he is becoming more and more like a human every day, until finally, the day comes when he stands on his hind legs, indulges himself in alcohol, and is seen to be playing poker with Mr. Pilkington. The most important chapter concerning Napoleon’s relationship with Mr. Pilkington would be the last chapter of the novel when the pair are chatting and laughing, when they both draw aces in a game of poker. This sig nifies the looming power struggle between the two. Both Napoleon and Pilkington are striving to be the stronger party and will stoop to any level to emerge the winner. At the beginning of the novel Napoleon treats Pilkington with heavy disdain, and tries to form an isolated community of self-sufficient animals. As the novel progresses Napoleon engages in trade with Pilkington’s farm, and conspires with him to frame Snowball and make him appear a traitor. His relationship with Pilkington is purely selfish and both of them after the same end, to be the stronger of the two farms. To conclude, in Napoleon’s pursuit of creating his idealistic socialist utopia, he ended up turning into the evil he set out to banish, and turning into what all the animals dreaded – turning into a human, just like Pilkington, which is why â€Å"it was impossible to tell which was which†(89).

Free Essays on Marquis De Condorcet

Marquis De Condorcet Marie Jean Caritat also known as Marquis De Condorcet became one of the leading human rights advocates to reflect and act on the issues of slavery, women’s’ rights and other infringements on human rights during the French Revolution. Marquis de Condorcet was recognized as being such an advocate of human rights through his writings and political encouragement of rights throughout the French Revolution. Marquis de Condorcet’s constant devotion helped gain all human beings our natural rights. Marquis De Condorcet was born in Ribemont, Aisne in 1743 where he grew up with his mother. His father was a cavalry captain and died five weeks after his birth. Marquis de Condorcet’s mother was a very religious person which raised him to be Catholic. At the age of nine Condorcet went to live with his uncle that sent him to a Jesuit school in Rheims. In 1758, Condorcet was sent to college at the University of Paris where he learned religion and Latin, and mathematics. Condorcet took a liking to mathematics and decided to devote his life to studying it. At the age of sixteen he was acknowledged for his analytical abilities. This gained him respect from many people such as Jean le Rond D’Alembert, which decided to take him under his wing and teach him. Once Condorcet gained the respect of others his career sparked off. Throughout the later half of Condorcet’s life he pondered ideas and expressed his beliefs of natural rights. Condorcet used his political career to help focus on his philosophies on human rights. Not only did Condorcet use his political career in many ways to help human rights, but he also used it to demonstrate voting rights and other forms of politics which apply to all people. For example in 1785 Condorcet demonstrated how three different majorities could have equal power in voting through what is known as Condorcet’s paradox. Out of all of the ideas which Condorcet reflected he first deno... Free Essays on Marquis De Condorcet Free Essays on Marquis De Condorcet Marquis De Condorcet Marie Jean Caritat also known as Marquis De Condorcet became one of the leading human rights advocates to reflect and act on the issues of slavery, women’s’ rights and other infringements on human rights during the French Revolution. Marquis de Condorcet was recognized as being such an advocate of human rights through his writings and political encouragement of rights throughout the French Revolution. Marquis de Condorcet’s constant devotion helped gain all human beings our natural rights. Marquis De Condorcet was born in Ribemont, Aisne in 1743 where he grew up with his mother. His father was a cavalry captain and died five weeks after his birth. Marquis de Condorcet’s mother was a very religious person which raised him to be Catholic. At the age of nine Condorcet went to live with his uncle that sent him to a Jesuit school in Rheims. In 1758, Condorcet was sent to college at the University of Paris where he learned religion and Latin, and mathematics. Condorcet took a liking to mathematics and decided to devote his life to studying it. At the age of sixteen he was acknowledged for his analytical abilities. This gained him respect from many people such as Jean le Rond D’Alembert, which decided to take him under his wing and teach him. Once Condorcet gained the respect of others his career sparked off. Throughout the later half of Condorcet’s life he pondered ideas and expressed his beliefs of natural rights. Condorcet used his political career to help focus on his philosophies on human rights. Not only did Condorcet use his political career in many ways to help human rights, but he also used it to demonstrate voting rights and other forms of politics which apply to all people. For example in 1785 Condorcet demonstrated how three different majorities could have equal power in voting through what is known as Condorcet’s paradox. Out of all of the ideas which Condorcet reflected he first deno...

Thesis Topics

Thesis Topics Thesis Topics Thesis Topics The essential part of the Master's and Doctoral students is to complete a thesis. But to find a potential thesis topic is rather difficult task. The following thesis writing tips will help you during your thesis writing. A thesis topic must grow from your own energies and interests. Start thesis writing with something you are familiar with or what you are interested, you should defined your general area of interest. Think about your hobbies, some efforts you have taken part in, etc. You also may write your thesis by means of elaborations or expansions of your successful junior papers. Before writing a thesis think about your earlier junior papers you have written in your previous courses. Finding a topic within an area of interest is more difficult. Your topic should be formulated as a question. But the questions can't be too broad, because a thesis's topic must have focus. It also doesn't mean that it should be too narrow because the goal of a good thesis is to express thoughts of g eneral importance through detailed analysis of a specific case or cases. Because the purpose of this process is to formulate provoke question, the best way to uncover topics in your area of interest is to begin posing questions. Read relative issues and literature to your topic. If your topic seems too broad, this reading will give you some ideas how to narrow your topic. If your question is too narrow, a selection of articles and books can lead you to the general concerns that relate to your interest. Parts of a Thesis Some research projects involve a practical component of experimentation, research in libraries which includes designing the methodology, then analyzing and reporting on the findings in the thesis document. Your plans would need to cover undertaking your research study, analyzing results, writing a preliminary paper on the project, doing further research with further analysis and publication, writing and submitting the thesis, and so on. These are important stages but you should also be thinking further ahead. It is important to keep in mind the final thesis structure and the time line for completing individual chapters. The presentation of thesis follows a standard order. Here is a list to help you during preparation: Preliminary material Title page Acknowledgments Dedication Table of contents Abstract or summary Glossary Preface Substantive material Introduction Literature review Other chapters Conclusion Final sections Bibliography Appendices References CUSTOM THESIS You are welcome to order custom thesis writing service at and professional writer will assist you with project completion.   We guarantee high quality and timely delivery.