Abstract
Using Immanuel Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals' as criterion, this paper discusses the ethical issues surrounding the deceitful practices that eventually led to the exposure and downfall of Enron. The writer describes first how Enron used investors as a means to an end and then explains why, according to Kant, this constitutes an unethical action. Some possible alternative scenarios that could have protected the investors in this case as well as any future cases of corporate deceit are discussed, but the paper concludes that deceit will endure as long there are those who are willing to put their trust in others.

From the Paper
"In the case of the now defunct energy giant Enron Corp (Cases in Business Ethics, 2006, p.10), the management took advantage of the trust of investors by pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars while deliberately covering up and lying about the company's imminent financial collapse. Rather than name specific offenders, the word management is used in this discussion since it took the collusion of numerous individuals to hide Enron's true performance from investors. The ethical problem in this case is not the risks the management of Enron took or the loss of investor money. Investment risk and bankruptcy are known realities to investors and are not unethical in and of themselves. The breach of ethics in this case occurs when management deceives the trust of shareholders as a means to achieve personal profit."

Tags:greed victim, categorical imperative, secrecy manipulation, Arthur Andersen

Abstract
This paper examines death as addressed by two influential philosophers, Socrates and Epicurus. These philosophers take different approaches in viewing death and both have their own distinct reasons regarding it, however they reach the same conclusion, that death should not be feared. The paper discusses how Socrates addressees the uncertainty that follows death and how death may be even more pleasant than the life we once lived, while Epicurus addressees the non-existence of death, and illustrates how death does not affect us.

From the Paper
"We shall begin our examination by looking at Socrates and the various arguments he makes. Socrates, a prolific philosopher in ancient Greece, was sentenced to execution and though given the chance to escape chose to stay and accept his punishment. According to Socrates, death is the will of the Gods and they alone know what lies after death. Mankind does not have the ability to acquire such knowledge, and therefore the afterlife is unknown to man. Socrates believes that individuals fear death because they fear the unknown, he therefore concludes that "fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom" (Plato, p. 3-4). Socrates gives two possible scenarios of what the afterlife may be like: "Either death is a state of nothingness and utter unconsciousness, or... there is a change and migration of the soul from this world to another" (Plato, p. 8). Socrates contends that there is no reason to fear an endless sleep, as it is a placid period which is pleasant to oneself."

Tags:death, epicurus, socrates

Abstract
This paper examines how Benedict De Spinoza, in his "Ethics", delimits the concept of parallelism as a means to overcome the Cartesian mind-body dilemma. Building his metaphysical interpretation upon the idea that there exists one single substance, Spinoza proceeds to prove through his propositions that this one substance must necessarily exist. The paper points out that this substance is perceivable through its attributes, which appear to be distinct from one another, though in actuality are different aspects of the same substance. The paper focuses on two of the attributes, thought and extension, which correspond to the mind and body. The paper concludes that Spinoza's parallelism seeks to solve the mind-body dilemma by positing that these two distinct attributes are of a single substance.

From the Paper
"Modes are the way in which the attributes of the one, infinite substance manifests its essence; in other words, everything we know is a mode of the eternal substance manifesting in itself. An important aspect of this conceptualization is that not only the entirety of the physical universe exists as a mode, but also all thoughts, ideas and events. Spinoza's definition states that "[b]y mode I understand the affectations of a substance, or that which is in another through which it is also conceived". Existence is possessed only by substance, thus substance is in itself, while modes are in substance. Likewise, the essence of a thing belongs to the substance, not its modes, thus the mutable qualities of things are not the totality of their being. Descartes' wax analogy would be explained by pointing out that all of its observational qualities may change, yet its essence as wax would persist because that essence lies in the substance of which the wax is a mode. As Spinoza clarifies, "[p]articular things are nothing but affectations of God's attributes, or modes by which God's attributes are expressed in a certain and determinate way"."

Tags:mode, infinite, substance, existence, essence, Escher, Cartesian, mind-body, dilemma, Descartes

Abstract
This paper provides an overview and discussion of Charles Taylor's argument in "Malaise of Modernity." The writer discusses the context of Taylor's argument, the problem Taylor addresses, its relation to the Rawls-Habermas debate, Taylor's method, key elements of his argument and its importance for theological ethics. Taylor identifies three different types of malaises in modern society, and individualism as the chief of these three. The writer then explains the differences and similarities between Taylor's approach and that of Rawls and Habermas, and that Taylor's insights and arguments demonstrate a method in which all traditions can utilize something inherent within themselves that in turn points beyond themselves to come to consensus. This will aid all humans to understand others of differing traditions better and live harmoniously with one another.

From the Paper
"The main difficulty with individualism is that it is being lived out in western society in the form of a "soft" relativism that in fact does not recognize any sort of moral ideal and thereby complete ignores or fails to recognize the moral ideal of authenticity. Relativism itself does have a moral ideal but any discussion of a moral is prevented by appealing to relativism. This appeal to relativism trivializes everyone's positions and renders them all effete and meaningless. To take such a position is to invalidate your own position and to hold the concept of relativism up as the moral ideal. When this is lived out in a liberal society all traditions are viewed as neutral with respect to the public sphere and this in turn relegates any discussion of moral ideals to the private domain."

Tags:enlightenment, authenticity, dialogical, resolution, reason, perspective, Augustine, critique

Abstract
The ethical theory of 'act utilitarianism' regards the solution to moral problems in terms of a calculus or algorithm that will, when given the relevant input, be able to provide the 'morally right' output. This paper describes the role that the ethical theory of act-utilitarianism plays in Woody Allen's movie, "Crimes and Misdemeanors". The paper argues that act-utilitarianism is shown to be a faulty ethical theory according to the movie.

From the Paper
"Even assuming that happiness were something that was objective and easily measured, it could still be possible for two people to have differences of opinion in deciding which morally correct course of action to take. While Judah may have seen the murder of Delores as being the course of action that not only preserved his happiness and the happiness of his family and all of those around him, were Delores to be consulted, she would have most likely come up with a different conclusion. Assuming that she was using act utilitarianism to come to her decision as well, Delores probably would have argued that Judah leaving his wife would have led to more happiness in the long run that the ending of her own life."

Tags:litch, mary, philosophy

Abstract
Behaviorism, as described by philosopher B.F. Skinner in his work "Walden Two", is a scientific manner of understanding human actions as based on a certain set of principles. The paper examines Skinner's view that all actions are the result of a series of determined factors in "competition" with each other. Whichever factor proves to be dominant will determine the final action. The paper argues that while these factors can be "charted" to determine the probable end results of human action, it should be noted that these factors are not always totally predictable. It shows that Skinner, though, would simply argue that this lack of predictability was merely a technical problem that would eventually be resolved.

From the Paper
"Finally there exists the problem of ultimate control. His whole concept of society is to be based on regulated planning to produce favorable situations, but who or what would be responsible for this centralized control. Skinner proposes that the "charlatans" who now have control over certain segmented areas will be replaced when all is "united", but he does not suggest who it is that will replace them. Obviously someone or something must be in overall command of this series of controls, but on what basis will this be decided."

Tags:reinforcement, humanity

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of euthanasia and attempts to define whether euthanasia should be considered morally wrong or right. In order to give an answer to this question and as part of con and pro arguments several cases of voluntary and involuntary euthanasia are discussed in this paper. The case of Robert Latimer occupies a central place in this discussion and ultimately brings into the debate several moral principles-- benefit, sanctity of human life and autonomy.

From the Paper
"Robert Latimer s trial was described in the press as Trial by popularity and as newspapers' headlines stated despite his second murder conviction, Latimer retains legal and public support regardless of the fact that he caused death of his 12 year old disabled daughter by carbon monoxide. Support and sympathy for Latimer has poured in from all parts of Canada bringing with it the question of the moral rightness of what Tracy s father did."

Tags:human, life, moral, principles, robert, rodrigez, sanctity, sue, tracy

Abstract
The paper discusses Immanuel Kant's and John Stuart Mill's systems of ethical behavior and shows their similarities in how both are concerned with the moral and ethical duties of the individual with regards to the whole of humanity. The paper reveals how both theories are incomplete; Kant's "Categorical Imperative" suffers from the contradiction that arises when moral actions engender immoral consequences, while Mill's Utilitarianism fails to provide an unambiguous way to judge individual moral actions.

From the Paper
"Immanuel Kant, in The Foundations of the Metaphysic of Morals, puts forth a deontological theory of moral action in a trio of formulations called the "Categorical Imperative". It is considered deontological because it is concerned solely with what one "ought" to do, rather than the consequences of action. Thus the determination of ethical behavior is based upon an obligation to act according to a rational principle which is itself universal, absolute, and unconcerned with the consequences. This foundational aspect of the theory is rendered problematic when moral actions create immoral circumstances. If the Categorical Imperative holds all untruths to be immoral, then honestly answering a murderer who requests that one identify the intended victim would be a morally right action that results in a morally objectionable murder."

Tags:Categorical, Imperative, Utilitarianism, morals, consequences, happiness

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that a solution proposed to the organ donor shortage is the commercialization of human body parts, and that this is a solution well worth investigation. The writer notes that in this increasingly commercial world it should come as no surprise that individuals are willing to pay for organ transplants. In fact, individuals do pay for organ transplants on a regular basis, but they do so in a manner that is currently against the law and frequently very dangerous. The writer discusses that through putting law and regulation in place individuals could receive organ transplants without leaving their own country, and donors from within the same country could receive monetary compensation for their organ donation, as well as proper medical after care. The writer concludes that if commercialized organ donation is what it will take to save lives and to prevent the exploitation of the less fortunate who are coerced into illegal and unsafe organ donation, then it should be considered a very viable solution.

From the Paper
"Due to the organ crisis, there is a rampant black market for organs, especially kidneys, that sees individuals in deprived, often third-world countries selling their organs to rich Westerners. There are a number of serious and medically dangerous issues associated with this growing trend, not least of which is the unsatisfactory care provided to the donors. Individuals who donate their organs usually do so for very small amounts of money and receive substandard health care following their donation. The doctors who perform these illicit operations are the ones who benefit financially, while the individual who purchased the organ usually survives much longer, but still may not receive the best after-care due to the illegal nature of the operation. The donors often experience a decrease in livelihood and standard of living as they develop medical conditions that prevent them from participating in the manual labour force that is usually the only available employment. Regardless of restrictions and laws against these black market transactions, they continue, and will continue, and almost understandably. Being faced with a life threatening condition and having the means to remedy the situation through the wielding of power and money would be an opportunity not easily turned down by many individuals."

Tags:transplants, body, black, market, compensation

Abstract
In the philosophy of law, two competing factions each offer compelling arguments as to the basic nature, origin, authority and responsibility of law. These two theories are known as Natural Law Theory and Legal Positivism. This paper shows that while there are many disagreements between the two theories, at the heart of the argument is the questionable relationship between law and morality. The paper examines how Natural Law Theorists argue that there is an essential and innate overlap between law and morality, while Legal Positivists argue that while the decisions of law and morality do occasionally overlap, there is no natural relationship between them.

From the Paper
"Legal Positivists rely on a sovereign to legislate law; this sovereign,
whether it be a monarch, an aristocracy, an elected parliament, or any other person or body that writes the law for a society. For a sovereign to be considered as such, most, if not all, of the population must follow the sovereign's laws, and there must be a threat of force to enforce the law. If either of these conditions are not met, the leader cannot claim to be a true sovereign entity. Also, the sovereign cannot be subject to another sovereign's authority, such as God; if a sovereign is to be the head of a society and the maker of laws, she must be invulnerable to persuasion or else she is not a sovereign."

Tags:Judeo-Christian, John, Stuart, Mill, Jeremy, Bentham, Hobbes