Natural Law, Rationality and the Social Contract Essay

Each day, billions of people throughout the world affirm their commitment to a specific idea; to be part of a society. While this social contract is often overlooked by most citizens, their agreement to it nevertheless has far-reaching consequences. Being a member of society entails relinquishing self-autonomy to a higher authority, whose aim should be to promote the overall good of the populace. While making this decision to become part of a commonwealth is usually performed without explicit deliberation, there is a common consensus amongst philosophers that something unique to the human experience is the driving force behind this decision. Contained within this something are highly contested points of debate amongst both past and†¦show more content†¦Aquinas believed that God allowed the realization of natural laws to be derived from eternal laws through the rationality that He gave His creations. Aquinas stated that â€Å"the natural law is promulgated by God when he imp lants it in the minds of human beings so that they know it by nature,† (Aquinas, page 16). Aquinas devised that all laws fell into specific categories that were ordered relative to their distance from God’s eternal law. The importance of natural law for Aquinas was found within what it provided to humanity; the guidance from God on what should be considered good or evil. Quoting Romans 2:14, Aquinas noted that â€Å"although they do not have the written law, they have a natural law, whereby each of them understands and is conscious of good and evil,† (Aquinas, page 18). This knowledge was twofold according to Aquinas; it provided mankind with the general guidance that God wanted us to follow (the primary percepts) and allowed for the creation of more specific human law (the secondary precepts). He stated â€Å"†¦human reason needs to advance from the precepts of the natural law, as general and indemonstrable first principles, to matters that are to be more particularly regulated,† (Aquinas, page 19). Thus, Aquinas saw natural law as the product of utilizing reason to decipher God’s commands from eternal law, which in turnShow MoreRelatedSocial Contract Theory: Natural Rights and Personhood Within Democracy 1387 Words   |  6 PagesPersonhood is a central issue within ethics and natural rights debates. For any theory of ethics or system of declaring natural rights which purports how man should be treated and/or to what rights he is so entitled must begin with what ‘man’ is. There is no doubt man has an inherent value that entities such as flies and trees lack. This value does not come from mere physical form, but from what comprises personhood; because these things can be separated from our physical form they can fail to beRead MoreLiberal Ideas Of Equality And The Right Of Law1591 Words   |  7 PagesLiberal ideas of equality and the right of law may be normative to this current epoch but these ideas w ere considered radical at their time (Fielding et al. 2009, p. 127). Rising to prominence during the 18th century Enlightenment, liberal ideas has roots in the period of the protestant reformation in the 16th century, with ideas of increased importance and faith in the individual and his rationality in opposition to the central authority of the Catholic Church (Fielding et al., 2009, p. 106).Read MoreEssay on Modern Western Political Thought1157 Words   |  5 Pagesis born free, and everywhere he is in chains.† with this now famous quotation Jean- Jacque Rousseau begins his work The Social Contract. The purpose of The Social Contract was to establish how people could enter into civil societies without sacrificing their individual freedom. Rousseau envisions a social contract that would bind people together. To analyze The Social Contract we must examine how Rousseau addresses the four problems of political philosophy order, freedom, justice, and history. Read MoreThe Impact of the Scientific Revolution Upon the Enlightenment 975 Words   |  4 Pagesthe discoveries made about the natural world would ultimately challenge the way people perceived the world around them. Scientist found real answers, by questioning flawed ancient beliefs that were widely held and maintained by the church. Ultimately, these discoveries and scientific advancements would evolve and effect social, cultural, and political developments in Europe over the course of time. The scientific revolution had provided certainty about the natural world that had long been questionedRead MoreLocke And Rousseau s Natural State Of Nature1252 Words   |  6 PagesRousseau describe the natural state of man as being innately free, although their opinions on freedom differ. In Second Treatise of Government, Locke depicts man as being naturally free because he believes that, in nature, we are able to do as we please and every person is equal. Rousseau describes the natural man as being free f rom the corruption and desires that society forces onto man. Locke and Rousseau agree that the best state is the freest, and that the purpose of a social contract ought to be toRead MoreThomas Hobbes And The Social Contract3563 Words   |  15 PagesThomas Hobbes (1588-1679), an English philosopher published the work, Leviathan, which proposed the concept of the social contract, in which societal assimilation mandates submission to authoritarian rule, with a relinquishment of certain rights, in return for protection and aid. Hobbes offered a foundational premise for benefits that otherwise might be absent, if not for societal constructs. John Locke, another English philosopher published the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, which expoundedRead MoreThomas Hobbes Biography And View On Justice1447 Words   |  6 Pageseventually become a state of war of all against all. He attempted to justify the absolute power of the sovereign on the basis of a hypothetical social contract in w hich individuals seek to protect themselves from one another by agreeing to obey the sovereign in all matters. The key element in Hobbes’s view on human nature was the importance of desires. He believes Law is the regulation over human kind`s essential selfishness. His works are considered important statements of the nascent ideas of liberalismRead MoreThe Natural State Of Man910 Words   |  4 PagesThe natural state of man has been a reoccurring theme when reviewing the history of political philosophy and theory. This study has helped societies develop laws and common goals. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) theory is still strikingly relevant in today’s law and order. His main concern was how people lived: how to avoid war since people lived in defensive fear. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) challenged Hobbes’s philosophy. He says, â€Å"The passage from the state of nature to the civil state producesRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Social Justice1507 Words   |  7 PagesEquality, fairness, and equal distribution are concepts that are embedded in social justice. Individuals living in harmony for mutual benefit living in a state of society are set out by social contract. This paper will firstly show, the background of the philosophy of social justice. Then it will focus on John Rawls Theory of Justice. Secondly, It addresses the stages of the Theory of Justice, It then historical nature of social justice in conjunction with western philosophy. Lastly it will look at theRead MoreHobbes And Rousseau s Views On The State Of Nature868 Words   |  4 Pagesin order to shield themselves from men’s natural state of misery and fear. On the other hand, Rousseau didn’t see it this way. Rousseau did not see this a valid argument because he believes that a man in a early natural state of mind is happier. With all this being said, Rousseau and Hobbes have different views on the state of nature but both see the state of Nature of a man as a pha se before the formation of a political society. Hobbes sees the natural state of a man as miserable, and brutal because

Essential Journal One Free Essays

This paper will also validate what I have learnt by providing examples of personal or professional experiences as it relates to essentials I and II. Lastly this paper will describe future learning needs necessary to achieve each essential. Annihilation of Learning The past 1 7 months at Nova Southeastern has molded me in understanding why a BBS degree was/is the standard for entry into the nursing practice. We will write a custom essay sample on Essential Journal One or any similar topic only for you Order Now An associate degree in nursing (DAN) and diploma nurses came about due to the massive shortage that the nursing profession was facing. According to Alton (201 1) â€Å"one rational for the push for BBS nurses is because recent studies have indicated that there is decreased morbidity, mortality, and failure-to-rescue rates in hospitals that employ larger percentages of baccalaureate prepared nurse† (p. 257). Essential I Essential I talked about the liberal education for baccalaureate generalist nursing practice. According to the (American Association of College of Nursing CAN], (2008) â€Å"nursing graduates with a liberal education exercises clinical judgment, understanding the reasoning behind policies and standards, and respect responsibility for continued development of self and the discipline of nursing† (p. 1 1). Obtaining my BBS has shaped the way I View patient care especially in terms of the many theory developed by nursing theorist. Evidence base practice has given me the insight into better and safer patient care while being able to teach others about what I’ve learnt. Essential II Essential II talks about the basic organizational and systems leadership for quality care and patient safety. Courses taken like leadership, budget and pathologically has equipped us to be better leaders, given us a greater understanding of disease processes, organizational skills needed to manage units, and lastly explore the many ways to improve quality of care and patient safety. The CAN (2008) states that a â€Å"baccalaureate nursing graduates are distinguished by their abilities to identify, assess, and evaluate practice in care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and are feasible within current culture, economic, organizational, and political prospective† (p. 13). Validation of Learning As patient acuity increases along with technological advances in healthcare, we as nurses need to be more educated in order to provide the best care possible to our patients. It is a disservice to our patients for nurses to be comfortable with a two year degree without thought of advancement. Yes a nurse is a nurse, but being well rounded with the educational knowledge needed to better solve complex problems, provide better leadership qualities, and understand evidence base practice is all part of the critical liberal education a BBS degree provides. Essential Example One of the most influential class think was my budget class. The number en reason for this was due to the lack of knowledge about the topic. After completing the course it has help me to realize just how integral each and every one of us are to the budget process. Understanding that healthcare is a business and every item that is used has a cost associated with it gives us the nurse a better awareness. Essential II Example Being able to differentiate between a good leader and a good manager, and learning what it takes to be both are some Of the things I have taken from my adhering class. Throughout my BBS journey Vive learned the reason why core measures were being done on my previous unit for each Congestive earth failure (CHEF) and Myocardial Infarction (MI) admission. Evidence base practice has help me to bridge the gap between nurse patient ratios and medication errors which as a AND nurse could not be conceptualized. Future Learning Needs As navigate through my last 3 course to becoming a Bachelor prepared nurse, believe these courses will provide me with the skills needed to easily adapt to any future learning need that will arise. Being a nurse requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Most if not all of the potential learning outcomes outlined in essential I and II have been reach or is in the process of Ewing reached, from each class I have taken at Nova Southeastern. Conclusion In the ever-changing world of healthcare, nurses need to be able to adapt and conform in order to keep up to the pace. According to Mugginess (2008) â€Å"research links BBS-educated Urns with improved patient outcomes† (p. 47). Research has shown that a BBS prepared nurse possess greater critical thinking skills thus better decision making which leads to a decrease risk of patient deaths and failure to rescue. Personally, having taken on the challenge to further my education has open many doors, along with awarding e greater insight to many processes involved in the ever changing healthcare arena. How to cite Essential Journal One, Papers

Was the Soviet Union Reformable free essay sample

The universal meaning of reform is not merely change, but change that betters people’s lives. † (Cohen, Stephen) In his book, Soviet Fates and Lost Alternatives, Steven Cohen addresses in details in chapter 4 about whether the Soviet Union was reformable. Following how Cohen views the NEP, the answer is that he believes that it was. He contends that the evidence that the opposition presents as to the unreformability of Russia is for the most part, evidentially wrong. Cohen’s reasons for believing that the Soviet Union was reformable was aided by the arguments that he wasn’t. It is in rebutting these arguments that Cohen attempts to establish facts about why the Soviet Union could have been saved. On the matter of â€Å"original sin† which proffers that the way the Soviet Union came to be was through illegitimately evil ways, and thus was made a forever â€Å"absolutely evil without redemptive alternative possibilities of development and thus too fatally flawed to be reformed. Cohen posits that if original sin disqualifies a political or economic system from redemption, how then did the once slave holding America eventually become a leading example of democracy? For over 20 years, the U. S held people captives, and believed it could get beyond that and still be considered a great world power. But Ronald Reagan was campaigning strongly against the USSR and deeming it unsalvageable only three years into Gorbachev’s reforms. A major interpretation by western media according to John D. Nagle is that postcommunism had â€Å"restored national independence†¦ and has given new hope to ethnic nationalities that want to restore or expand their political sovereignty†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Nagle 176. This could then prove, that the Soviet Union post-communism could have continued in the same stride to prolong the effects of the reforms meant to change it. The second commonly held view is that the end of the Soviet Union was proof its unreformability. Besides this argument being rather fallacious, it doesn’t help itself when it offers up alternatives that could have worked were different tactics employed. Cohen bucks this by asserting that coming up with points on how it could have been salvaged was proof then, that it was in fact, reformable. Since these arguments present the possibility of workable alternatives, the criticism of its unreformability due to inevitable doom is contradictory. In an interview with Aleksandr Yakoblev, a specialist in North American affairs who was sought by Gorbachev to be one of his closest political advisors explained that it had seemed was that all they had to do was to remove some faulty issues. They just had to free everything up and it would start to work. â€Å"There was a good engine there. It had gotten a bit old and rusty. It needed oil. Then just press the starter and it would all set off down the track. † I would have liked to see Cohen argue more distinctly between the Soviet system and the Soviet state. It could have been important to note that the demise of the former did not have to be accompanied by the end of the latter. It could be asserted that Cohen’s argument could be based on a minimalistic definition of the requirements for the survival of the â€Å"Soviet Union† and ignores the essential internalized and structural violence that was at the heart of the Soviet System. On the contrary, from the early years of the revolution the Soviet state modified itself to suit the needs of its government, ideology, and population. From creating war communism, to NEP, to five year plans, the destruction of Stalins cult of personality together with Khrushchevs reforms, a movement of what some label neo-Stalinism under Brezhnev, to a reform minded Gorbachev who instituted Glasnost and Peterstroika, considered by some to have been the most democratic period of recent history. Are these the actions of an unreformable empire? While Gorbachev’s leadership after being overtaken by Yeltsin â€Å"failed miserably,† it speaks only to his systems and not the reforms themselves because it is these reforms that is still being used to build the country that became Russia. The third argument is that the way of living and the system of government pre-Gorbachev’s reforms were set up mostly to benefit the bureaucratic nomenklatura who would have never have conceded to a reform that would limit or restrict their monopolistic hold on power. This assumption was not completely unfounded. According to Nagle, Gorbachev under the slogans of perestroika and glasnost, ended party control over significant aspects of cultural, social, and economic life in the soviet Union. â€Å"Yet, as long as the ruling party retained its political monopoly, these choices were still onsistent with the traditional or classic communist system† (Nagle 173). Cohen however explains that all of Gorbachev’s major political and economic reforms during the decisive period from 1985 to 1990 were introduced, discussed, and ratified in the highest communist nomenklatura assemblies – the Politburo, Central Committee, a national party conference, and two party congre sses. (Cohen, 464) He further explained that these parties and systems even voted to abolish the practice within their own denominations. It was division between these institutions, and the divisions between those of them that were in favor of the abolition and those who weren’t that worsened the bedrock of the system. The favorite argument of those who believe that the USSR was unreformable is that the SU was â€Å"mutually exclusive with democracy† and therefore could only die from it. Cohen asserts that since reform is actually gradual and takes time to develop, the attempts and trials of Gorbachev’s government between 1985 and 1987 were actually enough to prove that reform was in fact of possible for the Soviet Union. In his book, Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World, Gorbachev states: â€Å"More socialism means more democracy, openness and collectivism in everyday life, more culture and humanism in production, social and personal relations among the people, more dignity and respect for the individual†¦ We will proceed toward better socialism rather than away from it†¦ We want more socialism and therefore, more democracy. (Gorbachev 37). Failed attempts at reform does not prove the impossibility of reform. While Gorbachev’s leadership after being overtaken by Yeltsin miserably, it only speaks to his systems, not the reforms themselves because it is these reforms that is still used to build the country that is Russia.