The Theme of Justice in King Lear Essay -- Papers

The Theme of Justice in King Lear Justice is a balance of misfortune and good fortune; right and wrong according to motives and circumstances of the individuals under judgement. To be just we must consider why they did it and balance out all the evidence and facts and decide on a punishment depending on these. Types of justice that exist in society include criminal justice, legal justice, vigilante justice, natural justice and divine justice. As King Lear is a brutal play, filled with human cruelty and many awful disasters, the play's terrible events raise an obvious question for the characters, namely whether there is any possibility of justice in the world. Various characters offer their opinions. Towards the end of the play Gloucester says: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / they kill us for their sport," Here, he has realized it is foolish for humankind to assume that the natural world works in parallel with social or moral justice because ultimately, the gods will do with us what they will regardless of whether or not it is just. Edgar, on the other hand, insists that: "the gods are just," optimistically believing that individuals must ultimately get what they deserve. However, in the end, we are left with only a terrifying uncertainty; although the wicked die, the good die along with them, leaving us with the awful image of Lear cradling Cordelia's body in his arms unable to accept the fact that she has suffered such an inexplicable injustice. There is goodness in theworld of the play, but there is also madness, evil and death, and it is difficult to tell which triumphs in the end. The purpose o... ...n are clever-or at least clever enough to flatter their father in the play's opening scene-and, early in the play, their bad behaviour toward Lear seems matched by his own pride and temper. But any sympathy that the audience can muster for them evaporates quickly, first when they turn their father out into the storm at the end of Act II. Goneril and Regan are, in a sense, personifications of evil-they have no conscience, only appetite. It is this greedy ambition that enables them to crush all opposition and make themselves mistresses of Britain. Ultimately, however, this same appetite brings about their undoing. Their desire for power is satisfied, but both harbour desires for Edmund, which destroys their alliance and eventually leads them to destroy each another. Evil, the play suggests, inevitably turns in on itself.

Development Communication

I. Introduction Development communication is the use of communication to promote social development. It involves a planned transformation of an average community into a dynamic one. As such, a community plan is made to help people shape their cities, towns or villages. A community plan is essential because it encourages people to take a full and active role in advocating and implementing economic and social reform. In line with this, the author of this paper conducted a community research at Barangay 694, Malate, Manila City.Within the research is substantial information about the said community – such as ecological factors, historical development, life activities, complex of values, social groups, impact of the world outside, and local life. A proposal for a project plan was also made in order to help build a collective vision for the residents of Barangay 694 – specifically, a summer reading program. The summer reading program will benefit the less developed children of Barangay 693. In addition, it will also develop children’s potentials to be educated and literate adults. II. Community Identification Barangay 694 is located at Malate, Manila City.A part of District 6, it lies along Leon Guinto Street and is near places such as Taft Avenue, The Philippine Women’s University, Philippine Christian University, and the Pedro Gil and Quirino LRT stations. The aforementioned places also serve as primary landmarks of Barangay 694. Because of its strategic location near Taft Avenue, Barangay 694 can be aptly described as a middle-class area with several houses and apartment units for students enrolled at nearby universities. In addition, it is easily accessible by Roxas Boulevard, Quirino Avenue, and Taft Avenue. III. Ecological Frame 1. Geographical factorsBarangay 694 is located at latitude 14. 573330 and longitude120. 990860. Its coordinates are 14 °34’24† North and 120 °59’26† East. It has a total land ar ea of To its south is Pasay City; to its west, Manila Bay; to its north, Ermita; to its east, Paco and San Andres. 2. Climate and soil As part of Manila City, Barangay 694 features a tropical savanna climate that borders on tropical monsoon climate. Along with the rest of the Philippines, Barangay 694 lies within the tropics. The temperature range is very small, rarely going lower than 20 °C (100 °F) and going higher than 38 ° (100 °F).Humidity levels are usually very high which makes the place feel much warmer. It has a distinct dry season from late December to April and a relatively wet season that covers the remaining period. Typhoons can occur from June to September and can cause flooding in the area. 3. Service institutions Barangay 694 has several service institutions that responds to the residents’ needs. Its strategic location offers its residents convenience as they need no look further than the immediate vicinity to have access to hospitals, educational inst itutions, books, recreational areas, and government offices.Listed below are several establishments near Barangay 693: * HEALTH INSTITUTIONS * Ospital ng Maynila * RTM Satellite Clinic * Ruben C. Bartolome, M. D. Clinic * GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS * Department of Finance * Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas * RECREATIONAL AREAS * Rizal Memorial Sports Complex * Manila Zoological and Biological Gardens * Manila Baywalk Area 5. Government The current mayor for the 2010 – 2013 term is Alfredo Lim. Meanwhile, Isko Moreno is the city’s incumbent vice-mayor. Two more members of the Manila City Council are the Association of Barangay Captains and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).Barangay 694’s elected barangay officials have the responsibility of carrying out the following tasks: (1) formulating measures to eliminate the use of illegal drugs; (2) maintaining the cleanliness and beautification of the area; (3) promoting peace and order; (4) promoting the well-being of women in the community; (5) promoting youth rights; and (6) maintaining barangay-owned properties and infrastructures. Listed below are the currently elected Barangay 694 officials and brief descriptions of each office position: 1. PUNONG BARANGAY or BARANGAY CHAIRMAN Name: Is the executive head of Barangay 693 * Is in charge of development planning, basic services and facilities, compliance to directives, barangay legislation, and fiscal administration 2. BARANGAY SECRETARY Name: * Is liable for all of Barangay 694’s paper works * Takes down notes during all of the discussions and plans made in meetings * Reads and re-reads the reports he/she has made 3. BARANGAY TREASURER Name: * Is responsible for the funds of Barangay 694 – from properties budget, projects budgets, and salaries 4. SEVEN BARANGAY COUNCILORS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. All have specific tasks assigned to them by the Barangay Chairman – Must be in the barangay hall once a week to accommodate people coming to thei r office every now and then SK CHAIRMAN: IV. Historical Development 1. Origin During the Spanish colonial period, Malate was an open area with a small fishing village. When the Americans came to the country after a 333-year Spanish reign, American urban planners envisioned the development of Malate as the most sophisticated area for American families. Despite extensive damage after World War II, many homes and buildings survived the onslaught of the battle fought in the area.Wealthy families who evacuated their homes during the war returned. Along with their return, they re-built their properties and kept the areas around it exclusively residential. Among these residential areas was Barangay 694. A local resident living in the area for almost fifty years related that Barangay 694 has been a residential area since the post-Japanese period. In fact, even before Japanese colonization, several of her forebears have lived there. This is proof that Barangay 694 has been around for many ye ars. 2. First InhabitantsDuring interviews, local residents were asked to name some of the first inhabitants of Barangay 694. The general response was a â€Å"no†. This answer is easily justifiable since the barangay has had such a long history and no one could really be certain of the first people who first inhabited the area. However, several residents know of families who had been living in the barangay for a long time. These families are almost considered as pioneers. As such, they are held in high regard. Among the well-known families in the area are the families of Magalon, San Pedro, Sevilla, Martinez, Andres, and Reyna.Most members of the said families hold positions in local offices – specifically, the Barangay Committee. This is a testament to the high social status they have established along the years. 3. Development The once-exclusive residential areas on the Western portion of Malate began to transform into a commercial area in the 1970s. Real estate boom ed with large houses and apartments being built. Businesses also flourished as small hotels, restaurants, and cafes were established. During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, visual and performing artists found a haven in Malate in the 1980s and it became a bohemian enclave. . Progress at present Barangay 694, along with the rest of Malate, is continuously transforming itself as the center of recreation and entertainment in Manila with more restaurants, boutiques, bars, discos, and novelty stores opening for business. V. Life Activities 1. Social Structure: Social status of the residents Barangay 694 is a quiet middle-class area with several houses and apartments for students enrolled at nearby universities. Consequentially, the area is fairly tight-knit. At several community visits, the local residents displayed evident familiarity with those who live among them.In fact, it can be said that everyone knows everyone at Barangay 694. 2. Favorite pastime and recreation Because of wel l-maintained social ties, local residents enjoy doing recreational activities with their families, friends or neighbors. When asked what special activities they did during their pastime, respondents from the area said that they liked going to parks, playing bingo, organizing outings, visiting nearby malls, and perhaps, going out of town. Moreover, a typical Saturday and Sunday night for residents of Barangay 694 would consist of going to the church and, afterwards, watching late-night TV shows.Younger residents, meanwhile, said that they’d rather surf the Web, open their Facebook or Twitter accounts or play video games. 3. Groups and organizations The community has only one major organization, which is the local barangay council. Barangay 694’s elected barangay officials have the responsibility of carrying out the following tasks: (1) formulating measures to eliminate the use of illegal drugs; (2) maintaining the cleanliness and beautification of the area; (3) promotin g peace and order; (4) promoting the well-being of omen in the community; (5) promoting youth rights; and (6) maintaining barangay-owned properties and infrastructures. VI. Complex of Values 1. Core values of the community, that is, those that are generally accepted in society Barangay 694, being a tight-knit community, generally accepts these four core values: honesty, cooperation, a sense of responsibility, and righteousness. These values are considered to be the key to creating harmonious relationships. Honesty came in first in the list as most local residents consider it to be the most valuable trait one can possess. A dishonest man will know and bring nothing but trouble,† says Ronaldo Dela Cruz, 56, a lifelong Barangay 694 resident. Meanwhile, cooperation is also a cherished value in the community. Because of its small population, Barangay 694 expects its residents to participate in community development projects such as street cleaning, tree planting, etc. The spirit of bayanihan ensures that ties among residents are rekindled and reinforced. Accompanying cooperation is a sense of responsibility. Community members should be self-aware. They must be able to look after themselves and perform their obligations as citizens of the Republic.Last but not the least is righteousness. As observed, Barangay 694 holds quite high moral standards. A local resident must be morally upright. He or she must be able to hold and maintain a good reputation. Otherwise, he or she would not be warmly welcomed into the community. 2. Aim values of the community, that is, those options that society allows its members Barangay 694 gives its residents the full freedom to make decisions they thing will best suit their wants and needs – so long as these decisions will not harm or offend other people.While many local residents are still quite conservative in that distinct Filipino way, they are quite open to progressive ideas like the implementation of the RH Law, K-12 ed ucation (while prevalent in other countries, K-12 education is still quite new to Filipinos), and the passing of Freedom of Information Bill. 3. Attitudes and sense of values Overall, Barangay 694 residents are upbeat, friendly, and warm people. They are generally well-mannered and will go out of their way to help others. They uphold traditional Filipino values and strive to uphold them in their daily lives.All of which makes Barangay 694 a very nice place to live in. VII. Impact of the world outside 1. Inflow of ideas, goods, special forms, moral codes, new modus vivendi et operandi from the outside world to the community Barangay 694 keeps abreast of the current happenings through various mediums. Among these mediums are newspapers, television, radio, and the Internet (particularly, social media). Local residents are well-informed and are keen to follow both national and international events. They are also aware of recent popular culture trends. Development Communication I. Introduction Development communication is the use of communication to promote social development. It involves a planned transformation of an average community into a dynamic one. As such, a community plan is made to help people shape their cities, towns or villages. A community plan is essential because it encourages people to take a full and active role in advocating and implementing economic and social reform. In line with this, the author of this paper conducted a community research at Barangay 694, Malate, Manila City.Within the research is substantial information about the said community – such as ecological factors, historical development, life activities, complex of values, social groups, impact of the world outside, and local life. A proposal for a project plan was also made in order to help build a collective vision for the residents of Barangay 694 – specifically, a summer reading program. The summer reading program will benefit the less developed children of Barangay 693. In addition, it will also develop children’s potentials to be educated and literate adults. II. Community Identification Barangay 694 is located at Malate, Manila City.A part of District 6, it lies along Leon Guinto Street and is near places such as Taft Avenue, The Philippine Women’s University, Philippine Christian University, and the Pedro Gil and Quirino LRT stations. The aforementioned places also serve as primary landmarks of Barangay 694. Because of its strategic location near Taft Avenue, Barangay 694 can be aptly described as a middle-class area with several houses and apartment units for students enrolled at nearby universities. In addition, it is easily accessible by Roxas Boulevard, Quirino Avenue, and Taft Avenue. III. Ecological Frame 1. Geographical factorsBarangay 694 is located at latitude 14. 573330 and longitude120. 990860. Its coordinates are 14 °34’24† North and 120 °59’26† East. It has a total land ar ea of To its south is Pasay City; to its west, Manila Bay; to its north, Ermita; to its east, Paco and San Andres. 2. Climate and soil As part of Manila City, Barangay 694 features a tropical savanna climate that borders on tropical monsoon climate. Along with the rest of the Philippines, Barangay 694 lies within the tropics. The temperature range is very small, rarely going lower than 20 °C (100 °F) and going higher than 38 ° (100 °F).Humidity levels are usually very high which makes the place feel much warmer. It has a distinct dry season from late December to April and a relatively wet season that covers the remaining period. Typhoons can occur from June to September and can cause flooding in the area. 3. Service institutions Barangay 694 has several service institutions that responds to the residents’ needs. Its strategic location offers its residents convenience as they need no look further than the immediate vicinity to have access to hospitals, educational inst itutions, books, recreational areas, and government offices.Listed below are several establishments near Barangay 693: * HEALTH INSTITUTIONS * Ospital ng Maynila * RTM Satellite Clinic * Ruben C. Bartolome, M. D. Clinic * GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS * Department of Finance * Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas * RECREATIONAL AREAS * Rizal Memorial Sports Complex * Manila Zoological and Biological Gardens * Manila Baywalk Area 5. Government The current mayor for the 2010 – 2013 term is Alfredo Lim. Meanwhile, Isko Moreno is the city’s incumbent vice-mayor. Two more members of the Manila City Council are the Association of Barangay Captains and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).Barangay 694’s elected barangay officials have the responsibility of carrying out the following tasks: (1) formulating measures to eliminate the use of illegal drugs; (2) maintaining the cleanliness and beautification of the area; (3) promoting peace and order; (4) promoting the well-being of women in the community; (5) promoting youth rights; and (6) maintaining barangay-owned properties and infrastructures. Listed below are the currently elected Barangay 694 officials and brief descriptions of each office position: 1. PUNONG BARANGAY or BARANGAY CHAIRMAN Name: Is the executive head of Barangay 693 * Is in charge of development planning, basic services and facilities, compliance to directives, barangay legislation, and fiscal administration 2. BARANGAY SECRETARY Name: * Is liable for all of Barangay 694’s paper works * Takes down notes during all of the discussions and plans made in meetings * Reads and re-reads the reports he/she has made 3. BARANGAY TREASURER Name: * Is responsible for the funds of Barangay 694 – from properties budget, projects budgets, and salaries 4. SEVEN BARANGAY COUNCILORS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. All have specific tasks assigned to them by the Barangay Chairman – Must be in the barangay hall once a week to accommodate people coming to thei r office every now and then SK CHAIRMAN: IV. Historical Development 1. Origin During the Spanish colonial period, Malate was an open area with a small fishing village. When the Americans came to the country after a 333-year Spanish reign, American urban planners envisioned the development of Malate as the most sophisticated area for American families. Despite extensive damage after World War II, many homes and buildings survived the onslaught of the battle fought in the area.Wealthy families who evacuated their homes during the war returned. Along with their return, they re-built their properties and kept the areas around it exclusively residential. Among these residential areas was Barangay 694. A local resident living in the area for almost fifty years related that Barangay 694 has been a residential area since the post-Japanese period. In fact, even before Japanese colonization, several of her forebears have lived there. This is proof that Barangay 694 has been around for many ye ars. 2. First InhabitantsDuring interviews, local residents were asked to name some of the first inhabitants of Barangay 694. The general response was a â€Å"no†. This answer is easily justifiable since the barangay has had such a long history and no one could really be certain of the first people who first inhabited the area. However, several residents know of families who had been living in the barangay for a long time. These families are almost considered as pioneers. As such, they are held in high regard. Among the well-known families in the area are the families of Magalon, San Pedro, Sevilla, Martinez, Andres, and Reyna.Most members of the said families hold positions in local offices – specifically, the Barangay Committee. This is a testament to the high social status they have established along the years. 3. Development The once-exclusive residential areas on the Western portion of Malate began to transform into a commercial area in the 1970s. Real estate boom ed with large houses and apartments being built. Businesses also flourished as small hotels, restaurants, and cafes were established. During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, visual and performing artists found a haven in Malate in the 1980s and it became a bohemian enclave. . Progress at present Barangay 694, along with the rest of Malate, is continuously transforming itself as the center of recreation and entertainment in Manila with more restaurants, boutiques, bars, discos, and novelty stores opening for business. V. Life Activities 1. Social Structure: Social status of the residents Barangay 694 is a quiet middle-class area with several houses and apartments for students enrolled at nearby universities. Consequentially, the area is fairly tight-knit. At several community visits, the local residents displayed evident familiarity with those who live among them.In fact, it can be said that everyone knows everyone at Barangay 694. 2. Favorite pastime and recreation Because of wel l-maintained social ties, local residents enjoy doing recreational activities with their families, friends or neighbors. When asked what special activities they did during their pastime, respondents from the area said that they liked going to parks, playing bingo, organizing outings, visiting nearby malls, and perhaps, going out of town. Moreover, a typical Saturday and Sunday night for residents of Barangay 694 would consist of going to the church and, afterwards, watching late-night TV shows.Younger residents, meanwhile, said that they’d rather surf the Web, open their Facebook or Twitter accounts or play video games. 3. Groups and organizations The community has only one major organization, which is the local barangay council. Barangay 694’s elected barangay officials have the responsibility of carrying out the following tasks: (1) formulating measures to eliminate the use of illegal drugs; (2) maintaining the cleanliness and beautification of the area; (3) promotin g peace and order; (4) promoting the well-being of omen in the community; (5) promoting youth rights; and (6) maintaining barangay-owned properties and infrastructures. VI. Complex of Values 1. Core values of the community, that is, those that are generally accepted in society Barangay 694, being a tight-knit community, generally accepts these four core values: honesty, cooperation, a sense of responsibility, and righteousness. These values are considered to be the key to creating harmonious relationships. Honesty came in first in the list as most local residents consider it to be the most valuable trait one can possess. A dishonest man will know and bring nothing but trouble,† says Ronaldo Dela Cruz, 56, a lifelong Barangay 694 resident. Meanwhile, cooperation is also a cherished value in the community. Because of its small population, Barangay 694 expects its residents to participate in community development projects such as street cleaning, tree planting, etc. The spirit of bayanihan ensures that ties among residents are rekindled and reinforced. Accompanying cooperation is a sense of responsibility. Community members should be self-aware. They must be able to look after themselves and perform their obligations as citizens of the Republic.Last but not the least is righteousness. As observed, Barangay 694 holds quite high moral standards. A local resident must be morally upright. He or she must be able to hold and maintain a good reputation. Otherwise, he or she would not be warmly welcomed into the community. 2. Aim values of the community, that is, those options that society allows its members Barangay 694 gives its residents the full freedom to make decisions they thing will best suit their wants and needs – so long as these decisions will not harm or offend other people.While many local residents are still quite conservative in that distinct Filipino way, they are quite open to progressive ideas like the implementation of the RH Law, K-12 ed ucation (while prevalent in other countries, K-12 education is still quite new to Filipinos), and the passing of Freedom of Information Bill. 3. Attitudes and sense of values Overall, Barangay 694 residents are upbeat, friendly, and warm people. They are generally well-mannered and will go out of their way to help others. They uphold traditional Filipino values and strive to uphold them in their daily lives.All of which makes Barangay 694 a very nice place to live in. VII. Impact of the world outside 1. Inflow of ideas, goods, special forms, moral codes, new modus vivendi et operandi from the outside world to the community Barangay 694 keeps abreast of the current happenings through various mediums. Among these mediums are newspapers, television, radio, and the Internet (particularly, social media). Local residents are well-informed and are keen to follow both national and international events. They are also aware of recent popular culture trends.

Essay about Aeneid vs. Odyssey - 2161 Words

Aeneid vs. Odyssey Both the Odyssey and the Aeneid share some similarities as epics; both describe the trials of a heroic figure who is the ideal representative of a particular culture. There are even individual scenes in the Aeneid are borrowed from the Odyssey. Yet, why are Odysseus and Aeneas so unlike one another? The answer is that the authors lived in two different worlds, whose values and perceptions varied greatly of a fundamental level. To illustrate, two common ideas woven into the Odyssey are custom and recklessness. Customs were handed down by the gods, and were meant to keep men safe by giving them civilization. When men were reckless (when they flaunted custom and the gods), they invited retribution†¦show more content†¦His eventual passage home has been agreed upon by Zeus, whose will is not subject to error.1 However, in the past Odysseus wounded Polyphemos and in reckless abandon questioned the power of the gods; while he was fleeing from the Cyclops he yelled If I could take your life I would and take your time away, and hurl you down to hell! The god of earthquake could not heal you there!2 For this affront, Poseidon decided to make Odysseus journey home a long and difficult one. The god of the sea sends a storm his way but Odysseus survives with the nereid Inos gift and guidance. After Poseidon departs, he finally reaches Skherias shore with Athenas help. The opening scenes in the Aeneid corresponds to Homers sequence. Aeneas and the Trojans are on their ships, heading to found a new city after many travails. The eventual founding of the city has been agreed upon by Jupiter, and thus the Trojans [d]estiny is unaltered3 regardless of what calamity befalls them. However, Juno is worried that the Trojans descendants will eventually surpass the Greeks, root up her Libyan empire4, and enslave the children of Agamemnon5; so she convinces Aeolus to release to some winds to destroy them now. The winds are so fierce that they need a heap of mountains [laid] upon them and even then [b]ehind the bars they bellow, mightily fretting: the mountain is one immense murmur.6 Aeolus releases them by pushing his spear at theShow MoreRelatedThe Odyssey And Aeneid Vs. Today992 Words   |  4 PagesEssay 1: Hell in The Odyssey/Aeneid vs. Today As humans, we are always imagining what our lives will be like when we die. While the depictions of what hell or heaven may be from the ancient times and now, what has stayed consist is the idea of an afterlife altogether. 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Vaporizing pens are becoming a very popular trend. Though still awaiting FDA approval, the electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is growing popularity among those attempting to quit smoking. Young people are using vaporizing pens as a â€Å"safe alternative† to smoking. This issue needs to be addressed. Vaping is a lot more convenient than smoking traditional cigarettes. At a push of a button nicotine is being released. There also aren’t any laws or regulations on vapor pens like there are for traditional cigarettes. Vape pens also aren’t being used for just smoking nicotine. They are often used to smoke other types of drugs. Vaporizing pens are causing a serious problem and I have a few solutions on how to fix this rising issue. The emergence of electronic cigarettes or vape pens has given cannabis smokers a new method of inhaling marijuana. Cannabis users can discretely â€Å"vape† deodorized cannabis extracts without people being able to smell it. Accor ding to Paul B. Tchounwou, an academic editor for Int J Environ Res Public Health (2015), â€Å"E-cigs could provide an alternative gateway to cannabis use for young people. Furthermore, vaping cannabinoids could lead to environmental and passive contamination.† People can mix in synthetic marijuana into e-liquids and can be inhaled through a pen-sized vaporizer. Not only can people smoke cannabis out of vaporizer pens, they can also smoke psychoactive drugs such as, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, or bath salts (cathinones).Show MoreRelatedDental Treatment Planning For Patients Using Cannabis4431 Words   |  18 PagesDental Treatment Planning Considerations in Patients Using Cannabis Sarah E. Grafton1, Alexandre R Vieira2 1. Department of Comprehensive Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine 2. Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine ABSTRACT Background and Overview. There is a deficit in clinical research on the potential risks involved in treating dental patients using cannabis, either for medicinal or recreational purposes. The aim of this case report

Analysis Of Hermann Hesse s Siddhartha - 2607 Words

Jake Vickers Halbert English 2 April 24,2015 Honor bound Peace In The 1920’s Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, is a book written about a man who wants to find ultimate peace. Hesse wrote the book at a very interesting time with all that was going on around. Many people wouldn t associate the word â€Å"peace† with this time period, because between the Great Depression and World War II no one really knew what peace was. There were efforts to try and spread world peace but most didn t work. Hermann Hesse wrote Siddhartha as a statement to the world crisis and how there needed to be more world peace. Hermann Hesse was a man of many talents. He is a well known poet, author, and artist who has spread his work around the world and gained a name for himself. Hermann strives to spread world peace and is able to do so through his talents. At a very young age he was exposed to the term â€Å"acceptance† since his â€Å"family had been composed of different nationalities; to this was now added the experience of growing up among two d ifferent peoples, in two countries with their different dialects† (Hermann Hesse-Biographical). He was then open to all things since the people closest to him were all different and had different ethnic backgrounds. Hermann was also greatly affected by his studies as they had a huge impact on how he viewed things. Growing up in the time he did and where he did there weren t very many schooling options even though he knew what he wanted to do in life. He says, â€Å"from theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Hermann Hesse s Siddhartha1520 Words   |  7 Pagescomfort in times of change, who will be there? That is the transition the protagonist in the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse decides to make when he leaves the comfort of his home and finds comfort in the flow of the river. Just as our parents are with us since birth the river was with Siddhartha. The river was with him since a young boy â€Å"in the sunshine on the river bank by the boats†¦ Siddhartha, the handsome Brahmin’s son, grew up with his friend Govinda† (3). The river wasn’t just part of hisRead MoreAnalysis Of Hermann Hesse s Siddhartha And Things Fall Apart 990 Words   |  4 Pageswhat people do, say, and feel. Sometimes, changes or continuities based on a decision can change anyone. How do we cope with these feelings though? There are many ways to deal with these emotions, some are bad and some are good. Even in books like â€Å"Siddhartha†, â€Å"How To Kill a Mockingbird†, and â€Å"Things Fall Apart† characters need help in dealing with situations. The individuals distract themselves by setting goals, looking for a change, trying to understand something new, making a change in themselvesRead MoreSiddharth A Book Report1369 Words   |  6 PagesKeaton Knippel Per. 2 World History Hesting 3/12/15 Siddhartha: A Book Report Siddhartha Gautama is a cunning, intelligent man with a thirst for knowledge. He is expected to live up to his fathers name, and everything appears to show him exceeding it. The only problem is, Siddhartha’s teachers and even his own father have not achieved enlightenment, and he strives to seek enlightenment out within himself. Throughout the entire book, we follow Siddhartha as he discovers what the meaning of life is, andRead MoreHow Artificial Intelligence Will Impact The World900 Words   |  4 Pagesconcepts of â€Å"humanity,† â€Å"love,† and â€Å"mammalian instincts† into an AI, so it won’t destroy us in any future. But is it even possible to program such concepts into a machine? The relations between AI and philosophical logic are part of a larger story. It s hard to find philosophical theme that doesn t become entangled with issues relating to reasoning.Implicatures, ex, has to correspond to inferences that can be carried out by a rational interpreter of discourse. (Thomason, 2013)In short, getting artificial

Financial Analysis of World Vision Australia of 2015-16 Free Sample

Questions: 1.Your task is to analyse the last two years Performance of the Selected Company and Present your findings in the form of a report, which will Introduce the Company to start with and cover Financial Performance Analysis in a Logical Cohesive Format. 2.Suppose the Chosen Company and its Competitor decided to expand their Operations by issuing bonds. You are required to value Bonds Issued by two Companies that you Selected. Answers: Introduction Managing the finance in such a manner that the effective and efficient utilization of funds is ensured is crucial for the achievement of the organizational goals and objectives (Hales, 2006). The decision as regards arrangement funds and deployment of the funds collected from various sources plays a pivotal role in success or failure of a firm. Therefore, it is crucial for a firm pay special attention to the finance function. In order to ensure that the firm is on right track or there is a need to get improvements on, it is essential to analyze the financial performance and position of the firm (Baker and Powell, 2009). The ratio analysis is used as the most important tool in analyzing the firms financial performance and position. The ratio analysis covers the analysis of financial performance and position of a firm from end to end. It covers four core business aspects such as profitability, liquidity, efficiency, and solvency. In this context, the report presented here covers the an alysis of financial performance of World Vision Australia. Further, the report also covers the computation of bond prices and discussion on the international bond rating agencies. Company Brief World Vision Australia is a public company limited by guarantee. It started operations in the year 1969 and it has been now 37 years since then the company is running its charitable activities. The company has expended over the years and now operates at the global level in more than 96 countries with over 45000 people (World Vision, 2017). The company is committed to achieve transformational developments by working for the poor, disabled, and needy sections of the society. Further, the company works for removal of poverty and also provides disaster relief in the cases of emergency. The current projects undertaken by the company emphasize on fulfilling the needs of the children, promoting of gender equality, and increasing awareness for HIV and AIDS (World Vision, 2017). 1.Analysis of Financial Performance The analysis of financial performance of World Vision Australia has been carried out by applying ratio analysis tool. In order to assess the profitability, the financial ratios such as net profit margin, return on assets, and return on equity have been computed and analyzed (Tracy, 2012). Further, the liquidity of the company has been analyzed by computing two the most prominent ratios such as current ratio and quick ratio. Apart from these ratios, the capital structure ratio such as debt equity and debt ratio have also been analyzed (Tracy, 2012). This analysis of financial performance has been carried out for two years such as 2015-16 and 2015-14. Further, in order to make the analysis more critical and reliable, a comparison of the ratios with the competitor company namely Berry Street has also been made. Profitability The analysis of profitability is the most important area that explains the financial performance of the business. The primary ratios used to analyze the profitability of the business are net margin, return on equity, and return on assets. The net margin is computed by dividing the net profit by the net revenues of the company (Walton and Aerts, 2006). The net margin ratio depicts the profits as a percentage of revenues. Further, the return on equity indicates the profits earned by the company for the equity shareholders. It is computed by dividing the net profits by the shareholders equity. The analysis of shareholders equity is essential from the view point of equity providers. Further, the return on assets is also used which indicates the profits of the firm as a percentage of total assets (Walton and Aerts, 2006). In respect of World Vision Australia, the net margin has been found to be 5.53% and -4.40% for the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively. It could be observed that the net margin of the company is slopping down in the current year as compared to the previous year. In respect of competitor, Berry Street, it has been found that the company is earnings net margins of -1.43% and 0.20% in the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively (Appendix). It could be observed that World Vision Australia incurred losses in the current year however the competitor is earning profits. Further, the return on assets of the company has been found to be 24.77% and -25.54% whereas its competitor is found to be earning a return on assets of -2.08% and 0.29% in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively. Further, the return on equity is also showing the same trend with 29.82% and -31.13% in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively (Appendix). Overall, it has been observed that the profitability of the company of current year 2015-16 is down as compared to the previous year 2014-15. Further, it has been observed that the competitor is performing better than the company in the current financial year. The primary reason for downfall in the financial performance of World Vision Australia in 2015-16 has been identified as the increased expenditure on the expansion activities. The expenditure on the overseas projects increased by 23.1% (World Vision, 2016) in the year 2015-16, which added to cost significantly and affected the profitability adversely. It has been found that total expenses other than fund disbursements amounted to $177.4 million in 2015-16 as compared to $142.0 million in 2014-15 (World Vision, 2016). Further, DuPont analysis has been conducted to analyze the changes in the return on equity in more detail as under: 2015-16 2014-15 A. Asset turnover 5.80 4.48 B. Equity multiplier 1.22 1.20 C. Net Margin -4.40% 5.53% ROE (A*B*C) -31.13% 29.82% It could be observed that return on equity of World Vision Australia is changing from 29.82% to -31.13% in the year 2015-16 as compared to the year 2014-15. It could be observed that the net margin is major component that has caused significant changes in the return on equity of the company. The negative net margin has caused the return on equity to be negative. Further, assets turnover and equity multiplier have improved in the current year (Godwin and Alderman, 2012). Liquidity After analyzing the profitability, the next step in the analysis of financial performance is the assessment of liquidity. The liquidity refers to the ability of the company to pay off the short term debt as when it falls due for payment (Palepu et al., 2007). A firm needs to have enough liquidity to meet the short term obligation to run the day to day affairs hassle free. In order to assess the liquidity, the primary ratios being used worldwide are current and quick ratio. The current ratio is computed by dividing the current assets of the company by the current liabilities. A firm needs to keep the current ratio as high as possible to prove its liquidity sufficiency. Further, the quick ratio is also used as the indictor of liquidity. The quick ratio is computed by taking the current assets net of inventory which means that only the assets that are readily convertible in cash are taken into account. The quick ratio measures the liquidity of the firm more rigidly than the current rati o (Palepu et al., 2007). In respect of World Vision Australia the current ratio has been found to be 4.55 and 4.02 times for the financial years 2015-16 and 2014-15 respectively (Appendix). It could be observed that the ratio is falling slightly down in the current year as compared to the previous year. The primary reason for decrease in the current ratio has been found to be decrease in the current assets in the year 2015-16. The current assets of the company went down from $59.84 million to $47.57 million in the year 2015-16 (Appendix). However, the company is still performing better than the competitor. Its competitor company namely Berry Street has been observed to be running with the current ratio of 0.86 times in the year 2015-16, which is lower than companys current ratio of 4.02 times. Further, the quick ratio of the company has been found to be 4.55 and 4.01 times for the financial year 2015-16 and 2014-15 respectively. The quick ratio is also slopping downward in the current year compared to the previous year. Though, the ratio has gone down, but it is still higher than the competitor. The competitor company, Berry Street, is running with the quick ratio of 0.80 times which is less than the companys quick ratio of 4.01 times (Appendix). Overall, it could be articulated that the liquidity of the company has gone weaker in the current year as compared to the previous year but the company is still in the better position compared to the competitors. Capital Structure Ratios: Advice on Loan The capital structure refers the financing pattern of a firm. In other words, it refers to the mix of sources of finance such as equity and debt used by the firm. The decision of management in regards to use of sources of finance is critical as it affects the overall financial performance and position of the firm (Baker and Martin, 2011). There are different advantages and disadvantages of the use of debt and equity respectively. Thus, the management needs to analyze the situation and then decide as to which source of finance would suit the best in the given situation. It should be noted that the use of debt provides leverage advantages but at the same time it also gives rise to the risk of solvency. Further, the use of equity increases the financing cost and it also results in dilution of control. Overall, the essence is that the management should strike out a proper balance between the use of equity and debt funds to improve the financial performance (Lane and Milesi-Ferretti, 2000 ). In order to maintain adequate balance between the equity and debt, it is essential to analyze the capital structure ratios. The primary capital structure ratios being used for this purpose are debt equity ratio and debt to total assets ratio. In respect of World Vision Australia, it has been found out that the debt equity ratio is 0.20 and 0.22 times for the year 2015-16 and 2014-15. Further, the debt to total assets ratio is 0.17 and 0.18 times (Appendix). The trend in the ratios depicts that the debt has increased a bit in the current year compared to the previous year. However, the company is still using less debt than the competitors. The competitor company, Berry Street, is having debt equity ratio of 0.60 times which is way higher than the companys debt equity ratio of 0.22 times (Appendix). The low debt equity ratio shows that there exists scope to raise more debt to arrange finance for the company. Thus, considering the current debt position, it could be advised that the comp any is low on debt and therefore it can go for raising new loans to finance the assets. Long Term and Short-Term Sources of Finance Used by the Company It has been found out that World Vision Australia is a not for profit organization (NPO) which seeks finance in the form of government grant and donations. Apart from the government grant and donations, the company usages retained earnings as the primary source of long term funding (World Vision, 2016). Further, the company takes material from suppliers on credit; therefore, the suppliers credit is used as the short term source of finance. The below given table shows source of finance used by the company in the preceding two years along with percentage change: Sources of Finance: World Vision Australia 2015-16 ($M) 2014-15 ($M) Change (%) Long Term Retained earnings 45.92 64.6 -28.92% Short Term Supplier Credit 4.83 6.89 -29.90% It could be observed that retained earnings decreased significantly by 28.92% in 2015-16 as compared to 2014-15. Further, the Supplier Credit decreased by 29.90% (World Vision, 2016). Limitations of Ratio Analysis Though, ratio analysis is highly useful tool for the purpose of analyzing the financial performance of a firm, but it has certain limitations. First of all, the ratio analysis is performed on the historical data that is taken from the financial statements of the company (Ehrhardt and Brigham, 2008). In preparing the financial statement, two companies may use different accounting policies that would affect the amounts recorded in the financial statements. The ratio analysis in this situation would yield less effective results. Further, the ratio analysis does not provide the reasons for fluctuations in the financial figures; it only indicates the quantitative data (Ehrhardt and Brigham, 2008). 2.Bond Valuation Comparing Value of Bonds The face value, terms to maturity and coupon rate of both the bonds is same, but the yield to maturity and interest payment terms are different, therefore, the price of two bonds can not be identical (Bond and Brown, 2012). The bond of World Vision is A rated while the bond of Berry Street is B rated. Due to difference in ratings, the yield to maturity of the bonds is also different. Further, the bond of World Vision pays annual interest while the bond of Berry Street pays semi-annual interest. Applying the concept of time value of money, the prices of both the bonds have been computed as under: World Vision Australia Face value 100 Terms (Years) 5 Coupon rate 8.00% Yield to maturity 3.50% Yearly interest 8.00 Price of bond $120.32 Berry Street Face value 100 Terms (Semi years) 10 Coupon rate (Semi year) 4.00% Yield to maturity (Semi yearly) 2% Half yearly interest 4 Price of bond 117.965 The price of bond issued by World Vision is $120.32 while that of Berry Streets bond is $117.97. The bonds of both the companies are selling at premium. International Bond Rating Agencies There are many rating agencies working in different countries around the world. However, the three major rating agencies which have operations in different parts of the world and operate at the international level are Standards and Poor, Moodys Investor Services, and Fitch Ratings Ltd (Nigudkar, 2017). The ratings assigned to the debt securities provide information to the lenders on creditworthiness of the company. The high rating bonds involve lesser risk but at the same time it may reduce the return. Further, the company having high debt rating, can issue the bonds at premium taking the advantages of low risk being involved in the issue of bond. The lenders can make decisions as regards investment in the debt securities of the companies by referring to the ratings assigned to it (Mathieson and Schinasi, 2000). Conclusion The report presented here deals with the analysis of financial performance and position of World Vision Australia for the financial year 2015-16. The company operates for social causes with the particular focus on alleviation of poverty and developments in the field of education. From the ratio analysis, it can be articulated that the companys profitability has not been up to the mark in the current year. However, in term of liquidity and solvency, the position of the company is better than the competitors. The company has sufficient liquid assets and low debt to equity ratio. Further, from the analysis of bond price, it could be observed that the companys bond is selling at premium. Appendix: Ratios Financial Data Description World Vision ($ M) Berry Street ($ M) 2015-16 2014-2015 2015-16 2014-2015 Revenue 424.37 380.00 87.44 84.63 Expenses 443.05 359.00 87.26 85.38 Excess/ (shortfall) (18.69) 21.00 0.18 (1.21) Interest Inventory 0.07 0.02 1.34 1.25 Current assets 47.57 59.84 18.39 17.26 Current liabilities 11.85 13.15 21.44 18.88 Equity 60.05 70.41 38.25 37.58 Total liabilities 13.13 14.35 23.03 20.57 Description Formula World Vision ($ M) Berry Street ($ M) 2015-16 2014-2015 2015-16 2014-2015 Profitability Net margin Net profit/revenues -4.40% 5.53% 0.20% -1.43% Return on assets Net profit/Total assets -25.54% 24.77% 0.29% -2.08% Return on equity Net profit/equity -31.13% 29.82% 0.46% -3.21% Liquidity Current ratio Current assets/current liabilities 4.02 4.55 0.86 0.91 Quick Ratio Current assets-Inventory/current liabilities 4.01 4.55 0.80 0.85 Capital Structure Ratio Debt to Equity Ratio Debt/ Equity 0.22 0.20 0.60 0.55 Debt to assets Debt/ Total assets 0.18 0.17 0.38 0.35 References Baker, H.K. and Martin, G.S. 2011. Capital Structure and Corporate Financing Decisions: Theory, Evidence, and Practice. John Wiley Sons. Baker, H.K. and Powell, G. 2009. Understanding Financial Management: A Practical Guide. John Wiley Sons. Berry Street. 2016. Annual report of Barry Street for 2015-16. [Online]. Available at: https://www.berrystreet.org.au/annual-reports [Accessed on: 04 April 2017]. Bond, P.H. and Brown, P. 2012. Rating Valuation: Principles and Practice. Taylor Francis. Ehrhardt, M. and Brigham.E. 2008.Corporate Finance: A Focused Approach. Cengage Learning. Godwin, N. and Alderman, C. 2012. Financial ACCT2. Cengage Learning. Hales, J. 2006. Accounting and Financial Analysis in the Hospitality Industry. Routledge. Lane, P.R. and Milesi-Ferretti, G.M. 2000. External Capital Structure-Theory and Evidence. International Monetary Fund. Mathieson, D.J., and Schinasi, G.J. 2000. International Capital Markets Development, Prospects and Key Policy Issues. International Monetary Fund. Nigudkar, A. 2017. Credit Rating Agencies. [Online]. Available at: https://www.financewalk.com/credit-rating-agencies-sites/ [Accessed on: 06 April 2017]. Palepu, K.G., Healy, P.M., Bernard, V.L., and Peek, E. 2007. Business Analysis and Valuation: Text and Cases. Cengage Learning EMEA. Tracy, A. 2012. Ratio Analysis Fundamentals: How 17 Financial Ratios Can Allow You to Analyse Any Business on the Planet. RatioAnalysis.net. Walton, P. and Aerts, D. 2006. Global Financial Accounting and Reporting: Principles and Analysis. Cengage Learning EMEA. World Vision. 2016. Annual report of World Vision for 2015-16. [Online]. Available at: https://www.worldvision.com.au/docs/default-source/annual-reports/wv-annual-reports/annual-report-2015-v2.pdf?sfvrsn=2 [Accessed on: 04 April 2017]. World Vision. 2017. About US. [Online]. Available at: https://www.worldvision.com.au/about-us [Accessed on: 06 April 2017].

Thomas Hobbes Essay Example For Students

Thomas Hobbes Essay THE STATE OF NATURE. In his brief introduction to the Leviathan, Hobbes describes the state as an organism analogous to a large person. He shows how each part of the state parallels the function of the parts of the human body. He notes that the first part of his project is to describe human nature, insofar as humans are the creators of the state. To this end, he advises that we look into ourselves to see the nature of humanity in general. Hobbes argues that, in the absence of social condition, every action we perform, no matter how charitable or benevolent, is done for reasons which are ultimately self-serving. For example, when I donate to charity, I am actually taking delight in demonstrating my powers. In its most extreme form, this view of human nature has since been termed psychological egoism. Hobbes believes that any account of human action, including morality, must be consistent with the fact that we are all self-serving. In this chapter. Hobbes speculates how selfish people would behave in a state of nature, prior to the formation of any government He begins noting that humans are essentially equal, both mentally and physically, insofar as even the weakest person has the strength to kill the strongest. Given our equal standing, Hobbes continues noting how we are situations in nature make us naturally prone to quarrel. There are three natural causes of quarrel among people: competition for limited supplies of material possessions, distrust of one another, and glory insofar as people remain hostile to preserve their powerful reputation. Given the natural causes of quarrel, Hobbes concludes that the natural condition of humans is a state of perpetual war of all against all, where no morality exists, and everyone lives in constant fear: In such condition, there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain; and consequently no culture of the earth, no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious build ing, no instruments of moving and removing such things as require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth, no account of time, no arts, no letters, no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of people, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. Hobbes continues offering proofs that the state of nature would be as brutal as he describes. We see signs of this in the mistrust we show of others in our daily lives. In countries which have yet to be civilized people treat are barbaric to each other. Finally, in the absence of international law, strong countries pray on the weakness of weak countries. Humans have three motivations for ending this state of war: the fear of death, the desire to have an adequate living, and the hope to attain this through ones labor. Nevertheless, until the state of war ends, each person has a right to everything, including another persons life. LAWS OF NATURE. In articulating the peace-securing p rocess, Hobbes draws on the language of the natural law tradition of morality, which was then championed by Dutch politician Hugo Grotius (1583-1645). According to Grotius, all particular moral principles derive from immutable principles of reason. Since these moral mandates are fixed in nature, they are thus called laws of nature. By using the jargon of natural law theory, Hobbes is suggesting that, from human self-interest and social agreement alone, one can derive the same kinds of laws which Grotius believes are immutably fixed in nature. Throughout his discussion of morality, Hobbes continually re-defines traditional moral terms (such as right, liberty, contract, and justice) in ways which reflects his account of self-interest and social agreement. For Grotius and other natural law theorists, a law of nature is an unchangeable truth which establishes proper conduct. Hobbes defines a law of nature as follows: A Law of Nature (lex naturalis) is a precept, or general rule, found o ut by reason, by which a person is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life, or takes away the means of preserving the same; and to omit that by which he thinks it may be best preserved. Hobbes continues by listing specific laws of nature all of which aim at preserving a persons life. Hobbess first three Laws of Nature are the most important since they establish the overall framework for putting an end to the state of nature. Given our desire to get out of the state of nature, and thereby preserve our lives, Hobbes concludes that we should seek peace. This becomes his first law of nature: That every person ought to endeavor peace as far as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek and use all helps and advantages of war; the first branch of which rule contains the first and fundamental Law of Nature, which is, To seek peace and follow it; the second, the sum of the right of nature, which is, By all means we can, to defend ourselves. The reasonableness of seeking peace, indicated by the first law, immediately suggests a second law of nature, which is that we mutually divest ourselves of certain rights (such as the right to take another persons life) so to achieve peace: That a person be willing, when others are so too (as far-forth as for peace and defense of himself he shall think it necessary), to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other people, as he would allow other people against himself. The mutual transferring of these rights is called a contract and is the basis of the notion of moral obligation and duty. For example, I agree to give up my right to steal from you, if you give up your right to steal from me. We have then transferred these rights to each other and thereby become obligated to not steal from each other. From selfish reasons alone, we are both motivated to mutually transfer these and other rights, since this will end the dreaded state of war between us. Hobbes continues by discussing the validity of certain contracts. For example, contracts made in the state of nature are not generally binding, for, if I fear that you will violate your part of the bargain, then no true agreement can be reached. No contracts can be made with animals since animals cannot understand an agreement. Most significantly, I cannot contract to give up my right to self-defense since self-defense (or self-preservation) is my sole motive for entering into any contract. OTHER LAWS OF NATURE. Hobbes derives his laws of nature deductively, modeled after the type reasoning used in geometry. That is, from a set of general principles, more specific principles are logically derived. Hobbess general principles are (1) that people pursue only their own self-interest, (2) the equality of people, (3) the causes of quarrel, (4) the natural condition of war, and (5) the motivations for peace. From these he derives the above two laws, along with at least 13 others. Simp ly making contracts will not in and of itself secure peace. We also need to keep the contracts we make, and this is Hobbess third law of nature. Hobbes notes a fundamental problem underlying all contracts: as selfish people, each of us will have an incentive to violate a contract when it serves our best interests. For example, it is in the mutual best interests of Jones and myself to agree to not steal from each other. However, it is also in my best interests to break this contract and steal from Jones if I can get away with it. And, what complicates matters more, Jones is also aware of this fact. Thus, it seems that no contract can ever get off the ground. This is accomplished by giving unlimited power to a political sovereign who will punish us if we violate our contracts. Again, it is for purely selfish reasons (i.e. ending the state of nature) that I agree to set up a policing power which will punish me. As noted, Hobbess first three Laws of Nature establish the overall framewor k for putting an end to the state of nature. The remaining laws give content to the earlier ones by describing more precisely the kinds of contracts which will preserve peace. For example, the fourth law is to show Gratitude toward those who comply with contracts. Otherwise people will regret that they complied when someone is ungrateful. Similarly, the fifth law is that we should be accommodating to the interests of society. For, if we quarrel over every minor issue, then this will interrupt the peace process. Briefly, here are the remaining laws: (6) cautious pardoning of those who commit past offenses; (7) the purpose of punishment is to correct the offender, not an eye for an eye retribution; (8) avoid direct or indirect signs of hatred or contempt of another; (9) avoid pride; (10) retain only those rights which you would acknowledge in others; (11) be equitable (impartial); (12) share in common that which cannot be divided, such as rivers; (13) items which cannot be divided or enjoyed in common should be assigned by lot; (14) mediators of peace should have safe conduct; (15) Resolve disputes through an arbitrator. Hobbes explains that there are other possible laws which are less important, such as those against drunkenness, which tends to the destruction of particular people. At the close of Chapter 15 Hobbes states that morality consists entirely of these Laws of Nature which are arrived at though social contract. Contrary to Aristotles account of virtue ethics, Hobbes adds that moral virtues are relevant to ethical theory only insofar as they promote peace. Outside of this function, virtues have no moral significance. GOVERNMENTS. Hobbes continues in Chapter 17 that to ensure contracts (and peace) power must be given to one person, or one assembly. We do this by saying, implicitly or explicitly, I authorize and give up my right of governing myself, to this person, or to this assembly of people, on this condition, that thou give up thy right to him, and authorize all his actions in like manner. His definition of a commonwealth, then, is this: One person, of whose acts a great multitude, by mutual covenants on with another, have mad themselves every on the author, to the end he may use the strength and means of them all, as he shall think expedient, for their peace and common defense This person is called a sovereign. He continues that there are two ways of establishing a commonwealth: through acquisition (force), or through institution (agreement). In Chapter 18 Hobbes lists the rights of rights of sovereigns. They are, (1) Subjects owe him sole loyalty; (2) Subjects cannot be freed from their obligation; (3) Dissenters must consent with the majority in declaring a sovereign; (4) Sovereign cannot be unjust or injure any subject; (5) The sovereign cannot be put to death; (6) The right to censor doctrines repugnant to peace; (7) Legislative power of prescribing rules; (8) Judicial power of deciding all controversies; (9) Make war and peace with other nations; (10) Choose counselors; (11) Power of reward and punishment; (12) Power of all civil appointments, including the militia. In Chapter 19 he discusses the kinds of governments that can be instituted. The three main forms are monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. He argues that monarchy is best for several reasons. Monarchs interests are the same as the peoples. He will receive better counsel since he can select experts and get advice in private. His policies will be more consistent. Finally, there is less chance of a civil war since the monarch cannot disagree with himself. 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