The Meaning of Lives Essay Example for Free

The Meaning of Lives Essay In her article The Meaning of Lives, Susan Wolf, a moral philosopher and philosopher of action, investigates whether meaning can exist in lives without postulating the existance of God. Wolf establishes her position on this philosophical question from an agnostic perspective and rationally argues that such a question can in fact â€Å"fit within a negative or agnostic view about the meaning of life† (Wolf 63). With this paper, I will first summarize the prominent points of Wolf’s article then highlight and expound upon areas of her argument that contradict her line of reason. Lastly, I will introduce the theistic perspective on meaningful lives along with presenting Wolf’s reason and argument as supporting evidence for the theistic view. In the Meaning of Lives, Susan Wolf opens briefly with an evaluation of the philosophically ambiguous question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † She argues this particular question is impossible to rationalize because it dependents upon a postulation for the existence of God. Wolf claims it is necessary to postulate the existence of God in order to argue this original question because if God does exist, then He â€Å"may have created us for a reason, with a plan in mind†(Wolf 63). Thus, if God exists then there would be purpose and meaning to human existence dependent upon the creator God. Wolf does not deny the existence of God; she simply suggests that a divine existence is improvable. Therefore the question of a grand purpose and meaning in life is an unnecessary and an improvable argument to find an answer to, due to the improvable nature of God. However, she does believe that meaning in lives is not contingent upon the existence of God stating, â€Å"Meaningfulness is an intelligible feature to be sought in life† and that â€Å"a positive view about the possibility of meaning in lives can fit with a negative or agnostic view about the meaning of life†(Wolf 63). She expounds on this argument in three distinct sections. The first part of Wolf’s argument observes three different examples of meaningless lifestyle. Wolf articulates that learning from three paradigms of meaningless lives, one can construct an understanding for meaningfulness. She begins with a lifestyle she labeled the Blob. The Blob is defined by a lifestyle that â€Å"is lived in hazy passivity†¦ unconnected to anyone or anything, going nowhere, achieving nothing† (Wolf 64). Wolf deduces from the Blobs meaningless lifestyle, that in order to attain a meaningful life one must be engaged in a project, which can include relationships. The second meaningless lifestyle, in contrast to the Blob’s lifestyle of passivity, is regarded as the Useless life; â€Å"a life whose dominant activities seem pointless, useless or empty† (Wolf 65). After reviewing the lifestyle of the Useless life, a life void of worth, to achieve meaning â€Å"one must be engaged in a project or projects that have some positive value† (Wolf 65). The final category of a meaningless life would be the lifestyle of the Bankrupt, â€Å"someone who is engaged or even dedicated, to a project that is ultimately revealed as bankrupt, not because the person’s values are shallow or misguided, but because the project fails†(Wolf 65). Ultimately, Wolf concludes that in order to achieve meaningfulness one must not only be engaged in a project of positive value but that project must be in some way successful. After providing a working definition for a meaningful life, Wolf raises the question as to what constitutes â€Å"positive value† and who has the right to objectively determine value. Similarly to Wolf’s construction of meaningfulness, she argues reasons for why an individual is incapable of objectively determining positive value. This incapability for determining objective value is due to the individual’s subjectivity and â€Å"interest in living a life that feels or seems meaningful†(Wolf 66). Therefore, because an individual is incapable of distinguishing objective positive value from interest, it is unlikely that the individual can distinguish what is required for a meaningful life. She argues that objective value is determined and achieved through observing value in other people’s lives. Wolf clarifies that the objective good she is referring to is not compared to moral goodness, â€Å"benefiting or honoring humanity† (Wolf 67). Wolf claims that meaningfulness is not contingent upon moral value. Instead, Wolf suggests that while there are examples of lives exhibiting great moral value, such as Mother Teresa and Gandhi, that are full of meaning; there are also examples of other lives, such as â€Å"artists, scholars, musicians and athletes†, that possess great meaning, not based upon their moral value. These lives are considered valuable and meaningful due to their ability to â€Å"develop our skills and our understanding of the world† which â€Å"give meaning to our lives- but they do not give moral value to them †(Wolf 67). A greater understanding of our own worth and the Universe is what Wolf constitutes for lives to have meaning. The final stage in Wolf’s argument poses the question â€Å"what is the good, after all, of living a meaningful life†(Wolf 67)? Wolf does not wish to define goodness, but rather discusses the advantages for living a life full of meaning. Wolf makes the final stand, that in order to grasp meaningfulness and understand how one can achieve it in their life; an individual must become enlightened to their status in the world as â€Å"a tiny speck in a vast universe† (Wolf 69). This description of where an individual lies in relation to the vastness of the Universe, provides the reality that meaning in lives cannot logically be contingent upon the desires and benefits for the individual, due to humanities insignificance. It seems illogical to Wolf, that a person who seeks to find meaning in their life could conclude that is dependent upon their independent happiness claiming, â€Å"to devote oneself wholly to one’s own satisfaction seems to me to fly in the face of truth, to act as if one is the only thing that matters, or perhaps, more, that one’s own psychology is the only source of (determining) what matters† (Wolf 70). The truth, to which Wolf refers, is the reality that individuals have very little significance in relation to the value of the vast Universe. It is because of this truth that a self-center and egocentric life goes against of logic after such a truth is realized. Wolf argues that instead of egocentric priorities to achieve meaning, an individual should alternatively be focused on the needs of the Universe and others. She understands that â€Å"you are just one person among others, equally real- is the source of practical reason-in this case, it gives you reason to take the pains of others to constitute reasons for action†¦reason to care about the pain of others that is grounded, not in our own psychologies, but a fact about the world†(Wolf 70). In this section, I will address three areas of Wolf’s reasoning I find to be inconsistent with her argument as a whole. A concern that I have regarding Wolf’s argument is her use of the word â€Å"meaning†, in regards to the meaning of lives. A very different connotation of the word â€Å"meaning† suggested by the philosophical question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † Wolf states that the question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † requires an individual to postulate the existence of God because it implies their ultimate aim â€Å"to find a purpose or a point to human existence†(Wolf 63). However, Wolf also argues, â€Å"whether or not God exists, the fact remains that some objects, activities and ideas are better than others. Whether or not God exists some ways of living are more worthwhile than others†(Wolf 72). At the beginning of Wolf’s argument about the meaning of lives, suggests that she neither denies nor rejects the existence of God. She argues this as true because she believes the question behind the meaning in lives can be answered as â€Å"an intelligible feature to be sought in life and that it is at least sometimes attainable but not everywhere assured†(Wolf 63). Wolf reduces the meaning of lives to that which can be determined by human reasoning a finite measurement of this transitory world. Thus Wolf, who has neither denied nor rejected the existence of God has unreasonably eliminated the question of origin of lives, as irrelevant to meaning in lives. She focuses how certain types of lives merit significance in existence and consequently refers to the word â€Å"meaning† as synonymous with value. Finally, Wolf argues that there is value in human lives that â€Å"can fit with a negative or agnostic view about the meaning of life†(Wolf 66). This statement is far less controversial than her attempts to argue that meaning in lives is achievable without the postulation of God. Logically, to explore meaning in lives, one must consider the beginning of life, which must have been constructed either by accident or by a creator. Meaning cannot be cited as more or less significant at a particular point in an individual’s life. Thus, the point that one comes into existence must be regarded for defining meaning within an individual’s life. The second problem in Wolf’s argument comes in her evaluation of what is considered a project of positive value. An individual who is engaged in a project of positive value is central to Wolf’s definition of a meaningful life. Although, projects of positive value can add to meaning in an individual’s life, Wolf’s reasoning as to â€Å"who is to decide which projects have positive value† is vague and inconsistent with her earlier positions (Wolf 66). Wolf concludes that individuals are incapable of objectively deciding what has positive value, due to subjective interests, which skew their understanding of objective value. Wolf deduces that in order for an individual to understand projects of positive value, which will eventually adds meaning to heir lives, they must experience an â€Å"epiphany†¦ to the recognition that our life to date has been meaningless† (Wolf 66). This comment is completely inconsistent with Wolf’s fundamental goal to acquire an understanding of meaning in lives from an intelligible process of reason. The understanding for projects of positive value through an epiphany is inconsistent with her pervious arguments because it depends she suggests that understanding meaning comes from an unintelligible source of knowledge. Who is to say that that epiphany is not guided by a supreme higher being? The irony of Wolf’s conclusion about the necessary epiphany, is that her statement â€Å"It is the sort of experience that one might describe in terms of scales falling from ones eyes†, compares closely to the allusion found in Acts 9:18 (Wolf 66). The verse reads â€Å"And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized† (NIV 1000). The language of scales falling from the eyes in order to gain true understanding is regarded in both versions as an act depended upon a supernatural entity enabling the change. This very interesting comment by Wolf, suggests that understanding how an individual recognizes truth through epiphany is beyond the capabilities of human control and intellect. Her attempted arguments about how a meaningful life is realized are sound up until the point about epiphany. Lastly, Wolf’s argument for meaning in lives lacks any discussion of immortality as a necessary property for meaning. Wolf reasons that there are certain lifestyles that are more meaningful than others. This argument for certain lifestyle having greater meaning has limited relevance because as she rationalizes, lives are finite and temporary as are the lives of others whom we must focus in our acknowledgement of the truth that we are just a â€Å"speck in the vast Universe†(Wolf 69). Wolf does a fine job at articulating the insignificance and temporary state of human life. However, she fails to recognize that in her attempts to construct a logical framework for meaning in finite lives she disregards the possibility for immortality to give further meaning to lives. Thus, she reduces the idea of meaning as an avoidance of an egocentric lifestyle and recognizes insignificance and meaning within an individuals’ life alone. Wolf’s claim that meaning is attainable through certain actions only satisfies temporary lives for a finite amount of time. This argument surrounding meaning as dependent upon an inward realization of insignificance manifesting into outward actions, is simply a cycle of meaningless people helping other meaningless people, and causes only a temporary impact. In an argument for the importance of immortality to meaning in lives, Gianluca Di Muzio states, â€Å"If a human being dies and her actions have no lasting effect, because the world itself perished, then her life was meaningless. If, in the end, all comes to nothing, then it does not matter in the first place whether a particular person existed or not† (Di Muzio 2). In order for actions and lives to be meaningful, they must have a lasting impact or something to gain, and provide for others in a way that is not reducible to the finite and temporary world. Thus, achievable immortality must exist for meaning to be possible. Although she attempts to determine the meaning in lives for an agnostic world, I would argue that Wolf’s argument actually supports many theistic views regarding the meaning of lives. Though many of Wolf’s arguments do not adequately provide understanding for meaning in lives from an agnostic perspective, many of her points parallel to the theistic view of â€Å"purpose theory. † Before I expound on these similarities, an understanding of the theistic view regarding the meaning of must be addressed. According to Borchert, the theistic view argues that, â€Å"life is meaningful insofar as one fulfills a purpose that God has assigned† (Borchert 295). In â€Å"Confession†, Leo Tolstoy discusses meaning in life from the theistic perspective and claims â€Å"now I see clearly that my faith-my only real faith-that which apart from my animal instincts gave impulse to my life- was a belief in perfecting myself† (Klemke 2). Tolstoy sought such perfection in artistic achievements and loving his family. In trying to find meaning in family and people, Tolstoy ultimately realizes that â€Å"My family — wife and children — are also human. They are placed just as I am: they must either live in a lie or see the terrible truth† (Klemke 10). In other words, Tolstoy realizes that if meaning resides in the finite and temporary nature of humanity, meaning too will die along with the life. Tolstoy further suggests that meaning cannot reside within artistic modes when he writes Art, poetry? Under the influence of success and the praise of men, I had long assured myself that this was a thing one could do though death was drawing near — death which destroys all things, including my work and its remembrance; but soon I saw that that too was a fraud† (Klemke 10). This declaration further supports Tolstoy’s theistic belief that everything of and in this world cannot be the ultimate source of meaning in lives. Although, the substance of this world may increase value within life, it cannot supply ultimate, enduring meaning. Tolstoy finally declares, â€Å"To know God and to live is one and the same thing. God is life- Live seeking God, and then you will not live without God† (Klemke 11). This passage concludes with his theistic assertion that without a â€Å"divine plan for the world, then all efforts come to nothing, because everything comes to nothing. Hence our lives are meaningless without God† (Metz 293). Though Wolf attempts to support an agnostic view for the question, â€Å"is there meaning in lives? † her central points mirror those of the theistic view and supports many of its claims. This final section will concentrate on central points within Wolf’s argument that support a theistic view for understanding meaning in lives. To begin, she claims that a life has meaning insofar as it is â€Å"engaged in a project or projects that have some positive value† (Wolf 65). Although this statements seems logical, Wolf fails to provide an intelligible source for acquiring knowledge about whether or not a project has positive value and which projects do not. She betrays the agnostic attempt to provide an understanding of meaning in lives through reason, by suggesting that realization of projects with positive value relies upon an epiphany. The concept of an epiphany for realization is inconsistent with her attempts to rationalize. However, when Wolf’s definition is placed against the theistic view, it is logically consistent with theological beliefs. Theists believe that an individual must be actively engaged in positively affecting peoples lives with in the world, while ultimately contributing to God’s divine plan in order for their lives to have meaning. This concept is articulated beautifully in Gianluca Di Muzio’s argument: Theism and the Meaning of Life, in which he states, â€Å"In order to have meaning, our lives must make a difference to a higher scheme. And theism sees human action as doing a sort of double duty. On one hand, they affect other people and events in this world, on the other, they further or hinder God’s ultimate plan† (Di Muzio 2). This statement suggests that humanities actions in projects have the ability to have two different forms of significance, both relative and ultimate. Relative significance refers to the theistic perspective that, â€Å"actions and events have relative significance when they only influence other actions and events†(Di Muzio 3). Ultimate significance is when our actions and events â€Å"contribute to God’s plan† (Di Muzio 3). Both of these forms contribute to theistic view, however Wolf’s argument focuses solely on relative significance. The theistic understanding of relative significance is paralleled to Wolf’s understanding of meaning in lives. She believes that when individuals realize their insignificance and begin to seek beyond themselves for meaning by actively engaging in projects of positive value, they can acquire meaning. Though this insignificance is transient, it supports the theistic belief that, â€Å"human beings have access to value† without having to postulate the existence of God, because â€Å"existence affords the opportunity to attain the kinds of goods that make a human life worthwhile and fulfilling† (Di Muzio 5-6). Wolf’s profound point that human life is just a â€Å"speck in a vast universe† lays the foundation for the theistic belief in ultimate significance (Wolf 71). Theists believe that there is A fundamental disproportion between aspirations and reality is a powerful source of the idea that our lives are absurd and meaningless. We think we matter, and yet we don’t. The world is not intoned with our hope, desires and projects. The possibility of out destruction looms everywhere; and human suffering, however enormous, seems to be nothing but a passing accident, a byproduct of the presence of sentient creatures in a world that merely tolerates them for a short time. (Di Muzio 9) This understanding of human insignificance plays a vital role in the theistic belief that despite human fragility, purpose and significance are achievable within the most tragic circumstances. Wolf’s recognition of our insignificance implies our need to look beyond our own lives for meaning. If a life of meaning depends upon recognizing the truth about our insignificance and continuing to be â€Å"actively engaged in a project of positive value†, and one cannot perform these projects due to tragic circumstances, then within Wolf’s reasoning their life can not have meaning. Wolf’s understanding of meaning depends upon individual human performance. In trying times of suffering, whether great or small, this concept of looking outside of ones own circumstances is hard to accomplish and in some circumstances impossible, thus in such cases meaning cannot be unachieved. The theistic view of ultimate significance provides a hope that a life of suffering can have meaning and purpose too in that, â€Å"the idea of God and hope for immortality can help us look again at the world and our fragile lives as meaningful†(Di Muzio 9). The project of participating in God’s divine plan is the only project that has lasting and unwavering value for meaning in lives. Wolf’s central argument concerning meaning in lives provides many logically convincing and sound points. However, Wolf’s definition of a life of meaning is both disconnected from her original argument and lacks a consistent, authoritative source and process for achieving meaning. She attempts to suggest that meaning is an â€Å"intelligible feature to be sought in life†, then provides the solution for achieving this insight of through the unintelligible source of epiphany. Secondly, Wolf’s argument for the realization of insignificance as the truth, unlocks the need for an individual to look beyond serving his or her own self-centered desires for meaning. However, though her point about insignificance seems valid, Wolf fails to provide examples or an understanding of how an individual can objectively determine how to look outside of themselves. In total, Wolf produces an understanding of meaning that depends upon an individuals abilities to undergo an epiphany and properly manifest their understanding of the need to look outside one’s self and recognize Universal needs. The problem with this stance is that focusing on the Universe provides no lasting impact, or meaning to a particular life because the things of this Universe are finite and temporary. The individual’s life will eventually end along with the actions and events they affected. Though existence can provide an opportunity for value, as understood in Wolf’s argument and the theistic view, meaning is dependent upon a infinite being whose performance can not be temporary. An individual must not be reliant on their personal performances and finite experiences to obtain meaning, but rather is actively engaged in an eternal project of positive value, determined by an infinite and constant authority, God. Works Cited Borchert, Donald M. Theism. Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2nd ed. 10. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Web. 25 Apr 2012. Di Muzio, Gianluca. Theism and the Meaning of Life life’s meaning? Ars Disputandi . 6. (2006): 1-12. Print. Klemke, E. D. â€Å"The Meaning of Life†. 2nd. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Metz, Thaddeus. â€Å"Could God’s purpose be the source of life’s meaning? † Cambridge Journals. (2000): 293-311. Print. Wolf, Susan. The Meaning Of Lives. 62-73. Print.

The madding crowd Essay Example for Free

The madding crowd Essay The sheep washing shows how Boldwood never gives up hope. Even later in the novel, when Bathsheba has turned him down several times, he asks for her hand in marriage on Christmas Day, so they can marry five years after the death of Troy, which would make it legal. He is positive that she will say that she will marry him and she, not wanting to hurt his feelings, feels obliged to agree. After the shooting however, it all comes out just how desperate he is. The murder is enough to show but he also has a ring, which he has had since the first time he asked her to marry him. Many presents are also found addressed to Bathsheba Boldwood and it is clear from them that Boldwood was a troubled man, slightly insane because of his love of Bathsheba. At the Corn Exchange, Boldwood, who was itching to ask Bathsheba if he would consider marrying him, discovers that he cannot ask her yet. She receives news that Troy has drowned and she is instantaneously gloomy. Boldwood knows straight away that now is not the right time. He does however realise now that he is free to ask her at any point, because Troy is gone. His face flushed with the suppressed excitement of an unutterable thought, which means that he is plotting to finally get the woman of his dreams. Troys entrance has an overwhelming effect on Boldwood at the engagement party. Hardy reminds the reader of Boldwoods prior loss of Bathsheba, when he describes Tory as being, the impersonator of heavens persistency towards him, who had once upon broken in upon bliss, scourged him and snatched his delight away. The usage of those strong, and rather violent words such as, broken, scourged, and snatched further highlights Boldwoods painful suffering and foreshadows the violent actions to come. Boldwood is shocked, as is everyone else, about the sudden reappearance of Troy. Everyone thought that he was dead, so no one can quite believe it. Troy then tries to get Bathsheba to come home with him. Bathsheba doesnt move and Troy tries to pull her up, which is when Boldwood loses it. In a flurry of movement, screaming a smoke, Boldwood shoots Troy, who falls on the floor dead. Everyone is greatly shocked. Hardy then describes how Boldwood crossed over to Bathsheba, kissed her hand and, put on his hat, opened the door, and went into the darkness, nobody thinking of preventing him. No one probably stops him because it is such a sudden shock. This shows how insane Boldwood has become. In this novel, Hardy details often on the pain of love, and demonstrates to everyone the fact that love is not simple, and is a complex rollercoaster of emotions and there is more often than not more than two people involved. The two men are very different, but similar in some ways. Both are, obviously, bowled over by Bathshebas beauty and they are both highly respected gentlemen. They both display their emotions in very different ways however. Sergeant Troy can keep his feelings well under wrap, not really letting on to many people how he truly feels. Boldwood however, cannot contain his emotions as well as Troy, so therefore, goes insane because of his love, or even lust, of Bathsheba, which appears much stronger than Troys, who really prefers Fanny. Bathsheba is more inclined to be with Troy because he is a young, dashing solider. She gives Boldwood the cold shoulder because he is an ageing, boring farmer, who cannot add the spice to life that she requires. By Michael J. Ritchie Michael Ritchie 1 Ms Farrell English Far From The Madding Crowd Coursework

Guide to industrial relations for new union members

Guide to industrial relations for new union members Employee Relations: The guide to industrial relations for new union members 1.1 Aspects of industrial relations. Unitarist-V-Pluralist â€Å"The pressure on Human Resources Management to be strategic is almost as intense now as the campaign to persuade us to eat healthily. We all believe it is a good thing to be strategic- career progressive for ourselves, prestigious for our progression and it might even do our organizations good as well†. (Harriott and Pinder, 1992: pg 36) Pluralistic and Unitary frames of reference are part of the new industrial relations resolution that is there to prevent actions that would result in industrial dispute. Both frames of reference look at the views of employees and how organization deals with them, if they do. Below is a model of Guest (1989), which is also the work of many theorists, which looks at the frames of reference, and how they differ. Unitarist:  ·Traditional unitarist  ·Sophisticated unitarist Pluralist:  ·New industrial relations pluralist  ·Opportunistic pluralist  ·Sophisticated pluralist  ·Traditional pluralist The Unitarists view: this form of reference looks at businesses that believe that the employees should share the same goals as the overall organization. A Pluralist looks at and accepts that employees will not all share the same goals and views as the overall organization. This also affects the presence of Union representative role within the organization, and how they view their roles. For example, Unitarists find it difficult to accept that the Union has such a major role in the organization, but Pluralist welcome the idea of their presence and regard them as an essential role for employees motivation in the workplace. â€Å"Most managers took the line that since they could get what they wanted through negotiations or by acting out unilaterally, there was no need to attack the unions†. (Kessder and Bayliss, 1992, pg. 35) For example IBM and Hewitt Packard have followed the culture side of sophisticated approach of unitarists, where they emphasise the importance of every employee having the same objectives as the company. They also have strong emphasis on having a sophisticated selection process of new employees, along with training and employment involvement. The majority of the employees in their company are non-union. Guest (2001) also describes four possible industrial strategies (orientations) that may be followed: The new realism: This is when a company considers human resource management and industrial relations highly regarded for the company and their employees. An example of this put into practice is by a company called Thorn Lighting, whom state that the new realism is something they strongly believe in: New styles of union given more power Employment is top agenda Emphasis on career and personal development To also continue increasing skills and tools and techniques to support world class initiative. (Thorn Lighting) Traditional collectivism: This is the emphasis being place on industrial relations without HRM. Stakeholders are directly affected by the companies culture and attitude of employee relations; â€Å"the rationale for employee relations is to solve the problem that in a labour market the buyers (employers) and sellers (employees) have an endemic conflict of interests over the prices at which they wish to exchange their services†. (Gennard and Judge (2003)) Employee relations strategy is something that has to work successfully to make the company overall successful. Employees have a vast interest in how the company is performing; for the job security, if the business is not performing as well as it should, will this mean that they would lose their job? Involving employees in some business decision making will allow them to feel that they are important to the company and could increase job motivation and loyalty. This will decrease the need for any industrial actions or union interference. Union members will also have a interest in the business, seeing how 1.2 Union History Kochan (1980) sees industrial relations as emphasizing the study of all aspects of people at work, including all individuals as well as group workers (who may or may not organise into a trade union), the behaviour of employers and union organizations, together with the public policy or legal framework governing employment conditions. The union membership has been rising and then falling over the years, especially with the Margaret Thatcher era, which could be due to the large unions that tried and failed against the government, they included: Miners Steel workers Civil servants Hospital workers And printers The union membership fell from 13million to 12million in 1979, but there were still 300,000 shop stewards and reps, 47 out of 50 top UK companies still were unionized. Striking in 1994 hit an all time low, when only 278,000 days were lost by strike action. The total for the first nine months of 1995 was 238,00; since then Job Centre staff, Merseyside Fire-Fighters, Ford and Vauxhall workers have taken strike action. An unofficial strike action was taken in Scotland by postal workers, which led to victory. â€Å"There are no doubts that people are saying enough is enough and the membership is moving ahead of the trade union leadership† (Ken Cameron-Daily Mail). With the new labour government in 1997, they began to see trade unions as an advantage, which could be used to encourage workplace learning. In May 1998, the union learning funding was created to encourage and provide government funding for ‘innovative trade union projects. This involves the promotion of workplace learning, which 28,000 people have benefited from additional learning opportunities. (In the first four years) In April 2003, legal status was brought in for ‘union learning representatives, which indicated that government believe that training is an important aspect of improvement in employee relations. This would also encourage the bargaining agenda and partnership promotion of between employers and unions. This will economically be important to the government as it will improve the skills of workers, but it will also create harmony in the workplace, therefore preventing industrial action. 1.3+1.4: Roles involved in employee relations Trade unions The aim of trade unions are to give employees job protection, the improvement of pay and conditions, and to also industrial democracy. What do unions do for there members? Negotiate pay and conditions Give advice and information Defend employee rights Resolve conflict Provide services for members I.e. legal help 1998 figures for other union memberships: UNISON: (public services) 1,300,451 TG: (general) 881,357 NUT: (teachers) 172,852 FBU: (firefighters) 56,943 Source: Labour Research Grouped union types: Craft and occupational unions: White collar unions: this union is for employed in a professional environment e.g. office based. Blue collar unions: these workers are involved in manual employment General unions: this union is specific to those that are not already in a union, but do not have a craft or skill Industrial unions: industrial unions organise their own unions that are specific to their industry. Trades unions can be organized on the basis of occupation, industry or make-up a general union with different groups of unions join. Representatives are elected at the workplace, with discussions with management, which are then linked with regional and national level union structure and services. Regional and national level unions focus mainly on negotiating with employers over pay and conditions. Nationally, some unions may join together to form one or more national unions e.g. Trade Union Congress (TUC). TUC: The TUC is a national trade union centre, a collaboration of trade unions in the UK. They have union representatives of over six and a half million working people, whilst campaigning for a fair deal at work and for social justice home and abroad. The TUC is highly regarded and recognized as the voice of Britain. The TUC is the largest voluntary organization in Britain, whom have 76 members of unions that campaign for the workers; Fairness Decent standards of working environment Health and safety Equal opportunities However, the TUC is not seen as highly powered, as individual unions are not bound by the decisions that the TUC make. Their main activities of the TUC is to: Pressure and influence government policy, that includes labour and union issues They also make the decisions for members of the unions on rules and legislation, however they do not interfere with the day-to-day running of individual unions. The confederation of British Industry (CBI) was formed in 1965, though similar to the TUC, it differs as the voices of the employees are heard, not the voices of the union members. Members of the CBI are from: Private sector industries Service and commercial enterprise Public sector Employers association Trade association And Chambers of Commerce. They have regional offices that help to deal with local and area issues, which enables them to keep in touch with small businesses and local employers, to resolve any issues that they may have. Like the TUC, they also attempt to influence government decision making Provides legal, financial and economical advice to all of their members Has links in Europe, for the interest of the British industry in the European union They also consult with bodies such as ACAS, in association with the TUC also. Employee representatives act as the main voice for the employees, which includes the process of collective bargaining/negotiation. Being a rep is on a voluntary basis and are elected by the employees that they will represent. Employee reps can make improvement to employee relations, as they are able to be the main voice towards the management for the employees. This could help improve the harmony of the workplace, and could disrupt any dispute that could happen in the near future, due to good communication and sound negotiating. This will then begin to create a trusting relationship, especially between line managers and employees, as any grievance will be dealt with through the help of their rep. Employers are seeing the benefits of active employees in the union, which has a direct impact on employee relations. Employees will improve their people relations and competency skills, which would therefore improve their efficiency and improve overall job satisfaction, communication and motivation within the work place. As issues will be resolved through the increased communication, then it is likely that employees will have the motivation and satisfaction to work to the best of their abilities. The direct impact of de-motivated employees are low production, which means low profit and it will have a domino affect on the other stakeholders that have an interest in the business too. Line managers also have a direct affect on the sufficient running of the work floor and can affect the attitudes of the workers. Communication is key to the relationship between line managers and employees, this brings the importance of how the rep can make the difference to the working environment. Collective disputes: Strike actions: this involves a complete stoppage of work by the union members employees due to their grievances being unresolved from unsuccessful bargaining. Strikes are taken up on by labour unions during the collective bargaining process. When the collective bargaining negotiations breakdown, strike action is usually taken as the last resort. This is due to both parties unable to reach an agreement. Government intervention has always been highly regarded to the governments overall party, as industrial disputes can have a damaging affect on the economy. Currently the government funds a number of bodies that can resolve any future industrial disputes that may occur. They fund the ACAS scheme, which was set up in 1974 and was given statutory rights under the Employment Protection Act 1975. ACAS attempt to resolve any disputes before further action is taken by the union. â€Å"The current ACAS, originally called the Conciliation and Arbitration Service, was set up with an independent council to direct it in 1974. Advisory was added to the name in 1975 to reflect the full range of services on offer. Finally, in 1976, the new organisation was put on a statutory footing and receives its funding through the Department of Trade and Industry†. (Derek Torrington-2005) Advantages of using ACAS in a dispute: Results can be quick, it day take less than a day to resolve the dispute Can be a cost-efficient method Flexible for the organization Opportunities for appeal are very limited Legal representatives are not required, so this method is very cost affective Services that ACAS provide: Industrial disputes: ACAS will intervene in its conciliation duties if an industrial dispute takes place, with the request of union group members or management. Arbitration: this is where both parties put their case forward, so ACAS can assess each case and then recommends any decisions that could be made Advisory work: ACAS carry out advisory work with employers, trade unions and employers association. Code of practice: ACAS issue a code of practice, which advises how to improve industrial relations between employers and employees. Enquiries: ACAS are well informed and publish booklets on labour turnover and appraisal systems etc, to help improve industrial relations and personnel management practice. Individual cases: ACAS individually investigates an employee grievance from unfair dismissal to discrimination. Tribunals: ACAS overall aim is to settle any matter of grievance without using the courts as a method. The central arbitration committee: If agreements cannot be reached, then employees have the option of the Central arbitration Committee (CAC), which is a government body which is designed to assist with union queries. The committee first encourage the union to try and resolve the issue first hand. If this fails then the committee will recognize this and union could then hold a ballot. The CAC have the power to instruct the employer to co-operate with the ballot or risk a fine. Example of resolving a dispute: ITV have set ways to help communicate with their employees approach to dispute and have procedures put in place to avoid conflict. ITV uses a wide range of direct communication methods to engage with individual employees. ITVs intranet, known as Watercooler, provides a daily online update on news affecting ITV directly and theres a weekly Watercooler for employees who are not online. Other methods of communication includes the 60-second update-produced monthly by central communications and setting out whats going on in the business. This includes individual development reviews, briefing meetings, workshops and using individual relationships with the line manager. This is then monitored to see if this affected through employee surveys. The company also engages in collective bargaining through elected representatives because the union represents only 15 percent of their workforce. ITV need to consult employees regularly as the scale of changes within the organization, they have around 15 communication groups located in different businesses. The aim of this is to reassure that the employees feel respected and that their interests are of an importance. However, management rarely deliver engagement towards the employees, so they put the emphasis on line managers and HR policies and affective communication to allow the employees to be engaged in company activity. When disputes surface they use the collective bargaining and elected representatives to deal with the disputes- along with the union members. The process is: This way of resolving conflict is positive as it allows the employees to have a large amount of communication forwarded and towards the management. However, there seems to be a large amount of responsibility to be the employees main spokesman, which cold be negative for employees if line managers communication is poor. Collective bargaining: Collective bargaining is a process in which employers work with the employees trade union and work councils to negotiate issues that are unsettling the employees. Usually most employees bargain on a day-to-day basis, which involves communication between the line manager on a regular basis. Whos involved in collective bargaining? Collective bargaining is not as commonly used as it once was, according to Cully (1999), only 41 percent now use this method of negotiating the employees terms and conditions. Eastern Europe and the Scandinavian countries still commonly use the collective bargaining process as a way to negotiate employees conditions. The union members and representatives bring into the negotiating argument of rising house prices and cost of living to negotiate their pay terms. Whilst management make negotiations from examples of the labour market rates. Both have to be consider in how it will affect the companies costs and the future affects. Source: Tim Hannogan- management, concept and practices. (1998) John Goodman (1984) describes collective bargaining as ‘a process through which representatives of employers and employee organization act as the joint creators of substantive and procedural rules regulating employment. The negotiation process will depend on the culture of the business I.e. pluralist-V-unitarist. Open and clear communication and preparation will allow the possibilities of conflict to be dissolved and relations with employees with employers will be improved. Preparation for the negotiation process: Drawing up the plan of what they hope to achieve, with objectives of the negotiation, which then is approved by the appropriate management Investigating what the grievances the employees have, letting everyone have a view, so the negotiations and objectives are clear Looking at the current collective bargaining agreements that already exists within the company Looking at how the employees would benefit from the suggested improvements e.g. increased salary Looking at the cost implications of proposed improvements According to an American study carried out, skills of negotiation are carried out with specific requirements for the negotiators taken on the bargaining: Being rated both highly in a negotiation Having the appropriate track record of negotiation success Having a low record of unsuccessful negotiations Strategy of negotiation It is important that the process is taken on board and planning is the main part, if there is going to be a successful negotiation. Planning the negotiation will look at the alternative outcomes, giving them a range of options if they cannot agree on specific issues. I believe that it is important that negotiators do not focus on one point, not forgetting other issues that need resolving. Also the planning of the future is very important when negotiation, looking at the short-term and long-term implications. It is also important that both representatives agree with their objectives and allocate roles to suit their strengths. Looking at what the other party might suggest and looking at ways to not give-up on what the overall original objectives were. Possible outcomes: Employee relations -V- industrial relations, difference? Industrial relations have become a term that is used based upon strike action and disputes in the work place. However, the new term employee relations, sets about to bring a more harmonized work force, whom have more communication

The Degradation of the Character of Macbeth :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

The Degradation of the Character of Macbeth  Ã‚   Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth explores the decline of the central character, Macbeth from a respectable warrior to a murdering and lying fiend. This change in character is a direct result of Macbeth’s unbridled ambition and greed. In act 1 scene 2 Macbeth is described as "brave", "valiant" and "heroic" and everyone admires him. King Duncan and his court receive news from the wounded Captain that the battle against the traitor and the rebel MacDonwald and his army was evenly balanced until Macbeth and Banquo in acts of outstanding courage and ferocity destroyed him and his troops, like "sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion". But as this occurs , reinforcements from the King of Norway and the traitor, the Thane Of Cawdor, counterattack Macbeth and Banquo " but all's too weak; for brave Macbeth well he deserves that name". However these two are not at all dismayed; but as the Captain is taken away to tend to his wounds, the outcome is still unsure. The Thane Of Ross arrives to report that, through the fighting spirit of Macbeth, Duncan's army has won a great victory " The victory fell on us". Duncan declares that the "most disloyal traitor" the Thane Of Cawdor is to be executed which is very ironic "Go pronounce his present death" and Macbeth "O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!" is to receive his title and estates as a reward "Nobel Macbeth hath won". Although we haven't yet met Macbeth, whilst the battle is primitive and bloody the Captain's and Ross's descriptions emphasize an "heroic", even "epic" quality of Macbeth part of them. This is shown in the personifications such as "Disclaiming fortune", "valorous minion", and references such as "memorize another Golgotha". Duncan himself generously praises Macbeth, and the final epithet he gives is "noble". These quotes show that people and even the king have a very high opinion of Macbeth. The witches appear at the beginning and are highly ambiguous creatures- whether they are human it is debatable. The witches create a sense of mystery: they will meet when "the battles lost and won", which seems a contradiction. The fact that they are evil is show in their final couplet. According to them "Fair is foul, and foul is fair". Put another way this means: good is bad and bad is good. All of Act 1 scene 1 creates a very ominous atmosphere.

A Comparison of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Dead Poets Society

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Vs. Dead Poets Society      Ã‚   "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost) In today's world there is no tolerance for the individual thinker. It is not acceptable to modify or bend the rules of society. Society is civilized, and to be civilized there must be rules, regulations and policies that prevent. Individuality leads to a mess of chaos. To prevent disorder, institutions in society keep these rules strongly enforced. Man creates these institutions in order to provide convenience and stability in everyday life. Then instead of man running these institutions, the institutions begin to reverse the role of power and the institutions are running man. He is rendered helpless to what he has created. With the institution in power it has become smarter and stronger than man, working to destroy individuality with the invisible machine running smoothly. Positions of power and authority are given to some. The power chang es those who it into an unfeeling, ruthless, cold machine. Also they become part of the institution, forgetting the real purpose of their jobs. Institutions force individuals to bend and mold the standard and give up freedom and individuality. Some individuals are unable to conform when their will to remain creative and self-reliant is too strong; they fight against the current that society and its institutions create. Beating the system is another thing; those who attempt to beat the system are often referred to as romantics because they do not focus on the reality of situations. The system cannot be beat. If one official of an intuition is taken down there will be a many more waiting i... ...de. Those who face their weaknesses and accept themselves are successful in the manner that they obtain complete control of their lives instead of letting society influence their decisions. Rebelliousness of this force results in complications and dissatisfaction of those who uphold its values. A choice must be made whether to walk in that straight line of society or branch out to the new world.    Work Cited 1.Chapman, Jeff and John D. Jorgenson, eds. "Kesey, Ken." Contemporary   Authors Vol.54. Detroit: Gale, 1997.    2.Frost, Robert. Selected Poems by Robert Frost, New York: Barnes and Noble, 2001    3.Graham, Judith, ed. Current Biography Yearbook Vol. 1962, New York: The H.W Wilson Company, 1993    4.Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, New York: Penguin Group, 1962    5.Weir, Peter. Dead Poets Society, 1989 A Comparison of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Dead Poets Society One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Vs. Dead Poets Society      Ã‚   "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost) In today's world there is no tolerance for the individual thinker. It is not acceptable to modify or bend the rules of society. Society is civilized, and to be civilized there must be rules, regulations and policies that prevent. Individuality leads to a mess of chaos. To prevent disorder, institutions in society keep these rules strongly enforced. Man creates these institutions in order to provide convenience and stability in everyday life. Then instead of man running these institutions, the institutions begin to reverse the role of power and the institutions are running man. He is rendered helpless to what he has created. With the institution in power it has become smarter and stronger than man, working to destroy individuality with the invisible machine running smoothly. Positions of power and authority are given to some. The power chang es those who it into an unfeeling, ruthless, cold machine. Also they become part of the institution, forgetting the real purpose of their jobs. Institutions force individuals to bend and mold the standard and give up freedom and individuality. Some individuals are unable to conform when their will to remain creative and self-reliant is too strong; they fight against the current that society and its institutions create. Beating the system is another thing; those who attempt to beat the system are often referred to as romantics because they do not focus on the reality of situations. The system cannot be beat. If one official of an intuition is taken down there will be a many more waiting i... ...de. Those who face their weaknesses and accept themselves are successful in the manner that they obtain complete control of their lives instead of letting society influence their decisions. Rebelliousness of this force results in complications and dissatisfaction of those who uphold its values. A choice must be made whether to walk in that straight line of society or branch out to the new world.    Work Cited 1.Chapman, Jeff and John D. Jorgenson, eds. "Kesey, Ken." Contemporary   Authors Vol.54. Detroit: Gale, 1997.    2.Frost, Robert. Selected Poems by Robert Frost, New York: Barnes and Noble, 2001    3.Graham, Judith, ed. Current Biography Yearbook Vol. 1962, New York: The H.W Wilson Company, 1993    4.Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, New York: Penguin Group, 1962    5.Weir, Peter. Dead Poets Society, 1989

Provoking Revenge In Hamlet Essay example -- essays research papers

Storming into the palace and throwing accusations at Claudius, Laertes reveals he is impulsive. Laertes anger is due to the dishonor that has been inflicted on his family by Polonius’s murder. Claudius takes advantage of the sudden appearance of Laertes, by provoking Laertes into assisting him in plotting Hamlet’s murder. Shakespeare uses Laertes not only as a catalyst in the story, but as a contrast to the pensive Hamlet. Both men seek the same kind of justice but chose different paths to attain it. Laertes acts on anger without thinking, but Hamlet waits, debating the consequence of committing murder. Laertes function is to contrast Hamlet’s sensibility with his incensed spontaneity.Claudius manipulates to his advantage Laertes lack of hesitation and hot temper. Winning Laertes support by painting Hamlet as a malicious killer Claudius provokes Laertes to avenge Polonius. Claudius gives Laertes initiative to kill Hamlet saying for Hamlet’s "death no wind of blame shall breathe"(227) on the killer. Laertes is eager to "be the organ"(227) that aids Claudius in killing Hamlet, but to make sure Laertes is not "a face without a heart"(231) Claudius questions Laertes love for his father. This is Laertes breaking point. Laertes wants immediate action so that his "revenge will come"(225), not thinking of the consequence. His ability to ignore what will result from his revenge contrasts Hamlet’s turmoil over killing Claudius.Because Hamlet... Provoking Revenge In Hamlet Essay example -- essays research papers Storming into the palace and throwing accusations at Claudius, Laertes reveals he is impulsive. Laertes anger is due to the dishonor that has been inflicted on his family by Polonius’s murder. Claudius takes advantage of the sudden appearance of Laertes, by provoking Laertes into assisting him in plotting Hamlet’s murder. Shakespeare uses Laertes not only as a catalyst in the story, but as a contrast to the pensive Hamlet. Both men seek the same kind of justice but chose different paths to attain it. Laertes acts on anger without thinking, but Hamlet waits, debating the consequence of committing murder. Laertes function is to contrast Hamlet’s sensibility with his incensed spontaneity.Claudius manipulates to his advantage Laertes lack of hesitation and hot temper. Winning Laertes support by painting Hamlet as a malicious killer Claudius provokes Laertes to avenge Polonius. Claudius gives Laertes initiative to kill Hamlet saying for Hamlet’s "death no wind of blame shall breathe"(227) on the killer. Laertes is eager to "be the organ"(227) that aids Claudius in killing Hamlet, but to make sure Laertes is not "a face without a heart"(231) Claudius questions Laertes love for his father. This is Laertes breaking point. Laertes wants immediate action so that his "revenge will come"(225), not thinking of the consequence. His ability to ignore what will result from his revenge contrasts Hamlet’s turmoil over killing Claudius.Because Hamlet...

Analysis Of Wood Waste At Attwood Bay Environmental Sciences Essay

After reexamining the ROV and SCUBA transect informations, it is clear that there have been important impacts to the Marine environment caused by the lacrimation of wood at Attwood Bay. This was evidenced by the comparative volumes and distributions of wood waste nowadays on the ocean floor during the 2006 and 2009 site studies. Datas collected from the 2006 ROV and 2009 SCUBA site studies indicated that the sum of wood waste accumulated at this site has increased since the initial site visit. A greater proportion of the substrate was seeable during the 2006 study as compared to the 2009 picture footage where much of the substrate was wholly covered with wood waste and accordingly its composing could non be determined. This site exhibited low species diverseness and copiousness, in 2006 and 2009 as compared with unimpacted sites. It is good documented that accretions of bark and other woody dust on the ocean floor negatively impacts benthal infaunal and epifaunal diverseness and copiousness ( Kirkpatrick et.al 1998, Pease, 1974, Conlan, K.E. and Ellis, D.V. , 1979. and Jackson, R.G. 1986 ) . Wood waste negatively impacts benthal communities as it is known to leach potentially toxic organic compounds into the H2O, has a high biological O demand and can surround benthal ( peculiarly infaunal ) communities ( Pe ase, 1974 ) . The exact nature and impacts of wood waste leachates is non to the full understood, nevertheless these lignin-based substances are known to precipitate out in sea H2O, and believed to settle on and negatively impact benthal home grounds ( Duval, 1980 ) . Areas of bark accretion have been found to hold a higher biological O demand than environing deposits whereby take downing the dissolved O content of the superimposed H2O ( Pease, 1974 and Picard, 2002 ) . Many benthal invertebrates ( peculiarly infaunal ) are unable to last in anoxic conditions and therefore are good indexs of alterations in benthal home ground conditions ( Pease, 1974 and Samis et.al. , 1999 ) . Additionally, wood waste that accumulates on the ocean floor clutters benthic infaunal marine life ( peculiarly pelecypods ) whereby cut downing the populations of quarry species available to larger benthal marauders such as pediculosis pubiss etc. ( Picard, 2003 ) . The deficiency of pelecypods and other seeable infaunal beings ( with the exclusion of tube-dwelling windflowers ) at this site is to be expected given the sum of wood waste screen. A uninterrupted bed of wood waste hinders the colony and enlisting of many benthal beings and can cut down critical shoal nearshore habitat utilised for rise uping juveniles. ( Samis et.al,1999 ) . Many of the species observed in the study pictures were known to be more resilient to wood dust, viz. sea Cucumis sativuss ( Parastichopus californicus ) , assorted sea stars ( viz. Pycnopodia helianthoides ) , brickle stars ( Ophiuoroidea ) and assorted fish species ( Kirkpatrick et.al. 1998 ) . These species are motile and are hence less easy smo thered by wood waste accretions and are by and large suspension feeders ( brickle stars ) or detritivores and hence do non trust on a healthy infaunal community for nutrient. It is believed that sea cucumbers ( Parastichopus californicus ) provender on the abundant bug populations populating the bed of wood waste, and Sun stars are general marauders known to feed on sea Cucumis sativuss ( University of Michigan Museum of Biology, 2009 ) . As good, the high frequence of ascertained elephantine swimming sea slug ( Dendronotus flag ) was sensible given that they feed on the tentacles of the tubing brooding windflower ( Pachycerianthus fimbriatus ) and layer their eggs on the tubing. Overall the species copiousness and diverseness at this site was significantly less than comparable home grounds non impacted by logging activities. Reduced available O, coupled with potentially toxic leachates and the surrounding consequence of thick dust screen explains why a decrease in species diversene ss and population complexness is observed in countries where water-based logging has occurred, including the Attwood Bay log shit site. Past site appraisals conducted for BCTS have shown that deep-water home grounds are by and large the most to a great extent impacted by accretions of bark and other woody dust. Attwood is no exclusion, despite the fact that the shit is comparatively shallow, the impacts of wood waste have still been found to increase with depth ( Figure 5 ) . Severe impacts were found throughout the site get downing between -4 to -6m deepness and go oning beyond the furthest extent of the SCUBA transects. Datas collected from the ROV study showed these impacts widening to ( and probably beyond ) -50m deepness. Based on these observations, and observations at similar log shit sites where impacts to habitat addition with deepness, it is expected that terrible impacts at this site besides continue into deeper H2O. Although unimpacted deep-water home grounds frequently exhibit lower species diverseness and copiousnesss than shallow-water home grounds due to cut down light incursion and primary productive ness ; the species copiousness in deeper countries at this site is still less than one would anticipate to happen in countries which have non been impacted by wood lacrimation activities. Wood waste is transported in the Marine environment by moving ridges, air current and currents and frequently deposited in deep H2O countries ( Kirkpatrick et.al. 1998 ) . Conveyance of woody dust to deeper countries expands the impact country from shallower to deeper H2O. This site is non known to see important current flow and hence reduced current and tidal flushing in deeper countries has resulted in the accretion of beds of wood waste making a smothering cover over the sea floor. The slow dislocation of this deposited wood waste is besides expected to hold increased anoxic conditions for benthal beings, cut downing species diverseness and copiousness. Picard et Al. identified that impacts of wood waste can last many decennaries and even centuries ( 2003 ) . The possible exists for the deep H2O home ground impacts observed in Attwood Bay to be long permanent as these terrible impacts were observed even in 2006 after 7 old ages of inaction at the site ( Price, 2007 ) . Pulling decisions on whether or non a site is showing marks of recovery is a cardinal outlook of the appraisal procedure. While this piece of information is built-in towards decision-making, & A ; acirc ; ˆ?recovery & A ; acirc ; ˆâ„ ¢ has yet to be defined due to the limited sum of scientific information available. At present, the criterion technique for log shit appraisals incorporates merely the aggregation of macro-epifaunal information ( i.e. SCUBA and ROV picture footage and still snap ) . While this information has the ability to talk to the more obvious alterations in home ground and recovery, in the absence of more infaunal sampling ( i.e. testing sediment nucleuss for the presence of juvenile pelecypods, polychetes, and other index species ) , decisions drawn on the true province of recovery are limited. Get downing to concentrate more attempt on measuring the infaunal community at a historical log shit site may work to better our apprehension of recovery and fin ally consequence in better direction procedures.