A moment in my life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A moment in my life - Essay Example We typically go on trips every weekend, with either her friends or mine. One day in 2006, my friend asked me for a favor. I have a penchant for fixing cars and anything mechanical, and so when my friend approached me to fix his car, I was more than willing to do it for him. He went to the house with the car, and said, â€Å"Buddy, I do not have the time and the funds to have this thing fixed. But if you promise to do it for me, we’d have a joy ride during the weekend.† Being best friends for the past 10 years, I willingly obliged. It took me several hours of painstaking diagnosis and greasy work to have the thing fixed. â€Å"Vrrrrrrrrrrooooom!†, it finally went. Alas, the car was good as new. Excited with what I had accomplished, I ran to the phone to call Carl and tell him that the machine was ready for pick up. â€Å"Don’t forget the job ride!†, I muttered. Shouting, he replied, â€Å"It’s a date, and don’t forget to bring along your sister.† Karl and my sister were best friends as well, and there were countless times when we were each others’ confidantes. My sister willingly tagged along on that bright, Saturday. The weather was pleasant, and we all drove without even knowing where we were destined to go. The usual chit-chat made us forget about the time, and we were exhausted after three hours of laughter. Without much warning, the unexpected happened. A ten-wheeler truck was speeding at the other lane, and Carl tried his best to avoid it when the car’s breaks did not function as expected. In a few seconds, the car turned turtle, and I saw both Carl and my sister unconscious. There was blood all over the place. My sister had enough strength to tell me, â€Å"Take care. Go get some help†¦save yourself.† I was in total panic and I could not feel anything. â€Å"They’re here. There’s a conscious guy here!†. The paramedics came, and brought in all of us into the ambulance onto the nearest hospital. I was a

Effects of discipline on children Annotated Bibliography

Effects of discipline on children - Annotated Bibliography Example The source will be useful in the classification of the various disciplinary actions and their effects on children behaviors during the research. The chapter â€Å"Discipline by Parents and Child Psychopathology† defines discipline and the various methods that are used to administer discipline in children including corporal punishments. It further analysis the effects including cultural and antisocial behavior that each discipline action is associated with particularly the psychological effects. The source is credible as it is written by accredited authors and uses primary data from its study to analyses the effects of discipline on children. It will be used by the research to distinguish disciplinary actions that have more effects compared to others. The article presents an analysis of the effects of physical punishment on children through the identification of patterns that have been used to implement disciplinary measures among children. It further analyses the possible positive effects of promoting nonviolent parenting. The source is credible as an accredited PhD holder author was behind the analysis. It will be used in the analysis and comparison of the effects of physical and nonviolent discipline among children/ GÃÆ' ¡mez-Guadix, M., Carrobles, J., Almendros, C., & FernÃÆ' ¡ndez-Alcaraz, C. (2010). Physical punishment and long-term consequences: the moderating role of parental context. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 2093-2097. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.419 The article explores the long-term consequences of physical punishment on children including both behavioral and psychological problems. The study conducted indicated that physical punishment is related to negative outcomes irrespective of the parental context in which are applied. The source is credible as a university press published it and scholars conducted the study. It will be used in the analysis of long-term consequences

Islamaphobia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Islamaphobia - Essay Example The belief in Christianity as a Western civilization and culture resulted in the anti-Islam discourse. Muslims were regarded as different and radical as their religion was incompatible with the European culture (Konrad 31). People saw Islam as an element of threat to the spread and existence of Christianity in Europe. The viewpoint culminated into the position that Islam will conquer Europe through immigration and birth rates. Defenders of this notion believed that because of the growing Muslim community, Europe faces the danger of losing its Christian-based civilization and cultural identity. Another common discourse on Islam was its monolithic presentation. A reflection of this discourse is evident in the use of the terms â€Å"them† and â€Å"us† to ascertain that Islam was compatible with major European ideals. Europeans viewed Islam as tool for opposing European ideals such as democracy, sexual equality, and rejection of violence. The 19th century marked the age of Europe’s Enlightenment. Anti-Islam groups used every possible method to fight Islam because they believed it was a threat to the European age of enlightenment. Anti-Islamic contents and articles were found in various politically oriented newspapers and journals. The European media used showed particular differences in issues of gender power and politics. It showed the differences between the European culture and the Islamic culture. There was a biased representation of Islam because the arguments presented by the European community only demonstrated the incompatibility between Islam an d the western society (Konrad 30). Anti-Islam discourses in Europe began in the 17th and 18th centuries. Islam and societies influenced by Islam were regarded as inferior. Most of the anti-Islam discourse in Europe were based on stereotypes consisting of cultural prejudices against Islam. The cultural prejudices that developed a distinction between the Muslim Orient

External and internal pressures Ukrainian art and culture Essay

External and internal pressures Ukrainian art and culture - Essay Example Whatever gains, however, that Ukrainian arts and culture had during that era soon became ineffective when Stalinization and â€Å"russification† was imposed on non-Russian cultures. This implied a suppression of non-Russian culture and the imposition of Russian culture as a guideline for all artistic and cultural activities. With the death of Stalin in 1953 and the subsequent de-Stalinization of Russian policies during the reign of Nikita Khrushchev in the late 1950s, Ukrainian art became free once again. A historical look at Ukrainian art reveals that despite the influences, forced or otherwise, there exists distinct Ukrainian elements that characterize and separate Ukrainian art from other foreign arts and culture. Ukrainian architecture began to take a distinctive shape in the pre-Christian era. Early Ukrainian structures were made of wood. In the 9th to 10th centuries churches, fortifications and even palaces were made of wood (see Fig. 1). Pieces of timber were horizontal ly placed on top of another to form structures and this tradition of construction was continued even up to the 20th century (My Ukraine). When Ukraine embraced Christianity in the 16th century, churches were built in Byzantine style but adopted the traditional and local Ukrainian methods which can be characterized by â€Å"large central nave with almost square plans and a high framework, windows were situated high above the ground, and the buildings were covered with a vault, hipped roof or cupola,† a roofing type in which is conical in shape and sloping and made of wood, brick or stone. These churches can also be characterized by the placement of the altar, which were located on the east with the door in the west or south.

Pre-Colombian America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pre-Colombian America - Essay Example England captured the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland in the year in 1814 and they adopted an offensive strategy there. The factors in the land were favorable for the expansion of Britain in the region and it experienced British incursions which soon resulted in the conquest of the land. The bayside region was very favorable condition to the British expansion and the region was crucial in order to create a diversion in the East so that the American troops would be on the defensive. The confusion among the troops which were poorly trained helped the British troops to conquer the lands. Among the events of historical importance, colonial New England possesses a considerable position in American history as well as the history of British colonial expansion. "In a continuing quest for understanding of the nature of meaning of the New England experience and of its relationship to the larger themes of American development, scholars in previous generations have focused upon three main problems: the character and evolution of New England Puritanism, the nature of the New England town, and the contribution of the region to the American Revolution" (Greene 1974, 171-194). There have been great inconsistency between the various unsophisticated societies of the British North America in the seventeenth century. However, this variation gradually declined by the next century as the societies there began to be multifaceted in nature. The differences and other varying factors did not hinder the sharing of general cultural order. The various efforts toward independence helped the Am erican societies of diverse localities including Chesapeake and New England to unite among them and to experience the common American feeling in their... Among the events of historical importance, colonial New England possesses a considerable position in American history as well as the history of British colonial expansion. â€Å"In a continuing quest for understanding of the nature of meaning of the New England experience and of its relationship to the larger themes of American development, scholars in previous generations have focused upon three main problems: the character and evolution of New England Puritanism, the nature of the New England town, and the contribution of the region to the American Revolution† (Greene 1974, 171-194). There has been a great inconsistency between the various unsophisticated societies of the British North America in the seventeenth century. However, this variation gradually declined by the next century as the societies there began to be multifaceted in nature. The differences and other varying factors did not hinder the sharing of general cultural order. The various efforts toward independence helped the American societies of diverse localities including Chesapeake and New England to unite them and to experience the common American feeling in their nature. That is to say, they became more American in nature and feeling. To make the distinction between the two regions, â€Å"the early Chesapeake, not New England, is the true exemplar of colonial social development† (Main 1989, 764-766). Whereas the Chesapeake is noted for its unrelenting â€Å"Englishness,† the New England is condemned of its petty narrow-mindedness.

Advance strategic management. Consumerism Essay Example for Free

Advance strategic management. Consumerism Essay 1. What is consumerism? DEFINITION Consumerism can be defined in two different ways; 1. Consumerism is a theory which states that buying and consuming goods and services in a large amount are more beneficial to the economy. Thus this theory appreciates gradually increased consumption of goods and services. 2. Consumerism means ‘consumer protection’. It is a movement or policy that protects the interests of consumers via truthful packaging, honest advertisement, improved safety standards and product guarantees. Consumerism involves policies that regulate methods, products and services, standards, selling and advertising in the interests of the consumers. These protect buyers from defective products, misleading advertising, unfair practices etc. Such policies can be mandatory, legislative, institutional or voluntarily accepted by the industry. e.g., consumers’ interests can be harmed by mispricing, adulteration, artificial demand etc. IMPORTANCE Consumerism encourages economic growth by providing good quality goods and services to the customers. Increased consumption by the customers shows the economic growth level. Increased demand would lead to increased production thus raising the gross domestic production. It helps to make informed decisions through truthful advertising, environmental and safety standard laws. Thus consumerism provides protection to buyers. Implementation of consumer protection laws shield consumers against exploitation, discourage anti-social activities and unfair trade practices, provide complete and latest information to the customer which aids in buying  decision making process. 2. What IS STRATEGY? Why it is important? Choose a company, study its strategy and then make its competitive analysis. DEFINITION 1. Strategy is business game plan used by management to stake out market position, conduct its operations, attract and please customers, compete successfully and achieve organizational objectives. 2. It is a process through which a company concentrated its resources on optimal opportunities to achieve short term and long term goals and other competitive advantages. IMPORTANCE Strategy answers three central questions about the company (i) where are we now? (ii) where do we want to go? (iii) how will we get there? Strategy tells about the current position of the company, its future plans and the approaches it will follow to achieve its objectives. Strategy encompasses actions to attract customers, actions to deliver value at optimal price and cost equilibrium, actions to respond to changing market environment, approaches to pursue available opportunities and plans to gain competitive edge. A powerful strategy makes a company distinctive and provides sustainable and durable competitive advantage in creating, producing, distributing and marketing the company’s products/services. An effective strategy results in best possible business performance in terms of financial profitability and market position. Strategies are desperately needed to direct the activities of the company in a way that its goals and objectives are achieved in a right way through right approaches and at the right time. An excellent strategy that is excellently implemented is a good measure to evaluate the management competencies and performance. A strategy-focused company has a strong performance, profitable earnings, revenue growth and favourable return on investment. COMPANY : COLGATE-PALMOLIVE Colgate Palmolive has $17.1 billion consumer products and serves people around the world with renowned brands by offering four types of products/services: oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition products. This company operates globally and approximately 75 percent of its sales are from outside the home country while majority of its products are manufactured in its own facilities. Colgate-Palmolive 2011 to 2015 Strategy The main focus of Colgate-Palmolive’s five year strategy is on people, performance and planet with measurable goals in accordance with the company’s business objectives. 1. Promoting Healthier Lives The objective was to promote health and wellness in order to minimize employee health risks by 15 percent, to achieve 5 percent reduced health costs by improving on time diagnosis and treatment of diseases and to focus on safety of employees. 2. Contributing to The Communities Where We Live and Work This parameter of the strategy aims to increase the impact of company on the community by $300 million. For this purpose five objectives were set which will provide greater focus to the company’s contribution towards the community. Partnership is done with dental professions to improve the oral care of the community. A program of â€Å"Bright Smiles, Bright Futures† is scheduled to contact 1 billion children by 2020. To provide hand-washing awareness to over 50 million households. To work with 250 thousand veterinarians to educate pet owners and provide over $100 million pet food. Continue to provide company’s products after natural disasters and to invite more  volunteers in this community program. 3. Delivering Products That Delight Consumers and Respect Our Planet The objective is to increase the sustainability of all the products by (i) ensuring that ingredients continue to meet the standards of safety, health and quality (ii) reducing the impact of environment on the products and packaging. This is achieved by increasing the use of recycled contents and more usage of sustainable materials. 4. Making Every Drop of Water Count The strategy aims to reduce the consumption of water during manufacturing by 24 percent. The objective also aims to take steps to promote access of clean water and water conversation awareness among over two billion consumers. 5. Reducing Our Impact on Climate and Environment The intention was to reduce energy consumption and carbon emission during the manufacturing process by 20 percent. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS The stated strategy of the company can be analysed on the bases of three broad terms. The following stated questions will determine the goodness of the strategy implemented by Colgate-Palmolive i.e. whether the strategy was able to improve the market position and financial performance of the company or not, how good was the company at handling the environmental dynamics and gaining competitive advantage. 1. How well does the strategy fits with the company’s situation? The main competitor of Colgate-Palmolive is Procter Gamble with the same strategy of sustaining products and environmental safety but Colgate-Palmolive has got a competitive advantage in the year 2011 and 2012 by having strong presence in personal care products and emerging markets in different geographical areas. Due to broad operation bases globally the company has got the strength to lead the market. 2. Is the strategy helping the company achieve a sustainable competitive advantage? Yes the strategy implemented by the company has made it to be a global leader in oral care. Colgate-Palmolive’s market is the single largest market by value shares and is insulated from the downturns. The company’s strategy focuses to meet market challenges, committed to increase product sustainability and focuses on segmentation by function. Colgate-Palmolive has improved sustainability profile in 24 percent of products. 3. Is the strategy helping in better company performance? The strategy has helped the company in attaining better financial and ethical performance. Colgate-Palmolive has shown best environmental performance in past years and is able to sustain its past competitive advantage. The company had $17.1 billion worldwide sales in 2012. Its gross profit margin was 58.4 percent in fourth quarter of 2012. Colgate-Palmolive won 100% Code of Conduct Certification, stood No. 1 in beauty and personal care products and was announced No. 1 at ‘Most Admired Companies in 2013’ by Fortune World. Colgate-Palmolive had operating profit of $4.02 million in 2012. 35 percent of its packaging material is from the recycled material thus fulfilling its goals of safeguarding the environment and reducing costs. Three different products of Colgate-Palmolive have won title of ‘Product of the Year 2012’ and Ethisphere magazine has given the company title of ‘ 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies’ US E.P.A declared the company to be ‘Designed for the Environment’ for many of its home care products. The above analysis shows the strengths and the competitive advantage earned by the company due to its best performance and leading activities. Surely the above mentioned performance is only attainable because of an excellent strategy and its excellent execution. _________________________________________

Defining And Understanding Discrimination Philosophy Essay

Defining And Understanding Discrimination Philosophy Essay Some forms of discrimination are unlawful under the act of law and some examples include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act as well as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. But does it mean that acts of discrimination prohibited under the law are unethical and those that are not prohibited are ethical? If it is asymmetrical, where do we draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable discrimination, and whether or not it is ethical? To answer these doubts, the various principles and rules of Mills, Kant, Rawls, Aristotle, Confucius and Nozick will be explored and applied. Consequently, a stand on whether each of them is for or against discrimination of working mothers will be reached. Discrimination is no longer confined to the minorities. Gender discrimination in the workplace refers to situations in which an employer treats an individual or group of employees differently, based on their gender. This form of discrimination is chosen because such discrimination is a prevalent issue given that 66 million, which makes up 46.8 percent of the total U.S. labour force, comprises of women.  [ii]  Further, workplace discrimination may occur at any or all of these stages  [iii]   hiring, screening, promotion, compensation and discharge.  [iv]  In particular, discrimination against working mothers will be the focus. Utilitarianism is based on consequences and outcomes where the greatest happiness principle is used to determine the morality of ones actions. Utilitarianism can be broken down into Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism. Act Utilitarianism Under Act Utilitarianism, the decision is based on the consequences of a particular act and the case Denise Batt vs Palmece Ltd, t/a Comfort Inn, will be used. From the companys perspective, one of the reasons for its act of discrimination was that they needed a manager on the premise five days a week. However, when Denise went on sick leave for 3 months and a further 3 month on part time basis due to a burst appendix, no problems arose during the arrangements since there were reliable management systems in place. Hence, Denises absence during her maternity leave would not have caused much of a disruption to the company. In fact, it was when the company promoted her replacement to the position Denise was holding, that caused confusion among the staff. Further, by discriminating, the company lost a competent employee which is evident from Denises consistently good performance, her being held as a role model of good practice as well as the hotel which she managed winning hotel of the y ear within the group. In addition, the company departed from their normal procedures of job applications and this may result in them not selecting the most suitable candidate for the job. Further, as a result of the discrimination, the company had to compensate Denise. As such, there does not seem to be much pleasures arising from the discrimination. To determine the general happiness, the company has to take into account the happiness and pain of other parties and this includes Denises pleasures and pains. The pain Denise may have suffered as a consequence of discrimination include the loss of self-development opportunity, skills turning obsolete and deterioration of health while being able to focus her attention to care and nurture her children without the distractions of work would constitute the pleasure. In Denises case, the stress from such discrimination contributed to health problems. Further, the fact that she fought hard to keep her job by compromising and offering to work part-time showed that the job is of great importance to her. Also, she has been excelling at work and it is likely that she derives satisfaction from such achievements and consequently, higher pleasures. Hence, the pains of losing her job due to discrimination are likely to outweigh the pleasures. Taking into account the overall pains and pleasures of the company and Denise, under Act Utilitarianism, the decision will be against discrimination since it does not provide greatest overall happiness. (change company to name) Rule Utilitarianism Although a decision is reached under act utilitarianism, there is still a need to consider the big picture using Rule Utilitarianism to determine the long-term economic and societal impacts of discrimination. Firstly, the economic implications of discrimination on a corporation are determined. Discrimination against working mothers will not only affect the work attitude of working mothers but women in general. This is because for the majority of women, going through pregnancy and childbirth is a natural cycle and hence, they take such discrimination seriously because they will be the ones affected at a certain point in the future. This will lead to a loss of morale amongst women which negatively affects loyalty and efficiency. Further, discrimination lead to a loss of productivity since the competencies of mothers like Denise are not maximised. In a finding, it is shown that an increase in gender wage gap leads to a decrease in income per capital.  [v]  As such, discrimination has _____ economic implications on corporations. Further, the corporation may also expose itself to unnecessary law suits resulting in reputation loss which may further reduce its future profitability. Hence, wh en the corporation evaluates employees based on merits, it is most efficient way because they have the appropriate skills, competencies and knowledge and thus, promote productivity.  [vi]  which promote welfare. society, such overall goods and benefits would be extended to society leading to the progress of improvement of society.> substantiation (welfare promoted). On the other hand, there is no doubt that qualifications, skills and competencies are arguably the most important criteria for employee selection. However, as globalisations impact and effect becomes widespread, the importance and significance of cultural and social diversity is elevated. Such diversity leads to the injection of new and innovative ideas which is crucial in the ever-changing and fast-paced society. The benefits of diversity are evident in the study Impact of Diversity on Students: A Preliminary Review of the Research Literature where diversity was increasingly related to satisfaction, academic success, and cognitive development of all students.  [vii]  Hence, such beneficial effects are likely to spill-over to corporations when such students enter the workforce and improve company performance. Further, applying diversity directly to the workforce should yield similar or even multiplier effects especially in the present environment where multinational corporations, global operations and the influx of foreign talents are aplenty. Hence, discrimination, or rather, positive discrimination namely affirmative action yields economic rewards. Societal implications of discrimination Although discrimination has a negative connotation attached to it, it may not be that bad of a thing because it is shown that discrimination leads to an indirect increase in fertility.  [viii]  This is positive to societies, especially developed countries, which face the problem of greying population due to low birth rates. However, discrimination may lead to another trend especially for women who place great importance on their careers where they may postpone pregnancies, decide to not have a child, or turn to abortion in order to avoid the route to discrimination of a working mother. Also, there are societal costs of discrimination such as where more than  £30bn worth of talent is wasted due to the inequalities suffered by working women and disabled people, as reflected by the Equal Opportunities Commission.  [ix]  However, there may be greater social costs of discrimination. According to an ILO study, besides the wastage of human talent and resources due to the widening socioeconomic inequality at the workplace, it can have potentially devastating effects on political stability and social cohesion.  [x]  (EDIT) However, a positive consequence in one society may have a negative consequence in another. For instance, discrimination increases fertility rate which is beneficial for developed countries but not beneficial for developing societies facing overpopulation. Hence, the consequence of an action will vary as the contexts changes. In the context of a developed society, although the focus is on discrimination of working women, this has implications on all women because it is a cycle and taking into account the proportion of women in the workforce, and that women belong to different races, religions and cultures, the effect of discrimination on cultural and social diversity is huge. Further, with technology and globalisation taking on an increasingly larger role in the functioning of businesses and societies, the benefits of meritocracy diminishes relative to diversity. Hence, under rule utilitarianism, a stand for discrimination is reached. There is a conflict between the decisions of act and rule utilitarianism. In the case of Denise, discrimination would bring more pain than pleasure. However, in the long run, if the company discriminates, it will bring about more pleasure than pain. Also, there is a need to consider the duration of expected benefits and costs when deciding on the overall goodness of a decision. For instance, short term profitability should not be pursued at the expense of long term political stability. Hence, the pains of discrimination are disastrous while there are tremendous pleasures brought about by affirmative action. Hence, the decision is based on rule utilitarianism which concludes that discrimination should not be performed since the overall pain outweighs the pleasures and instead, affirmative action leads to greatest happiness. This is support by utilization analysis which remedies the disparate impact of unrepresented or excluded positions leading to better utilization and an increase in general welfare. Rawls Principles of Justice Under Rawls Justice as fairness, behind the veil of ignorance, a rational and self-interested person has no knowledge of his future race, gender, religion and status. A maximin approach will be used to efficiently distribute the various social goods using Rawls two Principles of Justice. The moral actor will select the way that is advantageous for him and since he will not want to belong to a group that is discriminated against, he will conclude that discrimination is unjust, be it against gender, working mothers, race, religion or age. Principle of Equal Liberty (egalitarian) Under the Principle of Equal Liberty, each person is to have an equal right to liberties and this includes but is not limited to freedom of speech, freedom of association and rights and liberties under the act of law. As Rawls quotes: liberty can be restricted only for the sake of liberty  [xi]  Such restriction is possible because not all liberties are on par and hence, certain liberties may be restricted in order to achieve greater overall liberties. Applying the principle, when an employer discriminates against working mothers to increase economic productivity and growth, the principle is violated because they are restricting liberty for the sake of an economic gain. Going by Rawls Principle of Liberty, liberty should not be traded for socio-economic advantages. As such, discrimination would be unjust. Difference Principle (distributive justice) The difference principle conveys a socialist approach where responsibilities and burdens should be distributed according to needs.  [xii]  In the workplace, working mothers may not necessarily be the least advantaged or the ones most in need because they are many other groups who have suffered a greater extent of discrimination or injustice such as African Americans or the blacks who may not even have an opportunity at a job to begin with. Hence, compared to working mothers, they are in a worse position. Hence, the difference principle is not applicable because one should start helping the least advantaged. If benefits were to accrue to working mothers, this will improve their position but at the same time, increase the disparity between working mothers and the least advantaged. This would go against the difference principle and hence, it is not applicable. Fair Equality of Opportunity Principle Equality of opportunity is the key issue surrounding discrimination because it directly leads to unequal opportunities. According to a study done by the University of Chicago, mothers are 44 percent less likely to be hired than women without children.  [xiii]  Adding on, according to a study of gender equality in the workplace, mothers are offered lower salaries and are perceived to be less committed compared to women without children even though they are equally qualified.  [xiv]  Hence, it is evident that discrimination leads to unequal opportunities. Rawls would thus be against discrimination since it violates the Fair Equality of Opportunity Principle. Rawls stand seems firmly against discrimination of working mothers as well as discrimination in general. In reality however, not everyone is equal. There are still people suffering from the unjust consequences of past injustice and inequality. Hence, even in the absence of discrimination such as in a system of meritocracy, this group of people have already lost the ability to compete at equal standing since they have been disadvantaged in terms of the opportunity to education or poverty and hence, are not as qualified. As such, there cannot be equal opportunity to being with. Thus, in order to achieve Rawls two principles of justice Equal Liberty and Equal Opportunity, some form of discrimination is required. This is done through affirmative action which aids in levelling the playing field and helps to restore the areas where such groups were excluded or underrepresented.  [xv]  Hence, even though Rawls is against discrimination, this suggest that he is for affirmative action, a positive form of discrimination It can be argued though, that it is a form of compensatory justice, and although the privileged group were not the ones who practiced discrimination, nonetheless, they still benefited from it and hence, it is only fair that they return them and hence, justifiable. do not add to the stand Or add to Aristotle compensatory and disctrimutive. Nozicks Entitlement Theory Applying Nozicks Entitlement theory, when discrimination occurs, the rights of those discriminated against are taken away by unjust means and hence, there is unjust original acquisition leading to unjust transfer. Oppression, rights and liberties being taken away, loss of ability to compete and psychological injuries are some of the many examples which unjust actions are exercised. As such, the Principle of Rectification comes into play. However, the principle does not take into account the damage that has been done on top of whatever that was unjustly acquired, and such damage are often unquantifiable. Hence, Nozick does not have a stand on discrimination because he is of the view is that as long as the act of discrimination is undone, it is just It does not matter whether or not sufficient compensation is provided. Kants Categorical Imperatives Kant takes a deontological approach and believes that one should act based on moral duties rather than on inclinations, interests and consequences. There are two Kantian Categorical Imperatives Principle of Universality and Principle of Humanity. Principle of Universality Under the Principle of Universality, we have to determine the relevant maxim which we at the same time, will that it should become a universal law. Assume a maxim of the employer: I should be allowed to discriminate against working mothers even though they are equally or more competent than other condidates. This maxim supports workplace discrimination based on pregnancy or childbirth. If this were to be applied universally, the economy will be filled with unsuitable employees leading to a decline in productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. Further, given that one is intrinsically incentive-driven by nature,  [xvi]  women will no longer be motivated at work since they are not rewarded based on job related performance. If the extent of discrimination escalates, it may even result in social unrest and hostility. Discrimination will prevail, but only at the expense of social peace and meritocracy. Consequently, this will lead to a less efficient and productive society which a rat ional employer will not want as a universal law. Even if one were to argue that a society can function normally with discrimination from the Indian caste system, Principle of Humanity The Principle of Humanity states that one should treat people as a means to an end, and not simply as a means. Employers, by their acts of discrimination against individual employees, such as in Denises case, are be treating them as a means to their ends where the employee is a profit-making tool for the companys end of deriving profits. Accordingly, both categorical imperatives are not fulfilled and hence, to Kant, discrimination would be unethical and morally impermissible. Further, discrimination goes against Kantian specific duties of developing ones talents and capacities as well as showing benevolence towards others. Aristotle Virtues Aristotle focuses on achieving human happiness good life. Such good life is possible only for persons who practice virtuous activities. Examples of virtues include respectfulness, fairness, justice and compassion which lie in the mean. Discrimination against working mothers goes against the virtues of compassion, fairness, benevolence and hence, Aristotle is against discrimination since it is not virtuous. To achieve good life, one has to do the best thing a person can do with his life. To do so, there has to be a goal or objective. During Aristotles time, women were primarily responsible for childcare and domestic duties. According to the social theory, sex-based division of labour constrains and reinforces gender stereotypes of women as being emotionally expressive, nurturing and caring.  [xvii]  While men, being providers of the family, were portrayed as dominant and aggressive. Division of labour along sexual lines was most efficient and led to overall societal well-being. Discrimination based on sexual lines or status was common and seen as the best and most efficient way of allocating duties then. Hence, Aristotle is for discrimination. Do what you do best However, in modern society, such discrimination is less apparent and visible although still present. According to Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University, females tend to be higher than males in empathy, verbal skills and social skills.  [xviii]  Hence, women are better at certain jobs such as personal relations, administration, counselling and human resource as compared to men. However, since women are known to beest at childcare and domestic roles, according to Aristotle, that is what women should be doing. As such, even though women may be better than men in the abovementioned areas, the job goes to the men. Hence, Aristotle supports discrimination. In addition, depending on the purpose of the job, discrimination is against supported. For instance, if the job is to achieve uniformity in race, discrimination is allowed in order to achieve it. division of labor along sexual lines is most efficient and best promotes the general welfare because the natural (nurturing, sensitive, emotional) abilities of women suit them best to childcare and the natural (aggressive, competitive, rational) abilities of men suit them best to exercise authority and control over business and financial matters. (Which is in line with Confucius Ethics) Distributive Justice: Equal Work = Equal Reward Applying Aristotles distributive justice of equal work for equal reward, if working mothers work as much as other employees, they should receive an amount of compensation equal to the rest. Hence, Aristotle is against discrimination since it would be unjust under his principle of distributive justice. Compensatory Justice Aristotle supports compensatory justice as he is of the view that victims who have been wronged should be compensated. Hence, working mothers who have been denied equal pay or opportunity should be compensated accordingly. Extending Aristotles concept of compensatory justice to discrimination in general, he will be for affirmative action since certain injustice and past wrongs can only be amended through affirmative action. Equality consists in the same treatment of similar persons As Aristotle quoted, Equality consists in the same treatment of similar persons. The case Bliss v. Canada supports Aristotles view. According to Aristotle, even though working mothers are discriminated, so long as all working mothers are treated similarly, it is just and equal. This is despite the fact that working mothers also being to the bigger group of women yet working mothers are subjected to different treatment from other women which accords to discrimination. Hence, Aristotle is for discrimination. Doctrine of Voluntary Choice If discrimination is involuntary, such as unintentional discrimination or due to compulsion, the discrimination should not be adjudge as not virtuous or immoral. Confucius