Euthanasia, Rodriguez, and Canadian Law on Assisted Suicide Essay examp

Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, stands as one of the most important debates in contemporary moral philosophy. By definition, euthanasia is the act of intentionally killing or permitting the death of a hopelessly sick or injured individual, in a relatively painless way, for reasons of mercy. The controversy surrounding this unresolved issue seems to be fuelled by popular, albeit problematic, belief that while the passivity of permitting an individual to die is morally acceptable, the act of killing is not. While modern politics is not quick to support euthanasia on a moral or ethical level, many theorists are fascinated by the topic from a legal perspective. In the article "Assisted Suicide, Ethics and the Law", for example, Eike-Henner Kluge utilises the case of Sue Rodriguez to demonstrate the ethically ignorant and discriminatory position of Canadian law regarding assisted suicide. Rodriguez’ 1993 claim to legal assisted suicide created what could be the most important and high profile court case to date regarding euthanasia in Canada. Ms. Rodriguez suffered from a rare form of ALS that would drastically shorten her life expectancy, and gradually rob her of the abilities to walk, move her body at will, and eat and breathe without mechanical assistance. Knowing that her mind would remain alert, yet trapped in the casing of an obsolete body, Rodriguez voluntarily decided to avoid such an unsatisfactory end, lacking in dignity, by requesting active physician-assisted suicide (euthanasia) in a manner of her own choosing, as she would be unable to end her own life at the moment she desired. Rodriguez claimed that ending her life was her right, as any law does not prohibit it, and that it also included the right to assistance ... ...stitutionalisation of discrimination is unacceptable, and thus we must support assistance of an otherwise-impossible suicide act in special cases. Whether it is the general discomfort of considering the preferable circumstances of one’s own demise, or the concept of being willingly and intentionally killed, the euthanasia issue remains one that is, although important, uncomfortable at best. The questions remain, however, as to the circumstances under which euthanasia should be legalised: Are only persons with fatal diseases eligible? With psychological illnesses? Will age restrict who eligibility? Who will decide how much pain one must experience in order to be assisted in suicide? Until these and other answers are realised in social, religious and ethical contexts, euthanasia will continue to proliferate through international political and moral debate forums.

Historically speaking Essay

Globalization is one of the most recent phenomenons ever to strike humanity upon its entrance to the 21st century. Historically speaking, globalization itself has been around for decades long before it was conceived as a field of study of international trade. Some economists and historians contend that the concepts of globalization have been prevalent even during time when the Silk Road started in China up to the Roman Empire. Some, however, argue that globalization began during the 19th century; when the prevalence of the Industrial Age was at its fastest and that trade between Europe, their colonies and the Americas were growing steadily. Major advances in technology, especially during the 20th century, eventually led countries to lower trading costs; hence, highlighting the inevitability of the expansion of trade within the International Community. Still, globalization, as a term, was never used by economists; at least not until the early 1980’s. Furthermore, all its concepts and ideas were never really fully understood by the academic community until the early 1990’s. Fortunately, after seven years into the 21st century, much of the world is already aware of its contexts and aspects – from outsourcing to currency trading via wireless applications. Still, despite our knowledge of globalization, we cannot deny the fact that we know less about its implications for the future. Globalization, as a field of study, is a volatile subject that, even with the assistance of factual data and information, is almost ultimately unpredictable. Despite the existence of a myriad of books, journals and articles pertaining to the topic of Globalization, we cannot deny that we have yet to fully understand its future trends. Indeed, a major advancement brought by sophisticated technology can ultimately change, once again, the face of the International Community; thus, affecting international trade and ultimately affecting the â€Å"globalization† of the world. On a further note, third world countries that would eventually become first world countries in the future may end up shifting the international balance of trade and commerce for first world countries. As such, it is very tempting to imagine what the International Community would be like if, for some infinitesimal chance, the African Continent booms like Asia. If such an event occurs, will globalization be the cause for it? Alternatively, will globalization even allow such an event to occur? People who are against the advancements of globalization argue that globalization only benefits the rich north and detriments the poor south. This is evident from the fact that countries in the northern hemisphere tend to play in a neo-imperialist fashion among the countries in the southern hemisphere. Anti-globalization movements insist that the prevalence of globalization only means the prevalence of multinational corporations (MNC’s). They contend that these corporations, while providing employment for the local population, only encourage more poverty in the country. Multinational corporations, upon entering a country, immediately eliminates local competitors; thus, destroying the balance of power between local and foreign. As such, the country becomes subject to the influence of foreign countries that originally holds these multinational corporations. This automatically becomes a sort of leverage for foreign countries (which are, most of the time, rich countries coming from the north) against the country holding their MNC’s. On the other hand, people that are for the advancements of globalization argues that free trade – the main tool of globalization – encourages more growth for developing economies compared to protectionism. Primarily, globalization allows several countries access to several goods and services that they could never produce or emulate from other countries. Furthermore, they contend that globalization encourages competition among local and foreign businesses. Though unfair at times, supporters of globalization claim that encouraging competition allows small businesses to grow, to become more efficient and to become more versatile. The arguments of both sides are truly credible. Indeed, globalization, as a concept, is considered by many as a double-edged sword – though benefiting the user, it can, if careless enough, harm him/her as well. Globalization has many facets. As such, it has many implications – some we are aware of and some aren’t. But according to one scholar, Thomas Friedman, globalization has one important implication that has been very prevalent over the past couple of years but has only recently gained attention. In 2005, Thomas Friedman – a columnist of Foreign Affairs and the New York Times – published a book entitled The World is Flat. According to Mr. Friedman, the world is becoming smaller and that the competition between countries in different parts of the world is becoming or â€Å"being leveled†. One example that he noted was that the economies of India and China, two emerging economic superpowers in the eastern hemisphere, are now becoming so becoming so advanced that they can now compete with the economic powerhouses of the west. He further claimed that, ironically, much of the west, most especially the Americans, weren’t ready for such events unfolding. Indeed, the unexpected booms of India and China have made the Asian continent an attractive place for foreign investment. Another important point is that both countries’ huge populations have played a vital role in the labor market – both in manual labor (i. e. manufacturing) and professional labor (i. e. information technology). Not only do these two countries outshine the United States in terms of cheap labor, but they also outdo the American population in terms of efficiency and productivity. Simply said, employers are getting the same level of productivity and efficiency from both Chinese and Indian workers, but at a lower cost. This, according to scholars, has proved very detrimental to Americans. Not only does this threaten the employment of future American workers, but it also threatens the economy of the United States on the long run. As such, how can one defend himself from such negative advancements to one’s own country? On a more general level, how can the populace protect itself from such a deadly competition? As an American Citizen and as a soon-to-be professional entering the world of competitive employment, I can indeed come up with several answers to that question. First, as a country, the United States must make huge investments on education. Improving the workforce of the country is imperative if we are to face foreign competition. One important thing that we can put into consideration is the introduction of language classes in our academic system. Learning the language of foreign countries can surely make our general workforce a seemingly good investment for foreign companies. Yet another note is the introduction of new laws which will, in some way, discourage young students from dropping out of school. An example of these laws is the prohibition of issuing driver’s licenses to adolescents who have dropped out of school for no particular reason. By doing so, the general workforce of the country will remain efficient and highly educated. Despite the rapid growths of China and India, it cannot be denied that much of their population remains below the poverty line. As such, this problem becomes a drain on their economy (for the simple reason that the government has to continuously spend huge sums of money on anti-poverty programs and such). Ironically, this could play both a huge disadvantage and an advantage at the same time for the United States. For one, since people live in very poor conditions, corporations can take advantage of them by paying them low salaries; which, for the population, could seem very high. On the other hand, the good living conditions of the American population can imply the demand for high-paying jobs; which, of course, corporations would not prefer. Alternatively, this could also serve as an advantage for the United States since the American workforce – compared to the cheap yet impoverished populace of India and China – are more efficient and educated; thus, implying more productivity and growth for the corporation. Education is one thing. But as a person who’s about to enter into the competitive world of employment, how can I prepare myself against the competitive nature of foreign workers that will most likely ensue?

The Great Gatsby Admiration for Gatsbys Character as...

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote â€Å"The Great Gatsby,† in 1926, however he set it in the summer of 1922, or as he christened it, the Jazz age. Through the way Gatsby is perceived we can see Fitzgerald’s ideas on the American dream and the effects it has on those who chase it. I chose this question as it relates strongly to how my views towards Gatsby change as the novel proceeds. Fitzgerald achieves this alter in feelings through his writing style, the theme of the novel and his use of narration. My initial feelings for Gatsby were ambivalent. He is dishonest and shallow. This superficiality can be shown in the dream he holds of the perfect life with money, Daisy and no cares in the world. However, his dream reveals how determined and stubborn he†¦show more content†¦During one of the key scenes in the novel in the ------ hotel, Nick, his narration and point of view once again allow more of an insight to Gatsby, which allows my admiration to grow. If not for Nick, and his input in the events, many people would see Gatsby as a sly shallow liar who invents stories merely to entertain acquaintances. Instead of this however, nick says, â€Å"I had one of those renewals of complete faith in him that I’d experienced before.† This sentence shines a different light on Gatsby, one which shows how in love, how determined and how admirable Gatsby truly is. He refuses to let Tom Buchanan walk all over him even when he knows there is no hope of gaining Daisy anymore. Without Nick’s contribution to the events through his narration Gatsby would never be viewed in this way and so through Fitzgerald’s use of narration, my admiration for Gatsby grew once more. Another technique Fitzgerald uses to achieve a growth in my admiration is his style. â€Å"The Great Gatsby† is full of imagery and symbolism. The most powerful image of Gatsby would be that of his death, it is the first day of a new season and the end of summer, the end of his dream of being with daisy. His death symbolises the death of his love and his hope. The image of the inflatableShow MoreRelatedGreat Gatsby1147 Words   |  5 Pages   Charles de Montesquieu says that to become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them. Throughout F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby , protagonist Jay Gatsby progresses as a hero through his dedication for love, his youthful dreams, and his Christ-like persona. His passion for love reflects in his greatness; for he proves commitment, dedication, and a loving soul for others. Jay Gatsby lives the model of the American Dream in a youthful and undertaking way. ExtravaganceRead MoreThe Great Gatsby Character Analysis1071 Words   |  5 Pagesdevelopment of characters. Each individual donates a certain aspect of themselves in order to truly bring out the ideal message. The way in which a character values his/herself determines the impact they have on other characters, which leads to the progression towards the central theme. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby, the main protagonist, to balance out the beliefs between Gatsby himself, and all individuals who are a contributing factor to the plot. In the novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses Gatsby to portrayRead More Views on the role of Nick as a narrator in the Great Gatsby have2454 Words   |  10 Pagesnarrator in the Great Gatsby have varied greatly. How do the views of Arthur Mizener and Gary J. Scrimgeour relate to your own view of Nicks function in the novel? Published in 1925, and written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is a brilliant and scathing illustration of life among the new rich during the 1920s; people who had recently amassed a great deal of wealth but had no corresponding social connections, or a sense of morality. Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel; he rents