Ethical Pursuations Essay Example for Free

Ethical Pursuations Essay Each of the three different theoretical approaches proposed for public relation ethics has admirers and detractors as well. All the three theories require practical ways of incorporating them into public relation campaign, using the suggested pyramids (Barney Black 1994:233-244). Virtue ethics involves fostering a strong internal moral compass to guide anyone in choosing the right action. It requires one to first develop ethical judgment by stimulating the moral imagination in order to recognize ethical issues. This can only be achieved in a campaign through ethics brainstorming sessions or ethical reflection time, and this is where individuals considered ethical implications and report back to the team or through discussion with an independent ethics consultant, who could then highlight potential ethical issues in the upcoming campaign and stimulate debate on appropriate approaches. This approach allows other virtue tests that accord with their values and enables them to set relevant virtue objectives to be revisited and tested at the end of the campaign. Virtue ethics becomes a formative step in public relations process, rather than a reactive process once a problem arise. However, it is flexible, by the fact that in the middle segment pyramid, each of the facts used can be assessed in the campaign using a virtue approach tactics. Virtue ethics clearly has benefits for practitioners who are seeking ethical guidance but many times it is be inadequate alone. For example tests using external virtue referents like a ‘significant other’, are ‘at odds with the idea of developing virtues by purchasing the internal goals of a practice’ (Baker Martinson 2001: 148-275) Deontology involves following a prescribed set of duties or obligations for example, religious rules such as ‘Thou shall not lie’, and one of its common deontological positions in public relations is advocacy, and this is the belief that provides practitioners specific behaviors that are ethical against an agreed standard like a professional ethics code at the same time, they can easily promote clients self-interests above all other interests when compared to virtue ethics and consequatialisim; in addition deontological approaches are also useful in the campaigns communication phase and this enables them to assess ethics of messages and communication outputs when compared to virtue ethics, as well as consequantialism. Their approaches are useful because they clarify the limits of reasonable behavior by providing absolute prohibitions, and directives for specific acts, however at times, although occasional their inflexibility can be problematic (Baker 1997: pp. 197-210). Lastly but not least, consequantialism uses the approach of judging actions by their customers. One of the well-known techniques of consequentialism is ulitarianism; where an assessment is made of who has been affected, and determines in what ways, and consequently the right action that is supposed to be taken which creates maximum total benefit. Their main method of determining the outcome involves drawing a flow chart or a mind map which is cumbersome. Their only closest related test is the benefit or harm assessment, in which calculation is made about whether the benefits to stakeholders outweigh the harm (Baker 2002: 191-205). The approach is clearly a very crucial component of public relations, but on its own at many times it obscures the means used to obtain a desired outcome, for instance, a pure consequantialist can endorse a lie if it ultimately resulted in more happiness or a more wide-spread benefit than truth-telling (Barney Black 1994:244-248). Conclusion The two approaches; virtues ethics and consequentialism to public relations have benefits but they have serious limitations. One can only manage these limitations by using deontological approaches, because it has a high persuasive power with respect to public relation practitioners.

Better Mental Health Care Will Stop Senseless Shootings Essay -- Gun C

Gun control is a topic which has become highly politicized. Mental health is an issue that many people do not understand. The correlation between these two issues is one that many do not see. Shootings have been on the rise and no one can come up with a good reason why. That is where these two seemingly different issues become something that has more in common than most can see. For gun related violence, and violence in general, what is a good method of dealing with these issues and saving lives? Mental health care improvement or gun control? To get a better idea of the two different options and what they may look like, one has to look at the history. The history provides a basis for what has happened with this particular issue in the past and how that might relate to the issue in the future. Mental illness plagues one out of four American citizens. Mental illness varies greatly from person to person. The spectrum of mental illness includes many illnesses including, depression and anxiety as well as some more serious illnesses such as down syndrome. All mental illness plays a role in how this person is going to function in society. These individuals have unique needs and individual strengths that need evaluated for proper care. The early history of mental illness is bleak. The belief that anyone with a mental illness was possessed by a demon or the family was being given a spiritual punishment was the reason behind the horrific treatment of those with mental illness. These individuals were placed into institutions that were unhygienic and typically were kept in dark, cave like rooms away from people in the outside world. The institutions were not only dark and gross; they also used inhumane forms of treatment o... ...shington Times, 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. Leupo, Kimberly. "The History of Mental Illness." The History of Mental Illness. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Pollack, Harold. "What Happened to U.S. Mental Health Care after Deinstitutionalization." Washingtonpost.com. N.p., 12 June 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Reed, Samantha. "How We Got Here: The History of Deinstitutionalization." Roosevelt Institute. N.p., 23 July 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. "Reform Is Needed With The Mental Health Care System In America." Political News. N.p., 7 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Sanburn, Josh. "Business & Money." Business Money Americas Gun Economy By the Numbers Comments. Time Magazine, 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. Sanger-Katz, Margot. "Why Improving Mental Health Would Do Little to End Gun Violence." National Journal (2013). Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 4

Maggie was dreaming. She knew she was dreaming, and that was strange enough, but what was even stranger was the fact that she knew it wasn'tan ordinary dream. This was something†¦that came from outside her, that was being †¦ sent. Some deep part ofher mind fumbled for the proper words, seethingwith frustration, even while the normal part of her was busy staring around her and being afraid. Mist. Mist everywhere, white tendrils that snakedgracefully across her vision and coiled around herlike genii that had just been let out of lamps. She had the feeling that there were dark shapes out inthe mist; she seemed to see them looming out of the corner of her eye, but as soon as she turned they were obscured again. Gooseflesh rose on Maggie's arms. It wasn't justthe touch of the mist. There was a noise that madethe hairs on the back of her neck tingle. It was justat the threshold of hearing, distorted by distanceor something else, and it seemed to be calling overand over again, â€Å"Who are you?† Give me a break,Maggie thought. She shook herhead hard to get rid of the prickly feeling on herneck. This is just way too†¦too Gothic.Do Ialways have corny dreams like this? But the next moment something happened thatsent a new chill washing over her, this time oneof simple, everyday alarm. Something was comingthrough the mist, fast. She turned, stiffening. And then, strangely, everything seemed to change at once. The mist began to recede. She saw a figure, darkagainst it, nothing more than a silhouette at first.For just an instant she thought of Miles-but thethought was gone almost as quickly as it came. Itwas a boy, but a stranger, she could tell by theshape of him and the way he moved. He wasbreathing hard and calling in a desperate voice,†Where are you? Where are you?† So that was it. Not â€Å"Whoare you,† Maggiethought. â€Å"Where are you? Maggie! Where are you?† The sound of her own name startled her. Buteven as she drew in a sharp breath, he turned andsaw her. And stopped short. The mist was almost gonenow and she could see his face. His expression wasone of wonder and relief and joy. â€Å"Maggie,† he whispered. Maggie stood rooted to the spot. She didn't knowhim. She was positive she had never seen him before. But he was staring at herasif†¦ asif shewere the most important thing in the universe tohim, and he'd been searching for her for years untilhe'd almost given up hope. She was too astonished to moveashe suddenly erupted from stillness. In three long steps he was in front of her, his handsclosing on her shoulders. Gently. Not possessively. Butasif he had theabsolute right to do this, andasif he needed toconvince himself she was real. â€Å"It worked. I got through,† he said. He was the most striking person she'd ever seen.Dark hair, a little rough and tousled, with a tendency to wave. Smooth fair skin, elegant bones. A mouth that lookedasif it normally might be proud and willful, but right now was simply vulnerable. And fearless, brilliant yellow eyes. It was those eyes that held her, arresting andstartling in an already distinctive face. No, she hadnever seen him before. She would have remembered. He was a whole head taller than she was, andlithe and nicely muscled. But Maggie didn't have a feeling of being overpowered. There was so muchtender anxiety in his face, and something nearpleading in those fierce, blacklashed golden eyes. â€Å"Listen, I know you don't understand, and I'msorry. But it was so hard getting through-andthere isn't much time.† Dazed and bewildered, Maggie latched onto thelast sentence almost mechanically. â€Å"What do you mean-getting through?† â€Å"Never mind. Maggie, you have to leave; do youunderstand that? As soonas you wake up, you getout of here.† â€Å"Leave where?†Maggie was more confused than ever, not for lack of information, but because she was suddenly threatened by too much of it. Sheneeded to remember-where had she gone tosleep? Something had happened, something involv ing Miles. She'd been worried about him†¦. â€Å"My brother,† she said with sudden urgency. â€Å"I was looking for my brother. I need to find him.†Even though she couldn't remember exactly why. The golden eyes clouded over. â€Å"You can't thinkabout him now. I'm sorry.† â€Å"You know something a-â€Å" â€Å"Maggie, the important thing is for you to getaway safe. And to do that you have to go as soonas you wake up. I'm going to show you the way.† He pointed through the mist, and suddenly Maggie could see a landscape, distant but clear, like afilm being projected on a veil of smoke. â€Å"There's a pass, just below the big overhanging rock. Do you see it?† Maggie didn't understand why she needed to see it. She didn't recognize the landscape, although it might have been anywhere in the Olympics or theCascade mountain range above the tree line. â€Å"First you find the place where you see threepeaks together, the same height and leaning towardeach other. Do you see? And then you look downuntil you find the overhanging rock. It's shaped like a wave breaking. Do you see?† His voice was so urgent and imperious that Maggie had to answer. â€Å"I see. But-â€Å" â€Å"Remember it. Find it. Go and never look back. If you get away all right, the rest doesn't matter.† His face was pale now, the features carved in ice.†The whole world can fall into ruin, for all I care.† And then, with the suddenness that characterizedallhis movements, he leaned forward and kissedher. A nice kiss, on the cheek. She felt his warm, quick breath there, then his lips pressing lightly, and then a sudden quivering in them, asif he wereovercome by some strong emotion. Passion, maybe, or excruciating sadness. â€Å"I love you,† he whispered, his breath stirring thehair by her ear. â€Å"I did love you. Always remember that.† Maggie was dizzy with confusion. She didn't understand anything, and she should push this stranger away. But she didn't want to. Howeverfrightened she was, it wasn't of him. In fact, shehad an irresistible feeling of peace and security inhis arms. A feeling of belonging. â€Å"Who are you?† she whispered. But beforehecould answer,everythingchanged again. The mist came back. Not slowly, but like fog rolling in, quick and silent, muffling everything. Thewarm, solid body against Maggie's suddenlyseemed insubstantial, as if it were made of fogitself. â€Å"Wait a minute-† She could hear her voice rising in panic, but deadened by the pearly cocoonaround her. And then†¦lie was gone. Her arms were holding only emptiness. And all she could see was white.

Short Story - 1429 Words

Ms. Bee and Dad wasn’t all strict now because they knew I was trying to go back to school. I’d get a little high, come home, go asleep, play tunes, and help around the house. I had some of my female friends come by and see me. It was cool with my peoples as long as we weren’t banging in the crib. I had one lady who really cared about me; A little thick boned brown-skinned joint from Hunting Park side of Broad Street. She’d ring my doorbell, come in and my parents would let her come right upstairs. She had good manners and was attractive. One evening she came by and I was feeling a bit sick. She seemed worried and asked me if I was OK. I told her that most likely I would be staying in for the evening. We actually had plans to go out that†¦show more content†¦The cops surrounded me and drew their weapons. I was charged with robbery and assault. It was only a few weeks before my eighteenth birthday. My family would be pissed and had every right t o be so. I f***** up again being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The cops transported me to the station on 55th and Vine. The precinct was a total dump. Once processed, I was left to rot for three days on cheese sandwiches and ice tea. I try to lie about my age to get out early on ROR and winded up getting transferred up to the Detention Center with the big boys. The guards kept me in the cell for twenty-three hours a day. I confessed to the cops prior to being transferred that I was seventeen. They told me that they were going to teach me a lesson. While being held at Detention Center, I wasn’t only young boa on the block. There was another guy who was seventeen as well and was being held on kidnapping charges over his kid or something. He told me his story. It was believable. Once released, we’d take advantage of that hour that they gave us. The only other times we could come out the cell was for bathing times and medical checkups. I checked out the Philadelphia Eagles game vs. the New York Jets with about three or four inmates that were younger than eighteen. The stool inside the cell was too cold to sit on and I held in my number two until I got released. What I learnt in the joint is that cigarettes were more valuableShow MoreRelatedshort story1018 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Short Stories:  Ã‚  Characteristics †¢Short  - Can usually be read in one sitting. †¢Concise:  Ã‚  Information offered in the story is relevant to the tale being told.  Ã‚  This is unlike a novel, where the story can diverge from the main plot †¢Usually tries to leave behind a  single impression  or effect.  Ã‚  Usually, though not always built around one character, place, idea, or act. †¢Because they are concise, writers depend on the reader bringing  personal experiences  and  prior knowledge  to the story. Four MajorRead MoreThe Short Stories Ideas For Writing A Short Story Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pageswriting a short story. Many a time, writers run out of these short story ideas upon exhausting their sources of short story ideas. If you are one of these writers, who have run out of short story ideas, and the deadline you have for coming up with a short story is running out, the short story writing prompts below will surely help you. Additionally, if you are being tormented by the blank Microsoft Word document staring at you because you are not able to come up with the best short story idea, youRead MoreShort Story1804 Words   |  8 PagesShort story: Definition and History. A  short story  like any other term does not have only one definition, it has many definitions, but all of them are similar in a general idea. According to The World Book Encyclopedia (1994, Vol. 12, L-354), â€Å"the short story is a short work of fiction that usually centers around a single incident. Because of its shorter length, the characters and situations are fewer and less complicated than those of a novel.† In the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s DictionaryRead MoreShort Stories648 Words   |  3 Pageswhat the title to the short story is. The short story theme I am going conduct on is â€Å"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ by James Thurber (1973). In this short story the literary elements being used is plot and symbols and the theme being full of distractions and disruption. The narrator is giving a third person point of view in sharing the thoughts of the characters. Walter Mitty the daydreamer is very humorous in the different plots of his dr ifting off. In the start of the story the plot, symbols,Read MoreShort Stories1125 Words   |  5 PagesThe themes of short stories are often relevant to real life? To what extent do you agree with this view? In the short stories â€Å"Miss Brill† and â€Å"Frau Brechenmacher attends a wedding† written by Katherine Mansfield, the themes which are relevant to real life in Miss Brill are isolation and appearance versus reality. Likewise Frau Brechenmacher suffers through isolation throughout the story and also male dominance is one of the major themes that are highlighted in the story. These themes areRead MoreShort Story and People1473 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Title: Story Of An Hour Author: Kate Chopin I. On The Elements / Literary Concepts The short story Story Of An Hour is all about the series of emotions that the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard showed to the readers. With the kind of plot of this short story, it actually refers to the moments that Mrs. Mallard knew that all this time, her husband was alive. For the symbol, I like the title of this short story because it actually symbolizes the time where Mrs. Mallard died with joy. And with thatRead MoreShort Story Essay1294 Words   |  6 PagesA short story concentrates on creating a single dynamic effect and is limited in character and situation. It is a language of maximum yet economical effect. Every word must do a job, sometimes several jobs. Short stories are filled with numerous language and sound devices. These language and sound devices create a stronger image of the scenario or the characters within the text, which contribute to the overall pre-designed effect.As it is shown in the metaphor lipstick bleeding gently in CinnamonRead MoreRacism in the Short Stor ies1837 Words   |  7 PagesOften we read stories that tell stories of mixing the grouping may not always be what is legal or what people consider moral at the time. The things that you can learn from someone who is not like you is amazing if people took the time to consider this before judging someone the world as we know it would be a completely different place. The notion to overlook someone because they are not the same race, gender, creed, religion seems to be the way of the world for a long time. Racism is so prevalentRead MoreThe Idol Short Story1728 Words   |  7 PagesThe short stories â€Å"The Idol† by Adolfo Bioy Casares and â€Å"Axolotl† by Julio Cortà ¡zar address the notion of obsession, and the resulting harm that can come from it. Like all addictions, obsession makes one feel overwhelmed, as a single thought comes to continuously intruding our mind, causing the individual to not be able to ignore these thoughts. In â€Å"Axolotl†, the narr ator is drawn upon the axolotls at the Jardin des Plantes aquarium and his fascination towards the axolotls becomes an obsession. InRead MoreGothic Short Story1447 Words   |  6 Pages The End. In the short story, â€Å"Emma Barrett,† the reader follows a search party group searching for a missing girl named Emma deep in a forest in Oregon. The story follows through first person narration by a group member named Holden. This story would be considered a gothic short story because of its use of setting, theme, symbolism, and literary devices used to portray the horror of a missing six-year-old girl. Plot is the literal chronological development of the story, the sequence of events