Daniel Dennetts Darwins Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of

Daniel Dennett's Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life Science can give us as good a moral code as any religion. Or so Daniel Dennett claims in his book, Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life. Dennett provides the tools to explain human morality, and inadvertently leads the way to the conclusion (which he does not share) that science can clarify how human morality came about, but not serve as a substitute or model for moral codes, religious and secular alike. It all begins with Dennett's assertion that everything- everything- is a product of an algorithmic process, which comes about as a result of random change. By definition these algorithmic processes, evolution included, are "matter first". Dennett uses a metaphor of "cranes"; that new changes in species or anything else are made possible by what already existed in the material world. When speaking about life it is also usefully explained by considering adaptation to be, in practice, exaptation. Nothing in the Darwinian story of the world suggests that anything about better or worse, or for that matter, good and evil. This is the main point commonly used to dispel notions of Social Darwinism. But it, in my mind, is not sufficient. A few people are doing better in the world than others, and it is not because they are better than the others, or that the others are inferior, it just happened that way because of social circumstances. It has nothing to do with biology. So what! Science here offers no ethical insight; it only prompts indifference. Even if Darwinism is no justification for social injustice, it does nothing to suggest that there is an urgent need for social change. At worst, if one does not take away from this a w... ...reate stories and go beyond nature. These stories themselves are often the motivation for what we determine to be evil upon examining an alternate story, but we do not have a choice about whether or not we tell stories at all. That is in our nature. Alternately, without our stories we would not experience good and beautiful. The most dissatisfying aspect of a matter-first explanation of morality is that it absolves us from any responsibility for how we impact the natural world and other human beings. This could come as a welcome relief, after considering the incomprehensible responsibility of being an agent of creation. But consider again all the hope and possibilities that lie in being able to tell stories that change the world! Works Cited Dennett, Daniel C. Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life. New York, NY: Simon&Schuster, 1995.

Alliant Energy Case Study

1. Who are the main players (name and position)? William D Harvey, Chairman and CEO of Alliant Energy Jamie Toledo, head of supplier diversity program- Alliant Energy 2. In what business or businesses and industry or industries is the company operating? Energy/Utility- Alliance provides electricity and natural gas service 3. What are the issues and problems facing the company?That diversity within the workforce and supplier base does not meet corporate core values and goals (to create and retain/maintain a diverse workforce/supplier base, and place women in positions not traditionally held by women, still need more ethnic diversity) in order to maximize their abilities Employees are confused about Alliant’s definition of diversity Employees’ perception of diversity (affirmative action, work attitudes, job satisfaction) 4. What is the primary problem for the company/organization in this case?That diversity within the workforce and supplier base does not meet corporate co re values and goals 5. Why have the problem (s) you cite emerged? Identify the causal chain (the events or Circumstances that caused the problem-Some will be Internal Weaknesses, others EXTERNAL Threats). Employees’ perception of diversity (affirmative action, work attitudes, job satisfaction— external threat, people come to the workplace with preconceived notions regarding diversity.Employees confused about definition of diversity- Internal cause by lack of training and lack of understanding regarding management’s expectations 6. What are the characteristics of the industry that the company is in and how is the Industry changing over time? Not typically an industry that includes many women, and is not located in an area of the United States that is particularly diverse. Industry is continuously growing as the need for energy increases, thus more people will need to be hired and more suppliers will be needed. The marketplace is full of many different ages, races , and religions.An organization with employees that reflect these different groups will be more successful in serving consumers because their workforce reflects the diversity of the marketplace 7. What is the firm's strategy for differentiation, enabling them to compete within the context of their industry? According to Jamie Toledo, having diverse suppliers leads to new perspectives and creativity, it supports local communities, and ensures diverse businesses have fair opportunities. In addition, having a diverse workforce enables the company to understand the marketplace and increases the company’s chances of succeeding . What are possible solutions to the problems you have identified? Continue to communicate senor managements’ commitment to diversity, explain the benefits of diversity, active participation of employees in the training, create an internal diversity council 9. What are the advantages and possible disadvantages of your solution(s)? Advantage: more trai ning and more continued reinforcement typically leads to more involvement and awareness, employees now know the definition and of and benefits of diversity at it applies to their jobs and company.Possible disadvantage: the scripted training may reinforce stereotypes. All day, mandated training may lead to some employees not grasping all the elements of the training 10. Are there any possible problems with your suggested recommendations? What contingencies need to be accommodated? Training may be too scripted, not enough employee involvement†¦. Solution= include more informal forums or guest speakers. Could also spread the scripted training over the course of multiple days.

The Role of Hbcus in American Society - 880 Words

For almost two hundred years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs have played a pivotal role in the education of African-American people, and negro people internationally. These schools have provided the majority of black college graduates at the Graduate and Post-Graduate level; schools such as Hampton University, Morehouse University, Spellman University and Howard University are four universities at the forefront of the advanced education of blacks. For sometime there has been a discussion on whether or not these institutes should remain in existence or if they are just another form of racism. There were also concerning the quality of education provided at these institutions. In my opinion, from the evidence provided†¦show more content†¦I also believe that HBCUs are a better alternative to affirmative action. These institutions have the capacity to attract and motivate many young black people, to advance their education. By seeing people just like them, with similar backgrounds and similar interest making great achievements, it provides those young black people with a pride and a sense of empowerment. This is most effective in the poorer neighborhoods where morale is low. It is true that HBCUs enroll students with the lowest test scores in American education; according to Elias Blake Jr. in the article from Emerge, Black colleges are still enrolling a majority of the most vulnerable students that have the lowest income and the lowest test scoresÂ… (par. 7). Studies show that in many disadvantaged communities, the quality of education is not up to par with the quality in the wealthier communities. Therefore, those in these poorer communities are at a disadvantage. But from the statistics on the amount on the amount of successful African-Americans who graduate from these historically black institutions, something right must be occurring. I believe that these HBCUs are an ideal environment for these students as they place these un der-achieving students in an environment which they are comfortable, and allows them the ability to develop their skills. In the end, most ofShow MoreRelated The Role of HBCUs in American Society Essay872 Words   |  4 Pages For almost two hundred years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs have played a pivotal role in the education of African-American people, and negro people internationally. These schools have provided the majority of black college graduates at the Graduate and Post-Graduate level; schools such as Hampton University, Morehouse University, Spellman University and Howard University are four universities at the forefront of the advanced education of blacks. For sometime there has beenRead MoreThe Education Of African Americans Essay867 Words   |  4 PagesHistorically black colleges and universities, otherwise known as HBCUs, have played an integral role in advancing the education of underprivileged black teenagers since their inception after t he American Civil War. They have had students extremely well known in their fields today, such as billionaire entertainer Oprah Winfrey, the first African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. Though their graduation rates tend to be around 1 in 3Read MoreGraduation Speech : A College Application And Writing An Essay Essay1439 Words   |  6 Pagesthe two should also be included. Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) is colleges or Universities where the student populace is primarily White. Whereas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are higher education institutions specifically established to educate African Americans. 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