Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy A Review Free Essays

JUSTUS HARTNACK, Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy (trans: Maurice Cranston, New York: Anchor Books, 1965) pp. (x+142). Paper. We will write a custom essay sample on Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy: A Review or any similar topic only for you Order Now The book Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy, written by Professor Justus Hartnack, was first published in Danish. Later this book was translated to English by Maurice Cranston who was the author of Freedom, What are Human Rights? , Jean-Paul Sartre and the standard biography of John Locke. Hartnack is also famous for his book Philosophical Problems. The book Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy deals with the philosophy of the most famous contemporary philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. This book covers over one hundred and forty two pages. It begins with a preface by the author. This book, having five chapters, is the interpretation of Wittgenstein’s philosophical works. The first chapter, under the title ‘Biographical Introduction’, dealt with the life history of Ludwig Wittgenstein—the most renowned figure of the time. He was a great philosopher who dedicated himself to the growth of philosophy. â€Å"†¦philosophy was his life† (p. 3). Though he made lectures on British universities, he was not at all English, but an Austrian Jew, living and working in England. He was born in Vienna in 1889, the son of a rich engineer. Initially he had a taste to engineering; but later, it transformed to mathematics and he became a disciple of Bertrand Russell in Cambridge University. At the outbreak of the First World War, he contributed a few years in the Austrian army. His first and the most famous book, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus was published in 1922. Indeed the language of the book is elusive, â€Å"it has had an enormous influence among philosophers† (p. 6). Its influence was particularly marked in the logical positivism that became so fashionable in the years between the wars. But the later teachings of Wittgenstein were contrasting to the former teachings. His The Philosophical Investigations (1953), which published only after his death marked a new beginning in the world of philosophy. Besides the above books, he was also the author of the book, The Blue and Brown Books (1958). His writings paved a place for Wittgenstein in the history of philosophy. The second chapter named ‘The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus’ gives out a brief summary of Wittgenstein’s eighty pages book—Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. The author begins with the traditional notion of language—â€Å"consists of words and each word possesses meaning insofar as it stands for something† (p. 13). It is the search for the problem of philosophical assertions that brings out the serious errors in using the language. So, Russell in his Principia Mathematica comes up with the need of constructing a new language preserving the logical form. It was the beginning of symbolic logic. But Wittgenstein was not satisfied with this new language because â€Å"he did not think there was any need to construct a new language because he held that there is only one language† (p. 6). His book Tractatus shares this idea. The author expresses the content of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus in nine parts in this chapter. The world, thought and propositions nave the same logical form—world is represented by thought and it is expressed in words as propositions. So, according to Wittgenstein, â€Å"the world is the tot ality of facts, not of things† (p. 18). A thing is not itself a fact even the thing is bound up with the notion of a fact. The author uses the example: â€Å"It is a fact that my watch is lying on the table, but neither the watch nor the table is a fact† (p. 25). The thought and propositions serve as pictures of facts. This is known as ‘Picture Theory of Language’—language is a picture or model of facts. Pictures are models of reality and these are made up of elements that represent objects. The combination of objects in the picture represents the combination of objects in reality. So the function of the language is to represent the state of affairs in the world. But the proposition does not give a spatial representation of the fact; it is only a logical picture of the state of affairs. Then, Hartnack points out Wittgenstein’s concept of ‘mystical’. There are some facts â€Å"that would be nonsensical to discuss, describe or even to think, because language cannot logically be employed about it† (p. 40). He included all the ethical and spiritual values in the realm of mystical. It is something that is transcendental. The third chapter ‘The Tractatus and Logical Positivism’ says about the influence of Tractatus over logical positivism. The author divided this chapter into four parts. The first part comments on logical positivist’s conception of philosophy. For them, â€Å"the task of philosophy †¦is simply to clarify the meaning of such [philosophical] problems and propositions† (p. 6). It has nothing to do in providing information about reality. A better understanding of the meaning of propositions can be ascertained through ‘verification principle’—one understands the meaning of a proposition only of one knows how it could be verified. For example, the statement ‘I t is raining’ can be verified. But there are some other propositions that can’t be verified and it is called as ‘pseudo propositions’ similar to Wittgenstein’s ‘mystical’. In the following parts of the third chapter, the author discusses how the logical positivism differs from the ideas of Wittgenstein. It is believed by the positivist that Wittgenstein was the first one who had proposed the verification principle. Wittgenstein accepted the mystical propositions as genuine along with the empirical propositions. But positivists denied the assumption that mystical propositions are genuine for they cannot accept anything other than that is empirical. â€Å"†¦what cannot be said, and therefore cannot be thought, is not an expression of the limits of language. The reason for being silent is that there is nothing to speak about† (p. 55). The fourth chapter holds the same title, ‘The Philosophical Investigations’, of his second known book. This chapter speaks on the summary of Wittgenstein’s Investigations. This book is not a continuation of his own ‘Tractatus’; rather it is the repudiation of his views in ‘Tractatus’. The author explains its importance as: What gives the importance is that it contains the mature philosophy of Wittgenstein. It introduces a new chapter in the history of philosophy. It is not just a continuation or development of the thought of others. It is something wholly original (p. 62-63). The Investigations had a reference to St. Augustine’s Confessions. â€Å"St. Augustine fancied, according to Wittgenstein, that he had discovered what was essential to all languages, namely that all words should have a meaning and that the meaning of each was what it stood for† (p. 65). Augustine conceived of it as a ‘naming-game’, that is, as a language mastered by learning the names of different things. But Wittgenstein couldn’t approve this ‘naming-game’ and with a slight difference he introduced ‘language-game’ which had its foundation on the sense that the meaning of a word is its use in the language. He thought that in language we are playing with words. As we can’t find any resemblance in different games though they possess some similarities and relationships, we can’t find resemblance in our multiple ways of language use. Hartnack discusses: Language, no longer a picture of reality, is now seen as a tool†¦with variety of uses. Different words are like different tools in the toolbox. And just as there is no one use which is the essential use of all tools, there is no one essential use for words and sentences. (p. 75) Different language-games show a family resemblance as like the members of a family share many similar features, such as eye colour, hair, facial structure, etc,. However, there will be no one particular feature that they all share in common. So the different language-games are related to one another in many different ways. In Investigations, Wittgenstein made a gradual transition on the aim of philosophy. With a new view, philosophy aims at complete clarity. â€Å"[And] this complete clarity does not lead to the solution of problem, but to its disappearance† (p. 82). Why is to say that the problem disappear? It is because the origin of the philosophical perplexity is an error, or rather a misunderstanding—a misunderstanding of the logical grammar of the sentences concerned. When it has been healed, the source of the problem has not been ‘solved’, it has vanished. The role of philosophy is to show the path of liberation to the fly trapped in the fly bottle. In the last chapter ‘Contemporary Philosophical Investigations’, Hartnack says something about the philosophers who were very much influenced by Wittgenstein. He also tried to give a brief note on the papers and books published by those philosophers. Gilbert Ryle’s The Concept of Mind is the first book to be dealt with. It was published in 1949, four years before the Investigations, and it is not Wittgenstein in style, although there is no conflict on essential points; â€Å"but it is typically Wittgensteinian in that it treats philosophical problems as the consequence of the misunderstanding of the logic of concepts† (p. 119). Besides giving a short description, the author has not tried to go deep into the text. Following Ryle’s The Concept of Mind, Hartnack makes a brief study on Peter Strawson’s paper ‘On Referring’, where Strawson is attacking what he believes to be a mistaken conception of meaning. Strawson’s paper is Wittgensteinian in the sense that it argues that the meaning of a sentence is not what it refers to, but the rules for its correct use† (p. 121). He rejected Russell’s claim that every sentence must be true or false or meaningless. For Strawson, â€Å"a sentence is meaningful if there are rules for its use as an assertion† (p. 126). In the following two parts of the last chapter, author summarises ‘The Ascription of Responsibility and Rights’, the defense paper of Professor H. L. A. Hart and ‘On Grading’, the paper presented by the Oxford philosopher J. O. Urmson. The former is dealt with morality and jurisprudence. Here Hart made some similarities of the problems in philosophy and legal concepts. The latter studies the use of sentences that function as evaluations. Urmson works from the simple and homely example of grading apples. An apple can be graded either as good or as bad, based on its empirical properties. But â€Å"the logical structure of the sentence ‘This is good’ is quite distinct from any question about the validity or relevance of any criterion that may be invoked in support of it† (p. 42). The validity of the statement is not proved in this kind of evaluations. The book Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy is really an excellent interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophical works—Tractatus and Investigations. Hartnack had made a genuine effort to make this book marvelous. Though this book contributes nothing new to the world of philosophy, it shows a great honour to Wittgenstei n. Hartnack was successful in giving appropriate footnotes in places where the reader needs clarifications. But it is sorry to say that this book lacks index and the last chapter of this book is so vague. The author would have to pay a little more attention to these drawbacks. Excluding these drawbacks, this book is an awesome work. This book will be very useful to the philosophy students especially those who are making study exclusively on Wittgenstein. Even the translator re-produced the book in a simple and eloquent language. This book review will be incomplete unless I mention that the author showed justice to the works of Wittgenstein and even to the readers. How to cite Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy: A Review, Essay examples

Ship Breaking Industries of Bangladesh free essay sample

The marine environment of the coastal water is vital to mankind on a global as well as on local basis concerning energy. Man is becoming a dominant part of the ecosystem in many regions, due to his various uses of the marine environment. So the health of marine ecosystem is an important factor in man own existence. The Bay of Bengal which is a potential bode of marine life as well as for it’s vast coastal communities is now continually polluted by different types of pollutant through influx of land base and other sources and put an alarming signal of awareness about pollution in the sea. The coastal areas of Chittagong Support a complex trophic organization sustain a high biodiversity including some endemic species and are highly susceptible to interference from activities. Coastal ecosystem makes a sustainable livelihood particularly to coastal fishing communities. Ship breaking yards along the coast of Chittagong (Faujdarhat to Kumira) has become a paramount importance in the macro-and micro-economic context of poverty- stricken Bangladesh. Shipbreaking activities present both challenge and opportunity for coastal zone management in holistic manner. The history of ship breaking is as nearly old as shipbuilding. As we know that a ship is relatively a large vessel capable of operating in the deep ocean. The term ‘vessels’ applies to the vessels of over 5000 tons and that can navigate in open seas. In Bangladesh ship breaking is popularly known as ‘Beaching’. Ship breaking started as a business in Bangladesh in 1972. Prior to that, 2/3 ships were scrapped during Pakistan period. It started automatically when a 20000 DWT vessel was drive ashore by the devastating tidal bore of 1965. That was the first ship scrapped on the 2 Chittagong sea beach. At present, ship breaking is conducted in an area of about 10 km by 32 out of 110 ship Breaking yards from Bhatiari, Sonaichhari, kumira under the Sitakunda upazilla of Chittagong. The Department of Environment (DoE) has categorized the Ship Breaking Industry (SBI) as ‘Red’ in 1995(EIA guidelines for the Industries, 1997). The Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is not conducted before the establishment of SBI. As there is no monitoring cell, the Shipyard owners are operating their business overwhelmingly as well as indiscriminately. They are less conscious about hazards, toxicity and environmental pollution whereas more conscious about their benefit. Wastes of the scrapped ships are discharged directly into its adjacent areas which are ultimately draining into the Bay of Bengal. These wastes especially oil and oily substances, PCBs, TBTs, PAHs etc. and different types of trace and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg) are being accumulated into the marine biota. As a result, marine fisheries diversity of the Chittagong coast that supports highly diversified marine water fishes, mollusks and benthic organisms etc. is at the stake right at this moment. Moreover the Coastal inhabitants/fisher folks lead not only their livelihoods but also solely depend on the coastal resources for their protein source. The CPUE (Catch Per Unit effort) has drastically been reduced to more than half comparatively of a few decades ago. As a consequence, the coastal fisher folks are at the stake of their existence. They are either leaving their hereditary profession or migrating to other places and becoming ‘environmental refugees’. That is why their socio-economic status is below the poverty level. There are few studies was done to find out the linkage between Ship breaking activity (SBA) and the marine pollution, impact on fisheries biodiversity and livelihoods of the fishermen community. In those researches, investigators considered Bhatiary to Kumira as affected area and Sandwip Island as control area from the shipbreaking activity. The eastern side of Sandwip has been considered as control site because these are diagonally opposite and off the SBYs and the water and soil qualities are apparently free from pollutants as revealed from the earlier studies. From the previous analysis we found that trace metals concentration in sediments at shipbreaking area are so much higher than recommendation by GESAMP (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution). But the researchers found that Sandwip which is significantly very lower than that of sediments at affected area. The values of Lead (Pb), Cadmium(Cd) and Mercury(Hg) found six and half; eight and half and ninety four times higher than that of certified values respectively. These could be attributed to the combined effects of oil and oil spillage, petroleum hydrocarbons from ships, tankers, mechanized boats etc. During the investigation all the researcher found water qualities such as Hydrogen Ion H Concentration (p ), Dissolve Oxygen (D. O), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B. O. D), Chemical Oxygen Demand (C. O. D), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Oil and Ammonia (NH3) were concentrated as a higher value in affected area than control area according to the standard value of water quality for the coastal water of Bangladesh (EQS, 1991). All the parameters observed such a higher that they exceeded the value of EQS. But the water parameters in Sandwip channel were optimum and near to the value of EQS standard. Water qualities in affected area exceeded the EQS standard which reveals that the water body of the adjacent area of ship breaking yards is not suitable for the existence of flora and fauna. The higher concentration was due to the discharge of various refuse oils and oily substances, dyes, chemicals, iron pieces, various types of metal rusts, solids, dyes, erosion of soil dust etc. from the ship breaking yards. Pollutants are also discharged from the Sitakunda industrial area into the run-off open to the Bay. Impact of Marine Biodiversity: Biodiversity, which is sort for biological diversity, is the term used to describe the whole variety of life on earth. In popular usage, the word biodiversity is often used to describe all the species living in a particular area. Biodiversity can be summarized as â€Å"Life on earth. † It is defined as â€Å" The varieties of life on earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystem, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that sustain it. † The total biodiversity of an area can be broken down into two hierarchical components: the number of functional types of organisms (animals and plants) or ecosystems (forest, prairie, tundra and marine intertidal) and the number of functionally equivalent organisms within each functional type. There are three types of aspects to biodiversity: species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity. All three interact and change over time and from place to place. Phytoplankton is the primary food producers of the aquatic habitat and plays an important role in the food chain. Phytoplankton is the best index of the biological productivity. Analysis of phytoplankton showed that during monsoon, Aanabaena , Clostratrum(10. 98%) and Coscinodiscus(21. 97%), Euglena (9. 89%) and Zygnema (30. 76%) and during post monsoon Coscinodiscus (97. 5%) and Euglena (2. 5%) dominated in the affected site. In the control site of Sandwip, these were dominated as 30. 41%, 19. 46%; 17. 03%; 9. 73%; 23. 35% in the monsoon and 94. 73% and 5. 26% respectively in the post monsoon. Throughout the study period the abundance of phytoplankton at affected site was 91 cells/ l in monsoon season and 80 cells/ l in post monsoon season and in control site it was 411 cells/l in monsoon season and 190 cells / l in post monsoon season. Drifting small floating animals, in the water body are collectively known as zooplankton on which the whole aquatic life depends directly or indirectly. As zooplankton is very sensitive to optimum condition, so the coastal pollution due to ship breaking activities may have profound affects on its survival and occurrence. Analysis of zooplankton showed that Calanoida, Cyclopedia, Sagitta, Lucifer etc in the monsoon and Calanoida; Acetes shrimp; Lucifer and Zoea in the post monsoon were dominated in the affected site as revealed during zooplankton analysis whereas in the control site the dominant zooplankton were found as Calanoida, Cylpclpedia, Sagitta and Zoea during the post monsoon and Calanoida; Acetes shrimp, Lucifer, Cladocera and Zoea in the post monsoon respectively. The bottom living organisms –the benthos play an important role in the food chain especially in the inter tidal zone and it is also well recognized that the richest fisheries of the world are closely related to the benthic communities. Among the macro benthos, Amphipods, Polychaetes, Nemertina and Fish egg in the monsoon and Nemertina, Cladocera, Cyclopoida and Calanoida were found to be dominated at the affected site. But at the control site, Amphipod, Polychaete, Nemertina, Fish egg during the monsoon and Cladocera, Nemertina , Calanoida and Polychaete in the post monsoon were dominated So, the abundance of macro benthos in affected site was 118. 46 ind. / m3 in monsoon season and 4186. 74 ind. / m3 in post monsoon season, while in in the control site 368. 28 ind. / m3 in monsoon season and 14204. 41 ind. / m3 in post monsoon season. The fishery resources of the area seems to be affected by the ship breaking activities as revealed by increased fishing efforts, reduced species diversity, increased amount of trash fish. Horizontal expansion of the ship breaking yards has posed threat not only to the diversified coastal resources but also on the adjacent coastal inhabitants specially the fisher folks. The fishing hamlets of this study were found backward in the field of primary education and health that are the basic needs for them. Communication and drinking water supply were observed satisfactory but the sanitation status was found to be very poor. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) study showed that about 90% of them were local and full time fishermen and 10% were migratory of different districts including Bhola, Barisal, Mymensingh and others. The fisher folks are dissatisfied with different NGO activities working in this area. No government aid was found to be available for the welfare of fishermen communities. The catch has declined in the tune of at least 50 to 60% of what was two decades ago. This incident has got serious implication in the context of survival of such a disgraced community. It was found that about 70% of the fishermen had either nets or boats or both of them. They use both mechanized and non-mechanized boats and some traditional fishing crafts (Dinghi) for fishing. Among the fishing nets Set Beg Net (Behundi Jal) and Gill Net (Ilish Jal) were found to be widely used. Though the gears are available for fishing, they can catch a very little amount in every effort. They uniquely reported that the fish catch had been reduced more than half of the previous time. Analysis of catch composition indicates that some commercially important fishes like Indian salmon (Polynemus indicus) commonly known as Lakhua, grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) known as bole coral; Long jew fish (Otolithoides brunneus) locally known as lombu fish; spanish mackerel (Cybium guttatum) known as maitta and butter fish (Psenes indicus) etc are in endangered position. Some other commercially important fishes like River shad (Tenualusa ilisha) Jwelled shad (Ilisha filigera) locally known as choikka; mud skipper (Gobies); mango fish (Polynemus paradysius) known as ‘Hriska Machh’; silver pomfret (Stromateus chinensis); bombay duck (Herpodon nehereus); mullet ( Mugil cephalus); Sea bass (Lates calcarifer); Anchovy(Coilia dussumeri; Coilia ramkorati; Setipinna taty) etc are reduced in catch. Many coastal fishermen are leaving their hereditary profession and moving around everyday as ‘environmental refugees’ from a state of unemployed and poverty to underemployment and grim poverty. Due to the deterioration of the water body, fishes are moving away from this area into the deep sea. But the poor fishermen with small fishing boats can hardly fish at deep seas the creditors and swindlers are taking this chances and rush to lend money and thus make them run into debt. The fishermen also reported that while they catch fish at sea they face piracy. They also face the muscle man, middle man and swindlers when they return with fewer amounts of fish.. These criminals snatch away the fishes forcefully. The fishermen are exploited by the dealers in dadon (earnest money). It is made obligatory that the middleman determines the price of fish in the season of fish. They are to sell fish to the lenders at a nominal or throwaway price. The middlemen indulge in maintaining miscreants to exercise their authority over them. Before the season of fish they borrow 4/5 thousand Taka from the dadonders (Buyers cum earnest money lenders) to repair the boat which lead them run into debt. Generally the months of MarchApril-May (Falgoon-Chaitra-Baishakh) are the â€Å"season of scarcity† as reported by the fishermen during PRA survey. At this time they require at least Tk. 4000/5000 to repair their boats, nets and for other incidental expenses. Most of the fishermen opined that Ship Breaking Activity (SBA) creates problems to them and the rest did not respond. Besides, 90% of the villagers of the vicinity were anxious about their existence in future. Their nets for the catching fish become stuck with oil and impurities. They suffer from respiratory difficulties, sonic booms, explosions, lightning, fumes, toxic chemicals and skin diseases. It is clear from the sociological study that coastal fish species diversity has been reduced due to the ship breaking activities. The fishermen’s hereditary profession is now at the vulnerable position due to the Ship Breaking Activity (SBA); less access to credit etc. But the most interesting thing is that they are not conscious about their rights and deprivation. The increasing SBA is depleting the fishery resources which simultaneously decreasing catch per unit effort (CPUE). So this trend is provoking the fisher folks to change their livelihoods for what they never feel comfort and safe. Land grabbing by the yard owners also occurs sometime. Expansion of the yard shrinks the area of the fishing villages. They have to leave their space with a very nominal price. They have rights over only 200 feet of the seashore where they dry nets and anchor boats. Erosion of the village by sea wave action threatened the fishing village’s decade after decade. It started in sixties and nearly half a kilometer of the village has disappeared into the sea. Now at least 20,000 people engaged in catching fish are at the stake of their existence.

Impact of Depreciation Method Different Financial Statements

Question: Discuss about the Impact of Depreciation Method for Different Financial Statements. Answer: 1(b) The information on depreciation is disclosed in three different financial statements namely the income statement, the balance sheet and the cash flow statements. All these transmit valuable knowledge to the reader of the annual report of a company. The same is enumerated below: Income Statement: The amount of depreciation calculated is reflected in the income statement of a company for the reporting period under the head operating expenses. The readers of the income statement come to know about the amount of non-cash expense the company has incurred and the benefit it has made in terms of savings in tax. Further it also proves that the company is running into profits and has adequate funds for replacement of the asset in future (Merritt, 2015). Cash Flow Statement: The readers of a cash flow statement are interested to know about the actual liquidity status of the company thus the depreciation amount forms an -integral part of the said statement. It is a non-cash item hence elimination of the same becomes mandatory so as to know the actual cash profit the company has made. The cash flow statement also focuses on the impact that the depreciation amount has over the liquidity position of the firm. Balance Sheet: The next important statement where the disclosure of depreciation is important for the readers knowledge is the balance sheet of a company. The balance sheet clearly shows the total depreciation charged since the acquisition of the asset and the present residual value expected of the same (Murray, 2016). Also the matching concept used in accountancy clearly shows that the cost of an asset will be attributed as an expense over a period of time. 2. The Marsupial Family, owner of Kangaroo Express a medium sized company is eyeing at raising capital for expansion. The three alternatives that the company can look at are bank overdraft facilities, mortgages and alternative investment market or second tier market floatation. However each method has attached with it certain risks and returns which are enumerated as under: BANK OVERDRAFT: This form of financing is the easiest that a medium sized firm can avail wherein the bank would provide the firm with a limit of withdrawing cash over and above the actual amount in the firms bank account. Availing of the bank OD facility ensures that the liquidity flow is not hampered and thus enables maintenance of a healthy payment track. This mode of finance is easy to avail as well as cost effective. Its flexible nature does not force a person to take the entire OD amount if not required. The company would benefit in terms of interest expense as it would be charged interest only on the amount of OD facility availed and not the OD limit given by the respective bank. However the risk involved with this kind of facility is that the rate of interest charged is very high and there always is a risk of a decrease in the OD limit set by the bank since it is temporary in nature and a regular revisit of the same is done (Fontinelle, 2014). MORTGAGE LOAN: This form of financing for expansion enables a company to secure loan against any asset such as building, land or plant and machinery backed by personal guarantee of the owner of the medium sized company. The biggest risk is that failure to pay would make the personal assets of the guarantor also liable for making good for the loan (Palermo, 2014). Further there is a liability to repay monthly even though the company does not perform well. However apart from the same the said kind of financing enables a lower rate of interest and larger tenure (Matic et.al. 2012). ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET: The said mode of raising capital allows a sub market wherein the small and medium sized companies can raise funds by floating shares in a more flexible yet regulated system. From the past 20 years the Australian corporate houses have increased the use of the bond markets for the purpose of debt financing. The increase accessibility to the international market has enabled the development of the secondary bond market (Lepone, Wright, 2014). 3. Decision making within a company is highly influenced by the information published by management accountants. The rules and regulations spelt out by management accounting guidelines is not as strict as financial accounting, thus giving the leverage of presenting the information in a more detailed manner. It is used for only internal business processes. Thus adequate ethical standards should be maintained during managerial accounting. The APES110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants has the code of ethics for the professional accountants as is issued by the International Ethics Standard Board for Accountants (IESBA) (Charteredaccountants.com, 2016). Its importance can be viewed to the context of development of adequate trust in an employer-employee relationship and the managers who assure ethics in their behavioural pattern provide guaranteed and quality information to the decision makers (Taicu, 2007). The lack of business ethics has led to various corporate scandals and scams and affected huge number of investors and customers as in the case of The national Australia Bank which failed due to a lack in the performance of the management accountants and weak internal governance controls (Thomson, Jain, 2006). The management accountants stands in a fiduciary relationship with the client as well the employer and therefore it is their moral duty to maintain confidentiality of information, honesty in their performance and commitment towards presenting the true picture to the decision makers. They should also not support the wrongs being done by the decision makers and ensure to take a stand against the same since they have a duty to wards the investors also. Therefore as a management accountant, a professional should adhere to the highest standards of ethics and ensure that the information presented to the decision makers are true and fair. Thus they have a legitimate responsibility towards the society as well along with the employees and the investors. Thus there access to sensitive and confidential database automatically entails them with a responsibility of due diligence and care (Lohrey, 2016). 4. A companys financial statements portray some strengths as well as weaknesses of a company which assist in making decisions whether to opt for the particular company as a supplier or not. First and foremost the financial statement enables one to know whether the company is running into profits or not and its inventory and accounts receivable turnover ratio. These ratios are very important for determining the stability of a company. Thus the biggest strength of a financial statement is that it provides adequate data for calculation of financial ratios. Further the notes to financial statements are also acting as a strength in using the same for deciding whether to act upon a particular company as a viable supplier, since these notes clarify data about certain contingent liabilities of the firm which is important in determining the going concern theory. But it has certain weaknesses also which may act as a hindrance in assisting stability and potential growth of possible suppliers. I t does not portray the economic conditions in monetary terms and thus fails to account for the unrest that exists in its area of operations. This is where the stability of the firm cannot be judged via financial statements only. A standard set of financial statements enables one to know about the liquidity position of a company basis its cash flow statement. The income statement enables one to know about the profitability of a company as well as its operational efficiency and a balance sheet enables to deliver the position for the company as on a particular date with regards it assets and liabilities and the capital structure composition (Loth, 2015). The limitations of financial statements are: The financial statements do not portray the final picture of an entity which can be understood only once the same goes into liquidation. Historical cost method ensures that the financial statements do not account for the present economic scenario in vogue. There are some factors which are very important for the financial readers for enabling decision making but the same cannot be measured in financial terms hence do not form a part of the financial statements (Yongkui, 2013). Therefore, I would look at the liquidity ratio, inventory turnover ratio, debtors turnover ratio and such similar financial ratios which would enable to determine the financial and liquidity stability of the firm. Further to the same the interest coverage ratio, profitability ratios and the capital structure ratios would enable me to judge whether the company ahs the potential to attract further capital for growth. If it has not been servicing its interest component on time or there has been consistent failures in adhering to the terms and conditions posed by the financial institutions or the investors are not getting the adequate returns as expected and promised then the same may face problems in attracting fresh capital. References: Boundless, (2016), Impact of Depreciation Method.,Boundless Accounting Available at : https://www.boundless.com/accounting/textbooks/boundless-accounting-textbook/controlling-and-reporting-of-real-assets-property-plant-equipment-and-natural-resources-6/depreciation-of-assets-44/impact-of-depreciation-method-244-11162/ (Accessed 30th August 2016) Charteredaccountants.com, (2016), The regulatory and co-regulatory framework in Australia, Available at https://www.charteredaccountants.com.au/Industry-Topics/Practice-management/Certificate-of-Public-Practice/The-regulatory-and-co-regulatory-framework-in-Australia (Accessed 15th September 2016) Lepone, A., Wright, D., (2014), Capital Market Structure Comparisons, Available at https://www.fsc.org.au/downloads/file/policyresearch/_FSC_Report_Market_Structure.pdf (Accessed 15th September 2016) Lohrey, J., (2016), Summarizing the Role of Ethics in Managerial Accounting, Available at https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/summarizing-role-ethics-managerial-accounting-27684.html (Accessed 15th September 2016) Loth, R., (2015), Understanding the Income Statement, Available at https://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/022504.asp, (Accessed 30th August 2016) Matic, M., Gorajek, A., Stewart, C., (2012), Small Business Funding in Australia, Available at https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/workshops/other/small-bus-fin-roundtable-2012/pdf/02-small-bus-funding-aus.pdf (Accessed 15th September 2016) Merritt, C., (2015), What is the Impact of Depreciation Expense on Profitability, Available at https://smallbusiness.chron.com/impact-depreciation-expense-profitability-55349.html (Accessed 30th August 2016) Murray, J., (2016), How is Depreciation Shown on Financial and Tax Documents,? Available at https://www.thebalance.com/how-is-depreciation-shown-on-financial-and-tax-documents-397880 (Accessed 30th August 2016) Palermo, E., (2014), Debt vs Equity Financing : Whats the Best Choice For Your Business?, Business News Daily, Available at https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6363-debt-vs-equity-financing.html (Accessed 30th August 2016) Taicu, M., (2007), Ethics in Management Accounting, Scientific Bulletin Economic Sciences- Accounting , Statistics and Financial Analysis, Vol. 9, no. 15, pp. 93-98 The Forbes, (2013, June 3), Depreciation: Straight Line Vs. Double Declining Methods, Available at https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/investing/article-2886138/Winners-losers-alternative-investment-market.html (Accessed 30th August 2016) Thomson, D., Jain, A., (2006), Corporate Governance Failure and its impact on National Australia Banks Performance, Journal of Business Case Studies, vol.2, no.1, pp. 41-56 Yongkui, Z., (2013), Limitations of Financial Statements and Disclosure of Core Information, Journal of Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 13, pp. 2505-2511

Sample Essay - A Unique Essay Idea

Sample Essay - A Unique Essay IdeaIf you're looking for a job or for some internships, a sample NY State exam can be an important way to meet a deadline. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that a sample test is not a real exam. It's the very same test that you would take if you were an actual student taking the test in person. It's a great idea to practice before you actually go and take the test in person.The samples of sample exams that are offered online can give you a good feel for what the test will be like. It's no surprise that it is the most common test taken by students across the country. Most students have more than one state to be from, so they need to go through the same tests to ensure that they get a passing grade. There are also some online schools that have their own tests which you can take for a fee. These tests are intended to be used for one specific state.It doesn't matter if you are in school or not, having a sample exam can be the difference b etween getting a passing or failing grade. You never know when you may need a good score. You may want to look into different test preparation services or take a private tutor if needed.Once you find a test provider or a book with a sample test, you should study the material and learn as much as you can about the test. This can take time and your best bet is to start early. Make sure that you get some kind of homework assignment and practice test to help you with your studying. Keep in mind that the materials are out there for you to use so that you won't need a test provider to provide you with sample materials. This is one of the ways that you can save money since you won't have to pay to get the materials.If you're not sure how to study for a sample test, try not to worry. There are many tips available online that you can use to help you prepare for your test. Practice writing and talking about different topics. When it comes to preparation, you may want to try a quiz to see how you're doing.You may even be able to find a real NY sample exam at the library or on the internet. You will need to know that you must complete all sections that are required. When you're ready to take the test, make sure that you look into the requirements of each section and pass each section with flying colors.Regardless of whether you're from New York or another part of the country, you are qualified to be a teacher. However, there are other ways to go about getting a job and this includes going through testing services. The very first thing that you need to do is get a sample essay written by someone else, then you can fill in the blanks with your own writing skills. The test is no longer a mystery.

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A Seperate Peace essays Friendship is the main theme in John Knowles novel A Separate Peace. Gene Forrester, an intellectual student and Finny, his roommate at Devon School who is usually misbehaving, has charismatic ways, which usually exempt him from punishment. The two have opposing interests and personalities, yet still remain close friends. Gene, envying Finnys athletic ability, thinks that Finny, in return, envies his academic achievements, and he suspects that Finny is trying to divert him from his work. Gene's doubts turn into indignant hatred. Yet, when Gene realizes that he has been mistaken of the existence of Finny trying to distract him due to the fact that one day, Finny expresses a desire to see Gene succeed, Gene realizes they have been friends the whole time, and through it all thats what friendship is. Together they get through the summer, and the hardships of losing other friends and classmates to the war. The reader really starts to see the close relationship the two of them have, right from when they are introduced. Their friendship is clearly present at many occasions through out the novel. Finny urges Gene into making a dangerous jump off of a tree into the near by river, and the two start a secret society based on this as the ritual. When Finny attempts to make the jump Gene bends his knees, causing the branch to break Finny to fall and break his leg. Once the doctor tells Gene, Finny wont be able to play many sports, Gene feels he is at fault, and he feels that he is to blame. Finny, is sent home before Gene has a chance to talk to him. When Gene goes to visit Finny during his summer brake, Finny wont listen to him explaining it was his fault. Leper, the first to enlist in the army from Devon school, is also friends with Gene and Finny. Brinker Hadley, another friend at the school, suggests to Gene that he enlists in the army too, and so Gene agrees. That night, however, Gene finds out that F ...

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Effects of Drug Abuse essays Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It can be wrongfully assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives. Today, thanks to science, our views and responses to drug abuse has changed dramatically. Groundbreaking discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem, (Volkow). Addiction is a developmental disease that begins i n infancy and adolescence and is influenced by a combination of factors involving genes, environment, and an individuals age at first drug use. The genes that people are born with in combination environmental influences of their addiction defenselessness. To addition that, gender, ethnicity, and the mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction. Scientists estimate that genetic factors account for between 40 and 60 percent of a persons vulnerability to addiction, including the effects of environment on gene expression and function. Adolescents and individuals with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug abuse and addiction than the general population, (Volkow). Few weakness genes have been found for alcohol dependence and nicotine addiction. Alcoholism is a genetically inherited disease. There are several evidences proving that Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine cond...

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What options do the elderly have for housing and what is the best option - Research Paper Example Knowing this, we come to realization that there will be an increased need for a vast array of different types of housing. The choice of the living arrangements largely depends on the capabilities and needs of the individual. Despite needs for changes, there are things, specific to aging that do not change. Throughout the retirement time the individual will likely have smaller income, and his problems with health are likely to increase. According to statistics, those who live to age 65, on average are likely to live to over 80 years, which makes about 15 - 20 years of life after the retirement. That is a long enough period of time, which presents its challenges: economical, health and psychological pressure, etc. This often leads to the necessity of changing the housing situation a number of times during the time between the onset of retirement and death. To get information on the available housing options for elderly, to determine what are the options preferred and recommended, we lo oked into variety of sources such as articles, congress Acts, governmental and non-governmental Internet resources. Study of the sources provided both the clear description of the problem of housing for elderly as well as wide variety of options of solving the problem. There are many reasons of why the senior citizens might have issues about the housing. However, as the professor McFadden summed it up: â€Å"The main issues in housing the elderly in the United States are affordability and suitability.† (Noguchi, p.109) Once a person or household gets retired, they face the fact that their income will get significantly lower than on the peak of their life. The Government provides senior citizens with Social Security income, private pensions, and public assistance programs. All of these will enable most elderly not to live in poverty. However, the more they age, the less income they will receive. Other issues such as healthcare and quality of life will become more urgent as wel l. Therefore the housing itself will become a problem. The society at large is aware of this problem and significantly contributed to its solving. As of now, elderly citizens have different options to accommodate their housing needs. When considering housing options, the first question is if in-home care is possible. The best advantage for the elderly is that he would stay in the most comfortable place – their own home, and the care givers, such as medical assistant or companion and helper in the home comes to the house. However, this option can too costly. According to the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) and The Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995(HOPA), there are two basic federal strategies to accommodate housing needs of the elderly. One of them is building new public complexes. This project is under supervision of Section 202 HUD governmental department. The other strategy is to assess the needs of residents through the governmental fundin g. However, there is large percentage of senior citizens, who will not use federal assistance in solving their housing situation. They do have many options to choose from. All of those options have one big disadvantage to the elderly – they will have to permanently leave their home and start living in a totally new environment. For some, it will be difficult to adjust. Considering housing options, these are the main factors of concern of senior citizens or their relatives: safety issues, location – to be close enough to their children; availability of transportation; challenging inside house set up – staircases, facilities matching to the need and ability of the senior; present house is too big or too costly to maintain, etc. â€Å"Seniors Only† complexes or communities These are apartment complexes,