Liberty And Paternalism Essays -- essays research papers

LIBERTY AND PATERNALISM   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Stuart Mill and Gerald Dworkin have distinctly opposing views on legal paternalism in that Mill is adamantly against any form of paternalism, whereas Dworkin believes that there do exist circumstances in which paternalism is justified. Both agree that paternalism is justified when the well being of another person is violated or put at risk. Mill takes on a utilitarian argument, explaining that allowing an individual to exercise his freedom of free choice is more beneficial to society than deciding for him what is in his best interests. Dworkin, on the other hand, feels that certain cases require the intervention of either society as a whole or its individual members. He breaks Mill’s argument down into two distinct types, one based on utilitarianism and one based on the absolute value of free choice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After reading both articles, â€Å"Paternalism† by Dworkin and â€Å"On Liberty† by Mill, I believe that Dworkin is correct in explaining that some intervention is necessary under certain circumstances. I have come to this conclusion based on the fact that there do exist circumstances in which an individual is incapable of making a rational decision considering not only the well being of himself, but also the well being of other members of society. Also, the argument that the protection of the individual committing the action in question is not reason enough to interfere with the action is ludicrous in that one of our governments main reasons for existence is to protect the members of our society. This protection includes protection from ourselves at times when we are unable to rationally decide what is in our best interests. This essay will consist of an examination of this controversy as well as an application of my proposed conclusion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before addressing any opposing views to my conclusion, I will first explain my reasoning. As Dworkin explains in his essay, there are circumstances when a person is unable to make a rational and logical decision for himself. The inability to make such decisions has long been a justified reason to interfere in the process, such as in cases with young children. When a young child is about to run across a busy street in order to chase his ball, the child’s parent, or any other bystander, is rightfully justified in... ...f such a decision, the government has aright to step in and help the person. This is because at this understanding of the situation, the person is not capable of making a decision that he would likely consent to at after fully understanding the situation. As in the seat belt case, often times, a person does not fully understand that not wearing a seat belt contradicts his true desires and that no possible good or benefit can come from not wearing it. However, when a person is making a rational decision between two things that he values, he is the only person that can decide which is best for him. An important condition to remember in this conclusion is that all of this is assuming that no other individuals are being harmed or put at risk by the actions of these people. Under this condition I have come to the conclusion that there do exist certain circumstances where the government has a right to legal paternalism. These circumstances include times when an individual is unable to make a rational and logical decision for himself either because he does not fully understand the issue or because he is unable to logically assign value to specific possible consequences of a decision.

Metapath Case Essay

Metapath was a hi-tech company providing software products for wireless carriers. It had a revenue of 22 million and was emerging as the premier company in its market space. The ultimate goal of the founder, Hansen, was to see the Metapath go IPO in two years. However, this company confronted two main obstacles for that goal: concentrated customers and fluctuant quarterly revenues. To expand his business and also solve these problems, Hansen need to again raise more money. Like most of the software companies, Metapath demands continuously money supply during the premature period of its life. The main financial strategy of Metaph was to raise several rounds of money by turning to venture capital investors: get money from them in exchange for Metapath’s preferred stock and a promise to redeem or convert to commom stock in event of IPO. It had raised $ 9 million in four rounds of financing before 1997, in which STI and Bessemer participated in the first two rounds. Unlike the fol lowing standard convertible preferred stock instruments, these first two rounds had a structure called â€Å"straight redeemable, cheap common†, which required a principal payment in the future, making the two classes of preferred stock more like debts. Therefore, by paying yearly (or quarterly) dividends and guarantying the safety of principle value to venture investors, Metapath raised its first four rounds of capital. Selling the company to CellTech could bring Metapath many advantages. First, CellTech offered an attractive price $115 million, relatively large for a premature company with revenue of 25.6 million and negative income -$1.9 million. Second, it was already an public company, which prevented the dilution of possible further financings. Third, by merging with CellTech, Metapath could achieve synergy from expertise of CellTech’s engineers, and the fully-formed marketing and domestic sales organization. However, since the merging was plan to be in stock exchange and CellTech had gone public only few months, information could be limited to value its stock price fairly. Also in the big environment of late 1990s, too much investments in high-tech companies made this industry overheated, and CellTech could be overvalued by analysts. For the VC option RSC offered, one big advantage was that the immediate cash flow of $11.75 million, which would be very helpful for Metapath’s operation. Another advantage was that it bought time for Metapath to initiate an independent IPO in the future, which had potential to worth more than CallTech offered. But it brought  concerns to Metapath as well. RSC brought up the strike term called â€Å"participating convertible preferred stock†, at which holder could not only convert from the preferred stock, but also in the event of sale, receive face value and participate in further consideration of common stock. This term could make a sale of Metapath extremely dilutive to the founders.

The Music Of Elvis Presley - 916 Words

There were many types of bands and many diverse forms of music coming out and showing up in the 1960’s. It was a time for a new form of music, a new sound, it was time for a revolution. There were all types of music being played and new music being created. There were all sorts of bands playing different kinds of music and playing with their own styles while taking over the airwaves. Whether it be rock, soul, or any other type of music, it was a revolution. This also led to new bands forming and breaking into the industry. In the Sixties rock music came of age and dominated the popular music charts. Elvis Presley continued to score hits in the early part of the decade, but the music continued to diversify with music like the folk revival, the Brill Building sound, Phil Spector s wall of sound, girl groups and surf music, all impacting the early part of the decade. The Motown, Stax and Atlantic labels brought more African-American artists to the forefront of the pop charts. By 1964 American artists were sharing the top of the charts with U.K. bands led by great bands like the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In the U.S. garage bands emerge, inspired by the British Invasion sound. (RockMusicTimeline, 2010-2015) There were many bands that were ruling the airwaves and even just beginning and making their name in the music industry. From the Beatles to Led Zeppelin, all the way to Black Sabbath in the category of Rock. Songs ranging from â€Å"Hey Jude† to â€Å"Whole LottaShow MoreRelatedThe Music O f Elvis Presley898 Words   |  4 PagesThere were plenty of music coming out and showing up in the 1960’s. It was time; time for a new form of music, a new sound, it was time for a revolution. There were all types of music being played and new music being formed. There were all sorts of bands playing different kinds of music and playing with their own styles while taking over the airwaves. Whether it be rock, soul, or any other type of music, it was a revolution. This also led to new bands forming and breaking into the industry. In theRead MoreEssay on Elvis Presley and African American Music1667 Words   |  7 Pagesagain agree on anything as we agreed on Elvis.† (Bangs 1) Elvis not only made significant contributions to the music industry, but he became the most famous idol across the world and in the U.S.A. Elvis Presley was regarded as one of most influential rock n’ roll performers of the century. If you say â€Å"The King of Rock† everyone will automatically know you are talking about Elvis Presley. Through his music, Elvis paved the road for African Americans to the music world, and he had essentially revolutionizedRead MoreElvis Presleys Influence on American Culture Essay1236 Words   |  5 Pages Elvis Presley is one of the biggest names in rock and roll. Singer, musician and actor he was an American icon. He is best known as the King of Rock and Roll. His musical influence included the country and pop music of the time, the gospel music he sang in church and the black RB mus ic he listened to as a teenager (Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley’s Dynamic Life). Elvis has influenced American culture not only while he was living but also in today’s 21st century. It wasn’t easy for him toRead MoreThe Impact of Rock n Roll on the Civil Rights Movement1590 Words   |  7 Pagesstarted at the same time. The genre originated from African American music and was greatly discriminated against. Traditional white Americans would target anything bad about it. But as the teenager demographic of the 1950s started increasing the sales of the music, the genre started gaining more popularity. It was the style of Elvis Presley and his new voice that made girls weak in the knees and boys want to be him. Artists such as Presley had enough influence to change the view of their devoted fans onRead MoreHow Elvis Influenced And Changed The Entertainment Industry Of Rock N Roll Era1408 Words   |  6 Pagesappropriately analyze the question of â€Å"Ho w Elvis influenced and changed the entertainment industry of Rock ‘n’ Roll† the reader must first clearly define and understand the timing and age of the development of his musical career as well as the characteristics of his music. When attempting to clearly understand the implications of his influence on the era, the reader must fully comprehend his early life and the development of his musical career, the type of music he portrayed to his audience, and how heRead MoreElvis Presley Essay1096 Words   |  5 PagesElvis Presley Essay When historians look at history and at reasons why society changed many focus on conflicts like wars, civil rights, and poverty. However, there is so much more that over time changed America. One of the most influential subjects that helped this change was Elvis Presley. Through his music, which was influenced by black artists, he allowed white Americans to view a new group of performers. He tested social boundaries that helped him change American culture. His appearance andRead MoreElvis Presley : An American Legend750 Words   |  3 PagesBrenden Blakney Lit II P.9 Elvis Presley Biography On the 8th of January in 1935, Gladys Presley (mother) and Vernon Presley (father) gave birth to twins. One of which is an American legend known as Elvis Presley, and the other Jessie Garon was stillborn. That left Elvis growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi as an only child in a working class family. In Tupelo Elvis’ family had many relatives, close by such as uncles, aunts, and grandparents. His family had little income, but Gladys and Vernon didRead MoreElvis Presley Influences876 Words   |  4 Pagesaccomplished or done. These influential individuals have strengths and weaknesses and are remembered for both. Elvis Aaron Presley can be seen as influential because he greatly affected the music business. He paved the road for Rock n’ Roll and after all he was a very respected individual. Elvis was unique and different and held very great attributes. He pushed the boundaries and limits of music, and he showed his style and personality through his work. â€Å"In 1954, the performer kicked off a musical revolutionRead MoreElvis Presley : The King Of Rock And Roll1674 Words   |  7 PagesElvis Presley, though having a troubled childhood would not have expected anything that headed his way; He was a normal child whose family was struggling to make ends meet. His father was incarcerated for doing illegal activities, making difficult for young Presley to wish for something more. As he grew up, Presley was involved in the schools singing service and had participated in the fair singing contest winning second place; thus showing Elvis’s love for singing. Despite after graduation, he simplyRead MoreControversy with Elvis Presley968 Words   |  4 PagesRock and roll music existed before Elvis Presley came along, but with his arrival on the performing scene, Americans could ignore it no longer. In 1956, he strode in front of a television camera for the first time as the provocative image of a high school hood and achieved an instant rapport with millions of U.S. teenagers who were experiencing their own adolescent rebellion. Hip-wiggling gyrations that brought a storm of protest from the adult world reinforced