Euthanasia Humane or insane Essay Example

Euthanasia Humane or insane? Essay In ward seven of the Royal Hospital in Belfast, a woman called Betsy, is lying ill on an impersonal mass produced hospital bed. She is terminally ill. Shes dying of bowel cancer. Her limited future is bleak. Everyday there is a new ache a new pain. As time goes on her senses will gradually fail one by one. Her memory will be the first to go. Soon she will not be able to recognise even her closest family. Her visitors will be just like any other doctor or nurse who calls on her occasionally. Before things got so bad, Betsy was an outgoing lady who was eighty seven years young, who had lived her life to the full before this disease gripped her life. She was married for 60 years, to her loving and caring husband Brian. They had 4 children together James, John, Colin and Stephanie. Each child grew up in a warm caring environment that Betsy and Brian created for them, and they had provided an excellent example for them on how to live their own lives. Betsy had many friends and her hobbies included golf, bingo and knitting. In the last eight months unfortunately Betsys health has deteriorated. Her family have watched in anguish as they slowly see their mothers quality of life steadily decline in front of their own eyes, powerless to stop it. Since this cancer has gripped her life Betsy has been bed ridden, during that time Betsy could see what the effect of her condition was having on her family, they were emotionally and physically drained. Through weeks of consideration and debate Betsy had decided that she wished to die with grace and dignity and own her own terms. First she spoke to Brian about the idea, although he didnt want her to die he could see it was best all round. Her and Brian announced the news to their family, initially shocked and distraught they pleaded with her to changed her mind but with Betsys usual charismatic charm she convinced them that it was in her and her families best interest. We will write a custom essay sample on Euthanasia Humane or insane? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Euthanasia Humane or insane? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Euthanasia Humane or insane? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Her husband with a tear in his eye bravely spoke to the hospital authorities but nothing can or will be done as it is against the law. Euthanasia or mercy killing as it is also known is being considered by millions of people in Betsys situation today. Euthanasia is currently illegal in the UK but should it be? After all isnt humane to let someone die? Voluntary euthanasia is the assisted suicide of someone who wishes that there life would end. It is against the law in the UK, and those people who are arrested and charged could face up to fourteen years in Prison. Passive euthanasia is the taking or withholding of treatment even if the person will die. However doctors cannot directly help the person die e.g. lethal injection. The term Euthanasia comes from the Greek word for easy death. It is the one of the most public policy issues being debated about today. Formally called mercy killing, euthanasia is the act of purposely making or helping someone die, instead of allowing nature to take its course. Basically euthanasia means killing in the name of compassion. Euthanasia, at the moment is illegal throughout the world apart from in the State of Oregon in the USA and Belgium, where there is a law specifically allowing doctors to prescribe lethal drugs for the purpose of euthanasia. In the Belgium it is practised widely, but it is essential that a clergyman is present. I believe that everyone has the right to choose how they live and die. Everyone deserves respect, freedom and the power to control their own destiny. Not everybody will have an easy death. Some terminal pain cannot be controlled, even with the best of care and the strongest of drugs. Other distressing symptoms, which come with diseases, such as sickness, no mobility, incontinence, breathlessness and fever cannot always be relieved. Pain is not always the issue quality of life is too. Most people want to die with dignity, but some people may spend the last moments of their life, in a way, which to them, is undignified. Having the right to control over their own life and death helps people keep human dignity in the face of their suffering. People should not be left lingering in pain. They should not have to suffer when death is inevitable. People do have the right to commit suicide, although it is a tragic and individual act. However euthanasia is not suicide. It is not a private act, you have the support of family and friends. Euthanasia is about letting a person assist anothers death to save them from long painful deaths. Many people argue, however, that a person who is terminally ill may make a miraculous recovery it has happened in the past. Euthanasia should be only needed for those whose pain is not relived with any form of care or whose bodily disintegration is beyond bearing. For those who are suffering in agony a pro-longed life is unthinkable for people with a condition which, leaves the brain alert but eventually shuts down all bodily functions and skills of communicating. How can people be expected to live like this? For people like this I believe that their close family should have the choice and the trust to let them live a prolonged life or to end their life and let them die with dignity. If people could make the decision themselves then I believe that the option of euthanasia should be open to them. Some people might also want euthanasia because the drugs they require to ease the pain are very expensive and are not available on the NHS, so rather than see their assets diminish, they would rather slip away. For others the problems might lie much deeper, years of suffering have left them down and out, they are feeling depressed and see euthanasia as there only option but it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. However euthanasia has its opposition, people believe that no one has the right to play God. Christians believe that we are made in the image of God and therefore human life is Gods gift to us and is uniquely precious we are not the owners of life, but its minders, we belong to God because he made us. Many religions follow this principle, so do not believe in suicide and assisted dying. People who do not agree with voluntary euthanasia often refer to the 1967 Abortion Act. They argue that the numbers of abortions, which now take place every year shows that the safeguards set out in the Abortion act, have been ignored. They argue that this example should be taken as a warning of what could happen if helping people who are terminally ill to die is made legal. Another argument that is put forward against euthanasia is that it could make young and old people alike to become used to the idea of killing someone, they are afraid that it could desensitise they younger generation and make th em believe that murder is an ordinary day to day thing. They believe this would remove the principle that man should not kill that is drummed into us today. However the idea that we should not kill is somewhat contradictory, not that Im one to challenge an age old teaching or God himself but killing in a war or self defence is justified and accepted by most religions and by most if not all democratic societies. Although I do believe that euthanasia should be legalised, I can see the point that is being made by those who dont approve of it, however if a law is made which allows a person to help someone die, there would be safeguards in place to make sure that the law wouldnt be abused. In the UK today there is no law that deals with euthanasia. Usually those people who are up for trial for helping someone to die face the charge of murder or under the law on suicide, depending on the circumstances. Those who are convicted of helping another person to die could face up to life in prison (for murder), or fourteen years (assisting a suicide). This is the law but in reality the system operates a little differently. Usually those people who are convicted of murder or assisting a suicide usually are given light sentences which often dont involve prison sentences. I believe that this is because the courts are sympathetic and sometimes approve to the defendants cause and see the position they were put in often taken their side. The public opinion of the law on euthanasia or the lack there of, is overwhelmingly in favour of legalising voluntary euthanasia. In 1997, out of nearly three thousand people who took part in a sun newspaper telephone opinion poll, an amazing 97% sai d terminally ill people should have the right to die with dignity. There have been numerous surveys which have been conducted through the years, in 1993 for example a poll showed that sex, age, religion or economic class made little difference to peoples views on the subject and surprisingly the majority from ALL religions were in favour of voluntary euthanasia. It is not just the public who can have a say in this matter, the very people who may have to carry out any of these lethal injections must be given a say. In 1996 the results of a survey of over seven hundred and fifty GPs and hospital doctors showed that doctors were divided over legalising voluntary euthanasia, 46% of doctors supported a change in the law to allow them to carry out the request of a terminally ill patient for voluntary euthanasia. This survey shows that doctors opinions are almost split 50/50 over the matter. In fact twenty two doctors from the survey actually confessed to having broken the law and helped someone die. Euthanasia may be illegal but it definitely hits a nerve within public. Someone who decides to choose to go down the euthanasia path should realise that they are not like a goldfish, when one dies you cant go down to the pet store and buy another one, that person will have been loved, cared for and admired by other people. What Im trying to say that euthanasia is a permanent process it is irreversible and whats to say that within one to two years there wouldnt be a medical break through in the particular area they are suffering from or that there might be a new drug, which might ease the pain and make daily life worth living? Its not impossible and with highly sophisticated technologies, advances are being made everyday in the medical field. Or low and behold the numerous prayers that are said could be headed and the disease goes away. These arguments however do not convince everyone, those who are sitting on their beds waiting for these miracles and medical breakthroughs see no light at the end of the tunnel, they have given up long ago when they woke u p with hope everyday but to no avail. Pain is not the only issue for these unfortunate souls, what an individual thinks of their quality of life is often far more important, many people do not want to spend the last days of their life in away which, to them is undignified. Annie Lindsell, a campaigner for legalising assisted dying, said before she died of Motor Neurone Disease in 1997, The hospice movement consistently maintains that in most cases it manages the pain of terminally ill patients. What they cannot control, however is the loss of personal dignity and that is very difficult criterion that no patient can comment on. In the medical world, there are divisions on euthanasia, some are totally for, yet others are totally against the idea. In November 1997, two hundred GPs responded to a survey carried out by Pulse magazine. The survey revealed that 47% of GPs had given treatment to ease a patients death 49% said that they had been in a position where they were easing a patients death. Whereas 49% said that they had been in a position where they felt that easing a patients death, other than with the intention of relieving symptoms only was the right thing to do. This as you can see is a positive result, but to those opposed to any change in the law regarding euthanasia it might be argued that this is below half the number surveyed which means that the majority of doctors would not wish to help someone who was ill. In spite of overwhelming religious opposition and the fact that it is against the law, euthanasia is carried out today in the U.K. A report published in 1994 in the British Medical journal showed that 32% of doctors survey had agreed to a patients request to be given treatment to help them die quicker. It is also worth noting that a larger portion 46% said they would consider giving treatment to help someone die more quickly if it were legal to do so. The idea that a doctor would help a patient to die is contradictory to their Hippocratic Oath, which states I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. But to counter this argument one might say that the doctors Hippocratic Oath is not entirely bullet proof as it also promises not to give a woman a pessary to produce abortion yet today abortions are carried out throughout the world. Some people who were lying critically ill on beds today, who did not ask someone help them di e and have been the better for it as medical advances have came along and they can live out their lives as best they can. In todays society men and woman alike have the power to choose whether they take control of their life and death or let the heavens decide. That is why euthanasia is just an option that is open to those who wish to pursue it. It is not suggested or enforced onto them in any way. Assisted dying should just be one of the options open at the end of life. With euthanasia, there is a swelling amount of doctors who would like it legalised. People may agree or disagree, but who can really know what they feel about the issue, until they are actually in that situation? At the moment, I believe that if I was faced with the fact that a terminally ill relative who was in a great deal of pain wanted to die, I would go along with what they wanted. I would not want to see them suffer, but this is only what I think now. I have never been in such a situation, and hope I never will, but if I was maybe I would hold a different view. Although, if a dog or cat is suffering, the vet is called upon and the animal is put to sleep. The owner is upset over the loss but they feel that they have done the right thing, by putting the pet out its misery. I do not think we can look at human life in the same way however, as humans are treated better than animals and have more respect. But what is better, letting someone suffer a prolonged and very painful life, or allowing him or her to die with dignity, in peace and without pain? In an article I read that a young girls grandmother had died of bowel cancer. She took three weeks to die- three full weeks of the most appalling agony. In fact she was crying out for most of that time for the doctors to end her torment. In the end she was screaming in pain, no medical cure or painkiller could be found to ease her pain. In the end is it too much to ask for the right for her to die peacefully? Why cant these hardworking, loving and harmless people have the right to choose to die? I say yes, I do not believe they should be humiliated in front of their families as a nurse empties their bedpan in full view of the entire ward. Dont you? This issue needs a lot of thought. Many people agree with voluntary euthanasia, many disagree but there is also a large amount of people undecided on the matter. Maybe in a couple of weeks radical steps with have been taken by the government to legalise euthanasia, at least then Betsys life will not have been in vein, but maybe by then it will have been too late, and her loving husband Brian might have had to take things into is his own hands. The time will come when the Government and medical services will have to open their eyes to euthanasia, and there will be a lot of debate on the subject. Until then the euthanasia debate will continue to linger, just like a terminal disease.

Hisory Of Soap essays

Hisory Of Soap essays Have you ever wondered where soap came from? We use it everyday for all kinds of things. Cleaning ourselves, washing clothes, and dishes. But this idea of cleanliness we have in our society today is no new thing. The origins of cleanliness date back to prehistoric times. The earliest people had to live near water because it is essential for life thus they knew of its cleansing properties. At least that it would wash the dirt of their hands. I would like to fill you in on some of the history of soap so the next time youre washing your hands or doing laundry you will know where that soap came from. The name soap originated from an old ancient Roman legend. Animals were sacrificed on Mount Sapo, and the rain washed a mixture of their fat and ashes down into the clay soil in a river. Women who would wash in this river found that this clay-like mixture cleaned their wash better and took a lot less effort. In an Article by Sarah Janes it is stated that the history of soap dates as far back as 2800 B.C. where a soap-like substance was found in clay. Ancient inscriptions reported that boiling fats and combining them with ashes was the method used to produce soap; however, the actual usage of soap was not recorded. According to the book Soap through the Ages, it is believed that this substance was used as a hair pomade rather then for washing purposes. Documents show that ancient Egyptians bathed and cleaned themselves regularly. A medical document from around 1500 B.C. reported that they combined animal and vegetable oils with salt to make a soap-like substance that was used for cleansing and treatment of skin diseases. As Roman civilizations advanced, so did bathing. The first of the famous Roman baths was built about 312 B.C. The Roman baths were very luxurious, and bathing was extremely popular. By the second century A.D. soap was being recommended by physicians for medicinal and cleansing purposes...

Organizational Behavior as one of the Essential Elements of Management Essay - 1

Organizational Behavior as one of the Essential Elements of Management - Essay Example With both its internal and external aspects, motivation is instrumental to employees’ choices, level of input and persistence in applying efforts to a particular activity towards success. The recommendations on developing motivational theories are based on the assumption that existing theories are less effective in motivating employees. The first recommendation is an application of results from existing analyses in developing a basis for new theories. This is because while existing theories may have weaknesses and limitations, they may hold some level of validity and identified convergence of theories from Meta-analyses establishes the ground for their application in developing new theories. Another recommendation is an elimination of virtual boundaries in organizations that create barriers to sharing of resources and information. The elimination of boundaries should further be achieved, on developing theories, by not restricting theories to activities or departments. Further, indicator variables of general and particular motivation types should be understood. An understanding of the involved motivation is also necessary together with identification of the role of dynamism in human behavior. The article, therefore, establishes a new approach to developing motivational theories for an effective application (Locke and Latham, 2004). Hendry, Woodward, Bradley, and Perkins also identify the need for a change in understanding aspects of â€Å"reward and performance† (n.d., p. 1). They establish a new approach to understanding performance, its aspects, measurability, and approach to its improvement. The authors, for example, identify inefficiency in the traditional accounting approach to measuring performance. They also identify dynamism in the corporate world that has demonstrated the necessity of measuring performance as well as core principles for measurement. The  article also associates performance with employees’ capacity, relationships between employees and supervisors and different rewards approach.

Binding Performance Management System Changes and Organisational Essay

Binding Performance Management System Changes and Organisational Culture - Essay Example The packaging industry has become increasingly lucrative, but local and international competition intensified. By the late 1990s, the global sales of the industry reached $400 billion, with the U.S. making up $115 billion, followed by Asia and Western Europe. Consumer packaging accounted for 70% of sales, followed by industrial packaging revenues at 30%. The influence of packaging on marketing products cannot be undermined. For traditional retailers, packaging is seen as more influential than advertising in affecting purchasing decisions and customer loyalty. The industry trends are increased corporate consolidation, market segmentation of domestic consumer packaging markets, and vertical integration of packaging business models. The challenges for Sonoco come from its ability to respond to external threats and opportunities by managing its internal weaknesses and strengths. The opportunities are one-stop packaging business models with high flexibility and customisation levels, the c ontinued demand for market-oriented packaging, especially for consumer markets, availability of global talent, and becoming more receptive to diversity and environmental issues at national and international levels. ... Hence, the primary challenge for Sonoco is using its strengths to reduce its weaknesses, and to ultimately handle the opportunities and threats in the packaging industry. The main tasks of Hartley are as follows: 1) to reduce HR cost by 20%; 2) to improve the linkage between HR functions and business strategies; and 3) to standardise HR systems and functions. Overall, Hartley is in charge of transforming the HR structure and organisational culture. Hartley’s total approach included professionalising the HR system and making it more business-oriented. She designed policies that shaped compensation, performance management, employee development, and succession planning. In order to support these policies, she created an advisory HR council that was comprised of divisional HR heads and key individuals from corporate HR. She also formed an advisory team of divisional GMs to help attain high buy in. This study discusses the theoretical framework of the main concepts and issues of th e case. Performance management (PM) is a critical aspect of Sonoco’s HR change efforts because it is linked with its organisational issues of compensation, employee development, and succession planning. The vision of the PM system must be distinct, clear, and compelling. This vision can be connected further to the corporate vision, so that management levels and personnel understand how PM affects the overall direction of the company. Hendry et al. (2006) stressed the link between company vision and HR functions (51). Greer and Virick (2008) asserted that diversity management is connected to successful succession planning. Furthermore, PM changes must be

Mediation and Advocacy Literature Review Essay Example for Free

Mediation and Advocacy Literature Review Essay In the human services field there is a combination of areas that require mediation and advocacy. Human services consist of and utilize a number of disciplines. Mediation is usually defined as a process in which an impartial third party helps parties resolve a dispute or plan a transaction by assisting their negotiations. Approaches, however, can vary considerably. Many mediators tend to use the same approach regardless of the situations of the parties. But others are flexible and do whatever will work. Each approach has potential advantages and disadvantages. Advocacy is helping or assisting those within a special population acquire the services they need. Advocacy is when someone supports you to speak up about a certain thing. It aims to make sure that an individuals opinions and/or plight are heard and understood. Many disputes are presented when working as a mediator and an advocate in the human services field. Advocacy and Mediation necessitate a person to stay unbiased in order to assist individuals resolve their issues. The roles of advocates and mediators also come with restrictions which if not followed, could lead them to have severe legal problems. Mediators recognize that research is essential to the advancement of knowledge and that all investigations must be conducted with respect for the rights and dignity of participants and with concern for their welfare. Specifically, the conditions of the Human Subjects Experimentation, as designated by the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States Federal Government, shall be adhered to. (www.mediate.com) Being an advocate can present ethical, moral and legal issues, ethical issues are presented everywhere within advocacy. Those advocates have the ethical liability to act with honesty and sincerity. Advocates have the moral responsibility to help clients and social reasons. The most difficult task in their obligations is the legal and ethical limitations they face when taking on their cases. Some of the most rigorous limitations include laws regarding defamation or even hate crimes. These hate crimes are not only at hand in relation to racisms. An increase in hate crimes has been seen towards and in relation with same-sex marriages. These advocates are faced with the intricate task of protecting these people from hate crimes and must at the same time uphold their ethical and moral obligation to their clients regardless of their own personal beliefs (Barsky, 2007). The assimilation of advocacy and mediation plays a vital role within all human services agencies. These positions are highly recommended to unbiased knowledgeable individuals seeking to help improve society. Advocates support and preserve their stance on their meticulous beliefs and do so in an organized group fashion. A mediator in contrast assists people with decision making; they provide alternatives to their problems through coordinated counseling or support groups. Mediators strive to assist in a wide array of approaches and provide both parties with the best tools and documentation in order to realize a positive result, nevertheless mediators do not make the final decisions as they are only there to facilitate both parties to a arrive at an agreement (Barsky, 2007). Mediation and advocacy also allow clients to become familiar with the laws and limitations in relation to their issues in hopes to eliminate further escalations of the issue; whether it is a social or legal topic. Advocacy allows people the opportunity to defend their personal beliefs and voice what he or she believes to be right or wrong. The presence of these two entities allows the resolution of conflicts and conflic ting beliefs from escalating in to violence or further legal actions. Whether it may be defending the basic human rights or the difficult topics of parental rights or partial custodies; mediators provide an undeniable crucial Advocates understand the complex interface between the individuals and even the communities in which they live in. Being around the individual helps the advocate and mediator access and determine what type of people they are around and see how society interacts with their lives. The individual’s behavior would provide insight into what makes them comfortable; so there want be a need for barriers. Advocates and mediators recognize this type of closure and are specialized in learning how to gain the individuals trust. Advocates and mediators also distinguish how an individual lives with one another and can determine a lot about their lifestyle. Human services act as advocates as well when trying to determine any needs that have not been facilitated for clients. The needs could be great but it is up to human services to determine whether its assistance at home, medical and school issues for their children if they have any because unfortunately when adults are having problems, they do reflect on their children. Children are easiest to please but when their parents are having issues at home it can be emotionally offensive to the children if the parents aren’t careful, going to counseling and getting their children involved could help determine the cause and hopefully find a solution. In conclusion I have discovered that mediators and advocates provide a strong backbone for the different disciplines that encompass human services. Human services, advocates and mediators are all allowed to form a positive and engaging environment with the individuals that they relate with. Advocates work with clients in order to help them negotiate more effectively on their own behalves while also acting on behalf of one client. Human services are aware of their own cultural backgrounds, principles, and ethics, recognizing the prospective impact on their relationships with others. Human services advocate for the rights of all members of society, particularly those who are members of minorities and groups at which discriminatory practices have historically been directed (National Organization for Human Services, 2009). Connecting mediation and advocacy to human services involves all parties fully engaged in helping individuals surpass their disputes. Obtaining commitments and considering alternatives are good negotiation ethics that a professional must encounter to have a balanced reasonable connection with their clients (Barsky, Chapter 3 , page 78, 2000). References: Barsky. A.E. (2000). Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professional (2nd ed.). Retrieved From the University of Phoenix eBook Collection database. Mediation Council of Illinois. (1999, August). Standards of Practice for Mediators, Illinois Retrieved February 10, 2013, from http://www.mediate.com/articles National Association of Social Workers. (2011). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from http://www.socialworkers.org

Controlling Computers With Neu :: essays research papers

In the classic science-fiction movie Forbidden Planet, space travelers from Earth land on a distant planet, where they encounter the remnants of a technologically advanced civilization. Even though they are not from this distant planet, the space travelers are able to communicate with one of the alien computers. They do this by connecting themselves to glowing head probes. By doing this the space traveler’s thoughts and feelings are directly conveyed to the alien computer over a neural link.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the science-fiction movie The Matrix, the world is run by machines that use humans as batteries so sustain themselves. A group of humans brake the grip of the machines and begin to wage a war on their metallic oppressors. These people are able to fight the machines with the help of computers. Each one of these people has a jack in the back of his or her head that is connected to a computer. By doing this, the people are able to turn their thoughts, such as dodging bullets and knowing Kung-Fu, into reality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The idea of people having their minds linked to computers has appeared throughout works of science-fiction. The way this idea works is very simple. A person thinks of a command and the computer immediately responds. â€Å"Thought recognition would be the ultimate computer interface, the machine acting as an extension of the human nervous system itself.†(Lusted, Hugh S. and Knapp, R. Benjamin Controlling Computers with Neural Signals Scientific American, October 1996) This technology would prove very useful for people with neuromuscular handicaps. The purpose of this paper is to show how controlling computers with neural signals will help make life easier for people with handicaps and how it will affect the future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Computer technology has advanced considerably in the last forty years. Even with all these advances, constructing a versatile neural junction between a human brain and an electronic one remains a formidable challenge.(Lusted, Hugh S. and Knapp, R. Benjamin Controlling Computers with Neural Signals Scientific American, October 1996) Attempts to tie the nervous system to external electronic circuits are, however, well worth pursuing. The results may provide means for effortless communication with computers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The closest thing to computer thought recognition right now is voice recognition. Voice recognition software has been in development since the 1950’s. This software has been available and affordable for the past three or four years to the general public. The purpose of voice recognition software is to allow the user to dictate words into a microphone that are transformed into either text for word processing or commands for navigation, without the use of a keyboard.(Communication Technology for Disabled Persons. Erich E. Sutter in Handbook of Amyotrophic

Ethical challenges face by Martin Luther King Junior Essay

Martin Luther King’s legacy is that of a crusader for justice, equality and peace. He possessed the ability to cloak his causes in the highest of ethical standards. It is said that he could speak of ‘freedom’ and ‘justice’ and the ‘promised land’ and arouse the idealistic emotions of black and white, rich and poor. Even when he talked tough, he sought a higher level with phrases like ‘direct action’ and ‘conformation’ and ‘militant non-violence’. The main aim or the term paper is to find out the ethical challenges faced by King, and what he did to overcome them. The rise of Martin Luther At the time King started his role as an emancipator, the African Americans lived difficult lives. Despite the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War, many African Americans and other minorities continued to endure inequality for the next century, especially in the south. Local statutes known as Jim Crow laws were passed that effectively barred people such as African Americans from fully executing their constitutional rights, such as voting. Segregation was common in the South, and African Americans were not always guaranteed their rights in other parts of the country either. Many felt the congress needed to pass new laws to guarantee these privileges. Eventually, Africans Americans decided that they could not rely on whites to act on their behalf and choose a leader of their own movement to bring about this change, Martin Luther King Jr. Challenges faced by Martin Luther Martin Luther was a moral leader, who brought the country out of the dark time in American history. He always had a commitment to serve others, and this led him beyond the fight for racial and political equality, and in to the realm of economic equality. He was the most effective person in bringing hope to the black community, which had suffered in the hands of the whites. King faced many ethical challenges, but since he was a pastor, he was able to judge right and overcome them. At that time, groups like the Ku Klux Klan, terrorized and persecuted African Americans, carrying out lynching and other acts of violence. Being a pastor, he had to look for other ways to fight for the rights of the African Americans, which were non-violent. A lot of violent acts, including the bombing of his house and several assassination attempts, were some of the hardships he had to endure. However, the fact that he never replayed back in violent ways, and was instead able to pave way for his future advocacy of nonviolent means of conflict resolution prove that he was clearly a man of straight ethics. When he was stabbed in 1958, he traveled to India to meet with the followers of the Late Mahatma Gadhi, who was also an advocate of peaceful, nonviolent protests. This emphasizes the fact that he never advocated for violence. King was also arrested many times, but these arrests never stopped him from advocating for the rights of the African Americans. One of such incidents occurred in 1962, when he led demonstrations against segregation in Albany, Georgia. For his efforts, he was arrested and jailed, but the arrest did not yield any results. However, he learned form his experiences, and the following year, 1963, proved to be a watershed year for the civil rights movement largely due to his work. King’s belief in equality and justice Being the leader of a movement, for the black people, King believed in reconciliation, among the whites and the blacks. Reconciliation was a result of such unethical acts as discrimination of the black by the whites. He could have chosen not to fight for the freedom of the blacks, but he went to the extent of endangering his life for them, just because he wanted the blacks to be treated in the right ethical manner. As a leader and through his determination, he could see that it was not right that Americans be separated by the fact that they had different skin colors. He did a lot, to ensure that the blacks earned their right place in the society. Based on these efforts, it can be said that King demonstrated his characteristics as a good leader, who could make good ethical decisions. He argued that the role of the state was to provide the physical and material conditions required for full reconciliation to become a reality within society. From 1955-1963, King focused his efforts on the need for the state to act as an agent by sanctioning desegregation in the various forms of public accommodations. King focused his work on calling the state to effect reconciliation between its citizen and the economic and political systems that alienated them.