Public relation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Public relation - Essay Example ns having democratically oriented cultures and governments; rather, it could be argued that the historic affinity between democracy and capitalism fosters the greater use of public relations practice in capitalistic economic systems while one could submit the corollary proposition that symmetrical practice of public relations inevitably will encourage nondemocratic nations to become more democratic’. The power of public relations to influence the opinion of the public even in severe issues like the political system of a particular state can be sometimes a threat for the market especially in cases where the targeted opinion has been formulated and imposed after a severe pressure from the party that will gain significant profit both directly or indirectly. However, in many cases public relations can lead to positive outcomes. For this reason, Levy (2002, 34) stated that ‘PR power used early can not only reduce the consequences of human error and frailty but also help create positives -- more business, a better legislative climate and improved standing with the media -- via mass media coverage on social service activities; PR can make advertising claims more credible, and give the claims more impact, because when the mass media tell scores of millions that something is so, the ads that follow are not only more trusted but more interesting’. As an example to the above assumptions, the case of Wal – Mart is presented by the above researcher in an effort to support the credibility of his statements. More specifically, the research made in the area has revealed the existence of a case where public relations led to an increase of the performance of the company involved. As Levy found ‘Wal-Mart has increased its sal es of high school class rings -- at 2,800 stores and online -- by including "how to buy" information in news releases; the stories make potential customers feel more comfortable about buying (Levy, 2002, 34). From a similar point of view it has been

Immanuel Kant's critique of happiness as an ethical principle Term Paper

Immanuel Kant's critique of happiness as an ethical principle - Term Paper Example Immanuel Kant's critique of happiness as an ethical principle In his deontological theory, which is based on duty, he emphasized on the pre-eminence of reason that lead to the actions. He indicates that it is a person’s duty to act morally by obeying the moral law. He mentions, â€Å"Everyone must admit that if a law is to have a moral force, that is, to be a basis of an obligation, it must carry with it absolute necessity† (Kant, 1785, p.51) ii. Kant defines duty as practical and unconditional necessity of action which holds true for all rational beings. (Kant, 1785, p. 26) Kant describes happiness as a natural purpose of life. He quotes, â€Å"All rational beings that are dependent; and thus one purpose that they not only can have but that we can assume they all do have as a matter of natural necessity. This purpose is happiness† (Kant, 1785, p. 20). Kant, however, finds happiness as an ambiguous feeling. He says, â€Å"The concept of happiness is so indefinite that, although each person wishes to attain it, he can never give a definite and self-consistent account of what it is that he wishes and wills under the heading of wanting happiness† (Kant, 1785, p. 21). A person’s perception of happiness is dependent on his experiences in life. A person might feel that wealth will give him happiness; someone else may want knowledge while those who feel that life itself gives pleasure may wish to have long life. However, they may not know with wealth comes anxiety in them and envy and maneuverings of others; which make the person unhappy. Knowledge may show a person the dreadfulness of evils which he was ignorant of and hence scare him. Long life accompanied with continuous illness is a burden more than a boon. Hence they may not feel as happy as the imagined on their achievement. Additionally, if a person pursues happiness, he can only get bits and pieces of advice which may be frugality, diet, restraints etc. and not detailed guiding principles as we have in case of moral laws. To explain the path of actual happiness, Kant (1785) mentions, â€Å"the completed idea of happiness requires the thought of an absolute whole—the thought of a maximum of well-being in my present and in every future condition† (p. 21). Kant (1785) adds, â€Å"There couldn’t be an imperative that in the strict sense commanded us to do what makes for happiness, because happiness is an ideal not of reason but of imagination, depending only on empirical grounds. (p. 22). Thus, a person will achieve what he imagines as happiness, depends on several factors that can impact his future states and that there is not even remote possibility that he will take up a single action that can deviate him from his mission of complete happiness. In any scenario, it is not possible for a human being to have the kind of foresight and capability to plan and achieve his sources of happiness in such a manner. Hence he can never be happy as understood in a common man’s language. Kant has expla ined that an action based on impulse to satisfy one’s feelings cannot always be right. Such an action that is motivated by some sort of inclination can never be based on moral laws. Also, what makes a person happy can be cause of other person’s unhappiness. It cannot be ethical to make another human being unhappy. Thus Kant has explained the meaning of happiness in a manner that it does not play any role in the ethical system. Alternatively he has chosen to define happiness as the end purpose of any human being’s life and not an ethic. He says: Humanity might survive even if