Women Have Natural Power And Abilities English Literature Essay

Women Have Natural Power And Abilities English Literature Essay Abstract The common story in most parts of the globe is that of the humble woman suffering under the cruelty of man. The widespread belief that women have borne the blunt of mans beastly nature makes it challenging to market the idea that women have enormous power that they sometimes utilize in ways that are detrimental to society. This research proposal uses Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights and Anne Brontes Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in examining these immense powers on the hands of women. These novels are replete with issues pertaining to female behavior and male response that will help analyze the subject of female power in a deeper sense. Through their strong wills, purposes, and desires, women characters in these novels often form mens characters, and define their behaviors. For example, in Wuthering Heights, Catherines headstrong and rebellious ways are partially responsible for Heathcliffs antisocial behavior, and it is through Catherines lens of how men should behave and react to her demands that she forms Heathcliffs character and leaves him to his madness at her death. In Agnes Grey, Miss Murray forms the manipulative and ultimate perspective alterations in Mr. Hatfields view of women as helpless creatures in their need for rescue, protection, and provision. In light of this argument, how does the womans creation of the patriarchal figuration for the male character affect the man and the woman, especially in the formation of the womans worldview? Does this power result in ramifications for the woman as well? Are women aware of the power that they wield, and if they are, why do they blame the man for relationship and cultural breakdowns? In my dissertation, I use evidence from the Bronte novels to show that it is womens unwillingness toward self-awareness and accountability that contributes to variant male behavior and perceptual outcomes. To that end, I argue that women have far more influence and power than often they acknowledge either publicly or privately, and this power and influence consistently contribute to the formation of male thinking and behavior. Summary Women have natural power and abilities. These innate characteristics affect the intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, sociopolitical, and interpersonal world of men with different outcome and with detrimental results to both genders. An in-depth study of the emergence, construction, and outcomes of feminism on men within myriad contexts is a sure way of vindicating the existence of the female power. Applying this theory to three British novels written by Emily and Anne Bronte Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall- this study will draw important correlates between female abilities, capacities, and innate talents and the use of these elements to alter or supersede male potentialities. For example, Catherines misuse of her natural female strengths and talents is used to override Heathcliffs reticence against and desire to withdraw from her controlling manipulation, culminating in tragedy to both characters. Additionally, much has been written about the Bildungsroman in Brontes adolescent-to-adult theme in Agnes Grey. The use of feminine potential and power toward men found in this novel shows the deleterious effects on both men and women. Similarly, female power and control in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is measured through Helen Grahams interactions with the men in her life. In this novel, Bronte reveals this power and manipulative awareness in her protagonist, but the theme remains intact: women often have inordinate amounts of power and control over men in myriad realms of their lives. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the above three novels to show the deleterious outcomes of the immense powers in the hands of women. Tentative Title: Medusa never Died: Female Power and Men Victimization Introductory Statement of Background, Purpose and Thesis I will analyze The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte and Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights with the aim of showing how they developed female characters that revealed the resulting destruction when females neither correctly understand nor properly apply their power. The analysis will prove that the female power and influence affect the intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, sociopolitical, and interpersonal world of men with different outcome and with detrimental results to both genders. The purpose of this study will involve comparing three British novels, written by sisters, through whom female power is used to effect masculine changes, behaviors, and affect situational outcomes. Demonstrating the application of feminine power in relationship dyads will support the hypothesis that the female power can manipulate, control, and cause harm to men and, through them, socio-political constructs which affect everyone. In addressing the research problem, then, a thorough review of the selected works, combined with a thorough literature review of existing studies which serve to amplify the feminine use of power to manipulate or form outcomes. As a contribution to human science, my research topic is highly significant for socio-cultural, gender-based, and psychological awareness of conflict source and resolution, and greatly contributes to the literatures body of knowledge. While the literature is rife with widely diverse discourse and study on feminism, the body of knowledge is seriously deficient in considering the research problem. That is because this issue requires a major paradigmatic change since the major outcomes of feminism have been militant and rejects feminine limitations while creating male-opposition toward many of its tenets. Signe Arnfred exposes a practical sense of feminine power in a non-western setting in her article entitled Sex, Food and Female Power: Discussion of Data Material from Northern Mozambique. In this article, she shows how women in a certain part of the world harness their mastery of feminine chores in both reproduction and family into a power tool that calls for respect from men (141). It is vital to note that what the characters in the Bronte novels do is not so much removed from what Arnfred tries to show in her article. The setting might be different, but the game is the same as shown by the similarity of the playe rs. In fact, male dominance was common in Victorian times, as was female servility; But it is this servility that supported the dominance. Critics of the Bronte novels have noticed the male dominance in these novels, and identified the role women play in perpetuating this dominance. The feminine role in the advancement of male dominance is a power in itself, which, if withdrawn, can have a regulatory outcome on male behavior. In the article The Question of Credibility in Anne Brontes The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Arlene Jackson points out that, Anne Bronte also answers a question that other novels of her time do not ask: what happens to a marriage and to the innocent partner when one partner (specifically, the male) leads a solipsistic life, where personal pleasures are seen as deserved, where maleness and the role of husband is tied to the freedom to do as one wants, and femaleness and the role of wife is linked to providing service and pleasure not necessarily sexual, but including daily praise and ego-boosting and, quite simply, constant attention (203), On the surface, Jackson is asserting that powerlessness is another way of describing women. This is how she decodes the message that Anne Bronte is sending to society through her book. Obviously, numerous people agree with this position, considering the woman to be the victim, suffering silently without a means of escape from the cruel claws of the man. But this is not the case because in the process of praising someone, there is the knowledge that the praise can be withheld. There is also the knowledge that the praise can lead to dependency as well as other undesirable manifestations of character that may be harmful to both the person lavishing praise, who is the woman as well as the man, who is the recipient of the praise. An objective analysis of the message from Jackson reveals that men have a certain degree of dependency on the lavish praise they are showered with by women. As much as Jacksons work may have been an attempt to show the credibility of Anne Brontes literary skills, she helps in the identification of areas of female power that is sometimes wrongly used to enhance female servitude and perpetuate male dominance. Maggie Berg, in her Hapless Dependants, Women and Animals in Anne Brontes Agnes Grey argues that, in a patriarchal society where women are faced with challenges of identity, expression and recognition- the general treatment of women is implied to be like treatment of animals. This position is also shared by another critic of Anne Brontes The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Juliet McMaster, who takes the position that the Victorian period was characterized by a huge power imbalance that tilted heavily in favor of men. In her article entitled Imbecile Laughter and Desperate Earnest in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, McMaster talks of a Victorian power structure that did not allow women to have a say in society. All things were done according to the rules set by men for everyone (368). However Berg and McMasters view is harsh and seems to fall into a perception that women have no place in the society. In support of the position that goes against this perception, the several published works that have a stand on womens power in relation to men will be examined too. In this line of scholarship, Naomi Wolf is a popular and influential voice. Her critically acclaimed book entitled Fire with Fire: The New Female Power and How to Use it is a slap on the face of McMaster and Jackson as it crushes their positions on female victimhood. Wolf believes that women have always had more power than men. The biggest problem according to her is that women have not mastered the art of utilizing this power for their benefit (23-25). She further disagrees with women whose time is spent agonizing over a male dominated society where every woman is a victim (56). Evidently, Wolf is not ready to buy into the ideas of Jackson and McMaster. The areas where the latter two see oppression and in justice, the former sees opportunity and freedom that has not been seized by women. As it were, scholarly arguments are as strong as the evidence. Wolf avails solid examples of women who have managed to live happily through the realization that female power is sufficient to combat what has come to be known as male dominance. She points out that politics, business, and family life are all potential areas of female excellence if women meet fire with fire and learn to use some of the tactics men use to manage affairs in society (34). This is the basis of her phrase, fire with fire. Another female scholar who has done research on the issue of female power and influence is Margaret Beetham. In an article entitled Thinking Back Through our Mothers Magazines: Feminisms Inheritance from Nineteenth-Century Magazines for Mothers, Beetham, whose main objective is to survey the motherhood oriented magazines that existed in the nineteenth century, makes a refreshingly different statement based on what she discovers in the magazines she reads. As much as there was injustice in society during a greater part of the Victorian period, there was the acceptance that women were equal to men, but different. The admission of equality in these magazines that were published for mothers shows that the empowering element for women was present. What lacked was the will to pursue the path of equality through the elimination of obstacles that made it difficult for women to enjoy the trappings of a free life. It helps to point out that the writers and publishers of the magazines that Margaret Beetham analyzes in her work were both men and women, with most of them being in the hands of women. The significance of this is that women had access to the tools for empowerment as early as the Victorian time, a period that is attacked as highly paternalistic and patriarchal. This point is shared by Lisa Duggan and Nan Hunter. In Sex Wars: Sexual Dissent and Political Culture, the authors poignantly state that man and woman have always tried to live as a united pair, but the truth is that each is pulling in a different direction. The struggle is purely power based and is largely to blame for much of the s uffering that goes on in society (19-21). My study will be unique in the sense that it will depart from the traditional feminist readings and exegeses like that of Jackson and McMaster. The dissertation will prove the existence of the female power and influence even in the Victorian society; a society that is known as purely chauvinistic. Even in this analysis, my study will also go beyond the stress on the female power in the political and economic spheres as perpetuated by Arnfred, Wolf and Beetham. In contrast, I will focus on the psychological and personal dimension of feminine power. Through the critical examination of the Bronte novels, I will show that the power and influence held by women is not the literal political or physical power that society is used to, but rather the psychological one. It is partially the psychological dependency that men have on women that gives women the ability of manipulate circumstances and conditions in ways that can hurt or heal both parties. Evidently, my dissertation carries anti-feminist tone. The feminist theory will be employed to deconstruct the myth it perpetuates about the hegemony of man and the victimhood of woman. I will also shed light on the psychoanalytic theory to highlight the psychological power and influence women have on men. In a nutshell, through analyzing the three novels and borrowing from the other available materials and the theoretical framework, my study will purposefully prove that women have natural power and abilities; when these innate characteristics are applied to the intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, sociopolitical, and interpersonal world of men, this power can be abused to control and define the opposite sex, with detrimental results to both genders.

Teaching Helen Keller Essay example -- Learning Education

The Truth About Helen Keller In Learning Dynamics, the authors, Marjorie Ford and Jon Ford, choose to include an excerpt from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller to show learning from experience. The excerpt titled "The Most Important Day of My Life" mainly draws from Helen Keller's early childhood as she begins her education on the third of March in 1887, three months before she became seven years old. Keller recounts her early experiences of being awakened to a world of words and concepts through the brilliant teaching methods of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Sullivan taught Keller new vocabulary by spelling words into the young girl's hand. At first, she does not understand the meaning of each word, but eventually learn to connect a word with the physical object it represents. Sullivan often left Keller to spend much time in nature as a way to develop her senses. In time, Keller not only discovers the physical world, but also a world of intangible concepts, ideas, images and emotions. Furthermore, she contribu tes much of her learning to Anne Sullivan, which she wrote, "I fell that her being is inseparable from my own, and that the footsteps of my life are in hers. All the best of me belongs to her." Realizing that words could be put together to evoke a mental image, Helen Keller is able to paint many visual images in the readers' minds through her unique and eloquent usage of poetic language. Her writing style captures both her emotion and experiences. She writes, "Have you ever been at sea in a dense fog, when it seemed as if a tangible white darkness shut you in and the great ship, tense and anxious, groped her way toward the shore with plummet and sounding-line and you waited with beating heart for something to happen?" He... ...ucation does not stop at the word "W-A-T-E-R", but she went on to universities and learned many other languages as well. Keller makes a strong argument that her succeed is a result of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, "My teacher is so near to me that I scarcely think of myself apart from her." Even the Fords stated, "Anne Sullivan showed her (Keller) that love and learning are intimately connected." Keller is an extraordinary person not because she overcomes blindness or deafness rather she should be great for her contribution to achieve social changes. Helen Keller should be appreciated for her honesty in realizing that she was privilege to an education, and uses her knowledge and wisdom to help those less fortunate. Works Cited Ford, Marjorie, and Jon Ford. Learning Dynamics (Streamlines : Selected Readings on Single Topics). Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing, 1997.

Ethics and Morality Essay

I’m Researching†¦ Saved Recents Uploads My Answers Account Products Home Essays Drive Answers Texty About Company Legal Site Map Contact Us Advertise  ©2016 Ethics and Morality Ethics, Morality, Philosophy Mar 7, 2008 3604Words 791Views PAGE 1 OF 9 Abstract The paper delves into the topic of ethics and morality. It would try to understand the concept of ethics and morality and the difference between the two concepts. In the paper I would analyse what motivates human behaviour and choices and why those choices can never always be moral and ethical. I will analyse some ethical and moral theories that provide guidelines for ethical human behaviour and critically assess them with the aid of real life examples, to determine whether it is possible to have universally applicable rules that help humans to decide if a decision requires ethical/moral considerations or not. The paper would aim to prove that it is the needs of humans which may be at times materialistic and at other times spiritual, that govern their course of action. As no two humans have similar needs and similar means to fulfil their needs, to straitjacket decisions into moral/ethical and rational is virtually impossible. Introduction â€Å"The temptation to set aside ethical standards is always present, because the gains are so large for the individual who decides to work outside the rules. † From The High Price of Low Ethics How Corruption Imperils American Entrepreneurship and Democracy Carl J. Schramm, PhD, JD President and CEO, The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation There is no doubt that to succeed in life today, one has to be shrewd, aggressive and practical. We see all around us that the struggle for existence forces humans to sideline issues of right and wrong and makes them focus only on achieving the ends with little or no consideration to the means employed. Does this mean that humans have become inherently immoral and unethical? No. Humans cannot be blind to morality and ethics. According to Aristotle, humans are social animals. For them to be perfectly happy, they have to be a part of a society that is also happy (Yrjonsuuri 2004). This means that humans, who are biologically selfish, need to consider the interests of the society and be aware of the morality of their choices. But do we understand what ethics and morals are? Ethics are not the same as feelings as some people feel good even when they do something criminal (Markkula Center for applied ethics n. d. ). Ethics are not religion, as many people are not religious, but ethics apply to all (Markkula Center for applied ethics n. d. ). Ethics are also not law as law can become ethically corrupt as some totalitarian regimes have made it (Markkula Center for applied ethics n. d. ). Ethics are not about following culturally accepted norms as cultures can sometimes become corrupt, and neither is ethics science (Marrakula Center for applied ethics n. d. ). Then what exactly are ethics and morals? How do we know that we are being faced with an ethical and moral choice rather than an ordinary one? Telling the truth is considered morally right, but if our truth hurts someone should we tell the truth? Can humans be ethical and moral at all times? How many of us know people who would have been influenced by their morals to hide Jews from the Nazis at the expense of their lives? Would the people who preferred to save their own lives be considered immoral? Such questions that concern the right behaviour for humans have been a subject of debate for centuries because it is believed that there is no right answer for such questions. What may feel right to one individual or organization may be considered immoral in another society. This paper would try to analyse the concept of morality and ethics, and their importance in the life of human beings, with an objective to understand whether it is possible to develop universal rules in decision making that can make it easier for humans to take decisions that are acceptable to the society and their conscious. Discussion The word Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos which means moral character or custom. The word Morality comes from the Latin word moralis which means custom or manner (Perle n. d. ). ?Both the words deal with the customs or the manner in which people do things. Their modern meanings relate to the way people act – either good or bad, or right or wrong’ (Perle n. d. ). So, if people often use the two words as if they have the same meaning, it should be no surprise. ?While we may often use the two terms interchangeably, morals are generally understood to be the principles of right and wrong, whereas ethics involve an entire system of moral issues and focuses on right and wrong behaviour’ (Eastwood et al. 2006). Morality is an individual’s perception of right and wrong which may be in disagreement with another individual’s perception. Nevertheless, every individual’s morality influences the values of the society. Ethics is the product of those collective moral values of all the individuals in the society (The oracle education foundation n. d). ?The distinction between ethics and morality can be demonstrated by using the analogy of a conversation. If one imagines that ethics is a conversation that has arisen to answer the question, â€Å"What should a person do? â€Å", then moralities are the voices in that conversation’ (St. James Ethics centre n. d. ). Morality and ethics talk about right and wrong behaviour. But what should be the standard of deciding what is right and what is wrong? Kant proposed a test for personal duty and good willing which eliminates self interest and helps decide whether an action is ethically correct (Eastwood et al. 2006). The test requires an individual to ask himself whether he would be willing to have everyone in the world under similar circumstances behave in exactly the same manner (Eastwood et al. 2006). This is the Categorical Imperative, which states that an act can be judged right or wrong only if everyone in the world will act in the same way or come to the same decision under similar circumstances (Eastwood et al. 2006). But decision making is rarely an easy process. In our lives, we face situations where we have to take decisions to achieve some desired objective(s) with minimum negative consequences. Decision making becomes even more complicated when our needs are in conflict with each other. Humans have broadly two categories of needs which guide their decisions, viz. deficiency needs associated with physiological needs, which are determined by life processes, like survival, reproduction, nourishment etc, and growth needs associated with psychological needs which are outside the life processes and differentiate humans from other creatures, like creativity, spontaneity, self actualization etc. (Maslow, 1943). Schlozberg in his essay analysed that according to Arendt, our needs of life and the life process are fulfilled through ordinary decision making which is rational in nature. As the number of the ordinary decisions that need to be made in our daily lives are so large, our mind often takes them in a routine and habitual manner, through the aids of customs and habits (cited in Schlozberg n. d. ). The way individuals will greet each other, their behaviour towards their seniors etc are examples of some of the decisions which are taken without a thought to any values that we may cherish. But, ordinary decision making while being useful in daily life, is ill fitted for moral and ethical decision making (cited in Schlozberg n. d. ). Our other set of needs that stem from outside the life processes, require us to often take heed of moral and ethical issues and negate the presence of rationality. Let us take the example of Siebel Edmonds, who worked as a FBI translator. ?Edmonds was fired from her position as a language specialist at the FBI’s Washington Field Office in March, 2002, after she accused a colleague of covering up illicit activity involving foreign nationals, alleging serious acts of security breaches, cover-ups, and intentional blocking of intelligence which, she contended, presented a danger to the United States’ security’ (Wikipedia 2005). If we try to analyze her act, it can be said that her decision to report the misconduct to higher authorities at the expense of her job was not rational rather a decision governed by her moral values. If Edmonds had placed her survival before all other needs, she would have made an ordinary rational decision, rather than an extraordinary moral decision which she eventually made. However, if we analyse Edmond’s moral decision from the point of view of deontology, we may argue that her decision may have been rational! From a deontological point of view, something is moral/ethical not because of its consequences, but is moral/ethical because the motive or intent is good with no ulterior motive attached (Russo n. d. ). So, to actually bracket Siebel Edmonds decision as a moral decision and not a rational decision, it is important to know whether her intention was to exemplify herself as a model employee and be promoted, or was she actually concerned about US security? True moral/ethical choices cannot be rational choices. It is only an individual who can decide whether his/her need falls under the realm of life process or arises out of extra-natural conditions. Understanding of this aspect will help him/her take an ordinary decision bordering on rationality or a value laden decision based on morality and ethics. Human beings and organizations are forever being presented with opportunities in life where they have to take such decisions. We all know that the primary objective of a business organization is to increase the market value of the company. The board of directors thus are often known to resort to any means to achieve the objective which is rational for the organization’s growth. Economics and morality/ethics do not mix, and we end up seeing instances of insider trading, industrial espionage etc. in the business world. But on the other hand, the organizations also have a need to be respected in the society so that people trust them. When an organization takes a decision keeping their social responsibilities in mind, they may take decisions which are ethical and moral in the true sense. Let us take the example of the cosmetic company,† The Body Shop†. ?Body Shop was regarded as amongst the first firms in the world to publish a proper report on its social responsibility initiatives. In addition to social activism, internal audit programs were conducted at Body Shop for environmental protection, health and safety at work, and the monitoring of â€Å"Against Animal Testing Policy† ? (ICFAI Center for Management Research 2006). All this indicates that the objective of Body Shop was to develop an organization in sync with certain moral and ethical values. However recently, Body Shop was acquired by L’Oreal and faced severe criticism for the same. Some analysts believed that ? L’Oreal did not share the principles of Body Shop, and that this acquisition had removed the biggest supporter of ethically sourced beauty care products from the market’ (ICFAI Center for Management Research 2006). Analyst also believed that Ms Roddick, the owner of Body Shop, ? sold out’ to the very organization she fought against (ICFAI Center for Management Research 2006). Why did Body Shop allow itself to be acquired by L’Oreal? It may be argued that the decision of selling Body Shop to L’Oreal was probably a rational business decision, taken presumably because Body Shop was operating at a loss and the money that Ms. Roddick was offered by L’Oreal was too tempting to resist. Clearly, whatever may be the reason behind the decision, morality/ethics does not seem to be one of them! Thus it can be said that humans or at a macro level organizations, take decisions governed by their needs and the desired outcomes. As the example of Body Shop illustrates, sometimes decisions are rational and sometimes ethical/moral. Thus, to expect that all decisions made by an individual or an organization will at all times be moral and ethical is unrealistic. So what kinds of decisions should always be ethical? And when should we decide to take decisions based on our morality? Morals come into play when an individual decides to make a personal choice, whereas ethics come into play when an individual decides to make a choice as a representative of a social group (organization, doctors, lawyers etc. ). Nevertheless, both ethics and morals help individuals to decide between the right and wrong, and thus have similar benchmarks for deciding the kind of decisions that should be moral/ethical. According to the Utilitarian theory, any decision that has the potential of harming the maximum number of people while benefiting just a few, should be decided ethically so that maximum good and least harm is done (Andre et al. 1996). Other philosophers who follow the Rights Approach suggest that if our actions tend to violate the rights of humans, then the decision should be made on ethical grounds so that rights of humans are protected (Andre et al. 1996). The Greek Philosophers believed in a common good approach, which suggested that certain conditions in the society are shared amongst all humans, so all are decisions that are important for the welfare of everyone should be based on ethical reasoning (Andre et al. 1996). A very ancient approach to ethics is that ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. The virtue ethics asks of any action, â€Å"What kind of person will I become if I do this? † or â€Å"Is this action consistent with my acting at my best? † (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics n. d). In essence virtue approach suggests that all the decisions that we take in our life are required to be based on ethics and morality. These different approaches give us a broad outline of the type of decisions that should be considered ethical or moral. However in the real world there will always be an uncertainty on whether a decision should be made on ethical/moral grounds or not. If a decision benefits maximum people and harms only the organization, will the company take the ethical decision? Not necessarily. It did not stop Nestle from sourcing its cocoa from the Ivory Coast where bonded labours and children were used in the plantations (Harkins et al. 2005). If we follow the rights approach, then we may not all agree to the same set of human and civil rights (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics n. d). And then there is the question of who decides what constitutes common good? Also not all the approaches answer the question, â€Å"what is ethical/moral? † in the same way (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics n. d). Nevertheless, the above theories do give us an idea of the kind of decisions that should ideally be made on ethical and moral grounds. If we believe that a decision could be damaging to the community, violates the rights of others, or makes us feel guilty, it is a decision that ideally requires ethical/moral considerations. But eventually, in the real world it is the needs of the humans and organizations that would determine their choice. Conclusion ?There are no natural morals or ethics’ (Saxena 2003). Humans are animals who have natural survival instincts and are programmed for the sole aim of survival and proliferation (Saxena 2003). But as Aristotle said, humans are not like other animals, they are social animals, who belong to a social setup where the principles of survival of the fittest do not always operate (Saxena 2003). Humans need to curb their survival instincts to sustain the society and the social structures (Saxena 2003). These restrictions take the form of moral and ethics (Saxena 2003). Morals and ethics are thus the social survival instincts visible in human beings, which guide him/her to live a righteous socially acceptable life (Saxena 2003). Unfortunately, the survival instincts of humans often conflict with their ethics and morality, making it difficult for them to always follow the righteous path. Humans are thus forever performing a balancing act to survive with a clear conscience. For instance, most of the tobacco companies while promoting smoking are known to make huge donations to various philanthropic causes, presumably to appease their moral and ethical values while simultaneously pursuing their business interests! (Campaign for tobacco-free kids 2006). As long as individuals have worldly needs and desires, they cannot be realistically expected to be moral and ethical at all times. Although there are various moral and ethical theories which suggest the right path, it is eventually an individual’s needs and desired outcomes that guide the path that he chooses. No two situations are similar in this world, and only the people who have to take the decision understand their environment, their needs and the approach (ethical/moral, or rational) that will best suit them. So although the philosopher’s of the world can guide moral and ethical behaviour, it is an individual himself who can realistically define them and decide what kinds of decisions should always be ethical/moral for him. Fortunately not all decisions require humans to be moral and ethical. Most of our decisions are based on customs and habits that are accepted in our society and thus do not require us to consider moral and ethical repercussions. What to eat? How to dress? How to behave with elders, are some examples of such decisions which we take mechanically on a regular basis. Alas, only one decision, â€Å"What is the right thing to do? † leaves us humans struggling for an answer! References Andre, C. , DeCosse, D. , Hanson, O. K. , McLean, M. R. , Meyer, M. J. , Moberg, D. , Shanks, T. , Velasquez, M. 1988, ? A Framework for thinking ethically’, Product of dialogue and debate at the Markkula center for applied ethics at Santa Clara University, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, California, viewed 28 March 2007, http://www. scu. edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework. html Andre, C. , Meyer, M. J. , Shanks, T. , Velasquez, M. 1996, Thinking Ethically: A Framework for moral decision making, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, California, viewed 28 March 2007, http://www. scu. edu/ethics/publications/iie/v7n1/thinking. html Behind the smokescreen. 2006, Behind the Smokescreen, Campaign for Tobacco-free kids, Washington D. 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Production Methods To Optimise Profit Essay Online For Free - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2326 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? In the process of refining, dirt is separated and sent to soap section for making laundry soap. Saopnification Cooking Caustic soda solution is added to a batch of raw material and saponified by boiling with live steam. After fat stock has been saponified, common salt is added to it and boiling continues. Filling in Frames Liquid is filled in frames to makes blocks of soap Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Production Methods To Optimise Profit Essay Online For Free" essay for you Create order Cutting into Cakes Solid soap blocks are divided in small cubes. Packing Soap is packed in packets and cartons Godown Finished soap is sent to Godown and from Godown it is delivered to market. Ratio Analysis Ratio analysis is a tool which is used by individuals to conduct quantitative analysis of information of a companys financial statements, where we calculate ratios from current year numbers which are then compare to previous years of competing companies, industry, or even with the economy in order to judge the performance of the company, in ratio analyses there are many ratios which are calculated from financial statements relevant to the companys performance, financing liquidity, activity. There are some common ratios include debt-equity ratio, price-earnings ratio, earnings per share, working capital, and asset turnover. Sales The absolute amount of sales of the firm firstly indicates its size. Size has implication of purchasing and selling power, amount of markets share and economies of scale. In 2012 net sales of pak Ghee mills is Rs 2,301,574 and is therefore of size that should command significant influence and economies of scale in is industry The next point of interest with sales is the rate of change in the overall sales level. 2012 2013 2014 Sales 2,338,316 2,735,953 3,040,738  17.01% 11.14% This tells us how sales are growing and may lead to question about growth relative to general economy, growth relative to competitor The percentage change is sales can be calculated using the formula: Percentage change in sales= salest salest-1/ salest-1 Profitability Profit is difficult term to use unless it is measured in context. For example to say a company has made 20 % profit does not provide any information about company but if you know company has made a 20% return on equity, or 20% gross profit then the term profit is giving meanings. The ratios discussed under profitability are: Gross profit margins (GPM) Net profit margins (NPM) Return on asset (ROA) Return on equity (ROE) Gross profit margins (GPM) sometimes also called operating profit margins, is amount remaining after cost of sales. The cost of goods sold is, clearly, an important component of the gross profit margin. It is usually calculated as the sum of the cost of materials the company purchases plus any labor involved in the manufacture of finished goods, plus associated overhead. Gross profit margins can be calculated using formula: Gross profit margin = (Sales Cost of Goods Sold) / Sales Gross Profit Margin 2012 2013 2014 Sales 2,338,316 2,735,953 3,040,738 Gross Profit 156,688 176,427 206,832 GPM 6.70% 6.45% 6.80% Having low gross profit margins may result from low prices, high cost of raw material, high cost of labor a bad product mix and a combination of these. Net Profit Margins (NPM) is most commonly used profitability ratio since it compares the bottom line to the amount of sales. The net profit margin narrows the focus on profitability, and highlights not just the companys sales efforts, but also its ability to keep operating costs down, relative to sales. The formula generally used to determine the net profit margin is: Net Profit Margin = Earnings After Taxes / Sales Net Profit Margin 2012 2013 2014 Net Profit 10,966 12,984 23,635 Sales 2,338,316 2,735,953 3,040,738 Net Profit margin 0.47% 0.47% 0.78% Return on assets (ROA) is most commonly used measure of performance of firm. This measures the amount of profit generated by the assets employed by dividing the profit earned by total assets. This formula will return the percentage earnings for a company in terms of its total assets. The better the job that management does in managing its assets-the resources available to it-to bring about profits, the greater this percentage will be. Its normal to calculate the return on total assets on an annual basis, rather than on a quarterly basis. There are several ways to measure this return; one useful method is: Return on Assets = (Net profit) / Total Assets Return on Assets 2012 2013 2014 Net income 10,966 12,984 23,635 Total assets 300,096 309,119 333,265 ROA 3.65% 4.20% 7.09% Return of Equity (ROE) measures the return on the funds of owner, where equity is total investment of all the owners of the firm. You can compare return on equity with return on assets to infer how a company obtains the funds used to acquire assets. Again, there are several ways to calculate this ratio; here, it is measured according to this formula: Return on Equity = Net Income / Owners Equity The principal difference between the formula for return on assets and for return on equity is the use of equity rather than total assets in the denominator, and it is here that the technique of comparing ratios comes into play. By examining the difference between Return on Assets and Return on Equity, you can largely determine how the company is funding its operations. Return on Equity 2012 2013 2014 Net Income 10,966 12,984 23,635 Owners Equity 108,603 119,569 132,553 ROE 10.10% 10.86% 17.83% Liquidity Analysis Ratios Liquidity analysis ratio determine the ability of company to pay of its short term debts, higher the value of ratio indicate larger margin of safety that a company have to pay of its short term debts, Common ratios include the current ratio and  the quick  ratio , different analysts use different assets relevant to calculate liquidity, some analysts only use sum of cash and equalents which is divided by current liabilities because they have a view point that they are the most liquid assets and are most likely to be used to cover short term debt at the time of emergency, ratios under liquidity are as follows Current Ratio Quick Ratio Current ratio (CR) is the most commonly used measure of liquidity of a firm. This ratio measures how many dollars of current assets are available to pay one dollars worth of current liability the usual formula is: Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities Current ratio is very closely related to working capital. And the working capital is a difference of current asset and current liabilities. Is a high current ratio good or bad? Certainly, from the creditors standpoint, a high current ratio means that the company is well-placed to pay back its loans. Consider, though, the nature of the current assets: they consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents. Funds invested in these types of assets do not contribute strongly and actively to the creation of income. Therefore, from the standpoint of stockholders and management, a current ratio that is very high means that the companys assets are not being used to best advantage. Current Ratio 2012 2013 2014 Current assets 164,120.34 186,947.14 224,897.38 Current liabilities 31,149.57 49,515.21 68,583.94 Current Ratio 5.27 3.78 3.28 Quick ratio (QR) sometimes called acid test ratio, adjust the current ratio to correct for this problem. Since the firm will always have to need inventory and since the inventory cannot be used to pay the bills, so quick ratio is a better indicator of the liquidity of a company. The quick ratio determines the relationship between quickly accessible current assets and current liabilities: Quick Ratio = (Current Assets Inventory) / Current Liabilities The quick ratio shows whether a company can meet its liabilities from quickly-accessible assets. Quick Ratio 2012 2013 2014 Current assets 164,120.34 186,947.14 224,897.38 Inventory 75,688.81 85,149.91 94,611.01 Prepayments 985.43 985.43 985.43 Current Liabilities 13,865.88 16,456.58 25,010.75 Quick Ratio 6.31 6.13 5.17 Activity Analysis Ratios Activity ratios measure a firms ability to convert different accounts within their balance sheets into cash or sales. Companies will typically try to turn their production into cash or sales as fast as possible because this will generally lead to higher revenues. Ratios discussed in activity analysis are: Assets Turnover Ratio Inventory Turnover Ratio Asset turnover (AT) is a measure of how well a firm is putting its assets to work. If AT is low it means that firm has to many unproductive assets for example Account receivable, inventory, plant and equipment, machinery for its current level of sales. Or, it may means that the level of sales has no yet reached the amount appropriate for invested assets. It can be calculated using formula: Assets turnover = Sales/total assets Assets Turnover Ratio 2012 2013 2014 Sales 2,338,315.80 2,735,953.35 3,040,738.35 Average Total Assets 300,096.04 309,118.84 333,265.07 7.79 8.85 9.12 Inventory Turnover Ratio No company wants to have too large an inventory. Goods that remain in inventory too long tie up the companys assets in idle stock, often incur carrying charges for the storage of the goods, and can become obsolete while awaiting sale. The formula for the Inventory Turnover Ratio is: Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory Where the Average Inventory figure refers to the value of the inventory on any given day during the period during which the Cost of Goods Sold is calculated. The higher an inventory turnover rate, the more closely a company conforms to just-in-time procedures. Inventory Turnover Ratio 2012 2013 2014 Cost of Goods Sold 2,181,627.44 2,559,526.24 2,833,906.48 Inventories 20,702.41 23,290.21 25,878.01 105.38 109.90 109.51 Capital Structure Analysis Ratios The capital structure is  how a firm finances its overall operations and growth by  using different sources of funds. A mix of a companys long-term  debt, specific short-term debt, common equity and preferred equity. A companys proportion of short and long-term debt is considered when analyzing capital structure. When people refer to capital structure they are most likely referring to a firms debt-to-equity ratio, which provides insight into how risky a company is. Usually a company more heavily financed by debt poses  greater risk, as this firm is relatively highly levered. Capital structure ratios discussed are: Debt Ratio Equity ratio Times interest Earned Ratio Debt Ratio The debt ratio is defined by this formula: Debt ratio = Total debt / Total assets It is a healthy sign when a companys debt ratio is falls, although both stockholders and potential creditors would prefer to see the rate of decline in the debt ratio more closely match the decline in return on assets. As the return on assets falls, the net income available to make payments on debt also falls. This company should probably take action to retire some of its short-term debt, and the current portion of its long-term debt, as soon as possible. Debt Ratio 2012 2013 2014 Total Liabilities 170,176.95 164,922.05 164,139.96 Total Assets 300,096.04 309,118.84 333,265.07 56.71% 53.35% 49.25% Equity Ratio The equity ratio is the opposite of the debt ratio. It is that portion of the companys assets financed by stockholders: Equity Ratio = Total Equity / Total assets It is usually easier to acquire assets through debt than to acquire them through equity. There are certain obvious considerations: for example, you might need to acquire investment capital from many investors; whereas you might be able to borrow the required funds from just one creditor. Less obvious is the issue of priority. Equity ratio 2012 2013 2014 Total Equity 108,602.67 119,569.09 132,553.04 Total Assets 300,096.04 309,118.84 333,265.07 Equity ratio 0.36 0.39 0.40 Time interest earned ratio is also called Interest Coverage Ratio. It is one of measure frequently used by creditors to evaluate the risk involved in loaning money to a firm is the Times Interest Earned ratio. This is the number of times in a given period that a company earns enough income to cover its interest payments. A ratio of 5, for example, would mean that the amount of interest payments is earned 5 times over during that period. The usual formula is: Times Interest Earned = EBIT / Total Interest Payments EBIT stands for Earnings before Interest and Taxes. Interest Coverage Ratio 2012 2013 2014 EBIT 49,318.79 51,421.70 67,645.17 Interest Expense 30,951.76 29,699.10 28,208.44 Notes to the Financial Statements 1. STATUS AND NATURE OF BUSINESS M/S PAK GHEE MILLS is a private limited Company which is established under Companys Act 1984 and registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. The Head Office of the unit is situated at 164/14 New Muslim Town, Bahawalpur. Whereas unit will be situated at Hasilpur road near Employees Housing Society, Bahawalpur. 2. BASIS OF PREPARATION 2.1 Statement of compliance These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting standards as applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of such International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as are notified under the Companies Ordinance, 1984, provisions of and directives issued under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 2.2 Basis of measurement These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 2.3 Functional and presentation currency These financial statements are presented in Pak Rupees, which is the Companys functional currency. All financial information presented in Pak Rupee have been rounded to the nearest thousand. 2.4 Use of estimates and judgments The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the approved accounting standards require management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 3. Owners Equity There are four members of the company who have equally contributed in the equity of company and the return on owners equity will be equally divided among the members. 4. Retained Earning PAK Ghee Mills (Pvt) Limited Projected Statement of Retained Earnings 2012 2013 2014 Openig balance Of Retained Earnings  10,966 23,950 Add: Net Income 10,966 12,984 23,635 Ending Balance of Retained Earnings 10,966 23,950 47,585 5. Long Term Debt PAK ghee mill got the loan from HBL bank against the security of Land and Plant. Land and plant pledge for the period of 10 years. The rate of interest charged by the bank 18% p.a.- Also mention the pledge assets in notes to the accounts 6. Workers welfare fund Worker welfare fund is a fund created by an employer for the future welfare and benefits of his employees. Workers welfare is maintained under worker welfare fund ordinance 1971. Workers welfare fund is maintained as 0.75% of net profit. 7. Fixed Assets Fixed assets of the firm are depreciated by using Straight line depreciation method. 8. Intangible assets Intangible assets of the firm includes preproduction Expenses of the firm. Intangible assets of the firm are amortized over the first three years. 9. Marketable securities Marketable securities include shares of FFC, OGDCL. The value of marketable securities mention in balance sheet is according to the market value.