The goal of my thesis is to analyze physical and moral survival in three novels from King's oeuvre. Scholars have attributed survival in King's universe to factors such as innocence, imaginative capacity, and career choice. Although their arguments are convincing, I believe that physical and moral survival ultimately depends on a character's knowledge of the dark side of human nature and an understanding of moral agency. I have chosen three novels that span several decades of Kings work-'Salem's Lot, Needful Things, and Desperation-to illustrate the relationship between knowledge and survival. In 'Salem's Lot, King uses the main character's interest in the horror genre to emphasize the importance of an exposure to the dark side of human nature. In Needful Things, King vividly shows the dire consequences of naiveté, or in other words, uneducated innocence. Desperation represents a culmination of King's ideas. The final novel in my analysis shows the power of youth tempered by knowledge of human nature and informed by religious conviction. King links religion and horror to show the power of both in religious survival and to show the ultimate morality of horror.

Damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) can lead to disturbances in personality, emotional dysregulation, impairments in social conduct, and difficulties in decision-making. Many researchers have likened the conduct of individuals with vmPFC lesions to that of criminal psychopaths, labeling the effects of vmPFC damage “pseudopsychopathy” or “acquired sociopathy.” However, although psychopathy—a condition marked by a distinct mosaic of antisocial personality traits and behaviors—has been studied and characterized as a psychological and behavioral disorder by many researchers, the overlap between acquired sociopathy and psychopathy remains ambiguous. This study assessed the severity of psychopathic personality traits in neurological patients with acquired damage to the vmPFC using both informant-report and self-report measures. On both informant-report and self-report measures, individuals with vmPFC damage showed no significant elevations across a wide range of psychopathic traits relative to demographically-matched neurologically healthy comparison participants and patients with damage outside of the vmPFC. The results showed only one trait, Fearlessness, that was significantly higher in patients with vmPFC lesions relative to the neurologically-healthy comparison group.

The questions of what kind of freedom morality requires and how to reconcile the capacity for free agency within a determined temporal sequence represent the crux of the free will debate. Traditional compatibilists claim that determinism does not preclude our capacity for moral agency. Nuanced determinists, such as Derk Pereboom, deny the existence of moral agency and argue that free will is not required to save the basic modes of our practical lives, such as our capacity to affect each other and to lead practically morallives. I will argue in favor of Kant’s view, which holds that since freedom and moral agency is metaphysically possible we cannot deny the possibility of free will and morality. The object of this thesis is to argue for why Kant’s position holds an advantage over determinism and compatibilism; it is not necessarily to argue for Kant’s argument, although I do explain and argue for aspects of it in support of my broader goal of establishing the superiority of Kant’s account.

Even when given the exact same moral dilemma, equally rational peers, colleagues, and friends will disagree about the right course of action. Pro tanto principles are one way to resolve moral conflicts such as these. When broadening the conflicts to real life situations, such as those seen in public policy, pro tanto principles prove to be an extremely useful tool. This paper explores the difference between the way that the individual interacts with pro tanto principles and the way that public policy interacts with such a moral system. In the end, difficulties in public policy attempt to be resolved by using this framework.

The creative writing is preceded by a critical introduction that explores the history of the steampunk genre, the YA literature movement, and many novels and short stories in both genres. The critical introduction establishes genre guidelines and expectations, as well as provides examples for important qualities of the genre. The nature of the story required additional research into steam engines, WWI history, the RMS Olympic, tree climbing ascension techniques, and various other subjects. This informal research was used to improve the descriptions of technology in the creative work, as well as the naval terminology and battle tactics performed by steam powered ships before and during the first World War. Though not a historical novel, this information assists in building a believable steampunk world.

O Código Penal Brasileiro, atualmente em vigor, prevê o crime de infanticídio como o ato de matar, sob a influência do estado puerperal, o próprio filho, durante o parto ou logo após. Trata-se de crime cuja agente é necessariamente a parturiente ou a puérpera. Com pena reduzida em relação ao homicídio, é considerado um crime excepcional, pelo fato de ser cometido por mulher sem completo domínio dos seus atos. No Brasil, os saberes sobre o tema são produzidos especialmente nas doutrinas penais e médico-legais, sendo restrito o diálogo com pesquisas empíricas que analisam o fenômeno do infanticídio sob uma ótica interdisciplinar. O presente trabalho apresenta uma etnografia dos usos e entendimentos do tipo penal infanticídio, feita por meio da análise de sete processos judiciais; 179 acórdãos, entrevistas e conversas informais com personagens processuais envolvidos em casos nos quais se discutiu se tratar de infanticídio; participação em três sessões de julgamento, pelo Tribunal do Júri, de mulheres acusadas da morte de seu/sua recém-nascido/a; e análise da produção sobre infanticídio publicada em doutrinas penais e médico-legais. Seu principal objetivo foi compreender como quem acusa, defende ou julga essas mulheres utiliza e interpreta o tipo penal infanticídio e os elementos que fazem deste crime peculiar. Mapeei, também, que visões de mulher, maternidade, crime feminino estão embutidas na construção desse tipo penal específico, bem como a maneira como este é trabalhado nas defesas e acusações judiciais. Por fim, identifiquei como os casos são apresentados e decididos no Sistema de Justiça Criminal. Concluí que há uma grande discrepância no modo como estes são interpretados e julgados, apesar da semelhança nítida que há entre eles, tendo as moralidades dos personagens processuais peso considerável nos rumos tomados nos autos. A mulher acusada de matar seu/sua recém-nascido/a é considerada mais ou menos cruel dependendo das lentes com as quais o caso é visto, sendo as expectativas acerca de uma maternidade sadia parâmetro para se julgar. / The present Brazilian Criminal Code establishes infanticide as a criminal offense, describing it as the act of killing, under the influence of the \"puerperal state\", ones own child, during labor or shortly after. The offender is necessarily the laboring or puerperal woman. Considered an exceptional crime, its sentence is shorter than a homicide, for its committed by a woman not fully aware of her acts. In Brazil, the knowledge on the issue is produced mostly in criminal and legal-medical doctrinal analysis, limiting the dialogue with empirical researches that analyses the infanticide phenomenon under an interdisciplinary approach. This work presents an ethnography of uses and understandings of infanticide as a criminal offense, by means of the analysis of seven judicial cases; 179 decisions; interviews and informal conversations with people with roles in cases related to infanticide; participation in three Jury trials of women accused of the death of their own newborns; and analysis of the literature on infanticide published in criminal and legal-medical doctrinal analysis. Its main purpose is to understand how who accuses, defends or judge women for the death of their newborns uses and interprets the criminal offense infanticide and the elements that make this a peculiar crime. I have also mapped which visions of woman, motherhood, and feminine crime are enmeshed in the building of this specific criminal offense, as well as the way it is engaged in judicial accusations and defenses. Finally, I have identified how cases of women accused of the death of their own newborns are presented to and decided by the Criminal Justice System. The research concludes that there is a great discrepancy in the way the cases are interpreted and decided, despite the notorious resemblance between them, for the morality of the processual characters has a relevant impact on the unfolding of the process. The woman accused of killing her own newborn is considered more or less cruel depending on the lenses by which the case is regarded, as the expectations of what is a healthy motherhood are the judgement parameters.

One of the most exciting recent developments in the social sciences has been the rapid formulation and acceptance of evolutionary psychology. Evolutionary psychology (EP) theory informs us that the human mind has certainly evolved and innate mechanisms have been shaped by our ancient social history. Consequently, specifically-evolved mental mechanisms exist that assist the human mind in dealing with complex social phenomena, such as cooperation. Evolutionary psychology theorists posit that for human beings to maximise the benefits of cooperation there need to be efficient ways for individuals to determine whether other members of the social group are operating equitably. Central to successful human cooperation, therefore, we find, amongst others, crucial concepts such as fairness, trust, autonomy, reciprocity, democracy and social recognition.Because the associated mental mechanisms have evolved over millennia they are largely hardwired into the human brain, are relatively slow to evolve, and have not been able to keep pace with the vast and rapid social change brought about through modernity and industrialism. We are left struggling, therefore, with psychological stressors that exist because of the resultant mismatches.This research study considers moral ethics within the workplace as an important component of quality of worklife (QWL), and suggests a new view be taken through the lenses provided by evolutionary psychology theory. This is done specifically with respect to the ethics of a social environment (the business community) that is often quite alienating to our socially evolved minds. This study was conducted with reference to business ethics specifically and it highlights the incongruent landscape lying between that and personal moral ethics. Through the application of social critical theory, it challenges the orthodoxy concerning the relationships between personal liberty, justice and the neo-liberal market economy. It also illuminates the reasons why it is important for business ethics and personal ethics to be brought closer together, and it suggests redefining QWL as a way of bringing about this paradigmatic shift.

This thesis develops the Effects of Power Model to explain why some power users come to behave in anti-social ways and what can be done about it. The model shares an analytical focus on the effect of the exercise of power on the power user with the Metamorphic Model of Power (Kipnis, 1976), but overcomes limitations in the Metamorphic Model by using the integrating framework of Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986). This theory guided the identification of the Effects of Power Model's main variables and their relationships, and provides a powerful framework for designing normative applications based on those variables and relationships. The Effects of Power Model describes a self-regulatory process which begins with a consideration by the power user of whether and what type of power or influence tactic he or she should use. To make the decision, the power user considers both internal standards and experiences (either vicariously gained or directly). Having acted, the power user then evaluates his or her action against both feedback and internal standards. If evaluation indicates that the action was contrary to either internal standards and/or to expected outcomes, there are two possible reactions. One is to feel bad and to plan to choose another course of action in future. The other is to rationalise the action through the use of disengagement mechanisms. The latter enables the power user to excuse his or her action and maintain a commitment to the action in the future. Over time, repeated use of disengagement mechanisms to excuse behaviour leads to a change in internal standards and to a rising commitment to the behaviour. The model's descriptive power is tested using a two-stage laboratory experiment with between subject manipulations and random allocation of subjects. A range of analytical frameworks are used to test the data including correlation, regression and Chi square analyses. Results strongly support the model. The model's prescriptive power is also considered by developing a program to enhance pro-social behaviour among power users, particularly professionals. Examples are identified that support key propositions of the model, relating to how the circumstances of professionals may influence their anti-social behaviour and how changes in circumstances could promote pro-social behaviour.

<p>There is no stronger or more enduring prohibition in medicine than the rule against the killing of patients by doctors. This prohibition is rooted in some medical codes and principles. Out standing among the principles surrounding these prohibitions are the principles of beneficence and non-maleficience. The contents of these principles in a way mark the professional integrity of the physician. But the modern approach to health care services pulls a demand for the respect of the individual right of self-determination. This demand is now glaring in almost all the practices pertaining to health care services. In end of life decisions, this modern demand is found much in practices like physician- assisted suicide and euthanasia. It demands that the physician ought to respect the wish and choice of the patient, and so, must assist the patient in bringing about his or her death when requested. In such manner, this views the principle of autonomy as absolute and should not be overridden in any circumstance.</p><p>However, the physician on his part is part of the medical profession that has integrity to protect. This integrity in medical profession which demands that the physician works only towards the health care of the patient and to what reduces diseases and deaths often go contrary to this respect for individual autonomy. Thus faced with such requests by patients, the physician always sees his integrity in conflict with his demand to respect the autonomous choice of the patient and so has a dilemma in responding to such requests. This is the focus of this work,"Professional Integrity and the Dilemma in Physician- Assisted Suicide"</p><p>However, the centre of my argument in this work is not merely though necessary to develop general arguments for or against the general justification of PAS, but to critically view the role played by the physicians in assisting the death of their patients as it comes in conflict with the medical obligation and integrity. Is it morally right, out rightly wrong or in certain situation permissible that physicians respond positively to the request of the patients for PAS? This is the overarching moral problem in the morality of physician- assisted suicide, and this work will consider this in line with the main problem in the work “the dilemma of professional physicians in the assistance of suicide.</p>

<p>The two most controversial ends of life decisions are those in which physicians help patients take their lives and when the physician deliberately and directly intervenes to end the patients’ life upon his request. These are often referred to as voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. Voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide have continued to be controversial public issues. This controversy has agitated the minds of great thinkers including ethicians, physicians, psychologists, moralists, philosophers even the patient himself. Hence the physician, patient, the public and policy makers have recently had to face several difficult questions.</p><p>Is it morally right to end the life of the patients? Is there any moral difference at all between Voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide? Should a terminally ill patient be allowed to take his life and should the medical profession have the option of helping the patient die. Should voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide be legalised at all? And what actually will be the legal and moral implications if they are allowed.</p><p>In a bid to find a lasting solution to these moral problems and questions has led to two different strong positions viz opponents and proponents of voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. The centre of my argument in this work is not to develop new general arguments for or against voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide but to make a critical ethical comparative analysis of voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. This is the focus of my work. The sole aim of this work is neither to solely condemn nor to support voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide but to critically analyze the two since we live in a world of pluralism.</p>