Daily Archives: October 23, 2022

Lingzhi (mushroom) – Wikipedia

Posted: October 23, 2022 at 1:14 pm

Species of fungus

Species of fungus

Lingzhi, Ganoderma lingzhi, also known as reishi, is a polypore fungus ("bracket fungus") native to East Asia belonging to the genus Ganoderma.

Its reddish brown varnished kidney-shaped cap with bands and peripherally inserted stem gives it a distinct fan-like appearance. When fresh, the lingzhi is soft, cork-like, and flat. It lacks gills on its underside, and instead releases its spores via fine pores (80120 m) in yellow colors.[1]

The lingzhi mushroom is used in traditional Chinese medicine.[1][2] There is insufficient evidence to indicate that consuming lingzhi mushrooms or their extracts has any effect on human health or diseases.[3][4][5]

In nature, it grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially that of the maple. Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have lingzhi growth, and therefore its wild form is rare.[citation needed] Lingzhi may be cultivated on hardwood logs, sawdust, or woodchips.

Lingzhi, also known as reishi from its Japanese pronunciation, is the ancient "mushroom of immortality", revered for over 2,000 years. Uncertainty exists about which Ganoderma species was most widely utilized as lingzhi mushroom in ancient times, and likely a few different common species were considered interchangeable. However, in the 16th century Chinese herbal compendium, the Bencao Gangmu (1578), a number of different lingzhi-like mushrooms were used for different purposes and defined by color. No exact current species can be attached to these ancient lingzhi for certain, but according to Dai et al. (2017),[6] as well as other researchers, and based on molecular work, red reishi is most likely to be Ganoderma lingzhi (Sheng H. Wu, Y. Cao & Y.C. Dai, 2012).[7][1] This is the species that is most widely found in Chinese herb shops today, and the fruiting bodies are widely cultivated in China and shipped to many other countries. About 7-10 other Ganoderma species are also sold in some shops, but have different Chinese and Latin names, and are considered different in their activity and functions. The differences are based on concentrations of triterpenes such as ganoderic acid and its derivatives, which vary widely among species. Research on the genus is ongoing, but a number of recent phylogenetic analyses have been published in the last number of years.[8]

Petter Adolf Karsten named the genus Ganoderma in 1881.[9] English botanist William Curtis gave the fungus its first binomial name, Boletus lucidus, in 1781.[10] The lingzhi's botanical names have Greek and Latin roots. Ganoderma derives from the Greek ganos (; "brightness"), and derma (; "skin; together; shining skin").[11] The specific epithet, lingzhi, comes from Chinese, meaning "divine mushroom."

With the advent of genome sequencing, the genus Ganoderma has undergone taxonomic reclassification. Prior to genetic analyses of fungi, classification was done according to morphological characteristics such as size and color. The internal transcribed spacer region of the Ganoderma genome is considered to be a standard barcode marker.[12]

It was once thought that Ganoderma lingzhi generally occurred in two growth forms: a large, sessile, specimen with a small or nonexistent stalk, found in North America, and a smaller specimen with a long, narrow stalk, found mainly in the tropics. However, recent molecular evidence has identified the former, stalkless, form as a distinct species called G. sessile, a name given to North American specimens by William Alfonso Murrill in 1902.[8][13]

Environmental conditions play a substantial role in the lingzhi's manifest morphological characteristics. For example, elevated carbon dioxide levels result in stem elongation in lingzhi. Other formations include antlers without a cap, which may also be related to carbon dioxide levels. The three main factors that influence fruit body development morphology are light, temperature, and humidity. While water and air quality play a role in fruit body development morphology, they do so to a lesser degree.[14]

Ganoderma lingzhi is found in East Asia growing as a parasite or saprotroph on a variety of trees.[15] Ganoderma curtisii and Ganoderma ravenelii are the closest relatives of the lingzhi mushroom in North America.[16]

In the wild, lingzhi grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially that of the maple.[17] Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have lingzhi growth, and therefore it is extremely rare in its natural form.[citation needed] Today, lingzhi is effectively cultivated on hardwood logs or sawdust/woodchips.[18]

Depending on environmental or cultivation conditions lingzhi may resemble antlers, with no umbrella cap.

In the chronicles of Shiji 1st c. BC from Sima Qian, is attested the initial use of nearby separately related words with zhi woody mushroom and ling divine spirit in the poems of Emperor Wu of Han. Later, in the 1st c. CE through the poetry of Ban Gu, occurred the first combination of the hieroglyphs together into a single word, in an ode dedicated to Lingzhi.[20][21]

Since ancient times, Taoist temples were called the abode of mushrooms and according to their mystical teachings, the use of woody mushrooms zhi (Ganoderma) or lingzhi spirits mushroom, in particular making from it a concentrated decoction of hallucinogenic action,[20] gave followers the opportunity to see spirits or become spirits themselves by receiving the magical energy of the immortals xians, located on the fields of grace in the heavenly mushroom fields zhi tian.[22]

In the philosophical work Huainanzi, it is said about the lingzhi mushroom as the personification of nobility; from which shamans brewed a psychedelic drink.[23][24]

The Shennong bencao jing (Divine Farmer's Classic of Pharmaceutics) of c.200250 CE, classifies zhi into six color categories, each of which is believed to benefit the qi, or "life force", in a different part of the body: qingzhi (; "Green Mushroom") for the liver, chizhi (; "Red Mushroom") for the heart, huangzhi (; "Yellow Mushroom") for the spleen, baizhi (; "White Mushroom") for the lungs, heizhi (; "Black Mushroom") for the kidneys, and zizhi (; "Purple Mushroom") for the Essence. Commentators identify the red chizhi, or danzhi (; "cinnabar mushroom"), as the lingzhi.[25][26]

Chi Zhi (Ganoderma rubra) is bitter and balanced. It mainly treats binding in the chest, boosts the heart qi, supplements the center, sharpens the wits, and [causes people] not to forget [i.e., improves the memory]. Protracted taking may make the body light, prevent senility, and prolong life so as to make one an immortal. Its other name is Dan Zhi (Cinnabar Ganoderma). It grows in mountains and valleys.[27]

In taoist treatise of Baopuzi from Ge Hong indicated the zhi-mushroom (lingzhi ) is used for immortality.[28][25][26]

The (1596) Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) has a Zhi () category that includes six types of zhi (calling the green, red, yellow, white, black, and purple mushrooms of the Shennong bencao jing the liuzhi (; "six mushrooms") and sixteen other fungi, mushrooms, and lichens, including mu'er (; "wood ear"; "cloud ear fungus", Auricularia auricula-judae). The author Li Shizhen classified these six differently colored zhi as xiancao (; "immortality herbs"), and described the effects of chizhi ("red mushroom"):

It positively affects the life-energy, or Qi of the heart, repairing the chest area and benefiting those with a knotted and tight chest. Taken over a long period of time, the agility of the body will not cease, and the years are lengthened to those of the Immortal Fairies.[29][30]

Stuart and Smith's classic study of Chinese herbology describes the zhi.

(Chih) is defined in the classics as the plant of immortality, and it is therefore always considered to be a felicitous one. It is said to absorb the earthy vapors and to leave a heavenly atmosphere. For this reason, it is called (Ling-chih.) It is large and of a branched form, and probably represents Clavaria or Sparassis. Its form is likened to that of coral.[31]

The Bencao Gangmu does not list lingzhi as a variety of zhi, but as an alternate name for the shi'er (; "stone ear", Umbilicaria esculenta) lichen. According to Stuart and Smith,

[The Shih-erh is] edible, and has all of the good qualities of the (Chih), it is also being used in the treatment of gravel, and said to benefit virility. It is specially used in hemorrhage from the bowels and prolapse of the rectum. While the name of this would indicate that it was one of the Auriculariales, the fact that the name (Ling-chih) is also given to it might place it among the Clavariaceae.[31]

In Chinese art, the lingzhi symbolizes great health and longevity, as depicted in the imperial Forbidden City and Summer Palace.[32] It was a talisman for luck in the traditional culture of China, and the goddess of healing Guanyin is sometimes depicted holding a lingzhi mushroom.[30]

The Old Chinese name for lingzhi was first recorded during the Han dynasty (206 BC 9 AD). In the Chinese language, lngzh () is a compound. It comprises lng (); "spirit, spiritual; soul; miraculous; sacred; divine; mysterious; efficacious; effective)" as, for example, in the name of the Lingyan Temple in Jinan, and zh (); "(traditional) plant of longevity; fungus; seed; branch; mushroom; excrescence"). Fabrizio Pregadio notes, "The term zhi, which has no equivalent in Western languages, refers to a variety of supermundane substances often described as plants, fungi, or 'excrescences'."[33] Zhi occurs in other Chinese plant names, such as zhm (; "sesame" or "seed"), and was anciently used a phonetic loan character for zh (; "Angelica iris"). Chinese differentiates Ganoderma species into chzh (; "red mushroom") G. lingzhi, and zzh (; "purple mushroom") Ganoderma sinense.

Lingzhi has several synonyms. Of these, ruco (; "auspicious plant") (ru ; "auspicious; felicitous omen" with the suffix co ; "plant; herb") is the oldest; the Erya dictionary (c. 3rd century BCE) defines xi , interpreted as a miscopy of jn (; "mushroom") as zh (; "mushroom"), and the commentary of Guo Pu (276324) says, "The [zhi] flowers three times in one year. It is a [ruicao] felicitous plant."[34] Other Chinese names for Ganoderma include ruzh (; "auspicious mushroom"), shnzh (; "divine mushroom", with shen; "spirit; god' supernatural; divine"), mlngzh () (with "tree; wood"), xinco (; "immortality plant", with xian; "(Daoism) transcendent; immortal; wizard"), and lngzhco () or zhco (; "mushroom plant").

Since both Chinese ling and zhi have multiple meanings, lingzhi has diverse English translations. Renditions include "[zhi] possessed of soul power",[35] "Herb of Spiritual Potency" or "Mushroom of Immortality",[36] "Numinous Mushroom",[33] "divine mushroom",[37] "divine fungus",[38] "Magic Fungus",[39] and "Marvelous Fungus".[40]

In English, lingzhi or ling chih (sometimes spelled "ling chi", using the French EFEO Chinese transcription) is a Chinese loanword. It is also commonly referred to as "reishi", which is loaned from Japanese.[41]

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) gives the definition, "The fungus Ganoderma lucidum (actually Ganoderma lingzhi (see Ganoderma lucidum for details), believed in China to confer longevity and used as a symbol of this on Chinese ceramic ware.",[42] and identifies the etymology of the word as Chinese: lng, "divine" + zh, "fungus". According to the OED, the earliest recorded usage of the WadeGiles romanization ling chih is 1904,[43] and of the Pinyin lingzhi is 1980.

In addition to the transliterated loanwords, English names include "glossy ganoderma" and "shiny polyporus".[44]

The Japanese word reishi () is a Sino-Japanese loanword deriving from the Chinese lngzh (; ). Its modern Japanese kanji, , is the shinjitai ("new character form") of the kyjitai ("old character form"), . Synonyms for reishi are divided between Sino-Japanese borrowings and native Japanese coinages. Sinitic loanwords include literary terms such as zuis (, from ruco; "auspicious plant") and sens (, from xinco; "immortality plant"). The Japanese writing system uses shi or shiba () for "grass; lawn; turf", and take or kinoko () for "mushroom" (e.g., shiitake). A common native Japanese name is mannentake (; "10,000-year mushroom"). Other Japanese terms for reishi include kadodetake (; "departure mushroom"), hijiridake (; "sage mushroom"), and magoshakushi (; "grandchild ladle").

The Korean name, yeongji (; ) is also borrowed from, so a cognate with, the Chinese word lngzh (; ). It is often called yeongjibeoseot (; "yeongji mushroom") in Korean, with the addition of the native word beoseot () meaning "mushroom". Other common names include bullocho (, ; "elixir grass") and jicho (; ). According to color, yeongji mushrooms can be classified as jeokji (; ) for "red", jaji (; ) for "purple", heukji (; ) for "black", cheongji (; ) for "blue" or "green", baekji (; ) for "white", and hwangji (; ) for "yellow". South Korea produces over 25,000 tons of mushrooms every year.

The Thai word het lin chue () is a compound of the native word het () meaning "mushroom" and the loanword lin chue () from the Chinese lngzh (; ).

The Vietnamese language word linh chi is a loanword from Chinese. It is often used with nm, the Vietnamese word for "mushroom", thus nm linh chi is the equivalent of "lingzhi mushroom".

Ganoderma lucidum contains diverse phytochemicals, including triterpenes (ganoderic acids), which have a molecular structure similar to that of steroid hormones.[45] It also contains phytochemicals found in fungal materials, including polysaccharides (such as beta-glucan), coumarin,[46] mannitol, and alkaloids.[45] Sterols isolated from the mushroom include ganoderol, ganoderenic acid, ganoderiol, ganodermanontriol, lucidadiol, and ganodermadiol.[45]

A 2015 Cochrane database review found insufficient evidence to justify the use of G.lucidum as a first-line cancer treatment.[3][4] It stated that G.lucidum may have "benefit as an alternative adjunct to conventional treatment in consideration of its potential of enhancing tumour response and stimulating host immunity."[4] Existing studies do not support the use of G.lucidum for treatment of risk factors of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.[5]

Because of its bitter taste,[47] lingzhi is traditionally prepared as a hot water extract product for use in folk medicine.[32] Thinly sliced or pulverized lingzhi (either fresh or dried) is added to boiling water which is then reduced to a simmer, covered, and left for 2 hours.[48] The resulting liquid is dark and fairly bitter in taste. The red lingzhi is often more bitter than the black. The process is sometimes repeated to increase the concentration. Alternatively, it can be used as an ingredient in a formula decoction, or used to make an extract (in liquid, capsule, or powder form).[49]

Lingzhi is commercially manufactured and sold. Since the early 1970s, most lingzhi is cultivated. Lingzhi can grow on substrates such as sawdust, grain, and wood logs. After formation of the fruiting body, lingzhi is most commonly harvested, dried, ground, and processed into tablets or capsules to be directly ingested or made into tea or soup. Other lingzhi products include processed fungal mycelia or spores.[48] Lingzhi is also used to create mycelium bricks, mycelium furniture, and leather-like products.[50]

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What Is Transhumanism? – Human Life International

Posted: at 1:12 pm

And when everyones superno one will be!~The villain Syndrome in The Incredibles

In 2009, the World Transhumanist Associations website posted the Transhumanist Declaration. It summarized the goals of transhumanism in saying, Humanity stands to be profoundly affected by science and technology in the future. We envision the possibility of broadening human potential by overcoming aging, cognitive shortcomings, involuntary suffering, and our confinement to planet Earth.1

Max More, in his work Principles of Entropy, provided one of the first precise definitions of the movement:

Transhumanism is a class of philosophies that seek to guide us towards a posthuman condition.Transhumanism shares many elements of humanism, including a respect for reason and science, a commitment to progress, and a valuing of human (or transhuman) existence in this life.Transhumanism differs from humanism in recognizing and anticipating the radical alterations in the nature and possibilities of our lives resulting from various sciences and technologies.

In broad terms, transhumanism is the philosophy and science of using technology to transcend the physical, mental, and psychological limitations of humanity.

In other words, being human is not enough for transhumanists.

As Oxford philosophy professor Nick Bostrom explains:

Transhumanists view human nature as a work-in-progress, a half-baked beginning that we can learn to remold in desirable ways. Current humanity need not be the endpoint of evolution. Transhumanists hope that by responsible use of science, technology, and other rational means we shall eventually manage to become posthuman, beings with vastly greater capacities than present human beings have.2

Many pro-lifers think that transhumanism is limited to video games like Deus Ex, science fiction films such as Gattaca, and personalities like Captain America and the artificial person Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. They believe that transhumanism is an abstract concept that perhaps our grandchildren or our great-grandchildren will have to deal with.

These people are usually astonished to hear that transhumanism is a solidly-established bona-fide social movement that has existed for more than half a century. It boasts glossy magazines and technical journals, a worldwide network of well-funded organizations, international conferences featuring dozens of celebrities whose names we all recognize, and a multi-billion-dollar media machine to push its ideas.

Prophets arise and warn us regarding the life issues in about twenty-year cycles. But we have blithely ignored them and allowed great evils to saunter into our world with virtually no opposition. In the 1930s, these visionaries warned us about contraception, and we chuckled at them. In the 1950s, they told us that abortion would soon be legalized unless we did something, but we disregarded them. In the 1970s, they wrote about impending euthanasia, and we shrugged. In the 1990s, they warned us about the homosexual special rights movement, and we didnt care because we thought the idea of men marrying men was ludicrous.

And recently, in the 2010s, some raised the red flag about transhumanism. What will our response be the fifth time around? Have we finally learned our lesson? Will we awaken from our peaceful slumber, or will we passively watch yet another evil leisurely occupy our land?

Transhumanism will not gather steam decades from now or in the far future it is advancing at full speed right now. So we must take concrete and decisive action today, because transhumanism is far worse than abortion, euthanasia, war and genocide combined. It is, in fact, the first truly existential menace to humanity. It is the first threat in history that has the potential to end us as a species.

We have all heard about transgenderism by now. A tiny gaggle of mentally confused people are imposing their absence of morality on the rest of us, and we are bombarded by stories of Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner, bathroom bills, and outraged pro-trans celebrities daily. Many of us have also heard about the misadventures of Rachel Dolezal, who pretended to be black, and Senator Elizabeth Fauxcahontas Warren, who faked being Native American for personal gain. This is called transethnicity or transracialism.

But how many have heard of transableism and trans-speciesism? These and other bizarre trans movements all spring from the loss of a sense of who we are and an indifference to Gods plan for our lives. They all are signs of a deep emotional and spiritual malaise, and they always lead to unhappiness and discontent because they separate us from God and our own nature. They are also all intermediate steps which are helping soften up public opinion for the acceptance of the ultimate steptranshumanism.

As with all advances of the culture of death, activists use the strategy of incrementalism or gradualism. They wait until society is almost used to their previous changes, and then push hard for the next step, always in the name of the shiny new human right that they have just invented. Regarding euthanasia, Derek Humphry, the founder of the Hemlock Society, (now called Compassion and Choices) said, We have to go stage by stage, with the living will, with the power of attorney, with the withdrawal of this, and of that; we have to go stage by stage. Your side would call that the slippery slope.'3

This strategy of rights creep has worked very well for the culture of death until now.

Although transhumanist thinking has been around for more than half a century now, it would not have advanced anywhere nearly as quickly had it not been preceded by the several trans movements that have paved its way.

The term transsexual generally fell out of favor a few years ago, when more educated and logical people pointed out that there is no such thing as a sex-change operation. A person cannot change their sex, because every cell in their body can be positively identified as either male or female.

All you can change is gender (which is a matter of how others perceive you) through superficial surgical mutilation and the assistance of a good costume designer.

So the anti-life activists simply switched tactics. Bella Abzug gave us a definition of gender which is a superb example of vagueness, and thus tailor-made for manipulation: The meaning of the word gender has evolved as differentiated from the word sex to express the reality that womens and mens roles and status are socially constructed and subject to change.4

As Abzug says, gender is subject to change. So currently we have at least 250 genders, according to Tumblr. Categories include androgyne, neutrois, two-spirit, non-binary, genderqueer, cisgender, pangender, MTF, and on and on and on. A person can even change genders several times a day if he or she (it?) desires. As feminist Kate Bornestein explains, Gender fluidity is the ability to freely and knowingly become one or many of a limitless number of genders, for any length of time, at any rate of change. Gender fluidity recognizes no borders or rules of gender.5

This insanity is seeping into all aspects of our daily lives but it is insanity with a purpose, and it has fangs.

For example, there is a confusing proliferation of pronouns that all of us are expected to memorize and address people by. If we do not comply, we will be punished, as has already begun happening in schools. In one 2016 case, a transmasculine teacher in Oregon was awarded $60,000 because other staff members refused to go along with his delusions and his increasing demands.6This coercion is all part of the plan, of coursewhen the next set of trans demands arrives (and there will always be more demands), people will be afraid to do anything but comply.

Under the threat of punishment, we are also expected to learn more than two hundred pronouns, including tey/tem/ter/temself; ey/em/eir/emself; thon/thon/thons/ thonself; fae/faer/faers/ faerself; vae/vaer/vaers/vaerself; xe/xim/xis/ximself; and ze(or zie)/zir/zirs/zirself.7

Transhumanists see transgenderism as an important step towards achieving their goals. They intend to eventually discard their humanity entirely by melding with machines. If people consider this concept reasonable, why can we not jettison our own gender and even the concept of gender now? It is no surprise, therefore, that transhumanists support the concept of switching genders at the drop of an ambiguously-sexed hat.

Postgenderism will help usher in transhumanitythats part of the game plan. When people get used to one anti-life initiative, there is always another one waiting in the wings, fully prepped and with talking points already drilled into the empty heads of the media.

The paper Postgenderism: Beyond the Gender Binary says:

Postgenderism is an extrapolation of ways that technology is eroding the biological, psychological and social role of gender, and an argument for why the erosion of binary gender will be liberatory. Postgenderists argue that gender is an arbitrary and unnecessary limitation on human potential, and foresee the elimination of involuntary biological and psychological gendering in the human species through the application of neurotechnology, biotechnology and reproductive technologies. Postgenderists contend that dyadic gender roles and sexual dimorphisms are generally to the detriment of individuals and society. Assisted reproduction will make it possible for individuals of any sex to reproduce in any combinations they choose, with or without mothers and fathers, and artificial wombs will make biological wombs unnecessary for reproduction. Greater biological fluidity and psychological androgyny will allow future persons to explore both masculine and feminine aspects of personality. Postgenderists do not call for the end of all gender traits, or universal androgyny, but rather that those traits become a matter of choice. Bodies and personalities in our postgender future will no longer be constrained and circumscribed by gendered traits, but enriched by their use in the palette of diverse self-expression.7

They always use the word choiceat least at the beginning. It is a matter of history that all evils invariably let choice fall by the wayside as they gradually morph into mandates, and as they accumulate enough power. If transgenderism can be this coercive and bullying, how much worse will transhumanism be?

But all of this is for the general good, they say, so a little arm-twisting is justified.

As British journalist and businessman Matt Ridley acknowledges:

It would be easy to engineer a society with no sex difference in attitude between men and women. Inject all pregnant women with the right dose of hormones, and the result would be men and women with normal bodies but identical feminine brains. War, rape, boxing, car racing, pornography, and hamburgers and beer would soon be distant memories. A feminist paradise would have arrived.8

We are being conditioned to accept the idea that transgenderism is here to stay, and that it is useless to even speak out about it.

[1] The World Transhumanist Association now calls itself Humanity + or simply H+.

[2]Nick Bostrom. Human Genetic Enhancements: A Transhumanist Perspective.Journal of Value Inquiry, Volume 37, Number 4 (2003), pages 493 to 506.

[3] Derek Humphry, founder of the Hemlock Society, quoted in Leslie Bond. Hemlock Society Forms New Organization to Push Assisted Suicide Initiative.National Right to Life News, December 18, 1986, pages 1 and 10.

[4] Elisabeth Bronfen and Misha Kavka.Feminist Consequences: Theory for the New Century. Columbia University Press, 2001, page 424.

[5]Kate Bornestein.Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us (New York City: Rutledge), 1994, page 52.

[6] Michael Brown. Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum: I Smell the Marks of Trans-Activism. Town Hall, August 9, 2016.

[7] George Dvorsky and James Hughes. Postgenderism: Beyond the Gender Binary. Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET), March 2008. The IEET is an explicitly transhumanist organization which publishes the Journal of Evolution and Technology, formerly entitled the Journal of Transhumanism, which was published by the World Transhumanist Association.

[8] Matt Ridley.The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature(New York City: Harper Perennial), 1993, page 256.

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Consequentialist Theories: Ethical Egoism & Utilitarianism

Posted: at 1:06 pm

Utilitarianism

So, actions have consequences and according to consequentialism, those consequences determine the morality of that action. Now we just have to decide if that consequence was good or bad. In this field of consequentialism, there are two basic arguments about how to answer this question.

The first is utilitarianism. In this school of thought, actions are judged by how much they benefit the majority. This means that a moral consequence is one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people, or what philosophers call utility. So, a moral action is one that produces the most utility or is most beneficial.

Now, off the bat you may recognize that there are multiple ways to define this. Perhaps the greatest good could mean happiness or perhaps it means best chance at survival. The various possible ways to define 'greatest good' all should be taken into account with utilitarianism but in the end, that's what you're after: a moral action that benefits the most number of people.

Ok, let's look at an example. Say that you are walking down the street and you see an apartment building on fire. What's the right thing to do? What's moral? Well, since we're going with consequentialist ethics, we're going to judge you based on the results that come from your actions. And since this is utilitarianism, you need to find the action that will produce the greatest benefit.

So, option one: just keep walking. Consequence? People die, no one is saved, it's a tragedy. The consequence had a negative outcome for a majority of people, so the choice to ignore the fire was immoral. Option two: run into the burning building and try to rescue as many people as you can. Consequence? A few people are saved, so that was a moral action. Option three: call the fire department, then help out however you can. The fire department can save more people than you, so this action has the most positive consequence. Everyone lives, and you've made the most moral choice.

Now, obviously not every scenario is that simple. What if it's harder to predict how many people will be positively influenced? Or what if the action that produces the greatest good for the majority has a negative impact on you? Utilitarianism requires selflessness and foresight to figure out how your actions will affect the majority of the population, not just yourself.

In addition to advocating for the greater good, utilitarianism also opposes actions that cause harm. According to the harm principle, which was proposed by philosopher and utilitarian John Stuart Mill, you should be allowed to do what you want unless your actions cause harm to somebody else.

In an ideal world, the greatest good for the greatest number of people will also result in the least amount of harm to the least amount of people. But even when that happens, the morality of an action can still be questionable. For example, consider the following scenario, which is frequently used to highlight the potential weaknesses of the utilitarian approach to moral reasoning:

If five people will die without an organ transplant, why not harvest the organs of one healthy person in order to save the five patients?

In this scenario, the greatest good for the greatest number of people will result in the least amount of harm to the least number of people. However, it is unthinkable to take this action in the real world. Not only is it a violation of the harm principle, but it also violates a number of other moral principles as well.

So utilitarianism was one way to determine if the consequences of an action are moral or immoral. But it's not the only way. The opposite viewpoint is ethical egoism, in which morality is defined by the impact of an action on yourself. In this branch of consequentialism, you're not worried about the greater good, you're worried about your own self-interest. In this theory, it's less moral to risk your own life than to get killed saving someone else.

This may sound selfish but think about it. A lot of our legal system actually supports this; that's why you generally can't be arrested for choosing not to help out in an emergency. Also, egoists argue that self-interest actually creates a strong sense of responsibility to others. Here's the logic: if I don't help someone, then I get a bad reputation and no one else will help me. So it's actually in my best interest to consider other people's needs and to help them. In fact, you could argue that trying to help the most people is the best way to help myself since all of those people now think that I'm pretty swell.

Writer and philosopher Ayn Rand, who developed a conception ethical egoism and applied her philosophy to social issues, offered a critique of utilitarianism in her book Atlas Shrugged. Rand believed utilitarianism fails as a moral principle because it denies the individual. She argued that not only is self-interest good, but it should also be the guiding principle by which we live our lives. According to Rand, the prosocial tendencies of humans, particularly altruism, are 'diseases' imposed on us by society and cause us to betray our natural self-interest.

An ethical egoist like Ayn Rand strongly supports the idea of self-reliance versus reliance on government or charity. When presented with a statement like, 'we should make sure everyone is better off financially,' the ethical egoist would say that when each person looks out for their own financial self-interest, then everyone is self-reliant and better off, and therefore, we should all only look out for our own self-interest.

This argument seems logical, but when we consider that there are some people who may not be able to financially support themselves, such as children or individuals with illnesses or disabilities, we know that the end result is that some people will be better off financially and others will be worse off financially.

In philosophy, the question of how we define right and wrong is often asked. One way is through the results of our actions. Consequentialism judges the morality of actions based on the consequences they produce. A common expression of this idea is the end justifies the means, so whatever action is required to create a positive outcome is therefore moral. But how do we decide if the outcome was positive?

According to utilitarianism, an action is moral if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism is all about the majority, the greater good. The opposite viewpoint is ethical egoism, in which the morality of an action is determined by the impact on yourself. The action that benefits you the most is the most moral.

Utilitarianism and ethical egoism may both present different ideas about how to judge morality, but at the end of the day, your actions still have consequences. Just like your parents taught you.

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Consequentialist Theories: Ethical Egoism & Utilitarianism

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What is the Difference Between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism …

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The main difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism is that psychological egoism emphasizes the fact that people act primarily out of self-interest while ethical egoism emphasizes the fact that people should act for their self-interest.

At initial thought, egoism refers to pride, selfishness and having high self-worth. However, with regard to psychological egoism and ethical egoism, these definitions take on different facets.

1. What is Psychological Egoism Definition, Focus,Motivation2. What is Ethical Egoism Definition, Focus, Motivation3. What are the Similarities BetweenPsychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism Outline of Common Features4. What is the Difference BetweenPsychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism Comparison of Key Differences

Egoism, Psychological Egoism, Ethical Egoism, Psychology, Philosophy

Psychological egoism refers to the concept stating that a persons self-interest always motivates his/her actions. In other words, it explains that everybody is ultimately motivated solely by his/her self-interest. Hence, it explains the reason for most human behaviour.

Thus, psychological egoism does not explain the morality of these actions, i.e., good or bad, it only observes the reason behind those actions. It merely observes that actions of everyone are influenced by selfishness or self-interest.

Psychological egoism is identified as a descriptive theory; it is based on observations and following conclusions. Two pioneering philosophers who endorsed this theory are Thomas Hobbes and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Figure 1:Friedrich Nietzsche

According to psychological egoism, self-interest/ selfishness is the motive behind every action, even on the altruistic actions of humans. Similarly, it does not claim how one should act but describes why one acts.

Ethical egoism refers to the concept that every human should be/ ought to be motivated by their self-interest. Hence, unlike psychological egoism, ethical egoism does not describe that peoples actions are motivated by self-interest, rather it claims that people should act primarily out of self-interest or should seek self-welfare. Thereby, it recommends how people should behave ethically, seeking only self-interest.

Ethical egoism proposes that only those actions having consequences benefitting the person should be considered as ethical. Hence, ethical egoism rejects altruism. Moreover, it is a normative or a prescriptive theory.

Unlike psychological egoism, ethical egoism does not observe the universal motive of human actions as self-interest; therefore, it only recommends self-interest to be the ultimate motive for human actions. Such actions are identified as ethical, worthy and good under ethical egoism.

Figure 2: Henry Sidgwick

Hence, an egoist always practices ethical egoism. Some philosophers who brought forward the theory of ethical egoism are Henry Sidgwick, and, Ayn Rand.

Psychological egoism refers to the concept that self-interest motivates all human actions while ethical egoism refers to the concept that all people should/ought to be motivated by self-interest for their actions. Thus, this is the maindifference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism.

Moreover, psychological egoism is a descriptive theory whereas ethical egoism is a normative or prescriptive theory.

In psychological egoism, everybody is ultimately motivated solely by his/her self-interest. On the other hand, ethical egoism prescribes selfishness or self-interest to be the ultimate motivation for individual actions. Hence, this is anotherdifference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism.

One other difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism is that the psychological egoism describes the reason for human behaviour and actions while ethical egoism recommends how human behaviour or actions should be.

Thomas Hobbes and Friedrich Nietzsche are two philosophers who brought forward this theory of psychological egoism whereas Henry Sidgwick and Ayn Rand are two philosophers who brought forward this theory of psychological egoism.

Both psychological and ethical egoism describes how self-interest influences human actions. The main difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism is that the psychological egoism emphasizes the fact that people act primarily out of self-interest while ethical egoism emphasizes the fact that people should act for their self-interest. Thus, psychological egoism is a descriptive theory whereas ethical egoism is a prescriptive theory.

1. Psychological Egoism, Philosophy.lander.edu, Available here.2. Ethical Egoism. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Jan. 2019, Available here.

1. 150143 (Public Domain) via Pxhere2. Portrait of Friedrich Nietzsche By Unknown featured on the cover of What Nietzsche Really Said by Robert C. Solomon, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia3. 1368911 (Pixbay License) via Pixabay4. PSM V56 D0028 Henry Sidgwick By Unknown Popular Science Monthly Volume 56 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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How to Handle Ethical Issues in the Workplace

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Character and Conscience underlie Ethical Decision Making

Ethical dilemmas in the workplace can be more effectively dealt with if managers follow a few simple steps:

Egoism: Egoism looks at each decision by considering the effects of a decision only as it relates to the individual decision-maker. Most ethicists dismiss this method because it fails to consider the consequences on the stakeholders. For example, if a CEO or CFO is dealing with financial statement reporting and wants the statements to look as good as possible regardless of the rules and effects on others, then egoism rules the day.

Enlightened Egoism: This method considers the consequences of alternatives on the stakeholders but ultimately a decision is made based on whats in the best interest of the decision maker. So, a manager would consider the effects on the stakeholders and may decide that since a particular decision is harmful to the stakeholders because manipulatation of the financial statements compromises the validity of those statements, it is in the best interests of the manager to conform the statements to accounting rules.

Utilitarianism: Here the decision-maker evaluates harms and benefits of alternative decisions using a calculus/weighting approach. Under act utilitarianism, the decision would be to select the act where the benefits to the stakeholders exceed the harms (i.e., net benefits are greater than any other act I might take). The problem here is a decision-maker might weigh the alternative to manipulate the statements as having greater value than conforming to the rules. An alternative is to apply rule-utilitarianism where regardless of utilitarian benefits certain rules should never be violated, such as always follow proper accounting rules regardless of the consequences on others.

Rights and Obligations: In this method the decision-maker uses ethical judgment to evaluate the rights of others (i.e., the investors and creditors). These stakeholders have a right to expect accurate and reliable financial statements. Correspondingly, I, as a decision-maker, have an obligation to respect those rights when I select an alternative course of action. Rights Theory follows a universality approach in that I would ask, before deciding, whether I would want others in my position to make the same decision for the same reason if they were faced with a similar dilemma. If so, my action has universal appeal and should be taken.

Values-based decision making can be a complimentary thought process because the ethical values to be emphasized in the workplace mirror the rights and obligations approach. Decision makers should act in accordance with certain virtues of behavior, or character traits, such as truthfulness, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, responsibility, objectivity, and integrity. If I am a principled person, then my actions reflect these virtues and those who rely on my decisions expect to be treated in accordance with these ethical values.

Ethical decision-making in the workplace is fraught with danger because stakeholders of an organization may have competing demands. Investors and creditors expect to receive truthful information while top management may believe their own personal wealth and image is tied into putting the best face on the financial statements. It takes courage and perseverance for decision-makers to avoid the obstacles that may be in play and follow their conscience. Let your conscience be your guide is as true today as years ago. Of course, we are talking about people who have the propensity to be ethical; otherwise, their conscience may not bother them if unethical actions are taken.

Finally, managers should avoid the proverbial ethical slippery slope where once a decision is made that violates ethical tenets the decision maker starts to descend the slippery slope and it is difficult to reverse course and reclaim the high road. Unethical decisions can lead to cover-up and more unethical decisions down the road. Remember, ethics is about what you do when no one is looking. In other words, you are what you do and ethical people are motivated to do the right thing, not make a decision based on selfishness egoism.

Blog posted by Steven Mintz, aka Ethics Sage, on May 28, 2014 Professor Mintz teaches at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and also blogs at: http://www.ethicssage.com.

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Marscoin

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Marscoin Expo 2022

I have a dream. I have a dream that one day millions of people will live on Mars. What about you? Marscoin is intriguing and worth paying attention to. Everyone is going to Mars: NASA, European Space Agency, the United Arab Emirates, and more! Elon Musks SpaceX is intent on landing " on Mars by 2026"! This future is within reach, and we are here to talk about the future currency of Mars! On July 30th, at the Marscoin Expo, we will brief you about the future currency of Mars! The future decentralized governance systems of Mars. The future of technology for space faring mankind.

On July 30th, at the Marscoin Expo, we will brief you about the concept of Marscoin. We will also introduce our world-wide operating decentralized group of enthusiasts, scientists and developers - our purpose, our beliefs, where we are heading, and what we have done. We are excited to share our view on near and far-future potential regarding Marscoin and its roadmap. We want to unite everyone, connect, and form a community. Lets get you into these professional networks to gain industry-level knowledge. You are part of whats happening! Weve organized influential & certified specialists and insiders to describe why this project matters - and what needs to happen next. Join us for our online, one-day conference. Its free! Heres the link to our second annual expo:

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Luxury Yacht Charters & Sailing Vacations | The Moorings

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Cruise the calm waters of the Caribbean, where the British Virgin Islands grant easy, line-of-sight navigation and trade winds keep your course steady. Follow the sun to St. Lucia and drop anchor to take in the warm glow of the sunset. Find out how Grenada lives up to its nickname The Spice Island of the Caribbean. Spend your days shopping on the beautiful streets of St. Thomas.Immerse yourself in the unspoiled paradise of Puerto Ricos Spanish Virgin Islands. Or, rekindle your love for open water adventure in Antigua's first-rate sailing wonderland.

Discover the blissful white sands of the world-class Caribbean islands from the deck of your private state-of-the-art yacht. Look out over the jade-colored sea and breath in the rejuvenating air fringed with the sweet aroma distinct to these outlying islands. Each charter day waits with new surprises of hidden-away eateries, sunken caves, and rich history.

Sailors with all levels of expertise will find accommodating waterways that make for some of the most enjoyable sailing experiences. Cruise through protected anchorages and into full-service marinas where your voyage is king. The ever-enchanting Caribbean opens a world of possibilities, both onshore and off, with hidden coves, warm island culture, beachside dining, and unrivaled snorkeling & diving conditions.

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The best islands in the Caribbean – Cond Nast Traveller

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  1. The best islands in the Caribbean  Cond Nast Traveller
  2. Caribbean Islands Travel Guide: Which of the 26 Islands to Choose for Your Vacation?  Sounds and Colours
  3. Secret Places to Relax in the Caribbean  TravelPulse
  4. Book These 10 Puerto Rico All Inclusive Resorts For A Unique Exotic Caribbean Getaway  TheTravel
  5. View Full Coverage on Google News

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The best islands in the Caribbean - Cond Nast Traveller

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EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX closing South Texas public beach for entire workweek …

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[EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated with a response from Cameron County.]

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) SpaceX on Monday changed its plans again and announced that Boca Chica Beach could be closed for most of this work week for tests, according to a new memo obtained by Border Report.

Border Report on Monday morning had obtained a memo sent Sunday sent to Agency Partners and labeled FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY that said Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) will conduct testing 9/12/2022 through 9/16/22 and Hwy. 4 and Boca Chica Beach will be closed.

But a couple hours after Border Report made inquiries to Cameron County and SpaceX asking why such lengthy beach closures were needed, SpaceX issued another memo on Monday afternoon that said Space Exploration Technologies, Corp. (SpaceX) has revoked closure dateson 9/13 through 9/16 and Hwy 4 and Boca Chica Beach will be open.

Then on Monday afternoon, the company announced that it was closing the beach on Tuesday for tests and could possibly be closed on Wednesday and Thursday if more time is needed to finish the exercises.

The beach was closed on Monday for tests, just four days after a massive grassfire burned dozens of acres during a rocket test Thursday.

The fire raised the ire of environmentalists who say SpaceX is damaging the ecosystem and threatening local wildlife.

Its outrageous! The public is just losing their beach even though they have a right to it, Jim Chapman, an environmentalist with the grassroots group SaveRGV and vice president of the nonprofit Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, told Border Report on Monday.

SpaceX says jump and the county says how high?' Chapman said.

The Sunday memo obtained by Border Report was not posted on Cameron Countys website where closures of Boca Chica Beach are listed.

But Monday afternoon a letter signed by Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevio Jr., approving the closure of Boca Chica Beach for SpaceX non-flight testing activities from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m on Tuesday, and allowing Wednesday and Thursday as alternate dates to complete its testing activities was posted on the countys website.

After the posting, Juan Gonzalez, chief counsel for Cameron County, sent Border Report an email on Monday afternoon saying the closures requested and approved for September 13th14thand 15thexperienced a miscommunication between SpaceX and Cameron County that has now been corrected.

Border Report has reached out to SpaceX to ask why they needed so many testing days, and to explain the fire that ensued following the Sept. 8 rocket test on the remote area that borders Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.

This story will be updated if a response is received.

On May 29, 2020, Border Report captured on video an explosion at the same SpaceX launch facility as it was conducting tests.

SpaceX wants to launch its Starship/Super Heavy spacecraft from South Texas and is conducting multiple tests with that goal despite pushback from local environmentalists and many residents who are angered every time the 20-mile stretch of rural highway and public beach are closed.

In June, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)on the agencys environmental review of SpaceXs request to launch the largest spacecraft known to Earth from the rural South Texas border beach.

SpaceX tweeted Thursday that the private space company had completed a 6-engine static fire test at Starbase, which is the name the company has given for its commercial spaceport in South Texas.

Several posts on social media asked about a fire that was immediately seen after the test firings but the company did not reply or explain.

The grassfire lasted about five hours after the SpaceX test.

Chapman said the fire occurred on state-owned lands and Texas Parks & Wildlife allowed it to burn itself out rather than step onto sensitive wildlands to extinguish the blaze.

Chapmans group, Save RGV, along with the Sierra Club and the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe, have sued the Texas General Land Office, Land Commissioner George P. Bush and Cameron County challenging the closure of a public state beach in Texas, which they say is a violation of Texas Open Beaches Act.

However, a judge in July ruled the groups have no right to sue these organizations.

Chapmans group is appealing and he said Monday he wishes they could do more, especially with so many recent beach closures.

An activist with SaveRGV told Border Report that SpaceX has caused over 600 hours of closures of Boca Chica Beach so far this year.

Theyre way, way, way over their limit for closures, Chapman said. We should do something.

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Elon Musks New Permanent Home Is a $50,000 BoxTake a … – Observer

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The interior of a Boxabl instant house. Boxabl/Twitter

The worlds second richest man Elon Musk, despite a net worth of $166 billion, famously doesnt want to own any assets so that he can focus on the bigger missions of making Earth greener (Tesla) and moving human beings to Mars (SpaceX). Hes not kidding. The multi-billionaire recently said hed sold all of his mansions in California except for one event house in the Bay Area.

But the man still needs a place to live. Earlier this month, Musk tweeted that his primary residence now is a small rented house in Boca Chica, Texas, near SpaceXs development and test site.

The Houston Chronicle revealed in a Monday report what the inside of Musks humble home looked like: Its literally a boxa mass-produced, 20 feet x 20 feet foldable, prefabricated home made by Boxabl, a startup making modular instant houses.

The Boxabl Casita Musk reportedly lives in is set up like a studio apartment, with one large room partitioned into a living room and bedroom area, a fully equipped kitchen band a bathroom with a tub shower, the Chronicle reported.

Its kinda awesome though, Musk tweeted.

Last November, Boxabl posted a video on YouTube announcing that the company had just built a Casita house for a high-profile and top-secret customer in Boca Chica. The customer was apparently related to SpaceX because the house shown in the video had a poster of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the door.

The identity of that top-secret customer became even clearer after Musk tweeted earlier this month that his current home is a $50,000 house in Boca Chica.

On Sunday, the YouTuber Meet Kevin tweeted that hed asked Boxabl CEO whether Musk currently lives in a Boxabl house. The CEO replied, Cant say.

Boxabls official handle later retweeted Meet Kevins post with a wink-wink reply, No comment.

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