Theories of Human Values essays

Theories of Human Values essays 1. Erik Erikson is responsible for developing the epigenetic principle. This principle is a stage theory that describes human development and growth from birth to death. Unlike Freud's stage theory, Erikson's epigenetic principle extends into adulthood and describes the theories through which one must pass in order to develop psychosocially. Each of Erikson's stages has an optimal time frame during which it occurs. The stage consists of a challenge, or "crisis" that the individual must resolve in order to develop as a healthy person. The stages are progressed through in sequence, with the initial stage dealing with the development of trust as an infant, and the final stage (in old age) posing the challenge of integrity versus despair. The first stage of the epigenetic principle is the trust/mistrust dichotomy that appears shortly after birth and typically lasts until age one. In this period, the infant is faced with the crisis of developing trust (appropriately), usually trust in the mother. In the second stage, from about two to three-years-old, the toddler goes through a stage of autonomy versus shame. If resolved in a healthy manner, the child will learn autonomy and move into the stage of initiative versus guilt. This stage typically lasts from age three to six. The stage of industry versus inferiority is typical of children from six to twelve years old and is resolved in a healthy manner by learned industriousness. The final stage before adulthood is one of identity versus role diffusion in the teenage years. The "identity crisis" that can develop in youth is symptomatic of an unresolved challenge in this stage. According to Erikson, adults also progress through stages of development that take them from an intimacy/isolation crisis in their 20s, through a generativity/stagnation challenge in middle age to a final crisis The epigen...

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Although the term is sometimes used loosely to refer to any factory farm, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is a designation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency meaning any operation in which animals are fed in confined spaces, but specifically those which store a large number of animals and produce a large amount of water and manure waste as well as contributing pollutants to the surrounding environment. The disambiguation of the term CAFO from AFO can be a bit confusing, but the main focus of the distinction lies in the size and impact of the operation, with CAFO being worse all around - which is why it is often associated with all factory farms, even if they dont meet EPA standards to qualify as a CAFO. The Legal Definition According to the EPA, an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) is an operation in which animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland. CAFOs are AFOs that fall under one of the EPAs definitions of Large, Medium or Small CAFOs, depending on the number of animals involved, how wastewater and manure are managed, and whether the operation is a significant contributor of pollutants. Although nationally accepted as a federal mandate, state governments can choose whether or not to enforce punishments and restrictions the EPA sets on these facilities. However, a repeated lack of compliance  with EPA regulations or repeat excessive pollution from factory farms could result in a federal case against the company in question. The Problem with CAFO Animal rights activists and environmentalists alike argue against the continued use of factory farms, especially those that qualify under the EPA as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. These farms produce an inordinate amount of pollution and animal waste as well as consuming large amounts of crops, manpower, and energy to maintain.   Furthermore, the harsh conditions animals kept in these CAFO are often seen as violating the basic rights U.S. citizens believe animals are entitled to - although the Animal Welfare Act  excludes farms from classification and investigation from their agencies.   Another issue with commercial animal farming is that the population of cattle, chickens, and pigs cannot be maintained at the current rate of global consumption. Either the food used to nourish cows to edible health will disappear or the cattle themselves will be overeaten and eventually go the way of the Wooly Mammoth - extinct.