The Posthuman Condition by Bill McKibben Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Posthuman Condition by Bill McKibben - Essay Example Bill McKibben has implied in his arguments that most of the technologies such as life extension strategies, nano-medicine and choice technology that are proposed or sustained by trans-humanists are actually not humanist approaches. He has claimed that it is morally wrong for human beings to experiment with the basic aspects of life in attempts to achieve objectives that are higher than what is imposed by universally acknowledged human limitations. Human beings have no moral or ethical right to experiment with the gift of life relative to aspects such as susceptibility to aging, maximizing life span and biological limitations pertaining to cognitive and physical abilities. If humans make attempts to improve their conditions through manipulating with the natural process, they would remove the boundaries providing the essential basis relative to experiencing meaningful human choices. Bill McKibben has logically raised issues and explained that human life cannot be perceived as being mea ningful in an environment in which such restrictions could be removed through technology. He goes to the extent of claiming that even the objectives of utilizing germinal choice technologies relative to only therapeutic objectives should be done away with because such practices invariably create temptation whereby unwarranted tampering is done with issues such as the cognitive capacity of human beings. In supporting his contentions, Bill McKibben has provided credible evidence in terms of the examples of the Amish, the Tokugawa in Japan and the Ming in China. He has satisfactorily put forth arguments in holding that societies can benefit a great deal by relinquishing some particular technologies, which was done by the Amish, the Tokugawa in Japan and the Ming in China. The author is focused in claiming that tampering with genetics has threatened to put an end to so many important things that give meaning to life. He is in agreement that the meaning in human life has been declining s ince long, from the early ages. However, in regard to the modern world, the quality of human life and the meaning attached with it started declining more rapidly in the last five centuries. Bill McKibben is a very strong critic of trans-humanism and has argued on the possible socio economic adversities that may occur in societies whereby disparities and gaps amongst the rich and the poor will start increasing rapidly. In appealing to human emotions he has suggested that the human enhancement technologies that are now making many to feel excited; will actually be available on a disproportionate basis to only those that have higher levels of financial resources. This will obviously increase the gaps amongst the rich and the poor, thus leading to a genetic divide. Thinking further, as per logic, it is apparent that such methods will lead to the creation of a two tier society in which there will be divisions in terms of haves and have-nots because under such circumstances there is every likelihood that social reform initiatives will not be taken up in the true spirit and human enhancement technology will be allowed to be implemented in widening the gaps. The basic issues raised by Bill McKibben pertain to whether the laboratory will take the place of nature. Here, Bill McKibben has

Project finance deals usually require some form of Governmental Essay

Project finance deals usually require some form of Governmental support. What Governmental or Legislature actions create better - Essay Example It can be well depicted from the definition provided by Benjamin C. Esty, which states that â€Å"Project finance involves the creation of a legally independent project company financed with equity from one or more sponsoring firms and non-recourse debt for the purpose of investing in a capital asset†3. Project financing include various features which in turn develops the entire process to be complex and multifaceted. Few of the major characteristics involved in project financing relates to the nature of the contract among the project company and the parties who are financially responsible for the completion of the project. Project financing also involves the legal agreement between the financially accountable parties and the project company, focussed on the availability of cash to assist the operational expenditures and fulfil the requirements of debt services in any circumstances. Another major attribute of project financing is that the process includes a legal consent from the involved parties which intends to secure the process of the project financially in case of any defaults arising even after the completion of the project. Thus, the process involves various risks in form of credit and commercial threats4. The basic features identifiable from the above provided description and definitions of project financing imply that it is a legal process and requires strong and effective regulatory interventions in its course to reduce the risks involved. This signifies the role of government to be quite significant in structuring the legislative actions concerned with minimisation of risks involved in project financing. However, in project financing, not only the regulatory frameworks, but other macro-economic factors also play crucial roles which can be controlled by governmental support. Based on this thought, the paper will intend to recognise and critically evaluate the governmental measures that can effectively support project financing in the modern day context. The Complex Structure of Project Finance With a general point of view, it can be stated that project finance intends to create an entity which is based on a special-purpose and aimed at the achievement of a particular goal, unlike any other commercial institution. For instance, an entity created with the aim to develop a power plant or a petrochemical unit or a toll road or even railways and operate it with the sole purpose for serving the state5. Thus, it is quite apparent that the purpose of project finances is predominantly broad which involves multiple facets and disciplines for its achievement. It is in this context that the structure of project finances are divided into two broad disciplines, i.e. the development of the project and finance. Both the disciplines are termed to be quite significant. The progress of the project deals with the functions performed by corporate players entitled to develop the project. Similarly, the finance discipline concentrates on the fu nding of the project representing the relationship between the financial lenders and the project development6. According to the experts, project financing is a complex process which involves mu