The True Meaning of Humility and Its Characteristics
The Essence of Humility in a Prideful Society
In a society that prioritizes pride and achievement, humility often goes unnoticed. People frequently discuss who is humble and who is not, but what is the real meaning of having humility? What do people intend to express when they describe someone as humble? Humility can be understood as the quality of a person who remains respectful, modest, and avoids arrogance.
The Etymology of Humility: From Earth to Groundedness
Understanding the word humility begins
Read MoreCharitable Trusts: Law, Purposes, and Fiscal Benefits
How Charitable Trusts Function
Charitable trusts are purpose trusts, meaning property is held for a specific purpose, and there is no human beneficiary.
Requirement: Charitable Purpose
Charities Act 2011: Public Benefit Requirement
The purpose must be ‘charitable’ and, under the Charities Act 2011, must be for the public benefit.
Fiscal Advantages of Charitable Status
- Exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT).
- Exempt from tax on investments.
- Exempt from income tax.
- Gift Aid (allows the charity to reclaim the basic
Philosophical Reflections on Power, Happiness, and Society
Philosophical Reflections on Personal Motivation
Hobbes, Power, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Since I was a kid, my parents didn’t pay much attention to how I was doing things in general; they were more focused on my older brother. While studying in school, I understood that happiness was all I was looking for, and all my actions caused and helped decide my purposes in life. Aristotle discusses the importance of virtue and happiness through daily life, but also conducting yourself in a way that accustoms
Read MoreEssential CPA Ethics, Independence, and Professional Judgment Concepts
Case 1-2: Giles & Regas Independence Conflict
A romantic relationship between a supervising partner and an audit team member on the same engagement jeopardizes the audit and creates a conflict of interest, risking independence in appearance.
Threats and Analysis
- Threats: Familiarity (Primary), plus possible Undue Influence / Self-Interest.
- Analysis Lenses: Virtue (favors avoiding risky relationships at the outset) and Responsibilities/Duties.
Risk-Based Approach Steps
- Identify and evaluate threats.
Rationalism vs. Empiricism: Descartes’ Dualism and Locke’s Theory of Ideas
Descartes: Existence of Material Fact
The existence of God warrants the correspondence between being and knowledge. God is perfect because He is omnipotent.
Three Areas of Reality (Substances)
Descartes established three areas of reality. One area is identified with Extended Substance (Res Extensa), which is characterized by extension and motion. That is, the world is a physical entity that occupies space.
The Mechanistic Worldview
Descartes defines the world as mechanistic (a quantity of matter with
Read MoreAristotle’s Philosophy: Ethics, Causality, and Knowledge
Aristotelian Ethics: The Pursuit of Eudaimonia
Aristotle addresses ethics in works such as the Nicomachean Ethics and the Eudemian Ethics. For him, the ultimate goal of humanity is the search for the best life possible—the happy life (eudaimonia).
He poses the question: What is happiness, and how is it achieved?
- Happiness as a Means: If happiness is merely a means, or dependent on external means, we fall into relativism. Aristotle argues that this view would prevent the establishment of a universal