Lex Hixon

Babaji Bob Kindler

Swami Aseshananda

Swami Brahmeshananda

Rabbi Rami Shapiro

Annapurna Sarada

John Dobson

Father Bruno Barnhart

It remains somewhat of a mystery, even after all the advantages of contemporary times have been lavishly bestowed upon present day humanity, that the ills of pervasive suffering still persist on the world scene. Of course, we know from the Buddha’s declaration of His Four Noble Truths, that suffering here on Earth will never go away entirely. Still, unnecessary suffering, a type of misery that has viable solutions, also remains constant — despite the fact that humanity has had plenty of time to apply these readily available stopgaps. When looking at this perplexing situation, the conscious observer cannot but notice, often painfully so, that narrowness of mind lies at the root of both the problem of suffering itself, and its tardy removal. In view of all this, when one considers ultimate solutions, there is nothing that compares with that of Universality. Universal religious outlook, universal philosophical perspective, universal compassion, universal service of mankind, a more universal mindset — even a more universally-based business and politics — all would be welcome alternatives to the ponderous and ineffective arsenal of methodical weapons that nations and peoples are presently utilizing to try to stem the tide of pervasive human suffering. True, religion nowadays has become an obvious caricature of itself, and philosophy has turned into a job and a career instead of a means for the revelation of truth. Even altruistic service, after the many attempts it has made towards drying up the ocean of human misery, has shown us its limitations and its downside.

Offering a Garland of Universal Religions

Nectar #31

Lyall Wilkes

John Dobson, Architect & Landscape Gardener

Guy Dewsbury

This book brings together for the first time two important features of a computer system that must be embedded in an organisational context. First comes responsibility, in other words, whether the computer system properly supports the organisational responsibilities that people are allocated. Second, the book examines dependability, which means whether the system supports those responsibilities in a trustworthy fashion. Aimed at researchers and doctoral students, the work pays particular attention to looking at what happens when things go wrong.

Responsibility and Dependable Systems

The first book ever to integrate business ethics with financial economics, Finance Ethics shows how ethical behavior fits within the rational, profit-maximizing, finance paradigm. Dobson argues that even in economic terms the finance paradigm has a serious flaw: it views the firm and financial markets in general as contractual nexuses yet it fails to supply any adequate mechanisms for enforcing those contractual relations. Finance Ethics is therefore not just a moral critique of the finance paradigm, arguing that self-interested profit making must be constrained by ethics. Rather, it is a critique from within that paradigm, in which truth becomes a rational mechanism to enforce contracts, and virtuous behavior is shown to make the most business sense.

The Rationality of Virtue

Finance Ethics

Okay, so his credit card is maxed, his boss hates him, his father is a world-class alcoholic and his hairline, like the country, is showing signs of recession. But everything will come right if he sticks to his New Year's resolutions. All he needs to do to get his life back on track is bag himself a great new job, lose 9 kgs, get a girlfriend (blonde, not too much admin) and get 250 Facebook friends without too many freaks. Easy. Or so he tells himself. But in reality the odds are stacked against the Jasonator. He may have the best collection of branded jeans in the paint retail industry - and, let's face it, nothing is more important than that, right? - but turning his life around is going to require a lot more than just a change of trousers (although this, too, may well be on the cards). Will this be the year that Jason finally gets it together and gets one over those who are intent on dragging him down - his boss, the body corporate, estate agents, his sickeningly successful friends . . . or will it be known forever as the year of the gherkin?

John Dobson

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