Relationship Between Ethics And Business Performance

Although the relationship between ethics and business performance is still the subject of controversy, the Enron case is a demonstration that the lack of ethical behavior is inseparable from the competitive disadvantage. The question is not so much whether the disaster could be avoided if the company had adopted from the beginning, transparency criteria. The main thing to know as citizens, so far reputed and honest, have managed to create an environment to bring their managers to take ethically reprehensible and economically untenable positions. â€Å"Business ethical values vary by company, and are defined largely by the behaviors and values that govern a business environment. In general, business ethical values are a set of guiding principles that encourage individuals in an organization to make decisions based on the company’s stated beliefs and attitudes toward business practices within its industry.† (1) Enron was known for the cultivation of rigorous performance that propagated among its employees. Thus, obtaining results became the main objective and standard of measurement within the company: what mattered above all, were the results; everything else was secondary to this goal. Enron was an energy company, considered a new business model. Enron employed about 21,000 people, and it was one of the world s leading companies in distribution. Its turnover was too big just before the financial scandal that caused his bankruptcy in only 24 days. The form of performanceShow MoreRelatedRelationship Between Ethics And Business Performance1181 Words   |  5 PagesAlthough the relationship between ethics and business performance is still the subject of controversy, the Enron case is a demonstration that the lack of ethical behavior is inseparable from the competitive disadvantage. The question is not so much whether the disaster could be avoided if the company had adopted from the beginning, transparency criteria. The main thing to know as citizens, so far reputed and honest, have managed to create an environment to bring their managers to take ethically reprehensibleRead MoreThe Diversity Of Business Ethics907 Words   |  4 PagesDiversity in Business Ethics Today businesses are faced with challenges, one in particular is diversification. Diversification according to John Jefferson and his associates (2009) is a form of growth, and the marketing strategy of a company, which seeks to increase profitability through greater sales volume obtained from new products and new markets. Interesting Jefferson (2009) also, states, diversification can occur either at the business unit or corporate level. Which bring s me to my point onRead MoreThe Value Of Ethical Conduct And Managing Diversity Essay1482 Words   |  6 Pagesand how they produce results. Organizational ethical conducts are those morally accepted by the employees, the customers, and the public. It could be included in the value statement of a corporation, and is observed at the work place. Conducting business ethically increases customer confidence and revenue profit. Diversity refers to differences in people, such as ethnic background, personality, value system and belief, education, training, and work experience. Managing diversity involves handlingRead MoreBusiness Ethics And Ethical Practices1503 Words   |  7 PagesBusiness ethics and ethical practices have been focuses by many businesses in recent years. Business ethics can help the company to create and develop it workplace culture as well as to increase the productivity of employees. Due to the rapidly change and improvement of technologies, ethical practices within of the workplace have also been changed with the raising of new ethical issues. Many studies and researchers have indicated that it is very importance to identify and understand the impact ofRead MoreMoral Ethics And Values Based Dilemmas871 Words   |  4 PagesMoral ethics and values-based dilemmas are ethical principles that difficult to handle at a workplace when employees have to choose what is wrong and right accordin g to their own ethics. An effective ethics program must complement the values of the organization along with the values in the law. Good ethical behavior for any business is always a fundamental to its success. The main key for business owners and managements is to ensure all employees understand all the ethics. This paper discusses howRead MoreEthics Code Of Professional Ethics980 Words   |  4 PagesProfessional Ethics† and its components, and the influence of management perceptions on firms’ ethical environment (p. 919). Introduction. The authors study business ethics, compliance with ethics code, ethical issues, and ethical behavior of company management. The researchers concern with ethical believes of company employees and executives, and growing number of legal proceedings due to ethical issues. The ethics code help professionals maintaining independence and great performance. The researchRead MoreDichotomy between Stakeholders and Management1425 Words   |  6 PagesIn light of recent global business scandals, corporate governance has become a significant topic. It can be understood as a dichotomy between the shareholders and the management of a company. Navigating this relationship is often problematic as the shareholders provide oversight while management makes daily executive decisions on their behalf. When managed appropriately, this balance between shareholders and management can result in improved efficiency, conflict resolution and a contribution to improvingRead MoreRole Of Corporate E thics On Financial Performance945 Words   |  4 PagesRole of Corporate Value Clusters in Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Performance: A Study of Financial Professionals and Implications for the Financial Meltdown. The key of the abstract is to demonstrate the influence of corporate ethics on financial performance. The financial meltdown negatively influenced top management mindset regarding professional ethics (p. 15). Introduction. The authors study 2008 collapse of financial system to analyze the link between organizational values, social responsibilityRead MoreIs Ethical Ethics Ethical?1182 Words   |  5 PagesThis Ethical? Ethics Ethics is commonly defined as the rules that surround expected behaviors in a given situation or circumstance in accordance with the environment or geographic location. Morals are commonly defined as the habits and principles associated to doing right or wrong behaviors. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations (FSGO) provides the basis for companies when creating a Code of Ethics in order for it to be effective (Hopkins, 2013, pg. 43). The Code of Ethics is created

Definition and Examples of Monologues

A monologue is a  speech or composition  presenting the words or thoughts of a single character. (Compare with dialogue.) Someone who delivers a monologue is called a monologuist or monologist. Leonard Peters describes a monologue as a dialogue between two people. One person speaking, the other listening and reacting, creating a relationship between the two (Demystifying the Monologue, 2006). Etymology From the Greek, speaking alone Examples and Observations It was the first day off in a long time, and all of us were trying to get a little rest and relaxation out by the pool at this big, modern hotel that looked something like a prison. If I had to call it anything I would call it a pleasure prison. It was the kind of place you might come to on a package tour out of Bangkok. Youd come down on a chartered bus — and youd probably not wander off the grounds because of the high barbed-wire fence they have to keep you in and the bandits out. And every so often you would hear shotguns going off as the hotel guards fired at rapid dogs down along the beach on the Gulf of Siam.But if you really wanted to walk on the beach, all you had to learn to do was pick up a piece of seaweed, shake it in the dogs face and everything would be hunky dory.(Spalding Gray, Swimming to Cambodia. Theatre Communications Group, 2005)A monologue is a predominantly verbal presentation given by a single person featuring a collection of ideas, often loosely assemb led around one or more themes. Note that I do not define it as a strictly verbal presentation; many, though certainly not all, successful monologuists also employ nonverbal elements to great effect, such as, their use of facial expressions and hand gestures, along with a variety of props and stage devices.(Jay Sankey, Zen and the Art of the Monologue. Routledge, 2000) Monologues and Dialogues A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. Thats why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.​  (Truman Capote)There is no such thing as conversation. It is an illusion. There are intersecting monologues, that is all. We speak; we spread round us with sounds, with words, an emanation from ourselves. Sometimes they overlap the circles that others are spreading around themselves. They they are affected by those other circles, to be sure, but not because of any real communication that has taken place, merely as a scarf of blue chiffon lying on a womans dressing table will change colour if she casts down on it a scarf of red chiffon.​  (Rebecca West, There Is No Conversation. The Harsh Voice, 1935) Two Versions of Hamlets Famous Monologue (Modernized Spelling) 1603 Version (Bad Quarto) To be, or not to be, aye theres the point, To die, to sleep, is that all? Aye, all. No, to sleep, to dream, aye, marry, there it goes, For in that dream of death, when we awake, And born before an everlasting judge, From whence no passenger ever returned, The undiscovered country, at whose sight The happy smile, and the accursed damned. But for this, the joyful hope of this. Whod bear the scorns and flattery of the world, Scorned by the right rich, the rich cursed of the poor? The widow being oppressed, the orphan wronged, The taste of hunger, or a tyrants reign, And thousand more calamities besides, To grunt and sweat under this weary life, When that he may his full quietus make, With a bare bodkin, who would this endure, But for a hope of something after death? Which puzzles the brain, and doth confound the sense, Which makes us rather bear those evils we have, Than fly to others that we know not of. Aye that--O this conscience makes cowards of us all. 1604-1605 Version (Second Quarto)To be, or not to be, that is the question:Whether tis nobler in the mind to sufferThe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep —No more--and by a sleep to say we endThe heartache and the thousand natural shocksThat flesh is heir to! Tis a consummationDevoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep —To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, theres the rub,For in that sleep of death what dreams may comeWhen we have shuffled off this mortal coil,Must give us pause. Theres the respectThat makes calamity of so long life:For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,The oppressors wrong, the proud mans contumely,The pangs of despised love, the laws delay,The insolence of office, and the spurnsThat patient merit of the unworthy takes,When he himself might his quietus makeWith a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,To grunt and sweat under a weary life,But that the dread of som ething after death,The undiscovered country from whose bournNo traveller returns, puzzles the will,And makes us rather bear those ills we haveThan fly to others that we know not of?br/>Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,And thus the native hue of resolutionIs sicklied over with the pale cast of thought,And enterprises of great pitch and momentWith this regard their currents turn awryAnd lose the name of action.(William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act Three, scene 1) The Lighter Side of Monologues You know, there are some things that are actually harder to do with two people. Like, monologues.(Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock, 2006) Pronunciation: MA-neh-log Also Known As: dramatic soliloquy Alternate Spellings: monolog

The Freedom Of Speech Through The First Amendment Essay

According to the Bill of Rights, we are afforded the freedom of speech through the first amendment. But this awarding of freedom is only allowed if it goes along with what the general population deems â€Å"normal†. During the middle part of the 1900’s many books were banned on political, religious, and moral views. While our society has changed these issues are still prevalent in today’s public views and opinions of author’s work. These books are not â€Å"normal† and that is why they play an unprecedented part in literature today. Books written in this era had a different political, religious, and moral atmosphere than those written in the modern day; but these same issues arise in today’s society. The history of the United States has had extraordinary highs but also has been marred by dark times by movements and figures. A great example of my previous statement is the decade of the 1950’s. The 1950’s was a time of scrutiny. McCarthyism and the Red Scare was at a fever pitch. The Civil Rights Movement had not even been conceived. Also, the people were jumping out of the frying pan into the fire in a sense because of just getting out of World War II and entering the Korean War. The first controversial book I would like to talk about is The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger published in 1951. The Catcher in the Rye is about Holden Caulfield’s life as a 16-year-old recluse in New York City trying to find his way in life and his rebellion against the norm (Salinger).Show MoreRelatedThe Amendment And Freedom Of Speech1545 Words   |  7 Pages The 1st amendment was made to guarantee freedoms in the field of expression assembly, religion, and ones rights to petition. It prohibits congress men from promoting ones religious practices and also supporting ones faith over another. It also forbids the congress men from disturbing and obscuring the freedom of the press to express itself and also the freedom of speech per individual. It also assures the right of each civilian to petition the regime to redress accusations and gather peacefullyRead MoreI Had A Dream Speech By Martin Luther King Jr.1684 Words   |  7 Pagesa dream speech† In the duration of five minutes, he made history and changed society’s view upon those with a darker skin tone. On that day he changed many opinions and views, in the matter of five minutes. He proved that we, the American people have the power to change a nation through our words. Not only can we change the world with our voice, but we can change the world through our actions. Protests and gatherings have impacted the United States civilization as we know it. Our freedom of speechRead MoreThe Importance Of The Bill Of Rights1331 Words   |  6 Pagesbecoming law. Out of the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights, the section regarding freedom of expression within the first amendment and ninth amendment protect a large portion of the freedom enjoyed by the citizens of the United States. These amendments are different in what they protect: the First Amendment regarding free speech provides protection for a single, identified right, whereas the Ninth Amendment is far vaguer and is therefore less powerful. The free speech phrase has protected far moreRead MorePolicy Proposal: Restriction to Freedom of Speech Clause965 Words   |  4 PagesPolicy Proposal Restriction to Freedom of Speech Clause The Restriction to Freedom of Speech Clause would add the following to exceptions that are allowed to speech and expression under the First Amendment (see boldface text). Restrictions on freedom of speech are currently permitted to be imposed on Speech that incites illegal or subversive activity Fighting words Symbolic expression Commercial speech Freedom of expression in public schools Obscenity and pornography Regulation ofRead MoreEssay Communication Law Worksheet827 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the First Amendment. What different types of speech can you identify that may have different protection under the first amendment? Under the First Amendment many types of speech receive the most stringent levels of protection while others receive little to no protection at all. Political or religious speech are two of the biggest and most important areas of speech that receive the most protection and seem to be at the core of the First Amendment rights. These two types of speech receiveRead MoreFreedom Of Speech By The Bill Of Rights Essay1340 Words   |  6 Pagescontroversial topic that many protested for was, freedom of speech. After many years of wanting to be heard, Americans finally achieved the assurance of having a voice. The Bill of Rights was passed on December 15, 1791; commencing with the First Amendment. The First Amendments defends freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition. Stated in the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment declares Congress shall make no law†¦ abridging the freedom of speech.† Thus, meaning that citizens cannot be imposedRead MoreSpeech On Freed om Of Speech1484 Words   |  6 Pages Abby Koopmann Ethics Freedom of Speech Professor Hunt Culver Stockton College Freedom of Speech Americans have many freedoms that people in other countries can only wish they had. Just imagine a life where you could possibly be killed for speaking your mind and stating your opinion, other countries are living lives like that. According to Katy Davis, The United States ratified the first amendment on December 15th 1791 (Davis, n.d). We as a country don’t know where the governmentRead MoreThe First Amendment : The Second Amendment1738 Words   |  7 PagesThe First Amendment The first amendment is one of the most used amendments today. Everyone in the world uses it and sometimes takes advantage of it and most times uses it when needed to. The Bill Of Rights was created on December 15th of 1779 and was created to make some rules in the future because no one had the freedom to do anything. Most were punished if they spoke their opinion, they did not even have the right to choose their own religion. But that all changed when James Madison wrote the BillRead MoreFreedom Of Speech By Martin Luther King Essay1267 Words   |  6 PagesIn December 1791, the first amendment was added to the constitution known as freedom of expression. The first amendment rights are freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to petition, and freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is arguably the most important one in the first amendment. This amendment is the foundation of freedom in the United States. For without the first amendment, voting would not be possible and events like the Civil Rights Movement could not have happened. Martin LutherRead MoreFlag Desecration Synthesis Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pagesthat present today. The freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and most importantly the right to petition our government; all of which fall under the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Our nation’s flag is an everlasting symbol of freedom and hope that stands as a testament to our nation’s power. Most importantly our flag represents the freedom of the individual to express his ideals as they see fit. Therefore when the very essence of Americans freedom is challenged by the

My Opinion On Relationships is Simple free essay sample

My opinion on relationships is simple. Once you found the right person don’t go down with out a fight. This is how you know you found the right one. 1st thing is that person is here to talk to you when you are about to do something stupid or dumb resulting in trouble. 2nd is that the person knows what makes you tick, what makes you sad and mad also makes you worry. 3rd is that person knows what to say and do when you are sad or mad. 4th is that person makes all your worries go away when you kiss them or when you are around them. 5th is that person makes you feel safe no matter the situation. 6th is that person says I love you at the beginning of a phone conversation and at the end of the conversation. 7th is that no matter the problems that go on you try to work things out. We will write a custom essay sample on My Opinion On Relationships is Simple or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 8th you make sure you both get your point across and love is there make sure of that because love grows into a wonderful thing that words can’t describe. So listen to my words when I say love is a grate thing because it can bring pain, happiness but in the end the thing better yet the emotion is so invigorating, that you will want more. That is love and you will experience it someday.

Pride And Prejudice By Austen Essays - Humour, Pride And Prejudice

Pride And Prejudice By Austen Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels written by Jane Austen. This romantic novel, the story of which revolves around relationships and the difficulties of being in love, was not much of a success in Austen's own time. However, it has grown in its importance to literary critics and readerships over the last hundred years. There are many facets to the story that make reading it not only amusing but also highly interesting. The reader can learn much about the upper-class society of this age, and also gets an insight to the author's opinion about this society. Austen presents the high-society of her time from an observational point of view, ironically describing human behavior. She describes what she sees and adds her own comments to it in a very light and easy way. She never seems to be condescending or snubbing in her criticism but applies it in a playful manner. This playfulness, and her witty, ironic comments on society are probably the main reasons that make this novel still so enjoyable for readers today. Some rules and characteristics depicted in the story seem very peculiar and are hard to conceive by people of our generation. Nevertheless, the descriptions of the goings-on in that society are so lively and sparkling with irony that most people cannot help but like the novel. Jane Austen applies irony on different levels in her novel Pride and Prejudice. She uses various means of making her opinion on 18th century society known to the reader through her vivid and ironic descriptions used in the book. To bring this paper into focus, I will discuss two separate means of applying irony, as pertaining to a select few of the book's characters. The novel is introduced by an omniscient narrator, unknown to the reader, who describes and comments on the given situations throughout the novel. The narrator serves to represent and speak for Jane Austen, enabling her to aim her criticism not only through the characters, but also in a more direct fashion. She uses this unspecified person, who is outside of all the novel's action and gives explanations, as a medium of communication to present her own opinion in an allusively open way. This narrator is the first means of making ironic remarks. Through the narrator a certain mood is created that prevails throughout the novel. The very first sentence of the novel shows this with the following sentence, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Pride and Prejudice, p. 3). The irony of this statement is the universal validity with which assumptions are made in that upper-class society. It is assumed that there is nothing else for a man of high rank to want but a wife to complete his possessions. Along with his money, land, riches etc. she acts as nothing more but another piece of property, which was a common attitude in those days. Austen manages to make the attitude towards matrimony upheld by this upper class look rather ridiculous and incredible. Another ironic description is given, for instance, when Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst take care of the sick Jane, who stays at their house. They present themselves as very affectionate and caring friends to Jane. However, that does not stop them from talking very bad about Jane's relations. The real ironic comment is that the narrator lets us readers know that after those two ladies have finished bad mouthing Jane's sister Elizabeth and the rest of her family, they return to Jane "(w)ith a renewal of tenderness" (p. 27). These high-society women are well versed at putting others down and whimsically, and as they think wittily, insulting the characters of those who are of a "lower class" - and Austen comments on it ironically by describing their behavior with irony. Through the narrator, Austen shows us how fickle this society is; being based on class and rank. The narrator exposes the vanities and its stupidity rather drastically. The comment on Aunt Phillips who "would hardly have resented a comparison with the housekeeper's room" (p. 56) of Rosing's with her own living-room is so ironically bitter that it even borders on being mean. These are only a few examples to show how the general ironic mood of the novel is created. The second means of creating irony in the novel is through the particular use of the characters involved. Elizabeth Bennet is the main character of

Free Essays on Ragtime

In the classic E.L. Doctorow novel, Ragtime, we see the juxtaposition of many motifs to represent Doctorow’s view of the early century. By combining history and fiction Doctorow allows himself to write a semi-accurate interpretation of the early 1900’s while also being able to strongly express his own biases and opinions of the era. The biggest and perhaps most important theme Doctorow applies in the novel is social tension, or the battle of the rich versus the poor. Other important themes include rebirth, racial tension, and high randomness of events. It is apparent that Doctorow clearly favors the poor, lower class, in their struggle for economic and social mobility against the few, rich, and upper class citizens. Doctorow’s thoughts are best depicted through the novel’s characters. Tateh, Coalhouse Walker and Sarah are all characters who are portrayed as ‘good’. These characters, while representing a wide range of economic success, all symbolize socially challenged individuals. Throughout the novel, Doctorow always chooses these or similar types of characters to be the protagonists. Doctorow wants the reader to feel for Coalhouse’s situation. He wants the reader to hope that Willie Conklin is harmed and the Model T Ford is repaired. On the other hand, Doctorow tells a different tale for the economic elite, upper echelon of society, represented by J.P. Morgan and Henry Ford. Morgan is presented as a snobbish old man, who always gets his way, and we are supposed to feel no remorse for him when his museum is broken int!o. We, the readers, are inclined to agree with Doctorow’s opinion only because that is the way he planned it. Doctorow did not touch on any negative aspects of Coalhouse Walker’s actions, such as innocent firemen that he killed, and their families, perhaps, because this might sway the reader’s belief as to Coalhouse’s innocence. The concept of rebirth is used liberally by Doctorow. ... Free Essays on Ragtime Free Essays on Ragtime In the classic E.L. Doctorow novel, Ragtime, we see the juxtaposition of many motifs to represent Doctorow’s view of the early century. By combining history and fiction Doctorow allows himself to write a semi-accurate interpretation of the early 1900’s while also being able to strongly express his own biases and opinions of the era. The biggest and perhaps most important theme Doctorow applies in the novel is social tension, or the battle of the rich versus the poor. Other important themes include rebirth, racial tension, and high randomness of events. It is apparent that Doctorow clearly favors the poor, lower class, in their struggle for economic and social mobility against the few, rich, and upper class citizens. Doctorow’s thoughts are best depicted through the novel’s characters. Tateh, Coalhouse Walker and Sarah are all characters who are portrayed as ‘good’. These characters, while representing a wide range of economic success, all symbolize socially challenged individuals. Throughout the novel, Doctorow always chooses these or similar types of characters to be the protagonists. Doctorow wants the reader to feel for Coalhouse’s situation. He wants the reader to hope that Willie Conklin is harmed and the Model T Ford is repaired. On the other hand, Doctorow tells a different tale for the economic elite, upper echelon of society, represented by J.P. Morgan and Henry Ford. Morgan is presented as a snobbish old man, who always gets his way, and we are supposed to feel no remorse for him when his museum is broken int!o. We, the readers, are inclined to agree with Doctorow’s opinion only because that is the way he planned it. Doctorow did not touch on any negative aspects of Coalhouse Walker’s actions, such as innocent firemen that he killed, and their families, perhaps, because this might sway the reader’s belief as to Coalhouse’s innocence. The concept of rebirth is used liberally by Doctorow. ... Free Essays on Ragtime The novel takes place in New Rochelle in the 1900’s. During this time period a lot of changes were going on. Some of the changes were the women’s rights movement, race relations, and family roles. The main thing that caught my attention was the race relations between the whites and blacks. Through the novel they show how violence isn’t the way to settle issues like racism. The main character who showed violence trying to gain rights and equality was Coalhouse Walker. Coalhouse Walker was a black musician who challenged the racial issues in the society of New Rochelle. He was an important symbol in the book. His character provides insight of race relations during the turn of the century. He represents all African Americans who challenged the expectations many whites have of them. His character was formed with great pride like a typical African American had at that time period. They all wanted respect and equal rights. One scene shows how blacks were mistreated. Coalhouse was stopped for no reason and was being forced to pay an amount of money to the fire chief, Will Conklin. Coalhouse refused and went to find someone to help him. When he found a police officer to help, all he responded was with: â€Å" Those boys don’t mean no harm, he finally said. I know them all. Go on back now, They’re probably tired of the sport. Walker may have realized this was probably the maximum support he could expect from a policeman.† During that time period of history a black mans plead didn’t mean much to a police officer. â€Å"With eight people dead by Coalhouse’s hand, horses destroyed and buildings demolished, with suburban town still reverberating in its terror, his arrogance know no bounds.† Through out the novel Coalhouse Walker was looking to be heard by the people. His statements weren’t affecting anyone, so he started committing angry actions and resorted to violence to resolve his feelings toward society...

Indricotherium (Paraceratherium) - Facts and Figures

Indricotherium (Paraceratherium) - Facts and Figures Name: Indricotherium (Greek for Indric beast); pronounced INN-drik-oh-THEE-ree-um; also known as Paraceratherium Habitat: Plains of Asia Historical Epoch: Oligocene (33-23 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 40 feet long and 15-20 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; slender legs; long neck    About Indricotherium (Paraceratherium) Ever since its scattered, oversized remains were discovered in the early 20th century, Indricotherium has occasioned controversy among paleontologists, who have named this giant mammal not once, but three timesIndricotherium, Paraceratherium and Baluchitherium have all been in common usage, with the first two currently battling it out for supremacy. (For the record, Paraceratherium seems to have won the race among paleontologists, but Indricotherium is still preferred by the general publicand may yet wind up being assigned to a separate, but similar, genus.) Whatever you choose to call it, Indricotherium was, hands-down, the largest terrestrial mammal that ever lived, approaching the size of the giant sauropod dinosaurs that preceded it by over a hundred million years. An ancestor of the modern rhinoceros, the 15-to-20-ton Indricotherium had a relatively long neck (though nothing approaching what youd see on a Diplodocus or Brachiosaurus) and surprisingly thin legs with three-toed feet, which years ago used to be portrayed as elephant-like stumps. The fossil evidence is lacking, but this huge herbivore probably possessed a prehensile upper lipnot quite a trunk, but an appendage flexible enough to allow it to grab and tear the tall leaves of trees. To date, fossils of Indricotherium have only been found in the central and eastern parts of Eurasia, but its possible that this gigantic mammal also stomped across the plains of western Europe and (conceivably) other continents as well during the Oligocene epoch. Classified as a hyrocodont mammal, one of its closest relatives was the much smaller (only about 500 pound) Hyracodon, a distant North American anecstor of the modern rhinoceros.