In total opposition to this belief is determinism, the theory that all behaviour is pre-ordained and we cannot chose our destiny so to speak. This idea can be most clearly seen in psychological approaches such as the biological or the behaviourist. Other approaches such as the cognitive approach present the idea of soft determinism, the suggestion that whilst some behaviour is determined we still have some degree of control and choice over what we do. The most firm believers in free will are humanistic psychologists. The humanistic approach has been praised for its great emphasis on autonomy, the idea that we have control over everything we do.
Hence why, natural laws such as gravity and motion assist in forming the basis for the cause and effect that fills the discussion of hard determinism. However, James Lovelock argued that according to GAIA theory the world changes, adapts and amends itself in order to survive and the human race is of little significance. Humans do not control nature, nature is in control. Philosophical determinism, like all forms of hard determinism, is based on the theory of Universal Causation. This is the belief that everything in the universe including all human actions and choices has a cause.
People who dwell on their deficits may envy and resent others who have more than they do. Some people who are unable to overcome social shortcoming fantasize about obtaining any means, good or bad, to satisfy every need and greed. Prevention of these instances is essential to living in a life filled with satisfaction and peace, away from evil. Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers or skills they are graced with. For the Villain with a smiling cheek says he is strong but he is truly week.
The first view that Nagel decides to discuss is the view that death is bad for us because it deprives us of more life. Most people are in the view that life is good; even though some experiences in life can be bad, and sometimes tragic, the nature of life itself is a very positive state. Nagel also adds that when the experiences of life are put aside, this state is still positive, and not simply "neutral" (2). Nagel goes further to point out some important observations about the value of life. Mere "organic survival" cannot be said to be a component of value (2).
The various forms present two major problems; the problem of justice, and the issue of having to predict the consequences of an action. One variant within utilitarianism is Hedonistic or Classic utilitarianism. Which looks at the view ‘what is good for an individual is what tends to promote happiness or pleasure to the individual’. This holds that the only intrinsic good is pleasure, and that the only intrinsic bad is pain. Everything else is good only insofar as it creates pleasure, and bad only insofar as it creates pain.
This staple of his beliefs is why he doesn't fear death, but in fact looks forward to it. By escaping he is committing an unjust act against the state, and committing unjust acts ruins the soul. With a ruined soul there is no point in living life as the soul is the only important thing, not the body. Therefore the most important thing is not only living life, but living a just life. While Socrates arguments may be sound in his opinion, I'm not sure if I agree with them.
By being independent individuals we don’t have to wait on other peoples support or permission to do certain things. We don’t have to go out of our way to please somebody else because we do as we want. When we are independent our confidence meter starts to rise up, it gives us that extra boost of motivation we desire to achieve new things. I believe that we are the creators of our own life, that we all have the same power to start and finish new goals but only a few have the actual strength and correct mind set to do it. Equality 7-2521 says that “the guiding star is within me” and that it points to just one direction, and that direction is “me”.
Utopia is a place of ideal perfection. Dystopia is when conditions of life are miserable. In most cases, utopia and dystopia are at two ends of the spectrum; one is good, the other is bad. However, I believe that Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, proves otherwise. Somewhere believed to be a utopia is often a dystopia in disguise.
This depression would leave him as useless and dull. Passion can motivate us to do wonderful things, but how we harness that passion is what defines us as
This does not sit well with the Savage, as he came from outside the society and was able to experience both pleasure and pain and appreciate one for the other. Confronting the Controller about the prohibition of high art from the society and the encouragement of sensual experiences and drug use, the Savage states that the whole situation seems “quite horrible.” The Controller counters this with “Of course it does. Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery…Happiness is never grand.” This concept of actual happiness alludes to Mill’s idea of the differentiation of pleasure and happiness. While the society