Whitman, Joyce), Orwell finds its main quality in the way it focuses on an ordinary human being. He states: “... the whole atmosphere is deeply familiar, because you have all the while the feeling that these things are happening to you.” By refusing to take part in any political struggle and by “accepting” the reality, Miller is able to appeal to an “ordinary man”. Orwell however adds: “It will be seen that this is something (…) out of fashion,” and goes on with closer historical analysis in the second part to prove his point. This analysis takes the reader from
The worlds where there are characters that help readers examine the world of Altruism and Egoism. Altruism is the philosophy of finding principles in living for others or for society. Ayn Rand makes a list of different characters that surrounds a man’s ego creating The Fountainhead. Ayn Rand creates the individualistic power in a society and also creates another side that believes in selflessness. The character Peter Keating embodies altruism and only feels he shouldn’t exist for his own sake but the services that he receives from others reason for existing is for fame and approval for others.
School of Thought Socrates’ school of thought is idealistic; for a man to be happy he must truly know himself (Moore, 2012). He also based his writings around the idea of: “how can we ever learn what we do not know?” (Kemerling, 2011). His belief was that we all had inherent knowledge from past lives that can be tapped and brought to the surface. Additionally, he felt that all men did what they thought was right; prior to his death, he is quoted in several different writings as stating “neither to do wrong or to return a wrong is ever right, not even to injure in return for an injury received…, not even under threat of death…, not even for one’s family…” (Nails, 2009). Socrates was not consistent in thought through his life and reached the idea that it
However, while it does seem to be the path of least resistance to let a responsible adult make the choices in Bartleby’s life, one must ask “isn’t one’s life made up of the choices he makes and to take away ones choices is to take away a man’s existence”. When Melville presents to us a character as Bartleby, it brings to the forefront of our minds this question of free will. It allows us to reflect on its importance just as we see it shining off the face of Bartleby. Free will is the most important commodity a person has; it is this trait that makes men leaders and commanders of the world. Whether it be choosing to stand up for liberty and pushing crates full of tea into the ocean or choosing not to, this trait defines us.
Even through the changes that society as a whole has experienced from Emerson’s time to our own, Emerson’s idea continues to hold merit; society continues to disapprove and put down those that are individuals only to protect its-self and hold on to what is known. Emerson writes using persuasive rhetoric to stress his ideas of the dangers of the conformity that faces mankind and the importance of being an individual. "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immoral palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness." Emerson states that a man to become an individual must question every orthodox belief that he faces and must decide what he believes to be true, not what society thinks to be true.
Not that life is bad, but that the physical pleasures and physical reality are less than divine. The best conditions include those that are free from distraction. While the ascetic priest is essentially denying life, he is actually preserving the life that he cherishes so much. The ascetic priest desires power and believes that “this life is an illusion”. Nietzsche says, in his second essay, the primary objection to ascetic ideals is that ascetic priests must deny the value of this life; he portrays it as a link to the next life, rather than appreciating life as an end in itself.
In fact, according to Kant, a person who hates helping others but does so anyways because they see it as their societal duty is a good moral agent. On the other hand, a person who enjoys helping others because it brings them joy would be considered selfish and without any moral content. How can this make sense? Hume would argue that it is the passion to help those that are less fortunate that motivates the individual rather than the actual act. In general, the action is produced by a passion to do something, spurred on by feelings of guilt or perhaps philanthropy.
So, to sum up freedom most pertains/explains in to the person or people itself. Independence, on the other hand, means a freedom with rules and regulations it pertains for the country. It is being free but always entails .great responsibilities. You’ll need to think twice for every action you want to do unlike in freedom you yourself will create your own limitations and just do what you want. Independence means standing by your own without depending onto others, you must be on yourself and should not rely to someone’s decision, support/influence.
From this mastery, Aristotle contends, a man will derive pleasure. This mastery does not only benefit the individual, but will also benefit society, and therefore is morally virtuous. In contrast, Epicurus’ ideals promote the pursuit of pleasure whether knowledge is attained or not. This philosophy is potentially hazardous because the individual’s pursuit of pleasure can result in harm to himself and his surroundings, classifying it as morally unsound. Epicurus fails to define the boundaries of moral virtue, merely stating there could be harmful consequences without specific definition, Epicurus ultimately fails to develop a strong moral program.
Confucius believed that men were not simply born gentlemen because of their family’s position within society or money, but instead men have to earn the status though morality. “[A gentleman] is an ethical quality, achieved by the practice of virtue, and secured through education”. Of gentlemen, Confucius has said: “a gentleman puts loyalty and faithfulness foremost; he does not befriend his moral inferiors”. A gentleman will only “preach what he practices” and he will consider the whole person, not just the parts of a man. Above all else, a gentleman will look to help his fellow man, will do the right thing, and will be gracious to not only his friends but his enemies as well.