Rauch also states that though prejudice may be misguided belief, there is no need to choose sides and that is the beauty of intellectual pluralism. Rauch’s essay states that knowledge is what leads to pluralism and more knowledge is not necessarily a good thing. By saying, “We cannot know in advance or for sure which belief is prejudice and which is truth, but to advanced knowledge we don’t need to know”, (393), he supports his idea. But in order to gain intellect on anything, you have to have knowledge. At the end of the day, we survive on basic knowledge.
According to Nagel, there is a paradox in moral responsibility caused by two concept: moral luck and the Control Principle. Moral luck designates blame on someone for actions outside of their control. The Control Principle, on the other hand, is the belief that blame should only be designated on someone for actions within their control. These two ideas are in direct contradiction of one another and it would be foolish to believe both. However, Nagel argues that we cannot plausibly reject either of them.
Staying away from trouble is one problem. Dealing with it is another unfathomable problem. Groups of people conflicting with each other is yet another problem. The list goes on. One only has to upset the fragile balance of society, and, all of a sudden, the whole gang crosses the line between tension and catastrophe.
An ambitious author does not squander their time on those who refuse to at least consider fresh perspectives, for they know it is a waste of effort that could be put to good if applied elsewhere. Narrow-minded perspectives do not create, nor collaborate, nor inspire, they are stagnant and only accomplish in silencing creative thought. “It is the attitude of the open minded thinker, of someone who wishes to be responsible for deciding for herself or himself what to believe”(Gage 96) that gives life to an author’s work. When willing minds collaborate to discuss an idea, regardless of the final outcome, the author’s work becomes meaningful in society. In that moment where one person’s written words become entwined in language and thought, when an idea connects with streams of consciousness, when perspective joins the flow of conversation and consequently travel to the depths of unconsciousness, that is the moment when the author’s labors are made
Fear keeps us to what we have to lose. And without fear we are lost to this world. Lost without anything to live for which doesn't make us quite alive. The only thing to fear is not
Weil says that when you perform an action you should not do it seeking to be crowned hero but because heroism can be performed without desiring to prove to anyone that you have done something good for someone else without them asking. The difference between Weil’s view and the grandmothers actions is that the grandmother is looking for the approval of other’s whereas Weil isn’t interested in any earthly gift or reward. However, Weil receives something much greater and more powerful by acting upon the will of God. He grants us the gift of eternal salvation; a gift given to us by God when we obey him. Never considering God before in her life, the grandmother turns to God in prayer as
These two examples that Fromm details, show how disobedience may not always be a vice, but rather a virtue. Fromm goes on to elaborate on the different types of obedience and when disobeying is morally
Also to go along with that, you must be able to have more than solely will power to defy a habit. Secondly, I believe that John Dewey is saying that we never intend to become an alcoholic or addicted to cigarettes. These habits come from a weakness within us all. We are too self– loved and too stubborn to face facts which leads us to the excuses of somehow and evil power has overcome our certain abilities. Thirdly, he believes that bad habits are created from our feeling of a lack of purpose and the desires that come shortly after in attempt for immediate solutions.
Antonio is a victim to Shylock and is reliant that he will be merciful to him. Portia makes a very persuasive speech about mercy; which appears to give Shylock second thoughts about his bond. She emphasises that Shylock shall have “all justice,” but then catches him out as she knows the law better than he does. Portia refuses to let Shylock back out of the bond, saying “he shall have merely justice and his bond”. She says “merely”, a word means “only” or “simply”, this gives the impression that Shylock will have only the amount of justice she seems fit- no more, no less- or perhaps only justice will be given and no mercy will be shown when she turns the wheel of fortune and Shylock’s bond has turned against him.
Looking forward in our lives, we should not think of the future and the trials that will come which will discourage us and weaken our mental health. We should instead look at the future and the positive opportunities it can bring. By doing this we strengthen our minds through grabbing the reins of our emotions and refusing to be ruled by them. (Emotions are unstable and unpredictable, it is nearly impossible to have a strong and structured life with a foundation that moves like a raging sea.) We can practice going against our own nature by focusing on the blessings we have been given in life, which can be as simple and common as the breath each of us has the ability to partake of.