Philosophical Theories essays

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Essay on Modern Day Transcendentalist Celebrities

Introduction: Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement rooted in the belief in the inherent goodness of both humanity and nature, emerged in the 19th century. While the transcendentalist movement is historically associated with figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, its principles and ideals continue to resonate in modern times. This critical essay aims to explore the concept of modern-day transcendentalist celebrities, examining the ways in which they embody the principles of transcendentalism and the potential impact they have...
1 Page 475 Words

Key Differences between the Colonial Time Period and the Age of Reason: Compare and Contrast Essay

Introduction: The colonial time period and the Age of Reason were significant eras in the history of the United States, each characterized by distinct social, political, and cultural developments. In this compare and contrast essay, we will delve into the key differences between these two periods, shedding light on their contrasting ideologies, values, and contributions to the shaping of American society. Body: Historical Context: The colonial time period refers to the era from the establishment of the first permanent English...
1 Page 601 Words

How Did Natural Rights Affect the American Revolution: Analytical Essay

Introduction: The American Revolution was a watershed moment in history that transformed the thirteen American colonies from British subjects to an independent nation. At the heart of this revolution were the principles of natural rights, which heavily influenced the colonists' desire for freedom and their resistance against British rule. In this analytical essay, we will explore how the concept of natural rights, rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, played a crucial role in shaping the causes and outcomes of the American Revolution....
1 Page 578 Words

Confucianism in ‘Mulan’: Critical Essay

Introduction: Disney's animated film 'Mulan' is a beloved tale that explores themes of bravery, honor, and self-discovery. Within the narrative, elements of Confucianism, an ancient Chinese philosophy, can be identified. This essay critically examines the portrayal of Confucianism in 'Mulan,' evaluating its representation, potential implications, and the broader cultural context. While the film incorporates certain Confucian ideals, it also presents a nuanced perspective that challenges traditional gender roles and highlights individual agency. Body: Filial Piety and Respect: Confucianism places great...
1 Page 484 Words

Essay on Utilitarianism and Gun Control

Gun control has hit the news heavily in response to the increase in mass shootings. However, there’s a huge divide in how to solve the issue, ranging from taking away the right for people to own guns or decreasing gun laws to allowing everyone to have one. But how do we solve gun control while benefiting the most people? This is where red flags laws come into play. This law will take away guns from those who are at risk...
1 Page 497 Words

Essay on Natural Law and Abortion

Ethics is what we are to do and who we are to become, reflecting systematically and rationally. It involves; principles and norms, right versus wrong, justice, fairness, qualities of characters, and actions that make us successful human beings. Conscience is defined as “the awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one’s conduct, with the urge to prefer right over wrong.” Ethics and our conscience help people consider their feelings, consequences, and actions. When you consider these things, you generally...
2 Pages 1111 Words

Essay on 'The Call of the Wild' Naturalism

Jack's 'Call of the Wild' is an ancient story, a children's story informed from the standpoint of a sled dog. permits readers to sense all the emotions when they talk about the Klondike gold rush in the Yukon in 1890. To create this historical novel, he used the know-how he gathered throughout the year he explored for gold in the harsh, frozen region. London focused on Buck's life. He used to be robbed of his lush domestic in California, bought...
1 Page 669 Words

Essay on Utilitarianism and Industrial Revolution

The ugliness of Industrialism in Hard Times by Charles Dickens In his novel Hard Times Charles Dickens represents capitalist greed, the fragile education system, and the inhuman treatment of factory workers in a realistic perspective which were happening in Victorian in the 19th century. Introduction Charles Dickens is a quite well-known novelist of the Victorian Era credited with many voluminous novels. When we look at his novels one striking quality appears which is that no matter what the subject is...
6 Pages 2539 Words

Essay on Utilitarianism Examples in the Workplace

Utilitarian reasoning is applied in various aspects of human life. A typical human life consists of 5 aspects: the work, health, learning, social, and spiritual levels of existence. It is often used both for moral reasoning and for any kind of rational decision-making. Additionally applied in several contexts, it can even be used for deliberations about the interests of various persons and groups. Speaking of the work aspect of life, utilitarianism within the workplace focuses on ethics, democracy, rights, and...
3 Pages 1169 Words

Essay on Ethical Egoism Vs Utilitarianism

1. Introduction In this essay, I argue that it is rationally preferable for a human being to act altruistically than to not do so if and only if the altruistic behavior does not harm the benefactor in any way. In the following paragraphs, I will present two theories that are considered consequentialist: Ethical Egoism and Utilitarianism, then compare and contrast them to decide which theory presents a more rationally appealing reason for why altruism is morally advantageous. For the sake...
5 Pages 2152 Words

Essay on Weaknesses of Utilitarianism

The problem with utilitarianism is that morality depends entirely on calculations of consequences, but we cannot create a simple formula for complex moral decision-making. Gut feelings have no numerical value, furthermore, we simply can’t evaluate each action based on the effects it will have. One can never be certain that an action is indeed right and produces the greatest happiness, which is a major flaw in this philosophy. A utilitarian could respond to my claim by stating that all people...
2 Pages 955 Words

Essay on Utilitarianism View on Human Trafficking

The problem of trafficking of humans is widespread and it is estimated that annually, approximately 14,500 and 17,500 individuals are victims of trafficking into the United States. This is a hidden population involving factories, restaurant businesses, agriculture, the commercial sex industry, agriculture, domestic workers, some adoption firms and marriage brokers. 80% of individuals who are trafficked individuals are female; therefore, those who provide healthcare for women can best serve this diverse patient population with increased awareness of the problem. Exploiting...
5 Pages 2056 Words

Utilitarianism Argumentative Essay

In the space of morals and values, integrity stands as one of the most commonly revered. It permeates through all aspects of an agent’s life and becomes the foundation for the development of a virtuous character. While integrity retains a level of prestige when reflected upon by an agent, and viewed by constitutive others, at times it's faced by the overwhelming collective. A deluge of moral strife arises out of the need to fulfill the needs of the many by...
4 Pages 1747 Words

Essay on Nationalism and the Spread of Democracy

Sweden’s rise in nationalism throughout the centuries was encouraged by movements that protested for religious, labor, and women’s rights. People power plays a crucial role in Swedish society to raise social awareness and political movements. During the 18th century, Sweden had lost the Great Northern War which forced them to make changes to their constitution and introduce the parliament. In addition, Sweden also suffered from an economic crisis due to the Napoleonic Wars affecting the trade systems. Because of this,...
1 Page 429 Words

Bentham and Mill Utilitarianism Essay

The basic foundation for answering what is considered good would lead to a consequentialist answer that is anything producing a net amount of pleasure or happiness. All people seek happiness so this is the ideal mechanism that determines morality. Utilitarianism is a perspective wherein the fulfillment of the best number of people in the overall population is seen as the best extraordinary. Utilitarianism is universal because everyone wants to seek happiness and is the only thing with intrinsic value. As...
1 Page 396 Words

Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism Essay

Introduction Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill demonstrate two contrasting moral theories. The philosophers have very different ideas about ethics and happiness. Immanuel Kant, author of “Duty and Reason”, believed in the morality of goodwill and duty. According to Kant, happiness is an emotion unable to be controlled while motive is controllable; therefore, duty is the most important aspect of leading a moral life. Conversely, John Stuart Mill, who wrote, “The Greatest Happiness Principle”, is well known as a utilitarian,...
5 Pages 2205 Words

Essay on Hedonism Vs Utilitarianism

The movie 'Gone Baby Gone' revolves around the abduction of four-year-old Amanda McCready. The plot was made more interesting by each character in the story who had their take on each situation given their moral compasses. The complexity of each situation exemplified the grey areas of reality. Moreover, it must be recognized if they fit the criteria for the responsibility of their human acts. Each personality has its motive, act, and consequence. Regarding the responsibility of the person, three circumstances...
4 Pages 1970 Words

Utilitarianism and Euthanasia Essay

Is it acceptable to end a human being’s life who is in a critical state that is suffering through excruciating pain and suffering? In this essay, we will discuss how the philosophical principle of utilitarianism is applied to the complicated issue of euthanasia and the unique moral beliefs that come with different types of euthanasia. I’m also going to discuss passive and active euthanasia from a utilitarian point of view as well as a unitarian perspective on non-voluntary and voluntary...
2 Pages 952 Words

Essay on Utilitarianism Ethics

In business ethics, moral guidelines are used to help people make the right decisions in organizations and utilitarianism ultimately provides the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people and these rules help that to be followed through. Utilitarianism provides the best approach as we know that utilitarianism is a teleological theory and looks at whether the ends justify the means and provide the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. For example, if this...
2 Pages 942 Words

Utilitarianism in 'Crime and Punishment' Essay

In 2001, Portugal became the first country to decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. The result was a decline in the proportion of drug-related offenders in the Portuguese prison population (Murkin, 2014). This led many to question if drug laws — and not the drugs themselves — cause the most damage to society. Proponents of this argue based on utilitarianism and Mill’s (1849) harm principle. On the other hand, arguments for criminalizing the consumption of drugs include legal paternalism and...
3 Pages 1485 Words

Absolutism Vs Democracy: Compare and Contrast Essay

Introduction Absolutism and democracy represent two distinct forms of governance that have shaped the course of history in different eras. Absolutism is characterized by centralized power in the hands of a single ruler, while democracy emphasizes the participation and representation of the people in decision-making. This essay aims to compare and contrast the key features, strengths, and weaknesses of absolutism and democracy, shedding light on their implications for individual rights, governance, and societal progress. Thesis Statement While absolutism concentrates power...
1 Page 499 Words

Why Is Government Necessary Essay

Government, in the broadest sense, is a mechanism through which ordered rule is maintained, its central features being the ability to make collective decisions and the capacity to enforce them. It refers to formal and institutional processes by which rule is exercised at community, national, and international levels. It exists whenever and wherever ordered rules occur. People in every part of the world recognized the concept of government. Most people accept without any question that government is necessary, assuming that...
2 Pages 876 Words

Lack of Privacy and Individualism in '1984': Essay

Personal privacy and individualism among humans are what make unique individuals who all contribute something different to society. Microcosm criticism focuses on the internal society created in the novel and ignores the time and place in which it was written. It focuses heavily on unacknowledged societal structures in our society. Usually, it has an underlying connection to the society at the time the novel is written. The novel ‘1984’ by George Orwell gives interesting examples of what can happen without...
2 Pages 702 Words

Transcendentalism Nonconformity Essay

Transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau brought to light the divinity of nature and humanity as the main point of it all was to the inherent goodness of people and nature. They believed that people work at their best when they are self-reliant because they can express independence and create themselves instead of following the conformity of society. In all, Transcendentalism has become a form of intuition with oneself, it has allowed people to have their sense...
2 Pages 823 Words

Essay on Transcendentalism

I would have to disagree with you, Luke. Though maybe by definition, the word “transcend” means “to go beyond” the idea of transcendentalism wasn’t to go beyond, but to correct and live correctly. As the document that Mr.Ripper provided us with states, “Transcendentalism was a movement for religious renewal, literary innovation, and social transformation.” Some were moving forward innovations, but most of this movement was a kind of refresh, or as said in the text, transformation, and renewal. According to...
1 Page 466 Words

Transcendentalism Essay (5 Paragraphs)

Ever since the 1830s, transcendentalism has been a big hit. Philosophers began to engage themselves more in nature and started working on communal living. One of the biggest transcendentalists of 1850 is Henry David Thoreau. After his trip to Walden Pond, Massachusetts, he started to expand on this idea of transcendentalism, and it became a big hit. He isolated himself for two years, away from society, and started writing books and poems about what he reflected on during his time...
1 Page 667 Words

Argumentative Essay on Transcendentalism

When was the last time you sat down in nature and looked around? For many people, the hustle and bustle of our daily lives means that we do not often find ourselves contemplating the beauty of nature. Even the simplest and ordinary aspects of nature, such as a single blade of grass, can become complex and extraordinary when we view it from different perspectives. In transcendentalist poetry and literature, nature is a key aspect that many authors use to highlight...
2 Pages 966 Words

Essay on Transcendentalism Today

One may go on a hike or a walk while surrounded by nature, while also being in solitude. The Transcendentalism movement began in the 1820s when people began to believe nature can free our minds and allow us to connect with our inner spirits. This idea is still believed today, and used by many as a way to relax or feel at peace. When I spent an hour in nature with no available distractions, I felt clear-minded and found that...
1 Page 466 Words

Essay on Transcendentalism in Poetry

Aims and Objective: The aim and objective of this research is to study self-actualization as a coping mechanism to deal with the post-colonial identity crisis in the poetry of African poets like Ben Okri, and Langston Hughes. With Post-colonialism comes an age of ambiguity, a battle between appropriation and abrogation concerning assimilation into the now-foreign scene. The chaos in the external landscape paves the way for a chaotic internal landscape, which calls for a coping mechanism to deal with it....
5 Pages 2382 Words

Transcendentalism: Reflective Essay

In Dubious Battle, man’s submissiveness to the group contrasts with how Thoreau wants man to be free. In Thoreau’s Walking, walking is a process where you free yourself from society and discover the inner meanings of oneself. Thoreau believes that “horses and steers have to be broken” and that men “have some wild oats still left to sow before they become submissive members of society” (169). In this case, Thoreau does not want one to follow a figure like a...
2 Pages 952 Words

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