Utilitarianism (Friday, Jan 23rd, 2015)

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is possibly the most rational moral doctrine that we discussed in class. It is simple and concise, stating that a moral action is an action that will help the most people, regardless of personal sacrifice. Many of our most popular action hero’s work in a Utilitarian way, often giving up their lives for the good of mankind; even if they get resurrected for the sequel, moviemaker’s choices to use utilitarian characters show that it is a widely accepted moral doctrine that appeals to the general public. My story of when I used utilitarian logic to make a choice for the good of the people, started where all good stories start: at a party.   

Young bodies bounced around the tightly packed house as music blared and neighbours cried. That night I had decided I would not be drinking as I worked at the crack of dawn and the entire event my whole body ached with temptation to let loose and booze. My group of friends had planned on sleeping over at the newly wrecked residence while I would drive home, but that plan was quickly shattered as, just when the stereo gave its most ferocious cry, a heavily drunken teenage boy screamed above our heads “COPS!” The music was gone in a flash and sound eroded into silence. We were highly trained in the art of avoiding confrontation with the police, and we hoped that if every being stood exactly still in place, we might just escape unscathed. Unfortunately for one young drunken individual, standing exactly still proved harder than one might expect. As she tumbled to the ground with a crash and high pitched scream, it was clear our cover was fractured. A loud knock on the door announced the arrival of the party crashers, and as the door swung open a scowling police officer stood arms crossed, blocking our escape path.

Our Heads bowed we exited the house, some of us leaving empty bottles inside, others brave enough to make off with half full flasks tucked under puffy jackets. As we poured onto the street we were illuminated red and blue by the cop car stationed just outside the house. Phones were brought out and I could hear the calls of lost teenagers echo throughout the night as they pleaded with angry parents to pick them up. I turned to my friends and noticed that none of them had brought out their own cell phones. I started to inch away but all at once their eyes shot towards me, then to my car, and back to me. I looked back at them grim faced and thought about how even if I had fell asleep at that very spot in the road, I would still only get six sleep hours in before work time. I contemplated my options. At that moment all I wanted was to be home in bed, and leaving my friends to fend for themselves against the wrath of their own parents would no doubt have gotten me to my own destination faster. On the other hand taking my friends in the car would mean saving them, but putting my neck on the line as overloading was criminal, and overloading with drunken teenagers was double criminal. I sighed and looked into their drunken attempt at puppy dog eyes, bloodshot, quivering, and uneven. My head bowed and I said “Get in”.

Tightly packed into my car we slowly made our way to the end of the street to find we met with a dead end. I turned around and realized with dread that we would have to pass directly beside the flashing cop car to escape. I inched my car forwards and told my friends to “Hit the deck.” They squished down, hands palming dirty floor and food wrappers as sweat dripped from my brow. Parallel to the police car I could feel the pressure rise and I peered over into the looming eyes of a second cop. She smiled at me and gave me a wink, and I passed without confrontation. My friends cheered and whooped for me as we made our way from home to home. That night I sacrificed my sleep for the good of my friends, and in the morning I can’t say I was too happy about it.

Will Pankhurst

Siddhartha 2: Kamala

Part 2: Kamala

Question #9

Siddhartha has changed to become more connected with his world by seeing it and understanding it, rather than looking at it spiritually. In this chapter he enters into a new page in his life, when he discovers sexuality, which could be considered the ultimate joining of both spirituality, and physical reality. He dreams of sex, and is confronted with desire thanks to a young woman who attempts to seduce him. Yet, he is only truly infatuated with women when he meets Kamala, who is beautiful and powerful. Kamala has a profound effect on Siddhartha so much so that he bathes, and cuts his hair to impress her. He hopes that she will teach him the art of love. Though Siddhartha may have left empty handed, besides a kiss, Kamala becomes an inspiration and goal for him the rest of his journey. 

Will

Siddhartha 1: The Brahmin's Son

The Brahmin’s Son

Siddhartha is a young boy whom which seems to be perceived as almost perfect by those around him. Physically, he has tanned skin, attractive eyes, and a slender, graceful body. The Brahmin’s daughters are love struck by his very presence. Though undeniably beautiful, Siddhartha’s outer perfection is seen as secondary compared to his mind. He is smart, and hungry for knowledge. He is also very spiritual and pure, as at his young age he seems to be very enlightened, already knowing Atman in his innermost being, indestructible, at one with the universe.  However, for all the joy he brings to others, Siddhartha is not a happy person. He is plagued by fretful dreams, and feels as if his life is not full. He feels he needs more praise, more love, more knowledge. Siddhartha seems to be almost hurt by his own greatness, he possibly feels greater than mortal, and, even if those around him may agree, a thought like that will usually lead to downfall.

Death of Socrates

Death of Socrates

2.A To what extent does the study of Greek history and society justify Athens decision to put Socrates to death?

           

No one played a bigger part in Socrates death than himself.

Socrates was a man said to be the greatest thinker of his time. His life was dedicated to finding truths. Truths about government, truths about the gods, and truths about human nature were some of his key inspirations. He spread ideas about how self-development is more important than material gain, and he believed that the most important aspects of the human being are their own personal philosophical or intellectual virtues. His teachings inspired his students, such as Pluto Aristotle, Xenophon, and Aristophanes, who continually wrote him into their ideas and stories, which can only speak to their acknowledgement of his importance in their education. Yet for all the insight, and all the progress, Socrates was rewarded with the death penalty by the Greek state of Athens in 339 B.C. However, after studying Socrates and learning more about him and his personality, along with his absolute drive to understand truths, it could easily be argued that Socrates knew exactly what he was doing when he forced Athens’s hand in his own murder.

Socrates was called to trial for two main reasons, the most important of which was his corruption of the youth. During this time, Athens had a teetering democracy, having just overcome the rule of Thirty Tyrant’s after losses in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta. The weaknesses of government lead to extra eagerness to stop any revolutionary thinking. Some would call this the oppression of free speech; others would simply play it off as taking extra measure to qualm the threat of treason. Nevertheless, Socrates opposed democracy, mostly due to his belief that drawing lots, a lottery system used to choose political leaders, accomplished nothing but to weaken Athens’s government with the empowerment of unfit governors. Socrates was not quiet with his judgments against democracy, and he even started teaching his students of his misgivings. As an early government, democracy or not, it would be hard to forgive a man using his wide influence to tear down the current structure. Not only this, but a man who’s very job is to teach progressive and forward thinking ideas to young impressionable men who will no doubt go on to be equally influential. Socrates may have been right, but he was never subtle about it, even in sensitive times.

The second charge for which Socrates was called to trial was his failure to acknowledge the gods. In a society that has worshiped, murdered, and been influenced by the gods so entirely, the denial of their existence would be no doubt seen as an attack on the very fabric which united all of Greece. The gods were culture, the gods were life givers, the idea of gods gave Greeks ways of understanding not only their existence, but also the existence of all that happened around them. The seemingly simple statement of non-belief would be a slap in the face to all of Greece who had spent enormous amounts of time and resources creating places of warship, one of which was the Parthenon itself. Socrates did not deny the existence of gods flat-out, instead, he believed in his own gods, ones which spoke directly to him. Socrates was obviously not a subtle man. His idea of his own gods is an extremely bold one. The idea that he himself had the power to believe in his own gods, makes it seem as if he viewed himself as a god creator; a creator of creators. While Socrates may not have ever claimed to be anything but mortal, it is still easy to sympathize with the governments lack empathy towards him after speaking such things.

During his trial, there are records that tell us that Socrates acted irresponsibly. When he cross examines his main accuser, Meletus, he seems more bent on embarrassing his opponent than proving him wrong. Socrates speech, which he speaks to the five hundred jury members whose job it was to vote on his innocence, is titled “The Apology”, but back in Greece “apology” was the word for “defense”. In his defense Socrates does not try to prove that the accusations against him were false, but instead that they are misguided, as everything he had done was just. However, while his speech is said to be of historical excellence, many of the arguments themselves were unjustified or too far reaching. In the end, by a relatively close margin, Socrates is found guilty. In the Athenian courts, when a defendant was found guilty, both sides present an idea for punishment, and the five hundred members decide on which they want carried out. Meletus wants Socrates put to death, and Socrates, in one of his boldest moves ever, suggests his punishment should be a feast. The jury had no choice but to sentence Socrates to death.

“Imagine once more, I said, such a one coming suddenly out of the sun to be replaced in his old situation; would he not be certain to have his eyes full of darkness?

To be sure, he said.

And if there was a contest, … would he not be ridiculous? Men would say of him that he up he went and down he came without his eyes; and that it was better not even to think of ascending; and if anyone tried to loose another and lead him up to the light, let them catch only the offender, and they would be put to death.

No question, he said.”

 This quote is taken from the Allegory of the Cave, written using Socratic Method by Plato, with Socrates as the narrator. This quote works beautifully alongside the death of Socrates. It explains that a person who has been enlightened (seen the sun), will never again be able re-integrate themselves with those still ignorant (seeing only shadows), and they will be put to death as a result. Socrates was put to death because of his beliefs and ideas, which he believed enlightened him to a point that he was obligated to teach and share them. Whether or not Socrates ideas truly were those of ultimate enlightenment, it is impossible to argue that he was a man that died because of his ideas; instead, he was a man that died for them.

Total time spent writing: 3 and a half hour