Kant s Views On Freedom Essay - 1302 Words

In the following paper, I will outline how my understanding of freedom has changed since reading Immanuel Kant’s An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment? Firstly, I will state the views that I held on freedom before I read the text, framing them within a political context by labelling myself as a civil libertarian and explaining what that means. Subsequently, I will provide my interpretation of Kant’s views on freedom through the â€Å"positive† and â€Å"negative† senses and how, for Kant, that there ought to be a distinction between the â€Å"public† and â€Å"private† use of reason, as it constitutes a necessary limit on freedom in order to foster enlightenment. Then, I will outline how Kant’s views on freedom have changed my understanding of freedom, stating that they have only strengthened it, though it has taken on a new degree of nuance as I agree that there ought to be such a distinction between the two uses of reason. I will also disagree with Kant by arguing that the citizenry must have the right to dissolve an authoritarian government, as it is necessary to preserve enlightenment. Finally, I will highlight a paradox that presents itself in Kant’s writings, highlighting it through the contemporary example of Edward Snowden’s disruptive usage of his public reason. Prior to reading the text, my views on freedom were framed around my experience with regards to paying attention to politics. I have always fancied fashioning my own viewpoints on a slew of topics, and freedom isShow MoreRelatedKant And Mill s Views On Freedom And Civil Rights1032 Words   |  5 PagesKant and Mill would disagree in their views of freedom, and civil rights. The former would consider defending liberty and civil rights as a duty one could not break. The latter, on the other hand, would consider liberty and civil rights as valuable inasmuch as they promoted the achievement of some greater good. Thus while Kant would take it as a categorical imperative that one promote freedom and civil rights, in as much as one would want their own freedoms and civil rights to be respected (toRead MoreThe Ideal Ruler Of Kant s Ruler1070 Words   |  5 Pagesquestion in his work The Prince(Machiavelli 8). Centuries later a different view of an ideal ruler was proposed by an Enlighte nment writer, Immanuel Kant. Although Niccolà ² Machiavelli and Immanuel Kant lived 250 years apart, both views have advantages and disadvantages in leading a country, Kant s ruler is a early model of a democratic ruler while Machiavelli s ruler was an ideal model for a absolute monarch. Immanuel Kant s view of an ideal leader is more beneficial to the European society during theRead MoreKant And David Hume Views On The Matter1457 Words   |  6 Pagesreason and feel some sort of emotion. Objectively speaking, there is a no fine line between reasoning and how one feels, however there seems to be a distinct difference between the philosophers Immanuel Kant and David Hume views on the matter. Both are life changing philosophers with very opposing views. One sees the feelings in human nature while the other seems to see nothing but rationality. One can argue both are used but according to these two there is only one or the other dominating the brainRead MoreBroadcasting Corporation s Decision On Broadcast Jerry Springer1685 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction - What I intend to write about In this report, I will be assessing the British Broadcasting Corporation s decision to broadcast Jerry Springer: The Opera back on 8th January 2005. In order to judge the decision, I will be looking at the reasons why the BBC made the decision to air it in 2005. I will be comparing the number of people who complained to the BBC to the total amount of people who watched the broadcast using viewing figures and charts. In addition, I will also look at theRead More Freedom Essay942 Words   |  4 Pagesquot;normalquot; or what everyone is programmed to do. Kant says quot;Can you also will that your maxim should become a universal law.quot;1 In part I agree to the theory of universal law where quot;rationalquot; is judged by universality or what everyone should do. In fact we know that primitive societies were not built on rationality. I believe that we are intrinsically rational and irrational. In my opinion , taking the daouist view, having the ability to be rational and irrational, a hybridRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Kantian Ethics and critiques In Elements of Pure Practical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses his most famous ethical theory, the â€Å"Categorical Imperative.† The â€Å"Categorical Imperative† is a proposed universal law in stating all humans are forbidden from certain actions regardless of consequences. Although this is the general definition of this ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative† exists in two above formulations, A strictRead MoreKant And Sir William David Ross Essay1011 Words   |  5 PagesImmanuel Kant and Sir William David Ross agreed and disagreed about different aspects of ethical practice. Both philosophers had influential views on ethics with strong opinions and interpretations of what moral philosophy is. Part of C.S. Lewis’ Book touches on the notions raised by the philosophers. Positions of Kant and Ross Immanuel Kant was a Rule Nonconsequentialist Theorist who established Duty Ethics. His theory stemmed from the idea of moral absolutism, a theory which believes moral truthsRead MoreKant s View Of Enlightenment1234 Words   |  5 PagesEnlightenment†, he discusses his view of enlightenment and how â€Å"reason† can be brought to the public masses. During the late 17th century, many individuals found it very difficult to break away from their self-incurred tutelage, and often faced a power struggle between one’s individual thought versus how society deems one to think. As a result, it stemmed the Age of Enlightenment, hence the motto – â€Å"dare to know, dare to be wise†. In Kant’s terms, enlightenment is humanity s escape from â€Å"self-imposed ignoranceRead MoreKant And Kant s View On Life And Most955 Words   |  4 Pagesyou need ,your surviving. If you do what you want, your living†. Philosophers Mill and Kant both share similar ities and differences on their view on life and most of all on the meaning of a â€Å"good life. Mill bases morality on the principle of utility which states , that â€Å" actions or behaviors are right in so far as they promote happiness or pleasure , wrong as they tend to produce unhappiness or pain†. While Kant bases morality on the categorical imperative which is, â€Å"an unconditional moral obligationRead MoreHuman Trafficking Is Today s Version Of Slavery873 Words   |  4 Pagessignificance. Immanuel Kant, a philosopher believes in the idea of impartial human beings, argues that each individual should be treated with respect and dignity. In the book, Justice: What’s The Right Thing To Do?, Kant states, â€Å"This capacity to act autonomously is what gives human life its special dignity. It marks but the difference between persons and things. . . respecting human dignity means treating persons and ends in themselves† (Sandel 110). In other words, Kant believes each individual

Comparison Between The Bacchae and The Medea - 1010 Words

In Euripides’ The Bacchae and in the Medea, there are significant binary oppositions in both plays. Binary opposition is the two opposite terms, such as good versus bad. Binary opposition is used to present both sides of a contrast (Marvin, 1). In The Bacchae and the Medea, Euripides used binary opposition to highlight the central themes. The significant binary oppositions that are used are men versus women, foreigner versus citizen, and god versus man. The contrast between men versus women is an important opposition in both plays. The women in the Greek society have no control of their life; the men are in control (Barlow 159). In The Bacchae Dionysus underminded the Greek society point view on women and empowers†¦show more content†¦The binary opposition of man versus woman starts off strong, but Euripides switches the roles in both plays. In The Bacchae the woman worship Dionysus. Pentheus disguises himself as a woman, and goes off to view the women in the mountain s, which is Dionysus plan the whole time. Pentheus dresses up as a woman and admits to wanting to see the women up at the mountains, and this goes against Pentheus’ anger at the beginning of the play (Bacchae 813-814). In the end of the play the women overpower Pentheus and destroy him to pieces (Bacchae 1125-1140). This is an example of the women being controlling of their own actions and being stronger than the men. In Medea the stereotype of the man and the woman switch. Medea is no longer going to sit around and let every man walk all over her; she states in her speech that she will take revenge on everybody that caused her misery (Medea 364-409). Barlow emphasizes on the reversal of the stereotype, stating that Medea, â€Å"is a woman, moreover, who simply refuses to any longer to accept- at any rate Greek- female stereotypes unless to use them with calculation to gain her own immediate ends† (158). Medea reversing the stereotype is the reversal of man controlling the woman, and this shows that woman as well have the power to control their own life. Euripides also highlights how

Huck finn racism Essay Example For Students

Huck finn racism Essay To Be or not To Be In extreme cases the book, Huckleberry Finn, has been banned from some schools because of the depiction of racial tension towards Jim, the black slave, in Huckleberry Finn. This story takes place at a time where slavery was considered moral. Blacks were considered inferior to whites, but Huckleberry challenges the notion that he was raised upon. Through Huckleberry’s adventures Twain expresses his challenge towards civilization’s rules and moral code. One must read between the lines and reach for the meaning in Mark Twain’s subtle literature dialog. If one were to do this that one would realize that it is not racist, but anti-slavery. For someone to think that Twain considering the era was racist would ludicrous. Considering that Mark Twain is a revolutionary writer and must use detail from an era to make the story unique he shouldn’t be considered racist. Their time period is set around the Civil War which was fought for abolishment of slavery. Huck to some people would be the argument for Twain’s racism, but Huck was raised from a boy by people with extreme hatred towards blacks such like Pap and Miss Watson. Even if bigotry was part of Huck’s attitude towards blacks it should be excused. Towards the end of the novel Huck encounters Aunt Sally who makes a remark towards blacks. She remarked that thank god no one was hurt but it was okay if a black person was. This is just a fine example of the extremities that Huck was raised under and the society’s views towards blacks. Twain is merely revealing the harsh truth of society in a subtle tone. It is also important to remember that Mark Twain’s description of Jim was not being racist but honest. Back in their era majority of black slaves were non-educated, ignorant, never allowed independence, and were maltreated. Twain was merely using the historical accuracy to his advantage in the novel for a heightened impact. Since Huck is the center piece of the novel people could say that Mark Twain expressed himself through the character. They would use the fact Huck was degrading Jim. As I have said Huck was raised that way from a child, but he evolved to different beliefs. In the beginning after Huck and Jim have run away they find each other. Huck’s first step to overcoming prejudice occurs on that island. Huck feels relief that he is no longer alone and needs Jim for comfort. You start to see a bond form which never forms between man and his property. This may not be a gigantic step but it is a step. As the story unfold farther they form a rather special bond of needing each other which shows strong when Jim is auctioned off. He decides to save Jim which is totally unheard of for a white to do for a black. At first he challenges his views of religion whether or not he should write Miss Watson, his owner, and probably still lose Jim for good, or go for Jim himself. Huck decides that he would rather be damned to hell than lose Jim, so he tears up the note a journeys forward. Huck challenged society’s views which damns himself to kissing boot heels or humiliation for helping a slave. Huck evolved from sivilized boy to an unsivilized or non-racist boy. The society’s values and views are an important factor in this novel. They are brought out to show the horrible society which we once embraced. Huck goes through a complete metamorphosis and stops accepting their values. In a very satirizing and subtle manner Twain tell the reader not to be racist, not to advocate racism, but to challenge society’s beliefs which they accepted.

Women In The Labour Force Essays - Sexism, Economy, Labour Economics

Women In The Labour Force December 17, 1992 The past decades their has been a dramatic increase of women participating in the labour force from countries all over the world including Canada. In 1950, one Canadian worker in five was a woman. By 1980 this percentage had doubled, and women are expected to make up more than 44 percent of the labour force by the end of this century. The increase in female participation started occurring during the 1970's. This increase also caused the largest baby boom that the Canadian female labour force had ever witnessed. In North America it is common for women to have part-time or summer jobs, and the participation rate of teenage girls is high. It is also mostly high throughout the world in places as United Kingdom because of the fewer women going to school. But in places like France, Italy, and Japan the female participation rate is very low. In most of the countries the labour force is most participated in the age groups between 20 and 24. The labour force of mature women is very high in Sweden, because of the encouraged day care facilities which also provides the females with legislation that provides them with excellent benefits. In Japan there is a drop in female economic activity, the reason why is it affects their marriage and the care of their only child. An observation of labour force participation rates in Canada show that female rates rose a lot between 1971 and 1981, while the male rate rose unnoticeably. The increase in the female participation rate was found in all age groups except in older women. For women aged 15 to 19 the rate was as almost as high as the men. But the largest increase was in the age group of 25-44 years old, where the rate rose almost 50 percent. This meant that the participation rates of the females had become more alike with the men. Family status also influenced the female participation rate but later on during 1981 it had a more less affect than in 1971. According to statistics just over one quarter of married women with young children were working, but this later changed and grew by 76 percent over the a 10 year period of time. The rate also showed an increase of 47 percent for widowed, divorced, and separated women with children. However single women with young children showed a slight decrease. However the female participation rate is not so much related to family status as today as it was many years ago. During the period of 1971 through 1981 the involvement of married women went through a major change. Fewer women saw marriage as a r eason to interrupt their participation in the job force, and couple tended to postpone having children or not having any at all. While women with young children tended to participate less in the labour market and quit their jobs more frequently than men. Females did the exact opposite of what men did when they had children while working, and in some cases were actually more stable than men without children. This showed that the couples attitude towards having children influenced a decrease in the female labour force participation rate. In 1981 most women spent an average of 1,247 hours a year working, compared with 1,431 hours in 1971 which had dropped about 15 percent. Even men saw their average hours decrease by 13 percent. Not only more women were working, more were working part-tim for only part of the year which meant more women on the unemployment rolls. In the 1960's the unemployment rate for females was 3 percent and ten years later increased to 7 percent. Since june 1982 th e unemployment rate for men was 11-13 percent and the women's just above that rate which could also exceed that of the men near the end of the century. Only about 11 percent of women had part-time jobs because they couldn't find full-time employment or because they wished to spend more time to their education or their families, or for other reasons. Although 24 percent of the women working part-time would have preferred a full-time job if it had been available. According