...Military and Societal Values 2799 words (8 double-spaced pages) Colonel Malham M. Wakin, in his evening address, asks whether Plato's claim that "knowledge is virtue" is true. Much contemporary experience suggests otherwise. To some extent, such an observation could apply to the military as well. Col Wakin argues that we do have some basic knowledge about human conduct, but that we live in a highly pluralistic society in which some practices reject that basic knowledge. Nonetheless, even though we draw members of the military from that pluralistic society, the uniqueness of the military function will always keep its leading practitioners apart from the mainstream of civilian society. The military profession swears to defend the values, the lifestyle that incorporates the minimal conditions for human dignity. After examining the convergence of the values that are functionally necessary for the military and those that we know are fundamental to social existence, he concludes that a competent military profession can serve as a moral anchor for its parent society. I Many years ago when I learned I was going to have the opportunity to study philosophy at the graduate level, I was tremendously excited. What a wonderful opportunity this would be, I thought, to sit at the feet of Socrates and be enlightened by those who studied the crucial problems of human existence. I expected that senior philosophy professors would be marvelous role models in their personal lives and I looked...
Words: 2823 - Pages: 12
...Written by Jack Greene, Values and Society in Revolutionary America focuses on the original principles and values of the American Republic; how they were rooted into society and their reflections of the social conditions of the period. With the occurrence of the Bicentennial in 1976, Greene takes the chance to look at the viability of these original principles. The fundamental question that Greene concentrates on is whether the principles of 1776 have any relevance at this moment, if social and political conditions have not changed so drastically as to render the political system that had been developed between 1776 and 1789 entirely out of date or in need of revision. During the Revolutionary period, everything seemed to operate and promote political knowledge (55). The principles of civil liberties became the prevailing sentiments of the whole body of American citizens (55). Gordon S. Wood, Pulitzer prize winner for history in 1992 for his book titled The American Revolution1, called the analysis of the Revolutionary principles and characteristics as the “American science of politics.” Founding Fathers had a distrust in human nature. Human beings were imperfect and shaped by passion, prejudice, vanity, and interest which made it difficult to resist...
Words: 985 - Pages: 4
...anti-slavery campaigns. Like Adam Smith, he was very certain that free people are more productive than slaves. Inhumane acts marked the lives of slaves. Masters could whip their Slaves even in public, and they were tied to immobilize them from running away. Thanks, to the antislavery campaigns through evangelism that led to the end of slave trade and slavery. An analysis of the second great awakenings reveals that there is a link between the evangelical spirit and the "reforming Impulse." This link animated the many movements of social reform in the years leading up to the American Civil War. The American evangelicals depicted Americans as the most religious people in the world. It gives an account of the American religious history and how the Protestant churches like the American Methodist Church came along. Several Protestant churches resulted from divisions in the denominations (McLoughlin 4). The American civil war resulted from the ideological differences between camps in America. On one hand was the side that was headed by preachers. This camp conducted...
Words: 1294 - Pages: 6
...American Society Throughout the course of history American society has expanded and evolved economically, politically, and socially. No matter how much time has passed and how society as a whole has changed our initial goal and spirit has not. From the time of Thomas Jefferson to the time of Martin Luther King Jr. we still believe in human rights and equality for all. From the time of Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” to the time of D.H. Lawrence’s “Franklin’s Virtues” the people of the United States still believe in doing what they feel is necessary. No matter how much time passes and how society changes the American dream and the backbone of our society and culture remains very much the same, as seen through our belief in freedom and human rights and our views on what is right and wrong. In the case of Thomas Jefferson’s “The autobiography” and Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream” both men were working towards the same goal, equality and human rights. Despite that the documents are nearly 200 years apart from one another their goal and hope for the future was the same. Both men wanted to better America and bring it out of a time of prejudice and inequality, whether it be separating from England or ending segregation. Jefferson’s autobiography spoke of the declaration of independence and the colonies goal in creating a free and prosperous nation. Martin Luther King speaks about the end of segregation and the hope that “one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons...
Words: 621 - Pages: 3
...Ethical Theories Virtues, ethics, and morals are what define people as good or bad, their actions as right or wrong. American society holds one’s virtues in high regard and often evaluates one based on virtue and moral conduct. Virtue by definition is, “the quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness” (Collins English Dictionary, 2010). Thomas Mallory offered the most ethical character in fiction, Lancelot. It is his virtue that “Is an essential aspect of his success in arms” (McCarthy, 1988, p. 22). Virtue ethics and ethical relativism, studied by learned philosophers, help define the basis of right and wrong. Major Elements According to Aristotle, morality is a specific attribute of a person with regard to his or her own inner harmony. Aristotle explained moral attributes in the terms of one’s lucid ability of the inner self to manage its appetite for portion. He asserted that moral attributes are erudite and should be practiced to become habit (Athanassoulis, 2010, para 2). According to the textbook, “virtue is a state of character, that of being a good person” (Freeman, 2000, p. 88). Moral theories concern right and wrong behaviors; but virtue ethics change the kind of questions asked about ethics. Major elements in the theory of virtue ethics are the subjective behavior, qualities and habits that can lead the individual to make choices. This theory helps the individual to ask about right and wrong and how genuine fulfillment may be reached (Freeman...
Words: 1322 - Pages: 6
...overrun, they took the time to start their important meeting with a prayer, and as John Adams put it in his letter to Abigail, he had never seen a “greater effect upon an audience” (Novak, p. 306, 2008). Novak further notes that The Founders formed a covenant with God, pledging their fidelity to Him, and asking Him to protect their liberty, and solidifying this covenant by asking Americans to set aside a day for prayer and fasting (Novak, pp. 306-307, 2008). The Founders saw religion as guidance to morality. They also believed in God’s providence and saw Him as the author of liberty. Dreisbach notes that today, the “separation of church and state” or the “wall of separation” is frequently used to separate religion from private life and thus encourage a private religion and a strictly secular state, and a philosophy “intolerant of religious influences in the public square” (p. 320, 2008). This notion is altered from that of the Founders. Spalding states that what the separation of church and state does is free religion, allowing religion to provide an independent moral reasoning and authority, cultivate virtues, and freely pursue its celestial mission among the people (p. 313, 2008). With the...
Words: 1844 - Pages: 8
...does not obviate the need for other types of moral consideration.” 1 In order to understand this statement, one needs to understand the meaning . Character is defined as the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation <the character of the American people> 2 (Mirriam Webster.com Aristotle tells us that there are two different kinds of human excellences, excellences of thought and excellences of character. His phrase for excellences of character — êthikai aretai — we usually translate as “moral virtue(s)” or “moral excellence(s).” The Greek êthikos (ethical) is the adjective cognate with êthos (character). When we speak of a moral virtue or an excellence of character, the emphasis is not on mere distinctiveness or individuality, but on the combination of qualities that make an individual the sort of ethically admirable person he is.3 (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-character/) . Moral considerations are sometimes conflictive of one another, because of this we need to regard the causatum of our actions. In other words, this statement says that you cannot have one without the other, you need virtues and vices, ethics of action and ethics of charcter. The chapter touches on different aspects of character, persons and principles, compassion, content and temperate persons, ethical pluralism and practical wisdom. For the purposes of this paper, I am going to focus on the pluralistic approach to character...
Words: 639 - Pages: 3
...situation. Ethics are instilled within individuals and spill over to the workplace. There are various types and theories on ethics such as the virtue theory, the utilitarianism theory, and the deontological theory. There are similarities as well as differences for each theory. The virtue theory focuses on the character of the individual. It highlights the idea of how a person can be “good” and what it takes for a person to be considered “good”. This theory originated with the Greeks as they thought in order to be praiseworthy one had to develop certain habits and characteristics. (Boylan, M.,2009) Virtue Ethics takes the viewpoint that individuals should always strive for excellence. The problem with virtue ethics is that it relies on common opinion, meaning that one individual is able to judge whether or not another is being “good” or achieving excellence, but what makes that person the judge of all judges? When looking at virtue ethics an individual would strive for excellence, however what would make that person great? Virtue ethics would do really well in a society where everyone is expected to achieve the same goals or behave the same way; on the other hand in a society where self-expression and individual choices are respected and praised virtue ethics would have difficulty taking shape. The utilitarianism ethical theory differs from virtue ethics in that it focuses more on a group of individuals vs. the individual alone. For example a team player is one who puts the good of...
Words: 786 - Pages: 4
...For a number of reasons, people do not always stick to the truth when they speak. Some of the reasons are justifiable—for example, humane considerations such as tact and the avoidance of greater harm. Reassuring an ungainly teenager that he or she looks great may be a kind embroidery of the truth. In a more consequential instance, misinforming storm troopers about the whereabouts of a hidden family during the Nazi occupation of Europe was an honorable and courageous deception. Honesty is not a wholly detached moral virtue demanding strict allegiance at all times. Compassion, diplomacy, and life-threatening circumstances sometimes require a departure from the entire unadulterated truth. Some vocations seem to demand occasional deception for success or survival. Politicians, for example, are especially hard-pressed to tell the truth consistently. Perhaps this is because, as George Orwell once observed, the very function of political speech is to hide, soften, or misrepresent difficult truths. Orwell was clearly skeptical about any expectation to the contrary. In “Politics and the English Language,” he put it this way: “Political language—and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists—is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” Although in this case Orwell himself may have been guilty of overstatement for purposes of rhetorical effect, his claim cannot be totally...
Words: 1961 - Pages: 8
...Ethics Essay Franklin G. Hisole ETH / 316 April 20, 2015 Robert Gennette Ethics and Morality Moral and ethics defines the nature of our society and culture today. They are both complimentary in nature but different in some ways. Moral determines person’s character when an individual interacts in social and personal relationship and Ethics are the philosophical study of morality or moral standards. Utilitarian theory, Virtue ethics, and Deontological are some of the examples of major ethical theories that covered in this essay. Collaboration on personal experiences added as well by explaining the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts. Virtue Ethics The virtue theory approach centered on a belief that a person is responsible for their ethical choices and decision. The central feature of virtue ethics is the focus on decision’s outcome, as supposed to following and setting up specific rules for every scenario. One is responsible for making the best possible choice that morally coincides with his or her beliefs whether it’s breaking the law. One example commonly accepted in the community is the “Robin Hood” method. A person will steal food, money or essential things just to support or give it away to people in need. The act clearly violates the law and may seem like an immoral or unethical act to some people, but that individual believes that an act was virtuous since he helps poor people by providing their needs. The...
Words: 760 - Pages: 4
...If we are to live in a society shaped and molded by virtue ethics, then the public has the right to know about what happens within our society, in order to make an informed consent. On the other hand, there are times that reporting information can cause more harm than good. The key concept to virtue ethics is balance; within ourselves personally and the society we live in. This balance cannot be achieved if we are prisoners in Plato’s cave of shadows. We would therefore be blind, basing our reasoning on false reality of the shadows we take as truths, which ultimately lead to flawed character development. We must maintain the ability to reason upon facts, being that what could potentially be kept from us might be detrimental in the development of our character and what we value as acceptable and not acceptable on a personal and social level. Sometimes there is a greater responsibility held by journalists than just informing the public, such as wartime situations where societies best interests and safety are involved. As it relates to media ethics, journalists hold the responsibility to uphold a virtuously high ethic of conduct when reporting information to society. Aristotle’s Golden Mean is a good tool to solve any media ethics problem because it offers one correct answer within the middle range of virtue. The key is determining how much information to share, between all and the bare minimum, but never none at all. This is where personal virtues like integrity, honesty...
Words: 913 - Pages: 4
...(The Gilded Age) Associated professor of American studies at Yale University and author of the book called Barbarian virtues: the United States encounters foreign peoples at home and abroad, 1876-1917, Matthew Frye Jacobson, wrote about how Americans in the last part of the 19th century have actually formulated the values of being barbaric against immigrants and foreigners that are both found inside and outside the country. It is from this book that wide and open reflections can be done as to how America have been influenced enough to its formation of the immigration laws in the ways that they applied racial discriminations and superiority against other races. These attitudes of the 19th century America is considered to be the primary factors that led to the formation of the American laws regarding immigration and its country’s history. In fact, this can be the considered turning point of the American society as to how they have actually regarded themselves more powerful than the rest of the other races. This should hold true in the ways that America allowed immigrants to work in the country and thus leading to the economic boom of the country. This, in turn, allowed the creation of the Centennial Exhibition and political stability through immigrant children. Outside interaction of the Americans would apply the same concepts of the American superiority. In the discussion that follows, we consider the particular relations of the Americans to foreigners and how this has actually...
Words: 2685 - Pages: 11
...Throughout John Ford’s, The Searchers, Ford constantly demonstrates conflict surrounding Ethan with his personal reliance and ideas in comparison to those of society. Ethan is displayed as rugged, brave, but also barbarous as he seeks revenge against the Comanche who killed his family and kidnapped his niece. But though Ethan seems to contrast the typical countryman with his lack of love for society, he truly epitomizes the ideal American in his loyalty to family, bravery, and drive to reach his goals. Ford’s demonstration of Ethan as this image of American identity demonstrates that the realities of American ideals aren’t as perfect as they are made out to be. Though in the end of the film Ethan does in fact save Debbie against his previous...
Words: 673 - Pages: 3
...Ethics of Marketing to Children During the early 1990’s, Americans witnessed a dramatic increase in marketing centered on children. Today, many “latchkey” children are left unattended to watch television on their free time. According to the U.S. Census, one third of American school aged children are left alone at home either before school, after school and at night (2010 Census). These children watch an average of 25,000 to 40,000 commercials a year (Global Issues). Marketing to children should be a concern to advertisers and consumers as these children may not understand the messages in commercials. Children have restricted abilities that make it difficult for them to comprehend the reliability and accuracy of the data they obtain. Knowing this, advertisers should be aware that many children today are imaginative and that companies should not portray their products by using advertising in a way that children would not be able to see the difference between the actual and imaginary features of the products. The most important stakeholders that are affected by this marketing practice are the parents and their kids. Parents of “latchkey” children have more affluence and they are easier to influence than children. Often parents have the desire to satisfy their children’s wants and needs by the purchase of items. Also, parents make purchase decisions that are influenced by their children or their constant begging for a product they want. The buying power of children has increased...
Words: 1184 - Pages: 5
...Some countries restrict the access to cross-border reproductive care based on potential parents’ age or marital status what motivates older and single people to seek surrogate services outside their countries. Many cultures question the suitability of homosexual individuals’ as parents validating heterosexual stereotype regarding parenting and procreation (Akker, et al., 2016). According to the Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2013), in the U.S. some states have strict regulations prohibiting ART clinics to discriminate and refuse services to individuals based on their race, ethnicity, marital status and/or their sexual...
Words: 1156 - Pages: 5
