The Importance of Expression Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Expression Essay â€Å"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind†(Mill). This quote, by John Stuart Mill, is a quote that I originally disagreed with. Before reading the essay, I thought on all of the different examples in which the silencing of a certain opinion can be beneficial to the masses. A particular example that still sticks out to me is the silencing of the Westboro Baptist Church, a prolific hate group known for speaking out against marine funerals and picketing tragedies such as the Sandy Hook Massacre. How could such a volatile group of hate mongers possibly have any right to such opinions? But after reading a few different essays on the subject, and applying the opinions and logic of the authors into my daily life and other real world situations, I came to the conclusion that all ideas and opinions should be openly debated, respected, and tolerated regardless of how society views the subject matter, so as to enlighten and instill progress in mankind. In modern times, I have frequently noticed how quick people are to jump down the throats of those who do not share their similar opinion. A good example of this is the group of people I hang out with, who are all extremely liberal. As soon as I would make any commentary against certain controversial subjects, such as Affirmative Action and abortion, my friends would immediately disagree with everything I say. Instead of using proper etiquette in their arguments, they digress to sarcasm, name calling, and bias. To them, silencing my opinion is more important than enlightening me, and even if their intentions were to do so, the overly aggressive way in which they argue is extremely counterproductive. It was almost as if they viewed me as immoral person simply because I did not agree with them on certain things. Not only is this mentality prevalent in small social groups, but across the world people are being jailed for having beliefs that contradict with the beliefs of the general public, and this is happening not only in countries that deny their citizens freedom of speech. In Sweden, four men were arrested for handing out leaflets that called homosexuality â€Å"deviant† and â€Å"morally destructive† (William). In England, a man was arrested for displaying in his window a 9/11 poster proclaiming â€Å"Islam out of Britain,† (William) and in France a man was arrested for writing an article debunking the plausibility of poison gas technology in Nazi concentration camps (William). It seems that, ironically, the more politically correct the world becomes, the more intolerant it is towards unfavorable opinions. The first point I have learned and applied to my life is temperance in arguments. In many cases, opinions are withheld because of the fear of verbal abuse, sarcasm, personal attacks, and extreme bias. Temperance is very important when arguing with another person, as well as a certain level of etiquette. The worst and most demeaning thing a person can do is stigmatize there opponent as an immoral person just because they don’t agree with them. Attacking someone you don’t agree with in this way may not be the same as taking legal action to silence them, but it is still a silencing technique none the less and is just as immoral. When you stifle one opinion in favor of another, no matter how ridiculous of an opinion it is, and no matter how certain you are that you are correct in your views, the supported opinion loses nearly all inherent meaning; it is passed to future generations who accept it simply because there is nothing else to accept. Not only are no arguments made against the doctrine, but no arguments are made in favor of it either. Overtime, people forget the beliefs meaning, its semantics are lost, and it becomes nothing more than a collection of fixed forms. An opinion is like a hypothesis; it is based on some fact, but must be tested repeatedly to see if it can be proven true. An idea that is not argued frequently and passionately loses its meaning, and people become apathetic to its cause. Another reason all opinions should be openly debated is that, although popular opinion on intangible subjects often contain most of the truth, rarely, if ever, do they contain the absolute truth. Sometimes a coalition of two opposing ideas can lead to a compromise that contains a more absolute truth. To accept that an opinion is false simply because everyone tells you so is complete ignorance, the same can be said about silencing an opinion. To silence an opinion is to assume that said opinion is infallibly false. Any person, group, or organization that claims to know such an infallible truth is ignorant indeed, because to proclaim an absolute truth, you must prove that the truth can be applied to every single situation regardless of context. To my knowledge, anything that is claimed to be an absolute truth, that cannot be physically tested, cannot be proven. For example, one may argue that â€Å"racial discrimination is wrong† is an infallible truth. Well I could argue that, in some religions, such as Rastafarianism, only allow people of a certain color, in this case African American, to join their religion. Would this make all Rastafarians who agree with this morally wrong? These is an example in which an unpopular opinion, â€Å"racial discrimination is not morally wrong† can be bogged down by social stigmas perpetrated by the media, but still contain a portion of the truth. Even though, in general, such a statement can be perceived as negative and immoral, its flaws do not outweigh the portion of truth contained within it enough to justify condemnation. A common complaint against my points would be the viewpoint on morality. In my essay I have defended every opinion that would usually be regarded as immoral. It would be wrong to say, though, that I am defending the actual meanings of these opinions, I am certainly not a racist bigot, but I am defending the right of people to have these opinions. So, why should hate groups, such as the Westboro Baptist Church, have the right to preach against so many principles that I hold dear? Through the readings of various essays in my HMXP book, I have learned that it is because of temperance. Without temperance, I am just as bad as the Westboro Baptist Church, when I chastise the arguments of my peers without having an open mind, I am just as bad as the media in today’s society, and when I try to silence others who are trying to voice their opinions, in a way I am just as bad as the governments in Europe who are preventing people from speaking their minds. If I can make an effort to change my ways, and make an effort to become less ignorant and open minded, even towards things that seem ludicrous or inane, not only will I be able to strengthen my beliefs, but I may also exchange old beliefs for new, more credible ones. All in all, if everyone in the world respected one another’s opinions, tolerated each other’s beliefs, and openly debated issues with a certain level of temperance, then the world would advance both morally and intellectually.

Nietzsche, Kundera, and Shit Essay -- Unbearable Lightness of Being Es

Friedrich Nietzsche saw himself surrounded by a world of human constructs. Humanity had become a herd, clinging to these concepts like cattle grazing at a favorite patch of grass. Individual identity struggled to exist. The morality of the mediocre reigned supreme. Nietzsche lived in a dead world. Milan Kundera lives in the world today. His world is dead much like Nietzsche's. Denial is the focal point of society. Society assimilates difference and denies what cannot be assimilated. In his novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kundera relies on the word kitsch to describe the force of denial. "Kitsch is a absolute denial of shit" (Kundera 248). Kitsch is an inescapable part of the human condition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Though Nietzsche was not aware of the word, much of his philosophy is a reaction to the concept of kitsch. He wanted to revitalize passion, raw sensation, in hopes that he and others could transcend kitsch and relate authentically to one another: to be masters. Yet as Nietzsche attacks kitsch he also understands its necessity. He does not seek to destroy kitsch (like Kundera); he merely wishes to place kitsch in a new context, to put it in perspective. Many years separate the worlds of Nietzsche and Kundera, but the fundamental questions of their existential struggle seems to be the same: can one oppose kitsch and succeed, or survive?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before delving into the possibility of opposing kitsch it is necessary to derive a clear working definition of kitsch. This definition relies heavily upon Kundera's vision of kitsch, and, therefore, any argument presented to demonstrate authentic opposition to kitsch pertains solely to the following definition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kitsch claims to speak to some absolu... ...ore his readers is to accept shit as part of his philosophical answer. Works Cited Brown, Norman O. "The Excremental Vision". Life Against Death. Wesleyan University Press, 1959. p.179-201. Rpt in Swift: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ernest Tuveson, Ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Inc., 1964. p. 31-54. Kaufmann, Walter. Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Antichrist. New York: Meridian Books, 1956. Kundera, Milan. The Unbearable Lightness of Being. New York: Harper and Row Inc., 1984. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Beyond Good and Evil. Walter Kaufmann trans. New York: Random House Inc., 1989. ---. Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Rpt. in The Portable Nietzsche. Walter Kaufmann trans. New York: Viking Press, 1956. ---. The Will to Power. Walter Kaufmann trans. and ed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   New York: Random House Inc., 1967.

Social Effects of the American Revolution

The Patriots’ victory of the American Revolution changed the lives of the colonists. The effects of the Revolution were both positive and negative. Women were positively changed because of the American Revolution. They obtained more rights; property rights moved within reach. Women were granted more than they ever had. Women, like Abigail Adams, hoped to have men remember that they had talents and abilities beyond those of a housekeeper. In addition to women, the lives of slaves were affected by the Revolution. Because many slaves had enlisted in the Continental Army, slaves in the north were liberated; however, the south viewed slaves as a necessity to benefit the economy and were not so generous in freeing slaves. Slaves that served with the British left with them at the end of the war. Many slaves left America and journeyed to the British West Indies, Canada and Africa. Although the Revolution positively affected the lives of women and African Americans, there were negative consequences for Native Americans. Because the Proclamation Line was no longer valid, white settlers rushed into Native American territory. The flood of settlers induced conflicts with groups like the Cherokee and the Shawnee. Since many Native Americans had joined sides with the British in the Revolution, America claimed that the Native Americans had lost all their rights. Because of this, Native Americans were considered a â€Å"conquered† nation. The Native Americans didn’t have a representative at the Treaty of Paris and felt that they were not part of the ‘surrender’ agreement. The American Revolution drastically changed the lives of many. It positively affected women and African Americans, but it proved to be detrimental to the Native Americans.

Aldous Huxley Essay

Aldous Huxley captures the effect of the application of scientific methods to procedures in the modern American society to a more substantial degree than ever, recognized by readers of his novel, Brave New World. This portrays a world centered around scientific progress and control. Huxley brings to light the extremity of influence given to Americans by revolutionary science. In an effort to forever improve, society has conformed to many ways of fixing imperfections. From surgeries and medications for honest sicklings to injections for greedy, pretentious abusers, people as a whole have transformed from the good ole days to the fast-paced, materialistic world. While discoveries in science are often for the benefit of society, is it possible that these newfound treasures are actually a preface for rot and ruin? Since most little girls could remember, the only way it seemed plausible to become successful was by living in the body of Cinderella or Barbie or Miss America. As they began to mature, nothing changed. The image remained as a beautiful bag of bones when media and celebrities were constantly thrown in their face. In the past, if they didn’t have â€Å"the look†, they were left hopeless and self-conscious. Thankfully, some idiot decided they would abuse the power of nature and science by providing these girls with an answer to their prayers. Plastic Surgery! What they didn’t account for was the impact. Now, not only were the glamorous allowed to have the image, everyone was-again, reducing the confidence in the female population and encouraging a new friend, bullying. Moreover, it is affecting the mental health of children in this conceited society. Surveys and recent research show that â€Å" Teens view plastic surgery as a way to fit in and look acceptable to friends and peers† (Plastic Surgery). How is it that society has allowed this damage to take place? The original intentions of these different types of surgeries were honest. Science isn’t the one to be held responsible, rather the insecurities of certain

Free Essays on Poes Masque Of The Red Death

Poe used the setting of â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† to depict an atmosphere characterized by a sense of inevitability of death and one of somber morbidity. He used the castle, clock of ebony, and the masked figure’s chasing of the prince to express the atmosphere in a detailed analysis. The castle provided a place for the story to unfold. It allowed the reader to interpret a sense of entrapment that carried into the plot. As the prince secured the castle, in an attempt to avert the plague of the Red Death, he was also eliminating any means of escape once the disease infiltrated the area. The prince’s solution to averting death was to seclude himself with his royal friends and celebrate with all of the amenities of being wealthy. â€Å"There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine.† However, in his naive attempts to lock himself in, the prince was allowing the deaths of those outside of his realm and locking himself out of the outside world at the same time. Therefore, as Prince Prospero put up the â€Å"gates of iron† and â€Å"welded the bolts,† he became a prisoner of sorts, without refuge. The castle was also depicted as a maze. With the disposition of the apartments being restricted, there was a single way out, through the black room. This disposition was representative of the stages of life. The sharp turns leading to a novel effect were the decisions one must make. Also, each room prohibited a view of the others, with the exception of only the following room. Therefore, one could not see the future, only the next phase of life. Although each room had a large window, one could not see the outside world. Because the view from the windows was of the corridors, again Poe provided a feeling of confinement. Each room, being of a different color, represented the phases of existence, from birth towa... Free Essays on Poe's Masque Of The Red Death Free Essays on Poe's Masque Of The Red Death Poe used the setting of â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† to depict an atmosphere characterized by a sense of inevitability of death and one of somber morbidity. He used the castle, clock of ebony, and the masked figure’s chasing of the prince to express the atmosphere in a detailed analysis. The castle provided a place for the story to unfold. It allowed the reader to interpret a sense of entrapment that carried into the plot. As the prince secured the castle, in an attempt to avert the plague of the Red Death, he was also eliminating any means of escape once the disease infiltrated the area. The prince’s solution to averting death was to seclude himself with his royal friends and celebrate with all of the amenities of being wealthy. â€Å"There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine.† However, in his naive attempts to lock himself in, the prince was allowing the deaths of those outside of his realm and locking himself out of the outside world at the same time. Therefore, as Prince Prospero put up the â€Å"gates of iron† and â€Å"welded the bolts,† he became a prisoner of sorts, without refuge. The castle was also depicted as a maze. With the disposition of the apartments being restricted, there was a single way out, through the black room. This disposition was representative of the stages of life. The sharp turns leading to a novel effect were the decisions one must make. Also, each room prohibited a view of the others, with the exception of only the following room. Therefore, one could not see the future, only the next phase of life. Although each room had a large window, one could not see the outside world. Because the view from the windows was of the corridors, again Poe provided a feeling of confinement. Each room, being of a different color, represented the phases of existence, from birth towa...

The Greek Colony of Miletus

The Greek Colony of Miletus Miletus was one of the great Ionian cities in southwestern Asia Minor. Homer refers to the people of Miletus as Carians. They fought against the Achaeans (Greeks) in the Trojan War. Later traditions have Ionian settlers taking the land from the Carians. Miletus itself sent off settlers to the Black Sea area, as well as the Hellespont. In 499 Miletus led the Ionian revolt that was a contributing factor in the Persian Wars. Miletus was destroyed 5 years later. Then in 479, Miletus joined the Delian League, and in 412 Miletus revolted from Athenian control offering a naval base to the Spartans. Alexander the Great conquered Miletus in 334 B.C.; then in 129, Miletus became part of the Roman province of Asia. In the 3rd Century A.D., Goths attacked Miletus, but the city continued, waging an ongoing fight against the silting of its harbor. Early Inhabitants of Miletus The Minoans abandoned their colony in Miletus by 1400 BC. Mycenaean Miletus was a dependency or ally of Ahhiwaya though its population was mostly Carian. Shortly after 1300 BC, the settlement was destroyed by fire- probably at the instigation of the Hittites who knew the city as Millawanda. The Hittites fortified the city against possible naval attacks by the Greeks. Age of the Settlement at Miletus Miletus was regarded as the oldest of the Ionian settlements, though this claim was disputed by Ephesus. Unlike its near neighbors, Ephesus and Smyrna, Miletus was protected from landward assaults by a mountain range and developed early as a sea power. During the 6th century, Miletus contested (unsuccessfully) with Samos for possession of Priene. In addition to producing philosophers and historians, the city was famous for its purple dye, its furniture, and the quality of its wool. The Milesians made their own terms with Cyrus during his conquest of Ionia, though they joined in the rebellion of 499. The city did not fall to the Persians until 494 at which time the Ionian Revolt was considered to be well and truly over. Rule of Miletus Though Miletus was originally ruled by a king the monarchy was overthrown early on. Around 630 BCE a tyranny evolved from its elected (but oligarchic) chief magistracy the prytaneia. The most famous Milesian tyrant was Thrasybulus who bluffed Alyattes out of attacking his city. After the fall of Thrasybulus there came a period of bloody stasis and it was during this period that Anaximander formulated his theory of opposites. When the Persians finally sacked Miletus in 494 they enslaved most of the population and deported them to the Persian Gulf, but there were enough survivors to play a decisive part in the battle of Mycale in 479 (Cimons liberation of Ionia). The city itself, however, was completely razed. The Port of Miletus Miletus, though one of the most famous ports of antiquity is now marooned in an alluvial delta. By the middle of the 5th century, it had recovered from Xerxes attack and was a contributing member of the Delian League. The 5th-century city was designed by the architect Hippodamas, a native of Miletus, and some of the extant remains date from that period. The present form of the theater dates to 100 A.D., but it had existed in an earlier form. It seats 15,000 and faces what used to be the harbor. Source Sally Goetsch of Didaskalia provided notes for this article. Percy Neville Ure, John Manuel Cook, Susan Mary Sherwin-White, and Charlotte Rouechà © Miletus The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Simon Hornblower and Anthony Spawforth. Oxford University Press (2005).

New Product Development is the Key to Apple's Marketing Success Coursework

New Product Development is the Key to Apple's Marketing Success - Coursework Example The latest product introduced by Apple is the iPhone 4S. Apple announced the launch of iBooks 2 for iPad which would feature iBooks textbooks, iTunes U application for iPhone, iPad and for iPod touch (Apple Inc-a, 2012). Apple aims to bring the best experience for its customers through its product and services. The business strategy of Apple is to leverage the unique abilities of designing and developing the company’s own operating system, software and hardware in order to provide its customers with superior products and innovative designs. The company believes in innovation which is the key strategy for the success of the company; as a result, Apple invests in its research and development in order to introduce new and innovative products. Apart from its R&D, the company also invests in its marketing and advertisement as a part of Apple strategy to stay ahead of its competitors. Apple strategy also includes expansion of its distribution network to reach more clients and provid e the potential customers with high quality of sales and post purchase experience (Apple Inc, 2011, p.1). New Product Development Any changes made to a product are termed as new product development. ... New product development is one of the key strategies of Apple; it is through new product that the company has been able to taste success being one of the leading companies globally. Apple launches new product in the markets to stay ahead of its competitors, to continue the product life cycle, to give the customers what they need, and to enhance the strategy. According to Steve Jobs, new product lines tend to give people the products which are needed by the consumers. The company expresses its vision with the help of its product, exciting the customers and making them proud of owing an Apple product. The life cycle of any product needs to be modified carefully. Apple introduces new product when its earlier products are entering the maturity phase of the PLC giving no or less chance to its competitors to stay ahead. Thus, with continuous innovation, Apple provides a huge competitive edge over its competitors and helps in maintaining its number one position. With its innovation strategy the company has introduced many new products and also planned to launch few more in the coming years or so. Apple has applied a strategy of continuously milking its cash cow and has done a fantastic job. Each of its products, ranging from the Mac, iPhone, and iPod has been fertile, speaking about leverage designs and supply chain. The main motive of milking its product is to stay competitive in the market. Apple product possesses elegant design which integrates software, hardware and its services. One of the closest competitors of Apple is Android which has come up with similar products and is doing quite well in the market. Therefore, Apple should constantly introduce new products with elegant design which is the USP of Apple for its consumers. Apple