Sunday, December 29, 2019

Odysseus The Hero Of The Odyssey - 1912 Words

Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus experiences many ups and downs throughout his journey home. He is throw into peril and there often seems to be no hope for his return home. While he remains victorious in the end, returning to his wife, son, and father, the poem itself is filled with many darker moments filled with doubt and sadness. Odysseus is the hero of the Odyssey, and in order to exist as a hero he must be relatable. His story cannot be one entirely of triumph, it must include a more human perspective. Triumph cannot come without strife, and heroism cannot come without tribulation. Athena and Odysseus’ experiences as divine and human, respectively, and define whether or not they are heroes. By comparing Odysseus to Athena, it is apparent that what makes Odysseus a hero before anything else is his humanity. In Athena’s first appearance she is badgering Zeus about when Odysseus will be allowed to return home, â€Å"My heart breaks for Odysseus, / that seasoned veter an cursed by fate so long- / far from his loved ones still, he suffers torments / off on a wave-washed island rising at the center of the seas,† (1 57-60). After years of torments, she is still begging Zeus to have pity on Odysseus and to bring him home. She has not lost vigor or strength. Her demeanor is not one of desperation, rather it is persistent. She has not lost faith in Zeus or the fates in her ten years of advocacy for this man. She is an immortal, and time does not mean to her what it means to Odysseus.Show MoreRelatedOdysseus As A Hero In Homers The Odyssey1223 Words   |  5 Pages In the epic poem â€Å"The Odyssey† Odyssey, Homer gives Odysseus characteristics of a hero, but breaks the idea of this stereotype by giving Odysseus relatable characteristics making him more relatable. In the first half of the epic poem The Odyssey, readers are introduced to Odysseus, whose heroic characteristics outweigh his few relatable characteristics due to the intense heroic portrayal created by Homer. Homer describes Odysseus as a man who is proficient in everything: a wanderer; plunderingRead MoreOdysseus in The Odyssey: Hero or Not? Essay577 Words   |  3 Pagesread The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. For example, when Odysseus and his men find themselves on Polyphemuss island, Odysseuss actions are self-centered and at the expense of his men. This can be said for most of Odysseuss actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. Odysseus could beRead MoreOdysseus As A Hero In Homers Odyssey778 Words   |  4 Pagesnine of The Odyssey, â€Å"In the One-Eyed Giant ’s Cave,† used the character Odysseus to appear heroic by showcasing the traits readers would find most desirable in a person. Homer showed such characteristics in Odysseus when he wrote him to be brave when confronted with danger, intelligent in problem-solving, and extremely loyal to his homeland. When forced into situations of great danger and in which they are challenged, heroes prevail, emerging stronger than before. Homer wrote Odysseus to be no differentRead MoreOdysseus As A Hero In The Odyssey By Homer1227 Words   |  5 PagesA hero is someone who is admired for their noble qualities. For example Odysseus in the story has the necessary qualities to classify him as a hero. Odysseus shows determination throughout the book, his entire journey back from war is all determination to get home. He exhibits strength and great powers at many different points like, when he is killing the suitors. Odysseus is brave even when times are rough, he mostly can push through anything. These traits can be seen as heroic today because theyRead MoreThe Odyssey: Is Odysseus Really a Hero?872 Words   |  4 PagesOdysseus can be portrayed as an antihero in The Odyssey. A hero is clever, respectful, brave, and shows mercy. Odysseus is the complete opposite of a hero. He is immature, barbaric , unfaithful, and a coward. Being faithful, or loyal, is one of the main aspects of being a hero. Book V shows us that Odysseus might not have been so faithful to Penelope: â€Å"Now as he spoke the sun set, dusk drew on/ and they retired, this pair, to the inner cave/ to revel and rest softly, side by side† (5. 234-236) Read MoreOdysseus As An Epic Hero In The Odyssey By Homer1109 Words   |  5 Pagesthe epic poem The Odyssey by Homer is about Odysseus, an epic hero. He is the king of Ithaca who goes to fight in the Trojan War. After 20 years, Odysseus finally returns home, although through many obstacles. Once in Ithaca, Odysseus kills the suitors who plague his wife, along with all other disloyal subjects. He fits the definition of an epic hero, which is an admirable character who displays courage while working towards a noble cause. More specifically, Odysseus is an epic hero because he makesRead MoreOdysseus As The Epic Hero In Homers Odyssey1019 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus as the Epic Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey A style of work often explored in Greek literature is that of the epic. An expansive poem of a wide scope centered on and regarding the wondrous deeds of the main, heroic figure, on whose actions depend the fate of a nation. The definition of an epic can be used to describe The Odyssey by Homer. In The Odyssey we are introduced to our main character, Odysseus, the former king of Ithaca and a Trojan war hero who has been trapped on an Island by theRead MoreOdysseus, An Unconventional Hero Depicted in The Odyssey Essay1935 Words   |  8 PagesAn Unconventional Hero According to Greek mythology, a hero is one who values glory above life itself and honorably dies in the battle during his prime period of his life. After the gods and demi-god of Greece, heroes probably are the most admirable figures in society. However, Odysseus seems to defy the conventional definition of a hero. He is overwhelmed with tremendous obstacles and difficulty, often beyond that a normal man could endure but he determines to stay aliveRead MoreOdysseus was the Hero in the Epic, The Odyssey, by Homer827 Words   |  4 Pages Odysseus is the hero in the Epic â€Å"The Odyssey† by Homer. He embodies many characteristics of a typical Epic hero, but he still strays from the norm in some ways, which makes him unique. He values Ithaca, his home, so much that he spends years getting back, struggling the whole way, and doing what it takes to protect his home. Throughout the whole story, Odysseus is trying to get home. Odysseus’s purpose is to get his men and himself back to Ithaca. On the way, he and his crew face many challengesRead MoreOdysseus And His Throne : A Hero Of Homer s Odyssey995 Words   |  4 PagesOdysseus and His Throne Known as a hero of Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus was king of Ithaca and a legend amongst men. He was also an important figure in Homer’s Iliad. In Latin, he was known as Ulysses or Ulixes in Roman mythology hence there may originally have been two separate figures, one called something like Odysseus, the other something like Ulixes, who were combined into one complex personality.[1] Son of Laertes and Anticleia, Odysseus was renowned for being cunning and clever

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Same-sex marriage debate. An essay AGAINST same sex...

The world is constantly changing and evolving. It isn t possible to stop this from happening, but it is possible to stand up for what is morally right and for what isn t. And now, we are faced with what many people feel is the inevitable evolution of marriage: legalizing homosexual marriages. Not allowing homosexual marriages to be recognized by the government and to be legal would prevent changing a fundamental institution, would prohibit breaching the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and would prevent unthinkable consequences. Marriage has been around for as long as anyone can remember. And after all this time, it has changed very little in the eyes of the law. Every major religion and culture has embraced marriage as a unique†¦show more content†¦dominion, preeminence) of God strikes down any notion that same-sex marriages can be accepted in Canada. Thirdly, theShow MoreRelatedA Brief Note On Sociological Factors On Clients1666 Words   |  7 PagesARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ~ Australia’s social inclusion policy and its failure to support all minorities, specifically same-sex couples King (cited in Australian Marriage Equality, 2015) stated â€Å"When any society says that I cannot marry a certain person, that society has cut off a segment of my freedom†. This quote from Martin Luther King Jr is as applicable today to legalising same-sex marriage as it was to the civil rights movement and inter-racial marriage over half a century ago. Marriage is a rightRead MoreArgument Analysis on Gay Marriage1483 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis on Gay Marriage There are many controversies surrounding todays world, such as abortion, animal testing, and social reform issues. It seems that no one can come to a common agreement on the legitimacy of these topics. Personal characteristics, such as upbringing, culture, religion and ethnicity, all play a role in determining ones feelings on a given controversial issue. However, one of the most protested and discussed issues in current political debate is same-sex marriage. There is no rightRead MoreChanges Law Of Same Sex Marriage1624 Words   |  7 PagesChanges Law of Same Sex â€Æ' The issue of gay marriage has been with a great deal of civil argument. Many people have taken stands that favour their position on the issue of same sex marriage. The reasons given against same sex marriage are that they are not according to the social norms and practices. They also state that they are not likely to hold. The position held by others that same sex marriage should be allowed states that those who want to practice should not be interfered with. Too manyRead MoreCommon Ground : Same Sex Marriage956 Words   |  4 PagesCommon Ground: Same-Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage, a controversial social issue in the U.S. for several decades, is constantly evolving. When viewed historically, great change has happened in a short period of time, in the movement for same-sex marriage, given that until recently, no society in thousands of years has ever allowed it. Futurist John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends, has studied the change in the public’s perspective on gay marriage. Naisbitt asserts: â€Å"In just my lifetime, weRead MoreThe Issue Of Same Sex Marriage Essay1677 Words   |  7 PagesEqual marriage has always been a contentious issue in society. The legalisation of same sex marriage in New Zealand in August 2013 via the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act has been a source of pride for those in some parts of our society and a source of horror for those in other parts. This issue split the country, and those in power, right down the middle, with some people taking sides that didn’t necessarily align with what would be expected of their political leanings. The issueRead MoreDiscrimination Imposed Upon Minority Groups Throughout History1446 Words   |  6 Pagesbackground for this essay, it is important to acknowledge the various dimensions of discrimination and marginalisation, including the power of the stat e, that operate to invalidate a group or class within society. The prevalence of heteronormativity within the global community has been a dominant and commanding principle, regardless of the increasing pressure to shift the constructs and discourse surrounding the current illegitimacy of homosexual relationships. In response, this essay seeks to discussRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of Gay Marriage1370 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pros and Cons of Gay Marriage LP 3: Argumentative Essay Patty Waters NAU Composition II Sue Cochran, Instructor Sunday, March 24, 2013 Abstract This essay covers the pros and cons concerning gay marriage. You will discover some new laws and amendments that are about to happen in our country, and some things that people are against. There are many issues that will be covered from rights and benefits to getting married legally. You will read reports, stories and articles from lawyersRead MoreShould Gays Be Allowed to Marry1476 Words   |  6 PagesSeptember 3, 2012 Argumentative Essay on Gay Marriage Marriage: a legally recognized relationship, established by civil or religious ceremony, between two people who intend to live together as sexual and domestic partners. Typically this is between a man and a woman, in love, as they come before their families, to pledge to spend the rest of their lives together. As times continue to evolve around the world so has the idea and laws concerning marriage. Marriage is no longer just about a man andRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legalized?1313 Words   |  6 PagesShould gay marriage be legalized? Marriage is considered to be the rite of passage from an religious point of view, it is considered as holy matrimony before the eyes of God. Attraction between individuals of the same sex has been a topic of debate. However, over the past few years gay individuals made a decision to our grievances of oppression despite receiving tremendous critics from the public. Initially, gay marriages were inRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1113 Words   |  5 Pagescontemporary society, there are many arguable interpretations of rights that people should be aware and debate. Any arguable issues always have two or more different sides, so people have to think, and sometimes we have to put ourselves in â€Å"someone else’s shoes†. There are several arguable issues such as human rights in developing or third world countries, racism or animal rights. However, same-sex marriage can be considered as one of t he most arguable issues nowadays. It has been debated all over the world

Friday, December 13, 2019

“What is right and wrong” and “What is Truth” Free Essays

Life is characterized by many situations that require decision making, especially on moral grounds. The issue of what makes an action right and wrong has been studied for a lengthy period of time and several theories developed to address this issue. Socrates and Aristotle are some of the early philosophers who came up with theories about the rightness or wrongness of actions. We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"What is right and wrong?† and â€Å"What is Truth?† or any similar topic only for you Order Now As noted by Warnek (2005), Socrates considered self-knowledge as necessity of life and also, an important ingredient to success. Socrates stated that every individual needs to attain self-knowledge which is acquired by studying every fact necessary for existence. Socrates believed that by possessing knowledge about what is right, individuals are most likely to perform good deeds and that the bad deeds in the society come from those who are ignorant of what is right and wrong. Socrates proposed that, by being aware of the spiritual and mental consequences of wrong actions, no individual would even consider engaging in such actions. According to Socrates, any individual who is aware of a truly right action will automatically choose it over the wrong one. Aristotle on the other hand stated that all humans have physical, emotional and rational natures. Of the three, Aristotle considered the rational nature as not only being the most important of the three but also uniquely human and fundamental to philosophical self-awareness. Aristotle encouraged moderation and regarded extreme actions as being immoral and degrading. For instance, recklessness and cowardice are extreme virtues of courage. Therefore, According to Aristotle, humans should strive to live well by letting their actions be governed by moderate virtues. He further stated that this way of life can be achieved by choosing the right things in life at the right time and place. The ethical theories associated with the modern era include consequentialism and deontology. Consequentialism is made up of moral theories that propose that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by the outcome or the consequences of the act (Darwall, 2003). Thus, from the perspective of a consequentialist, a morally right act is one that results in a positive or good outcome. Consequentialist theories put a lot of weight on outcomes when assessing the rightness or wrongness of actions. Generally, according to consequentialists, consequences always outweigh all other considerations when determining right and wrong. Most of the consequentialist theories generally address issues like consequences considered as good, the main beneficiaries of moral actions, the mode or judging consequences, and who is to judge them. Consequentialism can be categorized according to the consequences that matter most. For example, hedonistic utilitarianists propose that good or the right actions are those that result in increments of pleasure, and the best actions are those that result in the most pleasure. The other category is that of eudaimonic consequentialism, who believe that the right action is one that ultimately aims at making an individual achieve a flourishing and full life (Darwall, 2003). Similarly, the consequence that matters most to aesthetic consequentialists is beauty and there are numerous other consequentialist theories that regard different things to be of uttermost importance. Deontologists differ from consequentialists in that, unlike consequentialists who examine the consequences when seeking to determine the rights and wrongs, deontologists examine the virtue of the act. Thus, according to deontologists, an act can be right even if it results in negative or bad consequences. Immanuel Kant is among the individuals who adopted the deontology when coming up with theories addressing righteousness and wrongness (Brooks Dunn, 2009). Kant argues that individuals must act according to their duties if their actions are to be considered right and also that it is the motives of the individual carrying out the act that are the primary determinants of the rightness or wrongness of their actions. Postmodern ethics however approaches this issue from a different perspective. According to postmodernists, the world is full of rationality and if one is to determine the rightness or wrongness of an action, the individual would first have to study the complex situations surrounding the action. Thus, according to postmodernism, an idea cannot be simply regarded as right or wrong and there are no moral absolutes. For instance, if one were to find oneself in the Second World War, hiding a Jew in his or her house and a Nazi solder knocks on the individual’s door and asks the individual if he or she has any Jews in his or her house, would it be right or wrong to tell the truth knowing that his or her answer will determine if the Jew lives or not? Such an issue presents a complex moral dilemma given that it is wrong to tell a lie about the Jew being in the house but at the ame time, it is still wrong to let an innocent individual be killed when it can be prevented. For a long time now, individuals have utilized dilemmas like the one stated above to argue that there are no moral absolutes. The above situation is an example that one can use to argue that lying is not always wrong and that in such complex dilemmas, the right thing to do is determined by the act that results in a greater good. Most individuals in the world today embrace reality and argue that ethics is relative to individuals, time and the culture of the individuals. It is with such arguments that the world today is presented with numerous disagreements about issues like abortion, the death sentence, pre-marital sex and gay rights, to mention but a few. Most individuals have different views when it comes to interpreting the rightness or wrongness of some controversial issues such as the above mentioned. What is truth? The definition of truth may be simple but its interpretation is complex and just like the question of what is right and wrong, varies from individual to individual. A basic definition of truth is that it is that which is agrees with reality, actuality or simply, a fact (Rappaport, 1999). One way to approach the definition of truth is by considering that all the perspectives of approaching truth are equally valid and that truth is relative to an individual. This perspective that bases truth on realism is however faulty given the contradictions surrounding relativity. For instance, what is true to one person is not always true to another as shown by the contradiction between religious truths. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and the Messiah; a view Muslims do not agree with. This is not to imply that there are no absolute truths. An example of a sentence of absolutely truth is that, ‘something cannot create itself. ’ Logically, the thing would first have to be present if it is to possess the ability to create and if it already exists, then how would it create itself? The above example is truth based on logic but there are truths that cannot be logically explained for instance, stating that an individual truly loves another. It can be very difficult to use the theories of logic to explain the individual’s feelings. From the above examples, it can be concluded that truth is that which obeys the rules of logic and reality, or any of the two. Realism, to a certain degree agrees with logic and truth and therefore presents the best approach towards the determination of truth. To adopt a relative perspective however, individuals must be ready to acknowledge that a statement regarded as being true by one individual may not be acceptable by another. How to cite â€Å"What is right and wrong?† and â€Å"What is Truth?†, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Dark Social Business Concept

Question: Discuss about the Dark Social Business Concept. Answer: Introduction: Recently I had the good fortune of meeting with two of the most disadvantaged groups in Singapore - visually impaired people group, Dialogue in the Dark, and migrant workers group, Migrant Workers Centre. I say "good fortune" as I feel that I was blind and at a disadvantage before I met with them. I was unaware and ignorant about how discriminatory and biased our actions and behaviour are towards such people. The experience opened my eyes, and I wish everyone gets a taste of this situation at least once in life and understand what I am today.Dialogue in the Dark is a social business concept that employs visually impaired people to guide regular people in experiencing daily chores and activities conveyed in the way blind people experience things. On the other hand, Migrant Workers' Centre works with migrant labourers to champion fair employment practices. I had little experience or knowledge about interacting with differently able people. I had heard a lot of stories about such individuals in the confines of a room, never getting to see for myself the impossible feats they perform. I appreciated the opportunity I received of interacting with them, but was sceptical about how it would turn out or how I would fare. Our general perception about blind people is set - they should be pitied; they are dependent, helpless and can't take part in or contribute anything in the society. I thought in the same way. However, five minutes in the meeting with the team of visually impaired guides at Dialogue in the Dark (DID), and my whole outlook changed. I visited the centre for one of their exhibition tour and my life changed, literally. We live in our conscious mind, subduing the subconscious. We interact with our surroundings with the help of one or two sense at the time, while the other senses remain at rest in the background. Our sight is our ke y sense, and withdrawal of that handicaps us. However, a tour with the DID team challenges this perception and showed me that there is more to life than sight. Our daily petty actions and environments received a different dimension altogether on the tour. I understood that without our sight also we can perceive our surroundings and experience the changes that happen. In terms of DID's contributions to the society and the visually impaired community, they do a pretty good job. The blind guides were so optimistic and straight forward about their life and imperfections. The founder Andreas Heinecke had this concept that taking away the light from regular people for a while would make them more aware and appreciative about the amazing things a blind person can experience and be capable of. The exhibitions, workshops and other cultural activities all progress with the idea that a blind person can experience life just like anyone else. They are not different and they have the potential to grow into an accomplished individual. The interactions at the exhibition were real, as if I am a part of my real world only, listening to the honking of cars, chattering of people, chirping of birds, the smell of smoke, baked goods wafting in with the cool autumn breeze, while I'm walking on a pebbles street. I never imagined the interaction to be this real. One thing I understood very clearly. These people are at a disadvantage, and are discriminated against in every way possible. Prejudice and discrimination against blind people is pretty widespread, and we all are the perpetrators. They do not get equal access to every facility existent, like education, job market opportunities and so on. Even I thought the same that visually impaired people cannot contribute anything to the society and they need constant backing. Our society and elements in it follow some rules. However, none for the differently-abled. In addition, the rules are not even Bender or adjusted at times and the person has to face discomfort. Not protesting against that made me ashamed of myself. Our education, right to express and other basic human rights are applicable to all, still discrimination happens, we do it. Not providing education is a heinous act - it's a fundamental need. By not getting access to that such people are unaware of their society and surroundings, ignorant of what is out there in the world - and they have a right two know. Before I went to MWC (Migrant Workers' Centre), I used to think it was easy for the migrants to come in to our country and get a job easily. I was in a misconception that they received huge amounts of wages because of their skills and are a burden on the economy because of their generation of low income taxes. Like everyone else I had the misconception that migrant workers live off the tax payed by the citizens. I even thought that they had no I intention of accepting the rules and culture of the countries where they migrate to. It is also widely believed that migrant workers take away the creamy later of the job market, leaving locals to take up menial jobs. The visit to MWC changed this perception of mine. Migrant workers are not disposal tools. They are a part of our economy, contribute to it and they deserve the recognition. They are responsible for filling in the declining sectors of the economy and bringing in revenue. They contribute enormously to labour market flexibility, taxes and other social contributions. Their contributions can be seen in the boost on working age population and the skills they bring in as human capital for the host country. These workers allow the government to invest into positive and productive endeavours. As an example we can consider a clerk, who takes care of the paperwork for a doctor, in turn freeing the doctor to attend to more patients. Thus, an economic value is created from the joint efforts of both the clerk and the doctor. Child care providers free working mothers, construction labourers freeing up engineers to attend to more projects and similar contributions substantially help in the development of the economy overall. They perform jobs local s would not. They put in effort to mix with the society and learn the practices existent. Giving them residency would bring in more sales, in turn creating larger economies of scale. It brings in more positive aspects for the consumer and economic benefits for the society. They are the base on which we all depend. Migrant workers are the victims of less wage, false promises of jobs and slavery. Some even commit suicide due the debts they incurred for getting the work permits. They are threatened, abused and forced into slavery by showing them the fear of deportation. They receive no entitlement to residency, and are dealt with the feeling of being in a place where they are not supposed to be. They pay all kinds of taxes, income, sales tax, payroll tax and sometimes even the brunt of those taxes aimed at the effluent. Companies compensate the brunt if higher taxes by reducing wages and increasing prices. It has a disproportionate impact on the migrants and lower investments take place, in turn reducing number of jobs and slow salary increment. These workers pay a huge amount of corporate taxes because their loss wages account for a significant amount of corporate tax payment by their employers. Big economies hurt the poor migrant labourers the most. However, their significant contribution to th e economy is overlooked or superfluously treated. The funny thing is, some corporate offices pay good-for-nothing people to do nothing, instead of employing a migrant, who would be willing to do it and get the job done, because of misconceptions about their lot. Some low-paid migrant labourers from MWC said they are housed in stuffed condominium, illicitly I should include, with rather unsanitary conditions in view of the shortage of reasonable rental lodging in Singapore, which is a result of the administrations deliberate arrangement of advancing lodging possession, and lodging as a venture resource. Lawful requirement against such lodging code infringement, might I say, has not been extremely vivacious. They have a low pay in light of the fact that there is an oversupply of labourers and in the event that they need to gripe, they will be kicked on the grounds that foreign workers are effectively replaceable. Conclusion: From these two experiences, I have understood that both these groups need improvement in their treatment from the society. For the disabled, they need recognition as human beings, fair treatment and respect, unbiased evaluation and promotions. They must be offered customized trainings so that they know whats happening and dont get treated in a demotivating way. They need a support channel of their own, that can cater to the issues they might face. They need more projects that support their cause, at the same time encouraging, identifying and collaborating with them in every way possible. For the migrant workers, strict protection laws must be implemented so that they dont get exploited or maltreated. They require equal treatment and opportunities, safe working environment, memberships, social security, accommodation and other legal benefits. After all, they are a part of the developing economy.