The Disobedience Of Authority By Socrates - 982 Words

Disobedience of Authority Whether it is ever justified to disobey authority has been disagreed upon for centuries; Plato outlined the issue of disobedience in his work of Crito, where Socrates is sentenced to death for: openly practicing philosophy, corruption of the young, and disbelief in the gods of Athens. Before officials arrived, Crito, Socrates friend, visited him to persuade him that his charges are unjustified and to escape and thrive elsewhere with his family elsewhere before the authorities arrive. From this point of view, disobedience of authority was justified because Socrates motives for escaping are selfless compared to only self-sustaining charges of the government. After listening to Crito s points, Socrates believes that he should not disobey authority because a life is not worth living with a soul tarnished by the wrongdoings of breaking an agreement he made with more informed experts of the State, and the consequences of his actions for the wellbeing of Athens. F rom this perspective, Socrates should accept his charges because he would be compromising his soul by wrongfully breaking an agreement he made between him and the state by accepting their laws, which would jeopardize the wellbeing of the state by others following his example. So should Socrates escape from prison, and disobey authority, or should he face his own fate from the courts, and comply, even when authority has overextended its control? This debate in Crito echoes many dilemmasShow MoreRelatedThe Truth Behind Political Thought944 Words   |  4 Pagesadheres to. Thus creates this inconsistency ,that civil disobedience is not justified because of society s accentuation on law and order. The understanding of law and civil disobedience illustrates itself in both readings of Sophocles Antigone and Plato s Apology which suggests that they give both similar views with the existing idea of different higher authority in mind. Because of the unresolved feud between the law and ci vil disobedience it is prevailed effectively in Sophocles tragic dramaRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter From A Birmingham Jail1493 Words   |  6 Pagesspeed limit are not real laws because everyone breaks them. In 399 BC, Socrates would have disagreed with this assertion, and died in part to keep this idea from spreading. Socrates was sentenced to death by an Athenian court, though the punishment did not fit the crimes he was accused of. We assume that any knowingly innocent person would have escaped this sentence if given the opportunity and support to do so, yet Socrates refused to and died soon after. Over 2,000 years later, Martin Luther KingRead MoreJust And Unjust Laws In Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail1420 Words   |  6 Pagesideas stem from Socrates. Socrates has many ideas on disobedience, and how it relates to being just or unjust. Author Rex Martin dissects Socrates’ main idea on disobedience, in his journal Socrates on Disobe dience to Law, â€Å"It is that, upon reaching man-hood, a citizen by the very fact of staying in a country agrees to abide by the following rule: If one cannot dissuade the authorities from an unjust law then one obeys† (127). Socrates is a firm believer on respecting the authority of the city. ItRead MoreSocrates s Value Of Athenian Law1586 Words   |  7 Pagesspeed limit are not real laws because everyone breaks them. In 399 BC, Socrates would have disagreed with this assertion, and died in part to keep this idea from spreading. Socrates was sentenced to death by an Athenian court, though the punishment did not fit the crimes he was accused of. We assume that any knowingly innocent person would have escaped this sentence if given the opportunity and support to do so, yet Socrates refused to and died soon after. Over 2,000 years later, Martin Luther KingRead MoreWhat Makes A Breach Of Law An Act Of Civil Disobedience?1383 Words   |  6 Pagesact of civil disobedience? W hen is civil disobedience morally justified?† These are the basic questions that are asked when dealing with civil disobedience. According to John Rawls, civil disobedience is a nonviolent breach of laws by the public in order to reform or change laws or government policies. But Rawls’ concept of civil disobedience is too narrow. This raises many questions. Why should civil disobedience be non-violent? Why does the public play a large role in civil disobedience? This paperRead MoreRigh and Wrong656 Words   |  3 Pageshard to except. If you were sent to jail for something you felt was right, and just, and had the chance to escape and not be caught again, would you? That is that is the dilemma Socrates had to face. He had the chance and the means yet he chose not to escape. Did he do the right thing by not escaping from jail? Socrates was a man who believed that is was immoral for him to escape his sentence because he had accepted the ruling of the courts. And for him to escape he would be sending the wrong messageRead MoreViolent Protest In 1848 : Civil Disobedience896 Words   |  4 Pageswhat Henry Thoreau called in his essay on 1848: Civil disobedience†. Civil disobedience, according to Rawls, is a public act of law breach that looks for create awareness among the population about the need to change certain public policies or certain laws that are considered to be unfair. Nowadays, we can see vivid examples of civil disobedience, being the most famous the case of Venezuela, in which in the last weeks, acts of civil disobedience have been publicly convened in demonstrations as partRead MoreEssay on Civil Disobedience in Famous Literature749 Words   |  3 PagesCivil Disobedience in Famous Literature A society or a people cannot let a government lead them blindly. With misrepresentation comes a whole new form of unjustness. The strong are the ones who do not give into demands placed upon them if they do not agree; those who refuse to conform to society; those who stick to their beliefs, no matter the cost. In many cases, those people are the ones who practice civil disobedience. Martin Luther King, Henry Thoreau, Socrates†¦ All advocated that they shouldRead MoreSophocles Antigone Essay1702 Words   |  7 Pageslaw Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because of his civil disobedience and treachery against the city. Polyneices’ sister, Antigone, upon hearing this exclaims that an improper burial for Polyneices would be an insult to the Gods. She vows that Polyneices’ body will be buried, and Creon declares that anyone who interferesRead MoreNon Violent Protest Ââ€" Dr. Martin Luther Kings Moral Disobedience!1563 Words   |  7 Pagesmoral disobedience! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the issue of non-violence in his letter from Birmingham Jail. He states that any law, which is unjust and inhuman, is not a moral law. Dr. Kings argument for non-violent protest against the authorities is just and moral; because any action taken for the greater good of human beings may be called disobedience by the authorities, but as Erich Fromm states in his essay Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem -- any act of disobedience against

College Student Loans Skyrocket Essay example - 747 Words

If youre counting on government student loans to get you through college or graduate school, count on paying them back. The Education Department has become one of the toughest debt collectors around. Over the past decade, the agency has steadily expanded its arsenal for dealing with former students who dont repay. A 1998 change in federal law made it extremely difficult for people to escape student loans through personal bankruptcy. The Education Department also can now seize parts of borrowers paychecks, tax refunds and Social Security payments without a court order, a power similar to the IRSs. Access to a government database of newly employed workers has enabled the department to make much more effective use of private collection†¦show more content†¦And they say students are usually financially unsophisticated borrowers, lacking an understanding of how debts can pile up. The Education Department responds that taxpayers, legislators and the many students who do repay their loans all expect it to pursue those who dont. It says the federal government, the state agencies that administer the program and the private lenders that primarily make the federally guaranteed loans all work with delinquent borrowers. They offer counseling and a chance to refinance at todays low interest rates. The governments toughness traces back to the 1980s, when politicians became alarmed by high levels of student-loan defaults. Today the default rate on recently made loans has dropped. It was 5.2% last year, down from 22% in 1990. Studies show that those most likely not to repay are students who, for whatever reason, didnt complete their studies. Federally guaranteed student loans began with President Johnsons quot;Great Societyquot; campaign. Now two-thirds of students at private four-year colleges have them, averaging $17,000 at graduation. Students who go on to private professional schools end up owing an average of almost $74,000. Loans outstanding have tripled over the past decade to $357 billion. Though the U.S. government makes some of the loans directly, most are made by private lenders such as banks, with the government guaranteeingShow MoreRelatedMaking College More Affordable For Students1000 Words   |  4 PagesMaking College More Affordable For Students The continuous rising cost of higher education is frequently spoken about today and deserves much more attention then it receives. College tuition for students is a rather large investment and considered to be one of the most expensive to make. As college tuition prices are continuously increasing so is the cost of housing. The average American family is finding it more and more difficult to be able to have a fair shot at affording to go to college. AlthoughRead MoreCollege Conspiracy Documentary Report Essay887 Words   |  4 PagesReading Report 3 Student Name: Haochen Ye (Joe) Date: 2013/11/19 Instructor’s Name: Justine Jun * Outline Introduction: Kids in U.S. are taught to believe the process: good at high school, then a good college, then a good job, career, which is the American dream Main idea 1: The tuition of college is so high but there is no pay back and no job guarantee Main idea 2: The United State government is making a college bubble that student can borrow money so easy to pay tuition. HoweverRead MoreRising College Tuition in America661 Words   |  3 PagesRising College Tuition in America â€Å"College Prices Soar Again!† â€Å"Budget Cuts Cause Even Higher Tuition!† â€Å"Higher Education Now Even Less Affordable† These are all statements that have been seen all over the media: newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. (3 SV: SV) Rising college tuition in America has been a problem for years. Many students drop out after a single year due to the pricey costs of tuition. The rapid rise can be attributed to many aspects of the economy, not just a single sourceRead MoreHigher Education At The United States Essay1226 Words   |  5 Pagesintroduced in 1636 when Harvard University first opened its doors. At the time, college was seen as an exclusive institution, typically reserved for the wealthy elite. In the 1600’s, a college degree was not necessary to get a decent job and make a living; therefore, there was not a high demand for it. Since then, public opinion and attitudes about higher education have changed significantly. In todayâ⠂¬â„¢s job market, a college degree is a requirement for a majority of positions. Employers’ demand for highlyRead MoreGetting into Debt for a College Education1385 Words   |  6 PagesAn estimated 20 million Americans attend college each year, and 60% of those students borrow annually to pay for it (qtd. in asa.org, â€Å"Student Loan Debt Statistics†). Moreover, citizens continuing to pay off debt after schooling brings the overall number of student-loan-borrowers to about 40 million- with a collective 1 trillion dollars in debt (McCarthy, â€Å"10 Fun Facts About the Student Debt Crisis); a fourth of these borrowers owe over $28,000, a tenth owe over $54,000, 3.1% owe more than $100,000Read MoreThe Driving Forces Behind College Tuition Essay1296 Words   |  6 PagesForces Behind College Tuition Hikes Higher education in the United States was introduced in 1636 when Harvard University first opened its doors. At the time, college was seen as an exclusive institution, typically reserved for the wealthy elite. In the 1600’s, a college degree was not necessary to get a decent job and make a living; therefore, there was little demand. Since then, public opinion and attitudes about higher education have changed significantly. In today’s job market, a college degree isRead MoreRising On The Expenses Of Higher Education1262 Words   |  6 Pagesto collaborate with other people, and also it feeds a keen curiosity that we all share. What would happen if the privilege of earning a higher education was unattainable? To stop the rising cost of higher education, government intervention within colleges and universities needs to be minimized. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over the last decade the average annual cost of public school has increased 6.5 percent per year. Based off of this rate, annual public tuition in 2030 willRead MoreA Modern Day Setback That Affects The Majority Of Americans1623 Words   |  7 Pages18-year-old high school student thinking about your future and college. In this situation, you are the student who gets excellent grades and works hard but isn’t financially stable. You, like lots of others, have dreamed of pursuing your education at the schools you have been accepted to but, you have come to the conclusion that it’s not possible for you to attend those schools because of your financial situation. Thus, you’re forced to attend a community college or take out loans that will leave youRead MoreShould College Free For Those Individuals Seeking A College Education?1526 Words   |  7 Pagesideas to start hacking away at this debt. One idea in particular t hat is very interesting is the portion of this debt brought upon by student loans, which at this point is about 1.2 trillion dollars spread across 40 million people. One solution that has been proposed is to make college free for those individuals seeking a college education and to forgive existing student debt. Burrnie sanders, a current polition, said â€Å"We live in a highly competitive global economy. If our economy is to be strong, weRead MoreShould College Be Free College?1688 Words   |  7 Pagessecret fund for things like this, or would taxes increase to cover the costs? Free college is now brought up as a debate whether or not students should receive free college tuition while attending college. Some individuals would like this idea, but I am definite the taxpayers would not like it or support it. If the government cannot afford what they are in debt with now, I am quiet uncertain how adding free college would help the debt go down. I am sure that the government would find some way to get

Consumer Advertising Ethical free essay sample

She then pulls out a magazine and begins to turn through the pages when she find an advertisement for a prescription drug to treat migraines. This drug could ease her pain and let her resume her normal activities. Is it wrong for her to see this ad? Absolutely not. ?Sharing information with the public about possible cures is morally right. Withholding information that can save someones life is morally wrong. Direct advertising to consumers of pharmaceutical drugs is ethical based on a deontological perspective. Kant considered what is right over what is good to be   superior (wikipedia). In the case of direct-to-consumer drug advertising, the right of sharing information about cures and possible ailments outweighs any possible good that can be made on behalf of the advertisers. It does not matter that the advertising companies and the pharmaceutical companies will make money off of the patients purchasing the drugs. What is most important is sharing the knowledge with those patients. We will write a custom essay sample on Consumer Advertising Ethical or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When the general public is presented with information about pharmaceutical drugs not only are they given information about something that can provide treatments for symptoms they may be having, but it also informs them about what certain groupings of symptoms may be. For example, a person having strange pains in his/her legs and doesnt know what it is and might not seek medical attention. However, if he/she sees an advertisement on television that describes those exact symptoms he/she is experiencing, the advertisement would give the ailment a possible name. This information could help that person when he/she goes to see his/her doctor. The patient can describe what he/she is experiencing and tell the doctor about the ad that made him/her think there was a reason to visit the doctor for treatment. Some cases will be serious and others will be minor, this is not important. What is important is that the public was granted this information in an easily accessible format the advertisement. ?The United States and New Zealand are the only two developed countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs (DeGeorge 320). Health care works differently in the U. S. than in other parts of the world like Europe and Canada. Because of the major differences in health care, DTC is more welcomed in these countries than in others. Here in the U. S. many people are paying for their own health care out of pocket unlike other places where it is provided at no cost. In other countries you dont have to worry about whether or not you can afford to go to the doctor and/or pay for the visit and prescriptions. DTC advertising is more welcomed in the U. S. because people want to feel empowered and be given choices. Here there are a lot of options because people pay for what they think they need even if it is not the best option for them. ?People make decisions based on what they are convinced they need. In the U. S. you, or your insurance that you most likely pay for, have to pay for every lab and every doctor visit. So in the U. S. many people would rather treat symptoms than fix a problem. DTC advertising knows this and uses it to their advantage. Canadian Medical Association president  Henry Haddad, M. D. stated, The message U. S. consumers are getting is that pharmaceuticals are simply consumer commodities rather than complex therapeutics. We think that interferes with the physician–patient relationship by raising the expectations of patients and pressuring physicians to prescribe drugs. † (Fintor) This is a prime example of why other developed nations are not proponents of DTC advertising. ?When you look at direct-to-consumer advertising based on a utilitarian perspective it would be considered morally wrong. In utilitarianism you can only judge somethings moral value once you know all of the consequences (wikipedia). This means that every consequence needs to be examined and weighed. As a result of DTC advertising of pharmaceutical drugs, not only is the pubic informed about illnesses and a variety of ways to treat said illnesses, but also a plethora of other consequences that add negatively to the moral value of the action. ?One negative consequence to seriously consider is the money that is gained by pharmaceutical companies, advertisers, and doctors. Money will drive people to do almost anything regardless if it is morally right or wrong. When consumers see an advertisement for a drug they might try to identify with the ad and feel it necessary to visit their doctor. Once they visit the doctor they will claim to have symptoms that were described in the advertisement and then ask for a prescription to the drugs that were shown. Once the doctor prescribes these drugs the money is gained by all the involved parties and is lost by the patients. ?Many of the drugs prescribed have harmful side-effects that are downplayed by the advertisements. Its all about the money and not the well-being of the patients. This is clearly displayed in a study that showed that a pharmaceutical company saw a return of $4. 0 for every dollar spent on advertising (DeGeorge 319). Thats an incredible 420% percent profit margin. With profits like that its easy to understand why the moral consequences have been ignored. It would be morally wrong for people to take advantage of consumers and capitalize on their illnesses. If the pharmaceutical companies were really all about informing the public about illnesses and treatments they would do it without receiving any money. Taking away the profit aspect of the pharmaceutical world would change the advertising and probably the drugs themselves. With no profits involved there would not be the push that there is to find something that could work to treat an illness regardless of the consequences. Scientists would strive to find treatments that would help people and not harm them; this is the basis of utilitarianism, weighing all of the good and the bad. In conclusion, direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs has both positive and negative consequences. Do I believe people making money off of the misfortune of others is right? No. However, I do believe is our duty to inform and educate people about illnesses and possible treatments.The health and well-being of the population of the world is much more important than someone making a dollar.