The pursuit of happiness Essay Example For Students

The pursuit of happiness Essay Love is perhaps the most actively sought moral objective of ones life. And though marriage is often thought to be the logical consequence of love, it is Oscar Wildes contention in his satire, The Importance of Being Earnest, that love begets bliss and marriage thwarts this course of bliss. Algernon Moncrieff spends very little time falling in love and the rest of the time striving toward engagement. Wilde demonstrates through him that once one becomes intent upon achieving a goal, the individuals motivation becomes a matter of action rather than truth. Algernon is no longer driven by a moral objective; instead, he becomes intent upon achieving a societal standard. We will write a custom essay on The pursuit of happiness specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The truth is rarely pure, and never simple (35). Love is truth. Marriage results in the systematic complication of love. Algernon becomes disillusioned in the process of seeking truth. In defining Algernons preconceived notion of marriage and then describing the subsequent earnest pursuit of engagement, Wilde achieves a consequential climax that satirizes marriage. Algernon is a pompous man of seemingly strong, albeit unconventional, convictions. Wilde uses him for the sole purpose of mocking the sanctimonious institution of marriage. In the beginning of the play, Algernon considers Jacks intent to propose to Gwendolen to be business, not pleasure (30). Yet eventually Algernon also resolves to propose to Cicely, discrediting his own established belief: I really dont see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty (30). Algernon clearly, at one point, sees marriage as a means to an end. Once he meets Cecily, however, the idea of maintaining truth above reality is hard to rationalize; he wants only to move forward in the proper manner established by society. Upon initially hearing about Cicely, Algernon is intrigued. She is no more than a name on a cigarette case. After intense probing, Jack discloses Cicelys identity. Algernon then tells Jack, I would rather like to see Cicely (51). She suddenly becomes more of a name to Algernon, and he begins to pursue her as more than a person; she becomes his moral objective. When Jack reveals to Gwendolen his address in the country, Algernon secretly writes the address on his shirt-cuff (53) in hopes of going to meet Cicely. Shortly after his first encounter with her, he reveals to Jack, I am in love with Cicely, and that is everything (71). This newfound love is his truth. He admits to her, Cicely, ever since I first looked upon your wonderful and incomparable beauty, I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly (73). Yet Algernon quickly abandons the truth imbedded in love, his moral objective, and instead opts for convention. I dont care for anybody in the whole world but you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, wont you? (74). The irony displayed through Algernons self-contradiction is the pivotal progression that eventually results in Wildes intended resolution of the play Algernon reveals he simply wanted to be engaged to Cecily (88) to Jack, who quickly dismisses him. There is certainly no chance of your marrying Miss Cardew (88). It is this obstacle, and its respective denouement, which outlines the basis of Wildes thematic emphasis. Prospective marriage, by means of engagement, serves not only as an obstacle but also a resolution. In Algernons view, Cecily is the sweetest, dearest, prettiest girl in the whole world. And he doesnt care twopence about social possibilities (98). .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f , .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .postImageUrl , .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f , .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:hover , .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:visited , .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:active { border:0!important; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:active , .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1f3f861e1e9d40f2e1586b6792ba716f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Art Of Procrastination Essay In actuality, however, it is the promise of social possibilities that motivate him to an end. For, it is his eventual conformity to societal norms that destroys the moral truth he once held dear. By the time Wilde establishes definite engagement for the couple, Algernon and Cicely embrace, and the play ends. As Algernon said in Act 1, The excitement is all over (30). This anti-passionate climax epitomizes Wildes sardonic wit, humoring a societal institution. Algernon achieves what he believes he wants, but loses his motivation in the process. Marriage, at one point, seemed to be very problematic to Algernon. His .

House Votes to Reject Immunity for Phone Companies Involved in Wiretaps essays

House Votes to Reject Immunity for Phone Companies Involved in Wiretaps essays On March 15, 2008, New York Times writer Eric Lichtblau wrote an article, House Votes to Reject Immunity for Phone Companies Involved in Wiretaps. The main focus of this article was the controversy surrounding the use of phone tapping, or the secret activity of monitoring telephone conversations without the people involved in the conversation being aware that they are being monitored. This was done, government officials claim, in the interest of national security. In a nation where the possibility of terrorist events is very real on a daily basis, the argument on the part of the officials was that phone calls of suspected terrorists must be allowed to be listened to without the delay of obtaining search warrants to do so (Lichtblau). The problem arose when the telephone companies that performed the actual wiretaps were being held liable in terms of violating the constitutionally protected rights of everyone- not just those who obey the law. In response to this request for immunity by the phone companies, the United States House of Representatives passed a vote by a narrow margin, 213 to 197, to make phone companies liable and to take away their immunity. In response to this vote, the White House responded by saying that President Bush would very quickly veto this bill once it comes to his office for ratification (Lichtblau). The bill that the House approved has three main elements to it: first, the bill refuses immunity to the phone companies, both for future problems and going back to prior violations of privacy of those who were monitored (Lichtblau). Also, the bill brings back many of the legal protections against illegal wire taps that were in place in the past. Lastly, the bill provides for the creation of a Congressional commission to oversee everything. The vote that the House took was done in a secret, night time session, the first such session in over 25 years. This session ...

Leadership & Vision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership & Vision - Essay Example Therefore, a vision that mainly reflects "vague dreams" or "thing(s) of imagination" may be detached from reality" (Bogler & Nir, 2001). "Leadership is reciprocal, occurring among people. Leadership is a people activity, distinct from administrative paper shuffling or problem solving activities. Leadership is dynamic and involves the use of power" (Daft, 1997). In order to involve and motivate the employees and to instill a sense of ownership among employees, organizations carry out many activities. Sharing the vision and goals of the company is one of the most practical and fruitful ways of instilling the sense of ownership among employees. This philosophy supported by a visionary leadership builds trust and trust further creates a sense of ownership. In the environment of trust and ownership, overall goals and objectives of the company are understood by the employees in a better way resulting in better performance not just by the employees individually but also collectively by the company or organization. Employees must be empowered to take action based on the basis of their understanding of different situations and scenarios within the organization. This empowerment will develop their problem solving skill and they will become a part of the big picture. This empowerment would not be possible without sound leadership.

Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 5

Terrorism - Essay Example an be defined as political, social or religious objectives but in greater perspective terrorism is associated with the idea of practicing power over the mass population while turning humans in to slaves. Here, if we closely analyze then it can be said with conviction that pessimistic use of power is not only done by social activists and influential religious groups rather terrorism is also practiced by powerful nations and governments. This can be substantiated on the basis of the fact that the last two World Wars were actually initiated due to political disagreements among government authorities. Moreover, the incidents which occurred during World War I and II are the prime examples of human rights violation, murder, violence, fear and inhuman acts such as rape. On the other hand the contemporary form of terrorism is largely affiliated with religious groups which negatively influence people to accept their ideologies. Although these people aren’t religious in the true sense but that is how they justify their violent acts. Hence in my opinion terrorism is violation of human dignity in the name of egotistic goals and it can be associated with government authorities or individu als. There is no single event which can predict the exact starting time for the Modern International Terrorism since it is defined differently by a large number of scholars, politicians, historians, economics, sociologists etc. Weinberg argues that French Revolution played a significant role in beginning the Modern Terrorism. This revolution particularly set standards for events which occurred in the 20th Century. Most importantly it provided the means of using tyrannicide for confiscating the oppressive political authorities (Cameron, 2010). As activities against state leadership gained intensity and violence began the government also started taking actions and named the individuals participating in revolutions as terrorist. This actually gave rise to two different ideas including the

Application to motivational theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Application to motivational theories - Essay Example In addition, the model does not focus on agent feedback, dealing with others, and time pressure, which are also important job characteristics. Due to changes in organisations and the environment, application of motivation has moved away from psychology to engineering. Today, approaches to job design depend on different scientific disciplines including engineering and psychology. Mechanistic approaches are applied to job design in the areas of work simplification and time and motion study, which have their basis in industrial engineering. Money matters to some people more than others, and this has made it a motivator in current management. However, to other people, money does not matter so much; since factors such as the way employees are treated at their work places sometimes matter more than money. Despite these facts, money can act as a motivator to different kinds of employees, for example people in developed and underdeveloped nations for various reasons. According to Hackman and Oldham, experience of certain psychological states by individuals motivates them towards their jobs, and gives them job satisfaction. These psychological states include â€Å"experienced meaningfulness of work, experienced responsibilities for outcomes of the work, and knowledge of actual results of the work activities† (Grant, 2003, p. 110). The psychological states create a positive effect that boosts job motivation. However, the psychological states are only created when a job has skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and job feedback. Skill variety, task identity, and task significance promote employees experienced meaningfulness at work. A level of autonomy creates personal responsibility for the outcome of the work, and good job feedback increases knowledge of the actual results of work activities on the part of employees. The Job

Analysis Of The Significance Of Mikhail Gorbachev Politics Essay

Analysis Of The Significance Of Mikhail Gorbachev Politics Essay Mikhail Gorbachev, The Patron of Change. The Cold War was a period in history from roughly 1945 to 1988 when the worlds two largest superpowers, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (Soviet Union) and the United States, were in continuous economic and political conflict. These polar entities struggled for dominance and control in the new atomic age. With no end in sight to this potentially catastrophic confrontation, it became essential for the leaders of both sides to reconcile their differences. For the Soviet Union, peace was increasingly important mainly because of the poor state of their economy. The leader responsible for bringing about the fall of the iron curtain and for helping to bring an end to communism in the Soviet Union was Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorbachevs contributions to world peace have been widely recognized and his actions continue to serve as examples for world leaders today. Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, made several significant contributions to the world. He represented a new generation of Soviet leaders, different form his predecessors who used fear and intimidation to maintain a communist idealist Russian society. Gorbachev was different because he recognized the flaws in the Soviet system of government and was willing to take steps to improve it. The opposing ideals between communism and capitalism created a split between the East and the West on the proper form of government which was to be established in the occupied territories in Europe following World War II. However, the balance of power and arms race between the two superpowers took a huge toll on the Soviet Union. Gorbachevs policies helped bring an end to the Cold War, led to the destruction of the wall separating East and West Berlin, encouraged the rise of democracy in Europe, and ultimately led to a complete dismantling of the Soviet Union.  [1]   Gorbachev was born into a peasant family in the village of Privolnoe, on March 2, 1931. As a teenager, he worked driving farm machinery at a local machine-tractor station. During his college years, Gorbachev was very interested in politics. He joined the national communist party of the Soviet Union and quickly moved up in the ranks. By 1962, he was the regional leader of Komsomol (Young Communist League). Gorbachev was a successful politician from early on in his career. He became exposed to influence and workings of the influence of the KGB, the Soviet Secret police, experience that served him well in his future political career. Gorbachev met his wife, Raisa Titorenko, while attending school at Moscow State University.  [2]   As Prime Minister, Gorbachev tried to establish better relations with the United States. In November, 1985, he met with President Reagan in Geneva to talk about national and international issues. Gorbachev once said America must be the teacher of democracy, not the advertiser of the consumer society. It is unrealistic for the rest of the world to reach the American living standard. The clearest signs of improvement between the United States and Soviet Union relations came in 1988 when Gorbachev made a positive impression with a crowd of spectators in New York City where he shook hands with people.  [3]   In the 1980s, the Soviet Union was struggling to survive because of the problems associated with a planned economy, and because a disproportionate amount the budget was being spent on the military towards an arms race with the United States. Gorbachev believed that the Soviet Union could not afford to spend so much on arms so he reduced the amount of money for war. This policy led to nuclear missile reduction treaties with the United States and effectively brought an end to the Cold War which had dominated international relations with the United States since 1945. When Mikhail Gorbachev took office in 1985, he faced one terrible problem. The Soviet economy had been in a period of turmoil, and it was in desperate need of reform for two decades. Gorbachev once said The market came with the dawn of civilization and it is not an invention of capitalism. If it leads to improving the well-being of the people there is no contradiction with socialism. Gorbachev decided to change the old system with a period of perestroika, or restructuring in the hope of making it more efficient.  [4]   From 1985 to 1986, Gorbachew continued an anti-alcohol program started by his predecessor, Andropov. His policies increased the price of vodka and changed the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, which had the effect of decreasing alcohol sales. It was his goal to discourage workers from drinking, and thus to improve the productivity of workers and increase industrial output. However, this campaign did not work out well in Russia.  [5]   Gorbachev promoted great political changes. One of the most important measures came in 1989 when he set up elections where members of the Communist Party had to run against non-Communist Party members. Later that same year, he called to terminate special status of the Communist Party guaranteed by the Soviet Constitution. Gorbachev also ended the Soviet military occupation of Afghanistan. During this period, he began more drastic changes. One of these changes was the Law of State Enterprises, enacted in June 1987. This legislation gave businesses more independence from the government. Despite the increased independence, the state still exercised some control over their activities. This was quite a radical change and was seen as a move away from the old system of a centrally planned command economy, and many people did not agree with it. Workers were also encouraged to be more open, which was part of Glasnost, and speak out against corruption or give suggestions. They were also encouraged to form small privately owned cooperatives such as grocery shops and hairdressing salons.  [6]   In 1989, Gorbachev was nominated as Time Magazines Man of The Year. Gorbachev called what he was doing permitting a revolution. Gorbachev became the patron of change. Gorbachev, and his reformist allies in Eastern Europe, managed to suppress at least one monster which was the states capacity for cruelty and violence against its own citizens. The Chinese students carried portraits of the Soviet leader, and they were shouting, In Russia they have Gorbachev; in China we have whom? Gorbachev became a hero for what he would not do.  [7]   There were several important events that occurred while Gorbachev ruled the Soviet Union. One hundred thousand Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan. The Soviet military intervention was costly for the Soviet Union, and to the Afghan people. Over 1.5 million Afghans were killed.  [8]   Another important event was the Chernobyl disaster. According to Michael Gorbachev (Tuesday,April16,2006,The Daily Star) the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl 20 years ago, even more than my launch of Perestroika, was perhaps the real cause of the Soviet Union five years later. The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Chernobyl is ranked one of the greatest industrial accidents of all time. Some have said that Gorbachev was too silent about the disaster and was not forthcoming.  [9]   Also, Perestroika was Gorbachevs important reform. This consisted of economic reforms and policy changes. The Law of Cooperatives passed in 1988 allowed ownership of businesses by individuals. Gorbachev has been a powerful and symbolic presence in the worlds imagination since he first came to power in 1985. Gorbachev, and his program of Perestroika, was not popular in Russia. At the time, soap, sugar, tea, school notebooks, cigarettes, sausage and other meats, butter, fruits and vegetables, and matches were scarce.  [10]   By the 1980s, it was obvious that communism in the Soviet Union was not really working out. Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985 and he introduced many reforms in an attempt to modernize the economy and make the Communist Party more democratic. These reforms ultimately led to the breakup of the Soviet Union and an end to the one-party Communist rule. In December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned as President at the point when the Soviet Union disintegrated.  [11]   Work Cited Page Internet Sources: Mikhail Gorbachev Biography -. WriteSpirit -. Web. 28 May 2010. . Mikhail Gorbachev Biography Life, Family, Death, Wife, Young, Old, Information, Born, House, Time, Year. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Web. 28 May 2010. Gorbachev Foundation Biography. Russian. Web. 28 May 2010. . Non Internet Sources: Kort, Michael. Mikhail Gorbachev. New York: Watts, Morrow, By Lance. TIME Person of the Year: Story Archive Since 1927, Mikhail Gorbachev. Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews TIME.com. 13 Dec. 2002. Web. 27 May 201

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Rudyard Kipling’s seminal poem, â€Å"The White Man’s Burden† resonated amongst American policymakers in the aftermath of the War of 1898. For a price of twenty million dollars, the Spanish relinquished their control of the Philippines to the United States, thereby transforming America into an overseas empire. As statesmen in Washington considered their new Pacific possession, they viewed the archipelago as a moral liability rather than a strategic asset. The first formal evaluation of the prospects for Filipino independence came in February 1900, when President McKinley dispatched the â€Å"Philippine Commission† to Manila to compile a report on the subject. In this paper I consider their assessment through a social lens. I argue that while McKinley’s emissaries strove for objectivity, preconceived notions of national identity, race, and civilization influenced their judgment. Ultimately, the Commission viewed American-ness as a prerequisite for i ndependence. Background The Spanish had maintained colonial authority over the Philippines since Ferdinand Magellan laid claim to the islands in 1521. For over three hundred years the Spanish government, aided by friars from the Catholic Church, used Manila as a naval base and cultivated the hinterland as a source of cotton. Filipino aristocrats across the archipelago learned Spanish, and helped to disseminate the Catholic faith to the majority of animists and sabians — worshippers of the moon and stars. Although many friars were seriously engaged in helping the Filipino peasants, over time they gained a reputation for exploitation and corruption. In response to these grievances and to an absence of representation in the colonial legislature, community political leaders began in the early 19... ...mission rejected the prospect of Philippine independence primarily because the population deviated from the western concept of the â€Å"nation.† The masses of the people are without a common speech and lack the sentimentality of a nation. The Filipinos are not a nation, but a variegated assemblage of different tribes and peoples, and their loyalty is still of the tribal type (pdf one 192). . . their lack of education and political experience, combined with their racial and linguistic diversity, disqualify them, in spite of their mental gifts and domestic virtues, to undertake the task of governing the archipelago at the present time . . . should our power by any fatality be withdrawn, the Commission believes that the government of the Philippines would speedily lapse into anarchy The Filipinos are not a nation, and there can be no political being that we call a people,