Human Landscapes from My Country by Nazim Hikmet Essay

Introduction In the Epic novel, Human Landscapes from My Country, Nazim Hikmet used the comparison between technology and nature very often. The imagery of technology that is portrayed in this novel seems to clash with nature. Through the use of many different images such as the train and plane, Hikmet seems to portray technology as the antagonist of nature. These imageries suggest how technology would destroy and would annihilate nature with its surroundings as technology progresses. However, after a closer reading into the novel, Hikmet actually suggest that technology as a positive aspect that will ultimately improve human lives. Perhaps sacrifices and mistakes are necessary as these are natural occurrences that are expected to happen as technology progresses. Although the cost of technology may seem to be dreadful, it is a necessary step for the better future of human lives. Literature Contemporary history on a panoramic scale is taken up in Human Landscapes, which was written during the author’s prison years but was only published several years after his death. Beginning with the project for an epic study of Turkish history during the twentieth century, at intervals the poet’s narrative also turns to major events in adjoining regions, notably naval action of World War II in the Mediterranean and the work of Soviet forces against Nazi invaders. His commentary on the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1922) stands in stark contrast to the heroic national themes repeatedly invoked by other writers of that period. In Hikmet’s view, it would seem that the people as a whole contributed to final victory but only through an inchoate mass rising that did not also lead to a social revolution. Indeed, many passages suggest that class differences remained acute but were altered by Turkey’s changed status in the world economy. There are a number of brief sketches of individual lives, both from the wealthy and from the lower orders, often to state unpleasant truths about the people’s living situation. Some characters, it is recorded, died of disease at early ages; farmers retained their land but lost all means of production. Many of the personages are war veterans from one conflict or another. There is much attention to dates, but not in the sense of commemorating events with patriotic connotations; important occurrences in individual lives are accorded the same emphasis as major developments in the nation’s history. There is also a fair amount of random, seemingly senseless violence: Family quarrels lead to murder; after a man kills his wife, children use the head as a ball in a macabre game. A wrenching, gripping scene records the lynching of a Turk who had collaborated with the British occupation forces. There are some sardonic religious references which call to mind folk superstitions; in some later passages, Turks of a pro-German inclination speculate about whether Adolph Hitler could be a Muslim. Leading Turkish statesmen and thinkers figure as portraits on the walls of business offices; the memories associated with them are quirky bits of characterization that are far from flattering. The work as a whole darts about and circumambulates historical epochs as they affected different, indeed opposing, social classes. After nearly fifteen years of national independence, homeless and desperately hungry men are to be found outside a newspaper office; if wealthy businessmen cannot turn a profit in some branches of the export trade, because of government restrictions, they move readily to other sectors where their fortunes can be augmented. Some of them end up dealing with both the Allied and the Axis powers during World War II. The incidence of suicide on either side of the class divide is fairly high; among the poor, childbirth is difficult, painful, and sometimes ends in tragedy. Although this exercise in historical realism, based on the author’s own observations of Turkish life, does not seem to hold out any immediate hopes for a better future, the poet’s descriptions of nature and simple joys serve to leaven an otherwise grim and unsentimental saga (Des Pres, 7-25). Written in free verse and employing such cinematographic techniques as flashbacks, pans, zooms, dissolves, and jump cuts, Human Landscapes from My Country combines the economy of poetry with the rapid-fire imagery of motion pictures. Hikmet traces the fortunes of men and women in love and war — from prostitutes, politicians, and captains of industry to housewives, political prisoners, and peasants — and gives voice to social strata unheard from in a heroic context until the twentieth century. To Hikmet, every life is a human-interest story worth telling, and his is a cast of hundreds. This panoramic view of Turkish society during World War II, when the fate of the world hung in the balance, highlights the compelling variety of human experience, never letting us forget that, for better or worse, the fate of the world is in our hands. Hikmet’s unabashed communist politics, for which he languished in prison or exile most of his adult life, are reflected in vignettes of idealized â€Å"Ivans† of soldierly valor and of real-life heroes, â€Å"Tanya† the teenaged Russian revolutionary and the Nazi-martyred journalist Gabriel Peri. Still, the poet’s most profound sympathies lie with the poor man striving to sustain himself and his family in pursuit of a fleeting happiness. Living out prolonged confinement for political activities, dreaming of his wife and child as blindness threatens and days become years, unbowed Halil recalls the poet’s own situation, a cynosure of what an entire culture was forced to endure. Ultimately Hikmet’s art suggests spaciousness, a grandeur in the details of poor people seeking just to breathe while events portend an invidious recurrence of suffering for love, ambition, misfortune–for living. Finally available complete in English, Hikmet’s hauntingly eloquent masterpiece never flags. Human civilization and technology has grown in a fast pace but are we happy? Hikmet said that he feels life is more comfortable. Nobody said that life has become happier. We found that technology which has been developed to make life easier has in fact made life complicated and busier. He said that unlike the past, now he can travel from place to place in few minutes/hours but life has become busier. Communication has improved, technology has taken place in our lives but effective communication between people has decreased. We were all alarmed to face this fact that better technology doesn’t mean happiness. So is technology, instead of liberating us, holding us back? Some later segments of this work are essentially similar to portions of The Moscow Symphony and Other Poems, an imaginative lyrical reconstruction of German-Soviet fighting which in the first instance was probably based upon news stories that Hikmet received in prison. After allowance for the different languages, it may be argued that some passages would do credit to a Soviet wartime poet: the anxiety of the war’s first year, the vast human drama of armies locked in combat, and the camaraderie of soldiers brought together in common struggle are evoked in brisk, telling lines. This novel in verse, written during one long prison sentence in the 1940s, reflects the emotional and physical torments the poet experienced. More gritty than lyrical, it is powerfully plainspoken: â€Å"But Selim was no Communist/ He didn’t even know what communism was/ †¦ But the cops thought different/ They laid Selim on the floor. And when Selim got up/ he couldn’t step on his feet/ They laid Selim on the floor/ And when Selim got up/ he couldn’t see. † Hikmet’s writing is poetry under siege, and the blunt heroism of his characters makes them more Marxist ideals than believable human beings. The poetic element may not survive well in translation, but the content and context make this a lastingly fascinating work. Works Cited Des Pres, Terrence. â€Å"Poetry and Politics: The Example of Nazim Hikmet. † Parnassus: Poetry in Review 6, no. 2 (1978): 7-25.

The Pacific Theater Of World War II - 1375 Words

The Pacific Theater of World War II ended on September 2, 1945, known as Victory over Japan Day or V-J Day, less than a month after the United States dropped an atomic bomb Hiroshima. The two atomic bombs dropped on Japan are widely seen as the events that eventually broke the enemy’s will to resist and caused Japan to surrender; however this outcome could not have taken place without numerous innovations that took place in the interwar period. Without one of these innovations, it is likely that the other may not have occurred; the innovations had to line up like the holes in slices of Swiss cheese. The United States Marine Corps developed doctrine that allowed successful amphibious operations throughout the Pacific, but ultimately it was the LVT amphibian tractor (AMTRAC) that won World War II in the Pacific Theater for the Allies by allowing US Marines to traverse shallow coral reefs—the natural defensive barriers of Pacific islands—to capture islands that were essential airfields that launched bombers which compelled Japan’s surrender. Amphibious operations are deeply rooted in The United States Marine Corps’s heritage and traditions. The Continental Marine Corps conducted its first amphibious assault against the British fort at New Providence, Bahamas early in 1776. The Marines, commanded by Captain Samuel Nicholas, surprised the British garrison when they landed on the beach under a covering naval bombardment in their first combined land and sea action. MarineShow MoreRelatedThe Pacific Theater Of World War II1751 Words   |  8 PagesThe Pacific Theater of World War II saw some of the most destructive and deadly battles in the history of the United States. Many of these battles played out over the course of several days and involved countless casualties from both American and Japanese forces. The Battle of the Philippine Sea is one such battle that marks a major win for the United States in the Pacific. The battle, w hich took place during June of 1944, took out most of the enemy’s carrier-based planes, along with their pilotsRead More World War II: Pacific Theater Overview and Japanese Cruelty Essay2171 Words   |  9 PagesWorld War II: Pacific Theater Overview and Japanese Cruelty Starting in the early 1930’s, the Japanese began to display their great imperialistic dreams with ambition and aggression. Their goal was to create a Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere where they controlled a vast empire in the western Pacific.1 In September of 1939, Japan signed the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis Treaty, allying themselves with Germany and Italy in an effort to safeguard their interests in China from the Soviet UnionRead MoreWas Hiroshima Necessary? Or Hiroshima? Essay1661 Words   |  7 Pagesbeing dropped. 92% of 76,000 buildings were destroyed. (â€Å"Hiroshima Committee†)   Ã‚  Ã‚   The decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the hardest decision for President Truman to make. He had the power right there in his hands to end the war but he would have to unleash the most powerful weapon known to man, at this time. Everyone was very tired of fighting but the Japanese would not give up so Truman decided to drop it. Even though we told Japan that if they did not surrender we wouldRead MoreWas Hiroshima Necessary? Or Hiroshima? Essay1661 Words   |  7 Pagesbomb being dropped. 92% of 76,000 buildings were destroyed. (â€Å"Hiroshima Committee†) The decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the hardest decision for President Truman to make. He had the power right there in his hands to end the war but he would have to unleash the most powerful weapon known to man, at this time. Everyone was very tired of fighting but the Japanese would not give up so Truman decided to drop it. Even though we told Japan that if they did not surrender we wouldRead MoreBattle of Guadalcanal 721 Words   |  3 PagesSome of the bloodiest fight of World War II came in the Pacific. Much of that fighting came at the Battle of Guadalcanal. A remote island in the Solomons Island chain, Guadalcanal was not thought of as important, prior to 1942. For several reasons, Guadalcanal was the most significant battle of the war in the Pacific. The Battle of Guadalcanal was the first offensive the United States took in World War II. Because of its location, Guadalcanal pushed back the Japanese defensive ring, and putRead MoreWar I And World War II771 Words   |  4 Pagessought to stay out of both World War I and World War II only to be pulled in by intense happenings that inflicted chaos on the nations people. World War II would be a time in American history that would bring many fresh war tactics and developments, that helped to pull a depraved nation from the depths of a depression as well as pledge the freedom and prosperity of its opposing nations. Dangerous discoveries will be made in the world would be left to be governed by two world powers. Hoping to remainRead MoreWar Without Mercy By John Dower1625 Words   |  7 Pageswell formulated book, War Without Mercy. War Without Mercy approaches the well-known WWII era Pacific Theater in a way that allows the readers to witness the Japanese perspective of the war. Describing in great detail the wartime attitudes of the Japanese and Americans toward each other, the reasons such attitudes were felt, the atrocities and the merciless actions against the enemy which they encouraged, it even entices the readers to question their own opinions about the war with its eye-openingRead MoreAspects Of Inadequacies Throughout World War II Essay1053 Words   |  5 PagesAspects of Inadequacies throughout World War II The state of America’s military forces at the outset of World War II can be summed up in one word: unprepared. Certainly that is the case witnessed on many levels at the attack at Pearl Harbor. Sailors rested on Sunday morning, unprepared for the sneak attack; commanders were off ship, enjoying golf or a leisurely breakfast, completely caught off-guard when the bombs fell; and the fleet itself was unprepared, with most of its ships at anchor in theRead MorePedagogical Principles And North Carolina s Essential Standards Essay1336 Words   |  6 PagesHistory II â€Å"American History Course II will guide students from the late nineteenth century time period through the early 21st century†¦. An emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts as well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state. † This 5 day unit plan focuses on the people and events leading up to the Internment of over 120,000 people (mostly U.S. citizens) of Japanese ancestry in the United States of America during World War II. ThisRead MoreWomen in World War II Essay992 Words   |  4 PagesWomen in World War II During World War II Hitler was skulking around Europe pretending to save Germany, military minds in Washington were stonewalling womens organizations, patriotic pressures, and anyone who had the temerity to suggest that women should be in the military. The politicians, in typical gerrymandering fashion, made flimsy promises of considering an auxiliary of sorts while quietly hoping it would all go away and secretly trying to figure out how to stop it. Fortunately Congresswoman

Buddhism And The Buddhist Liberation Movement - 1107 Words

Buddhism Instructor Name Date People from the spaghetti western world think of Buddhism as a conviction where people take the time to look at one’s self but in contemporary Asia this is not so where the Buddhist liberation movement is working to accomplish equality amongst people and to make available them with basic wishes as much as it means taking the time to think about one’s self. This focus on one’s self is where things such as karma and inexperience is placed second to focus on belongings such as greed loathing and new methods of solving peace, poverty and injustice. This liberation is called everyday emerging and includes every person from villages to nations. For discharge to be possible ten basic essentials†¦show more content†¦Kenneth Kraft has agreed with the idea that this mundane awakening in Buddhism started with Siddhartha but was hidden. These principles such as equal opportunity, social change and ethical sensitivity as emphasized in the west can now be re alized. Buddhist believes that the poor needs more attention as life need a lot of material things than those who have enough and those who have more than enough need to focus on the information that there are people in need. Buddhist liberation movements are a major change for the religion and will continue to do so in the future. Mata feels that the future should be devoted to development of motherhood as women have the ability to transform the world through there healing powers. She believes that mothers are the ones who teach love and patience in the minds of their children as with them throughout their life. Although motherhood is not limited to those who given birth, both men and women can be mothers as motherhood is the what and how a person thinks and the love that a person can pass on to a child. A mother passes love and kindness to her children. These qualities are even passed through her breast milk. These thoughts and character that are molded into a child

Special Education And Self Perceptions Essay - 987 Words

One of mankind’s most common tendencies is to categorize objects, all objects, even people. It is safe to say that most children were labeled while growing up by their parents, teachers, and peers. For better or for worse, whether true or not, these labels stick with the kids, having long-lasting effects and even potentially influencing who they become as adults. This paper will define what a label is while discussing whether or not categorizing children is necessary and what impacts those labels can have on their education and self-perceptions. To label someone is to assign a them a category. According to Richard Gargiulo in his book â€Å"Special Education in Contemporary Society†, a category is â€Å"a label assigned to individuals who share common characteristics and features† (Gargiulo, 2015, pg. 10). The terms category and label can often be interchanged, therefore, labeling children is also defined by grouping individuals who share common characterist ics and features. Some labels commonly used to define students are gifted, athletic, difficult, the special ed. kid, and so on. The course content brought to my attention just how prevalent labels are in our daily lives, I had never stopped to think about all the labels that are assigned to me and all that I assign to others, but we I did I was appalled. These labels can both enhance and hinder students’ education and self-perceptions while arguments can be made to both continue using labels in schools or to try andShow MoreRelatedHow Educators For Students With Children With Learning Disabilities And Their Diverse Learning Needs843 Words   |  4 Pagesteacher. Studies by Custer Panangos (1996) and Harvey (2000) focused on the perceptions of CTE teachers with a specific lens towards confidence and effectiveness of teaching. Each study employed surveys in which CTE teachers and other school-based personnel were involved to include administrators and counselors. CTE teach ers were asked to rate themselves in terms of confidence and effectiveness with working with various special populations, while administrators and counselors were asked to rate CTE teacher’sRead MoreBenefits And Benefits Of Co Teaching1405 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstood in the inclusive setting because the teacher-student ratio is reduced and teachers have more time to pay attention to individual needs. One of the benefits of co-teaching is the unique perspectives and strengths of general educators and special educators teaching approaches and instructional strategies (Friend, Reising, Cook, 1993). In the collaborative setting, co-teachers work together to develop personal classroom arrangements which best suits their instructional needs. Magiera andRead MoreThe Response Of Intervention ( Rti ) Process Is A Multi Layered Tier Educational Model1069 Words   |  5 Pagesbehavioral difficulties, to meet these critical needs. A required component of the RtI process is the student success team (SST). The SST is responsible for initiating RtI and eventually determines recommendation for special education services. This team consists of general education teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents. Parents can play an integral part of the SST/RtI process, and should be fully informed of how the process works. However, Byrd (2011) claimed that parents are oftenRead MoreA Teacher Leadership At Lake Oconee Academy1538 Words   |  7 Pagesemployment at Lake Oconee Academy, I have grown from a special education teacher to a Special Education Coordinator, Testing Curriculum Coordinator, and chair of a professional learning community. My role as special education co-teacher, embraces the ideas of classroom supporter and learner. Along with my general education teacher, I am teaching and supporting all students on their academic journey, as well as, supporting the general education teacher in less on planning, assessment, and classroomRead MoreSoc 120958 Words   |  4 PagesDo you think people’s perceptions of others play a role in the success of students with disabilities? Why or why not? Choose one law covered in Chapter 1. These include IDEA, NCLB, Section 504 and ADA. How does your chosen law protect students with disabilities from negative perceptions and beliefs? Week 1 discussion 1 and 2 I believe that people’s perception does play a role in the success of students with disabilities. It is human nature to stare, fear or ridicule people who appear or act differentRead MoreExamining the Social Interactions of the Inclusion Classroom: A Grounded Theory1424 Words   |  6 Pages Examining the Social Interactions of the Elementary Inclusion Classroom: A Grounded Theory Inclusion has been one of the main focuses in the field of special education for the past two decades. Students with disabilities are being integrated in the general education classrooms at a steady pace. With the focus being on inclusion, educators are increasingly concerned with the social difficulties of students with disabilities (Lewis, Chard, Scott, 1994).Read MoreLearning Disabilities as a Cultural Construct Essay1282 Words   |  6 PagesWhile perceptions of learning disabilities (LD) may vary according to country, culture, and teachers, it is often necessary to diagnose students in order to receive funding for services. It can be helpful to recognize those learning disabilities that students may have in order to provide extra assistance when necessary. It would be advantageous, too, if wide recognition of LD could take away the stigma that is often present. However, since LD is a multi-faceted topic, labeling often carries aRead MorePerception Of Administrative Suppor t And Teaching Deaf Students With Additional Disabilities Essay1286 Words   |  6 PagesThis study investigated teachers’ perception of Administrative Support they received from their schools, while teaching deaf students with additional disabilities. A total of 40 teachers from 5 schools, in 4 states, completed a self-reporting survey on the actual support they received and support they perceived they needed, when teaching deaf students with additional disabilities. The construct of Administrative Support was measured through the subscales of Emotional Support., Informational SupportRead MoreSpecial Education: Should Restraints or Seclusion Be Applied on Individuals with Disabilities1048 Words   |  5 PagesUnder the Steering Committee on the Enabling Masterplan, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has been recommended to hold the ownership and leadership of special education. (Poon, Shobana, Wettasinghe, 2013) Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016 seeks to build an inclusive Singapore where every person with disability can maximize his potential and is embraced as an integral member of our society. This initiative builds on the Enabling Masterplan 2007-2011, where the government feels that there was some progressRead MoreMeeting the Needs of Special Education Students Essay913 Words   |  4 PagesSpecial education falls under the broad category of exceptional learners. Exceptional learners range from students reading years behind grade level, to s tudents reading years ahead. Within this broad spectrum, special education students are defined as individuals with special needs in a way that address the students individual differences and needs. Through the use of inclusion classes, mainstreaming, and individualized education plans, the needs of each individual student are met. â€Å"Education

Alcohol Prevention Free Essays

There is a rich body of literature that deals with intervention approaches for the large population that have problems with alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse appears to be a grave situation, considering the huge number of adolescents who have a problem with alcohol and substance abuse. Thus, â€Å"[i]n 2002, an estimated 10. We will write a custom essay sample on Alcohol Prevention or any similar topic only for you Order Now 7 million American youths, 28.8% of total youths 12–20 years old, were current drinkers† (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). The gravity of the problem is underscored by the huge part of the statistics to belong to binge and heavy drinkers. The â€Å"US National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2002† estimated that 7.2 million adolescents are binge drinkers, while 2.3 million adolescents are heavy drinkers. Heavy drinkers are those who consumed more than four drinks in five different days in the past 30 days. The staggering figures lead to the conclusion that there is serious public health problem among the youth with respect to their alcohol consumption. This problem extends to serious behavioral disorders resulting from alcohol consumption, such as alcoholism. The problem is even more serious because disorders that are related to alcohol abuse are likely to become â€Å"chronic and to persist into adulthood† (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). The problem with adolescent alcohol abuse has led to the development of various treatments, both in the private and public healthcare systems. These treatments often range from adolescent to adult care. However, treatment cares often result in relapse in 50-70 percent of affected adolescents. Therefore, there is a need for systematic approaches that are tailored to meet the specific needs and limitations of the target population, which is the youth (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). Treatments require appropriate diagnostic criteria in assessing alcohol use patterns of adolescents. For example, current drinkers may be determined by using the criterion that the person â€Å"consumed at least one drink in the past 30 days† (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). Moreover, there is a need to develop a framework within which â€Å"alcohol-related pathology† could be accounted for in the adolescent stage of a person’s life (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). The literature on the subject also has a huge space for the role of support groups in the prevention and therapy for people who have problems with alcohol abuse. Literature Review The article entitled Society for the Study of Addiction (2004) cites Liddle (2004), who reviewed therapies involving the family of the adolescent who has problems in alcohol and drug abuse. There are suggestions to develop   â€Å"adolescent focused, family-based therapies for substance abuse† (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). Family-based therapies are believed to be effective for the helpful recovery of alcohol-dependent adolescent. Family-based therapies often analyze â€Å"videotaped in-therapy sessions.† Such records help in the identification of problems and issues, and serve as bases for change and treatment (Society for the Study of Addiction, 2004). This article is useful because it points out how important it is to first determine the extent of the problem before attempting to solve it. In the case of alcoholic adolescents, there is a need to first know the needs and limitations of each person and proceed from there. Intervention strategies, such as family-based therapies, should factor in such details in order to be effective. Videotaped therapy sessions are also helpful because they allow all stakeholders, such as the alcohol-dependent person, his family, and the therapist, to have a clear perspective of the situation, through observation from a different angle. Finally, family members could be effective in helping adolescent alcohol dependents by providing moral support. Another article focuses on the â€Å"pragmatic aspect of the therapeutic process taking place† in the weekly-held meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. It also discusses how the fellowship had grown into a worldwide phenomenon since its inception in the 1930s (Arminen, 1998). Alcoholics Anonymous, which is described as a â€Å"therapeutic fellowship for those who are prone to addictions and over consumption of alcohol and other substances† (Arminen, 1998), encourages therapy through situated interaction. It’s motto is â€Å"one day at a time†, which emphasizes that the attainment of sobriety is uncertain, but reachable (Arminen, 1998). Analysis of the style of sharing implemented in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous led to the observation that speakers refer to speakers in previous meetings to show how the speakers are aligned. Moreover, this style has significant value as social devices that maintain the fragile relationship between members (Arminen, 1998). This article is useful in showing effective methods of dealing with alcoholism as a group, rather than as individuals. It shows how a method that deals with the problem one day at a time could achieve results. Furthermore, this article points out how Alcoholics Anonymous uses social devices to meet the goal of addressing alcoholism. Another article on the subject was written by Linsky in 1970 – 1971. It is an exposition of the public’s views on alcoholism, as manifested by themes of articles and images featured in popular magazines. Generally, alcoholism was viewed as a form of social deviance. However, in the twentieth century, society’s views on alcoholics were redefined. The article notes that changes in society’s views on alcoholism also influenced the treatment options available to alcoholics (Linsky, 1970-1971). How to cite Alcohol Prevention, Papers

Reality and Fantasy free essay sample

This paper looks at what is real and what is fantasy from a philosophical perspective. A discussion of what is real and what is imaginary. The author conducts this investigation through understanding the ideals of philosophers such as Descartes and Hume. The author examines this topic looking at issues including perception, senses, physical and virtual realities, the immortal soul and the existence of God. When looking at the world as if it was a croquet game in Alice and wonderland we can argue quite easily that life is a mutable role in the ideology of the philosophers, by looking at several aspects and views of the great philosophers we can see and determine what is reality and what is not. This therefore provides us with the ideal proof that what we believe is real and what we do not believe does not exist. In the universe we know that there is thought and matter. We will write a custom essay sample on Reality and Fantasy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The paradigm that belies dualism is a single idea; why should reality need to be only one of these aspects. In duality there is the argument that the ideas of the mind, and that the physical world of the matter are both equally real.

Possession of knowledge and ethical responsibility

Introduction Knowledge refers to the acquisition of skills, information, consent and awareness of given happenings in the society. It entails apprehending truth, facts, being learned and familiarisation of oneself with situations through a process of logical reasoning and assessment of circumstances.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Possession of knowledge and ethical responsibility specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Whether or not a single perfect process of acquisition of knowledge can be determined is a debatable issue as it remains a mystery as to how exactly people possess knowledge (Raffoul 27-34). According to Raffoul (165-167) and Rest (5-14), acquisition of knowledge involves easily and effectively embracing reality through experience or in thought as it is based on the proven scientific evidence, acquaintance, perception and experience. Different fields of knowledge such as mathematics, science, geography, science, psychology, religion and engineering do exist. Value judgment among people depends on the knowledge they possess. On the other hand, like morality, ethical responsibility demands that a person fulfils certain obligations in the best possible way and for the common good of all concerned (Lucas 36-45). At times, ethical dilemma can compel an individual to choose from a number of ethical principles that adhere to the moral law of doing right. Possession of knowledge and ethical responsibility Whether voluntary or unintentional, existence of praise and blame are major aspects of ethical responsibility for people with a certain level of knowledge. As dictated by normative ethics, application of conduct and acquired knowledge demands that existence of information and its application to decision making and other human practices be effectively employed in making rational decisions. Majority of people use applied ethics and the common societal laws and principles which guide people ’s lives to judge human behaviour (Lucas 41-78). Ethics and morality entail doing what is right and avoiding evil. Knowledge of ethics and morality should be focused on enhancing maturity, benevolence, prudence and rational reasoning in undertaking critical decisions. In view of the fact that acquisition of knowledge has â€Å"nothing† to do with being certain of the prevailing or possible circumstances, moral law dictates that all human acts should be perceived in an objective, realistic, rational, and focused manner with the interest of the majority at heart (Rest 78-112). Withholding knowledge and refusing to act is definitely not a moral act and as it contradicts the concept of undertaking ethical responsibility based on one’s acquired knowledge. For instance, scientists who have the expertise to develop nuclear bombs should often be aware of the possible dangers that could emanate from such â€Å"wonderful† initiatives (Lucas 16-21).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Arguments that are in line with social and moral relativism are likely to compel people with certain knowledge not to act in a morally upright manner. Unlike in a utilitarian ethical perspective in which the needs and good deeds of an individual are superseded by those of the majority, possession of knowledge dictates that one avoids joining the majority and remain focused on doing what is reasonable and right. According to Lucas (33-42), being in custody of knowledge demands that one acts in an ethical manner. This fact is no longer an issue of concern to most people in the contemporary society. What individuals do with the knowledge they possess is fully dependent on their decisions and will to do exactly that. Ways of acquisition of knowledge are many and varied. Whether or not a person’s knowledge of something should make him or her answerable to certain ac ts is a very contentious issue. It leads to constant confrontation and demands by people to desist from taking responsibility of the different situations they face. It can be argued that awareness, familiarity and apprehension of knowledge carry ethical significances. Human intellect should be employed in analyzing situations and critically assessing the degree to which given acts are ethically correct. History and natural science are vital means of acquisition of knowledge. The two methods enable an individual to learn and accept certain truths that can never be concealed through false and unfounded logic (Lucas 28-46). However, it is vital to ensure that any form of reasoning is neither biased nor is it fully based on mere perception of real life situations or emotions. Portrayal of false image or biasness is equal to being selfish, self centred, uncouth and deceptive to the common moral law. For instance, doctors who possess actual knowledge and intelligent reasoning of patientsà ¢â‚¬â„¢ diseases have the ethical responsibility of ensuring that patients are given the most appropriate diagnoses and that all their medical concerns are addressed in an amicable and informative way (Lucas 79-85). Another indicator of the fact that being knowledgeable requires that one becomes ethically responsible could be demonstrated by a case where an individual witnesses a crime being committed. A crime witness can use his or her knowledge acquisition gained through perception, language and sight in determining what actions to take which may include reporting or ignoring the situation. Like a doctor, driver or a teaching professional, professional ethos, ethics, code of conduct and acquired knowledge demand that one fulfils an ethical act (Rest 147). To what degree would one say that indeed knowledge has an ethical responsibility? Pretence is a likely phenomenon that could dominate people’s lives once they learn that their acknowledgement of possessing knowledge could imply being fully answerable to both negative and positive occurrences that relate to the situation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Possession of knowledge and ethical responsibility specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to Lucas (138-149), the act of acknowledging the existence of something should never make a person to be ethically responsible. Rest (5-11) argues that people should only be ethically responsible to acts which they have the will, desire and duty of doing. Undertaking an act with the aim of preventing greater harm is crucial. Albert Einstein’s unparalleled knowledge of nuclear physics led to the invention of a nuclear bomb. Einsten’s invention was good because it involved the use of his possessed knowledge. It was not in Albert’s ability to control the degree to which the nuclear bombs would be developed. The invention of nuclear physics by Einstein culminated into mass ive physical destruction and loss of lives such as the case of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan (Rest 6-11). Regardless of the kind of knowledge that one possesses and the process that one undergoes in possessing the knowledge, modern ethical points of view dictate that human beings have a perceived obligation of attempting to create the most possible benefit that would in turn satisfy most people with the least possible harm. A picture of man and lady holding hands could lead to the perception that they could be couples. However, that does not make one ethically responsible for the acts committed by such people. In fact, such a witness would not be contradicting any moral laws by not involving himself or herself in the daily endeavours of the couple. This fact shows that acquisition of knowledge does not always compel one to be ethically responsible in all situations (Raffoul 59-64). It is highly likely that knowleageable people could falter in their decision making process. Certain situations could pose a dilemma. A situation of a dilemma should never be treated as a justification for committing evil. The knowledge that a biologist and a nuclear researcher possess and the manner in which such knowledge could be utilized should never be measured or judged on equal standards but rather be analyzed based on the result of the act, the surrounding circumstances and the intention of undertaking the specific act. A biologist or a nuclear researcher should be highly disciplined. The said professionals should never share critical secrets that pertain to how one can use certain substances for destructive purposes like uranium. Conclusion It is evident from the above analysis that knowledge has an ethical responsibility especially with regard to the manner in which professionals and people that interact with a group of other people carry out their duties and responsibilities. This fact is evident in situations where the responsibility in question is likely to cause harm or offer misleading information to people. Though possessing knowledge would often have little or no effect on people, it is evident that acts and decisions made by people with such knowledge are the ones that need to be undertaken in a conscientious, ethical and reasonable manner. While people have the right to acquire and fully possess knowledge, it is imperative to ensure that the knowledge acquired is utilized in an ethical manner.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Lucas, Peter. Ethics and Self-Knowledge: Respect for Self-Interpreting Agents, Preston, UK: Springer, 2011.Print. Raffoul, Franà §ois. The Origins of Responsibility, Indiana, USA: Indiana University Press, 2010.Print. Rest, James. Moral Development in the Professions: Psychology and Applied Ethics, Moral Reasoning in Medicines, New Jersey, USA: Tailor Francis e-Library, 2009.Print. This essay on Possession of knowledge and ethical responsibility was written and submitted by user D1rkAnger to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Possession of Knowledge and Ethical Responsibility It has been an argument for a long time whether people are supposed to reveal or conceal knowledge that they have gained. It is common to observe situations and events where people have intentionally withheld information which could have been used for the benefit of society.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Possession of Knowledge and Ethical Responsibility specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this regard, it has been argued by many people that possession of knowledge comes with ethical responsibility, especially concerning the use of information gained. However, there is always a conflict of interests when one contemplates on whether to reveal or conceal information he or she has learned. Therefore, it is important to explore the idea as to whether people become ethically responsible by means of possessing knowledge. To begin with, it is paramount to define what is meant by ethical responsibility. Ethics is genera lly defined in society as the ability to choose right from the wrong, and differentiate between good behavior and bad behavior. Some people go further and consider ethical responsibility as the possibility of one to prevent evil from taking place, and nurturing good deeds as being ethically correct. However, ethics does not necessarily mean good and bad; right and wrong, or evil and prosperity. It goes deeper to stress on what can critically be regarded as expected code of conduct in society. In general, ethics entails moral values that are used to define the behavior of a person in society, and thus dictates what is expected of a person. It should be noted that ethics does not only guide behaviors that are peculiar to given societies, but also includes what can be referred to as universal code of conduct. In this regard, ethical responsibility refers to the societal expectation that people will do anything within their power to prevent both themselves and others from harm. Based on the above definition, it follows that possession of knowledge comes with ethical responsibility, though this depends on the kind of information. Firstly, it is the ethical responsibility of every person to make society a better place to live in. In this regard, if by any chance one happens to have knowledge of an event, either happening or about to happen, which can cause destruction to the society, the person is bound to reveal the information. Take for example a person who has knowledge about a criminal gang or a crime that has taken place. If the person keeps quite, the crime will go unreported or the criminal gang will continue with their heinous activities causing harm to members of the society.Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More If the matter is reported, there are more chances that the criminals will be arrested, so there might be less future crimes. Consequently, possessing the inf ormation like this will impose an ethical responsibility on a person to report the matter to respective authorities. Similarly, some knowledge imposes commitment and challenge to the person with the knowledge to react or risk many people’s lives. People with knowledge about some live threatening or live saving ideas are obliged to share the information, or use the information for the benefit of everyone in the society. However, in certain instances there is a conflict of interest between saving one’s live and the society, while putting personal life in jeopardy. If a person finds some food in a hidden place and the whole village is starving, the person will be torn between telling the other members of the village about the food and serving personal interests. Ethics demands that the food is shared among village members. On the other hand, giving the food to the society members means risking personal life since there is no guarantee that food will be found again. The ca se where Daniel Elisberg made public the pentagon papers that contained illegal and unconstitutional issues that were being perpetrated by the president and high ranking officials have been debated for long. Daniel knew that the public was being deceived especially regarding Vietnam War. It should be noted that the whole public was being misguided by the very institution that was supposed to guide the nation. Ethical responsibility calls on any person to prevent any evil in society; lies are part of evil in the society. It was, therefore, Daniel’s ethical responsibility to make the public aware of the correct information. However, there are instances when advantages and disadvantages of ethical responsibility have to be weighed before making any decision. Take the case where scientists discover some new technologies which can help in improving society, but can also be misused by evil minded people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Possession of Knowledge and Ethical Responsibility specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Scientists will be ethically obliged to release the technology to the public to be used in making life easier. On the other hand, conscience will trouble the scientists in case the technology is misused because they will feel responsible for the effects. In this situation, a choice has to be made because the ethical responsibility is two way, namely, aiding the society in making their lives easier and protecting evil from occurring. Ethics requires that a person should always endeavor for happiness not only for himself but also for others. Consequently, scientists have the obligation of ensuring that they use their knowledge to make the society a happy place to live in. Moreover, some roles in the society enable one person to have knowledge about some important issues which either need to be kept secret or made public for the sake of others. Managers of companies usually hav e knowledge of some secret company information which can be used against the firm if enemies find it. Consequently, directors and any other people who happen to have this information are ethically obliged to use the information in a way that is only beneficial to the company. It should be noted that managers and company directors are ethically bound to protect company assets, including information. On the same note, various professionals usually have knowledge that is beneficial to the society. During medical emergencies, doctors are called upon to use their knowledge to save lives. Some of the situations might be risky to the doctors themselves. Under normal circumstances, every human being will choose to protect personal live over society. Nevertheless, doctors have a moral duty of helping people and will thus have to help the situation. The case is the same for other professionals for example, police officers, fire fighters and engineers, to name a few. Therefore, accessing any k ind of knowledge comes with ethical responsibility either to reveal or to conceal the same. It all depends on whether the knowledge can cause harm or reprieve when revealed. All in all, it is upon each and every one of us to make informed choices whenever faced with ethical dilemmas, especially regarding possession of knowledge.Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This essay on Possession of Knowledge and Ethical Responsibility was written and submitted by user Ben Reilly to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.