Philosophy in a Modern Age

   This week we studied the great Philosophers. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle contributed to the ways of many great thinkers and leaders throughout the ages. I found and irony in the way Aristotle influenced both Christianity and Islam with his thinking. I seem myself to conduct a bit of self-discovery and self-awareness.

   Rosethstand writes “Our responses to situations must remain flexible, and we each have our own ideals and failings, but the right, virtuous response reveals itself in being appropriate to the situation and falls within a range that is recognized by other people of virtue.” In my research this week I came across an article regarding Philosophy and our modern times. The author, Andrea Maltman states “Our addiction to online praise and our obsession with having a perfectly curated social media space isn't all that different from the ancient Greek Polis, where The Sophists wandered around selling proverbial soap boxes and teaching citizens the gift of the gab.” Philosophers referred to it as rhetoric. She goes on to point out Socrates critical nature and how he analyzed everything. Pointing out that people should stop talking and start listening.

   We go through life in the modern age living in a digital quandary and seeking praise on Facebook and Twitter. “Aristotle depicted reciprocal friendship as the glue that binds entire societies together, as equally -- if not more -- important than justice and honor.” (Maltman, 2015). No further from the truth is the fact that we need friends. I myself have reconnected with military and high school colleague alike. I don’t know at what cost. Seems Facebook is a blackhole of acceptance and criticism based on a digital life that someone wish to post every drama filled minute or horrible self-event, news event that contrives with despotism of life.

   I have since taken a break from my digital life. Why? I ponder it, I sometimes find myself wondering…but in the end I have taken a break to rid myself of the negative the world has to offer.  I am trying to find my virtuous self, caring and considerate, the one known for helping others and reaching out. It seems all the negativity was beginning to affect me on another level.

   That leads me back to being flexible, recognizing and accepting failings, but to gain a virtuous perspective again.  To do the right thing under the right circumstances and help others when they need it. I have had time to self-retrospect and to not allow others to affect my thoughts of self. The world is a terrible place in some ways, it other it is about more. Hope, love, family and friends as well as the helping of others. This week has touched a nerve and my inner thought. Socrates is lives after death due to Plato’s need to write. Through his expressions we as a civilized culture have deeper understandings of human nature.

Rosenstand, Nina (2012-07-01). The Moral of the Story: An Introduction to Ethics, 7th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle Edition.

Maltman, A. (2015, January 7). Classic Philosophy Hacks for the Modern Age. Retrieved July 11, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrea-maltman/classic-philosophy-hacks-_b_7710828.html 

   The Pursuit of Happiness 

   The Pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right...now lets work on tolerance. As quickly as it sprung up it in the headlines, the Gay Marriage debate left the headlines. This week was a unique and open to suggestion moment in history of the United States. Coming on the same week as the Nation recognizes Independence Day, The Supreme Court made a decision that has changed the way people observe marriage. It is no longer just between a man and a woman, but two consenting adults that have admiration for one another.

   We start another chapter in our history as a nation. Is it the right one? Only time will tell. People have already taken the decision to a perverse level, with articles of persons wanting to marry their personal electronic device, or have more than one spouse. The legal ramifications are years in the making and yet to be fully disclosed. What is the pursuit of happiness and can we find it according to Locke’s established writings on the subject?

  Our nation was found on principle that we recognize this weekend. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But does one group have the right to take happiness or life away from another. The argument for Gay marriage deposed another group of their religious freedoms based on belief. I am not an ardent supporter of Gay Marriage, but I am also not a cynic. I recognize a persons need to have a partner, to feel like a couple and to have a relationship with another. I think that is a human need. I also recognize a person need to have a religious belief, yes even atheist have a belief in non-believing. But why force your beliefs or ways on to others, gay or spiritual. We live in a nation where you don’t have to be forced to accept a person’s belief, because you have the freedom to believe what you wish. You have the right to be free to worship or not worship. Traditionalist beliefs are of a time and culture of couples being a man and a woman, where progressives have accepted a different view and have moved toward it in our time. Religious convictions have and will be tested, but no longer will the rights of marriage be, that decision has been made.

   The life long history of homosexuality is recorded throughout history. The acceptance however has been nonexistent, it was only in whispers , and Hollywood tabloid style rumors. For the first time in our nation it is recognized as a legal right. There are still legal issues to be addressed and over time we as a nation will have to accept it is here to stay. We will also have to accept the other members of the nation and the religious freedoms they are afforded by the same constitution that allowed gay rights activists there largest victory. The naysayers won’t be able to force others to bend over religious belief, just like the religious zealots can’t stop to people of the same sex from being recognized as a married couple. The LBGT movement came into the news like a avalanche with its flamboyant ways and look at me attitude, and it left the headlines overnight with the victory so long sought after. Look and see how many news articles where posted about LBGT in the news since the ruling. It is no longer a news headliner to be gay, it’s just another part of being in America and a member the American melting pot.

   The peace of the nation is in the middle somewhere between the polarization of religion, sexuality and of recent race. The tolerance of which was the opening of this blog was the tolerance of others, their Religious belief, Sexual Orientation, Race, and even cultures, with out giving up our own National Culture.  Healing is what the nation needs, on so many levels. The Nation needs to come together again as one body with the belief in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. We are a nation that overcomes adversity, now is the time to heal and pursue our own happiness, with out infringing on others, but including them. Happy Independence Day!

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/gay-marriage-supreme-court-politics-activism/397052/

http://www.salon.com/2015/06/29/gop_candidates_same_sex_marriage_test_whos_willing_to_be_honest_about_what_just_happened/
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/30/supreme_court_gay_marriage_john_roberts_dissent_is_wrong_about_polygamy.html

Hard Work Ethic or Propaganda?

 Mike Rowe, you may know him from the hit show "Dirty Jobs" or spokesman for Ford Motor Company, the man knows what hard work is. He has seen the dirtiest of all jobs in the United States, and those jobs are occupied by special people who suck up the nasty to get things done.

   I myself, am a proponent of "Hard work." I was raised in a family where my grandfathers experienced the Great Depression, and a war or two. They seen what real desperation is all about. They became men who raised there children to overcome any adversity and to work hard, say please and thank you, and respect your elders. My parents passed those values and work ethic on to me, many things the younger generations of today lack.

  However, the younger generation does not lack ambition. They are ambitious for the high end car, house, and products the world has to offer. Ethically hard work pays off over instant gratification. What they have experienced growing up is not hard work, it's having things given to you. they don't realize their parents worked hard, did simple jobs, worked hard and became the people they are today through hard work.  The ethics of hard work are seen through out the world. New York City for example was build with blood, sweat and tears. The industrial age was an age of wonder, but also of hard work. Where has all that hard work gone?

   Sometimes it begs to wonder where all the hard workers have gone, but they are still around. They just keep there nose to the grindstone and don't bring undue attention onto themselves. They got to work, work hard, earn their paycheck and live a simple life. Warren Buffet believes in hard work and through hard work and long hours established one of the largest and most profitable investment brokers in the world. He only invests in companies that have potential. How does he judge that potential, the passion and hard work of it's employees. Companies like Coca-Cola, Flight Safety and others. Those companies all started small, had hard working visionaries and have made themselves standard bearers in their respected industry.  Those companies only hire the best and brightest to fulfill the companies intent to maintain excellence and advance the industry.

   Back to Mr. Rowe. Recently Mike was admonished for his work with unemployed people of the communities around the country, to help get them jobs. People who believe in hard work. Why would anyone do such a thing to someone trying to help? To make waves where there are none. To accuse a man of hard work ethic that hard work is a right wing propaganda. The individual questions Mikes "Hard Work Ethic" and the aggressor implied Mike said people are lazy. In fact Mike promotes hard work and believes people are lazy, but he doesn't harp on the lazy part, it's human nature according to Mr. Rowe. With hard work comes reward and that is all Mr. Rowe is promoting. Hard work and the basic soft skills of manners, dignity and respect. With theses skills anyone can get a job, and there are millions of jobs out there to be had. To many people believe that those jobs are beneath them and the government systems are there to help, and not to be abused by lazy people. I appreciate hard work and the simple manners of human dignity and respect that most people have. To those people I say Thank You, you are a light in the dark and best wished in finding all that you seek. What is hard work to you? Would you consider a menial job in order to survive?

you can see the full letter here:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/06/07/mike-rowes-stellar-reply-to-letter-writer-calling-his-work-ethic-movement-right-wing-propaganda/

Dalai Lama to visit Orange County 

 I believe the Dalai Lama is one of the most influential teachers of ethical values. He has over the years written on so much to deal with ethical dilemma and selflessness.  I this recent article about his visit to Orange County California he will “emphasized the importance of “secular ethics” and the part it can play in contributing toward a happier individual, home, country and, by extension, world.”(Bharath, 2015) The article talks further of his involvement with others to supply a new book to the public and how traveling he is able to touch so many. His holiness is a revered proponent of peace, not just inner peace but world piece through inner peace. He goes on to say “I consider myself a human being Not a Tibetan, a Buddhist, Asian, a monk or His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” he said. “When I present myself as a human being instead of someone special, communication becomes much easier.” (Bharath, 2015) One of the most revered holy men in the world and also the hated but some governments. He continues to spread the word of peace and one world of the human form. This week I picked this because so much hate, anger and death is in the news…sometimes you just need to see the good in the world.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/human-662669-values-dalai.html

BHARATH, D. (2015, May 15). Human values to be a focus of Dalai Lama visit. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from http://www.ocregister.com/articles/human-662669-values-dalai.html

University of North Carolina crimes and punsihment

http://news.yahoo.com/university-north-carolina-sanctioned-amid-academic-fraud-scandal-171941357--nfl.html

Seems ethical dilemmas for the University of North Carolina have come head. The school has recently received a twelve month probation for violations of ethics to include integrity, athletic and academic freedom and others totaling seven violations.  Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is quoted as saying "It’s the most serious sanction that we can put on an institution, short of dropping it from membership" (Stein, 2015).

 Academic fraud is a serious issue and a violation of the trust of the students and the faculty to maintain a desired level of credibility in their education system. It seems that the school just gave credit for classes that never existed or students attended. I recently seen a segment on a major news organization of how people "buy" degree certificates and even transcripts online. How can someone think that they can accomplish a certain level of professional accomplishment if they do not have the real credentials to do so? Companies are losing the benefit of truly educated and real candidates, which are subverted by charlatans.  The financial impact of the losses must be researched and distributed to human resource executives. Hiring managers must validate the candidate and the educational credentials. 

Ethically this is a farce of grand proportion, and the moral implications on society as a whole is high. We see a demise of society in the respect for authority from the educational institutions to the ambiguity of the respect for law enforcement and the nation’s laws.  When did we as a society become so brazen to lie, cheat and steal without fear of punishment?