...Anglo-Algerian author, Mouloud Benzadi describes “true happiness cannot not be achieved through wealth, fame or action, but through love, modesty, and self-satisfaction.” While happiness can be achieved through materialistic things, Benzadi, along with Ray Bradbury and Ayn Rand, agrees that not all things can bring true happiness to life. Similarly to Benzadi’s idea, the novels Fahrenheit 451 and the novella Anthem, by authors Bradbury and Rand, display that to reach a high level of satisfaction, one must have a desire for knowledge, freedom to express individuality, and a desire to belong. Once these are accomplished, true happiness can be achieved. The hunger for the unknown of knowledge often creates satisfaction through. For example, in...
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...Equality’s belief of rational individualism or Objectivism is drastically different, almost opposite from the belief of the common society in Anthem because of wanting freedom, happiness, and love. He believes in making himself happy before others instead of being happy for being part of mankind. He shows that he identifies happiness individually saying that his happiness is his own purpose and goal (Rand 95). Equality 7-2521 intends to keep his happiness and shows pride in not being a servant and at the same time not treating his brothers as lesser beings (Rand 95). He treats people like Liberty 5-3000 different than anyone else. When Equality finds a house that people from the Unmentionable Times used to live in, he and his dearest one...
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...In the novel, Anthem, Equality knew that his community would benefit from his invention; however, the real motive for his rediscovery was his own selfish desire to learn more and his skepticism of his society's ideals. Evidence of this motive is apparent in the textual quote on page ninety-five, "My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose." At this point in the story, Equality came to terms with his actions and realized that there is nothing wrong with pursuing one's happiness. At the start of the book, Equality discovered an ancient tunnel that exposed him to technology unknown to his society. This was the beginning of his transition into a rebel in his society. All along, he had felt superior to his peers and thought he should have been a scholar due to his intelligence. As a kid, Equality was always clever and inquisitive. This side of him came out when he was in his tunnel with the freedom and means necessary to pursue his interests. After making several discoveries, his faith in collectivist ideals collapsed. All of his life, he was led to believe that the council of scholars had known exactly what was best for society, yet Equality had made discoveries that the council had known nothing about that would have helped advance their society....
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...Objectivism rejects this false alternative and offers an entirely different view of the world. Equality 7-2521 lives in a society where he has to follow rules and everyone has to be the same person. In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, it shows that Equality’s views have changed when he leaves that society. In the old society he had to use “we” to refer to himself. He can never be recognized as an individual. Equality had to respect everyone and stay where he was put. If he was not a scholar then he could not learn. He is sent to be a street sweeper so that is what he had to be. Ayn Rand’s philosophy ties into Equalitiy’s life because he is in a society and it is all he has ever known for a way of life but then he goes out of that society into...
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...when considering how one ought to act, morally speaking. Theories like Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative, and Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism are some of the Normative Ethics theories. In this study, we will discuss about Utilitarianism. With the objectives of: simplifying a complicated Philosophical theory for students, and understanding deeply the principles of Utilitarianism. Discussion Utilitarianism is mainly characterized by two elements: happiness and consequentialism. Utilitarian happiness is the biggest happiness which (supposedly) every human being looks for. In utilitarianism everything useful to happiness is good. Therefore, the name of the doctrine is utilitarianism, based on the principle of utility. Utility is found in everything which contributes to the happiness of every rational being. The criterion of good and evil is balanced between individual's happiness and the happiness of the community, "each counting in an equal way" (Bentham, Introduction in the principles of morality...
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...Aristotle and Alexis De Tocqueville’s teachings on morality and happiness creates a similarity in their virtues that protecting rights of the people help produce happiness in a democracy. Aristotle discusses in the essay “ The Aim of Man”, that we aim to set goals to lead us into happiness. He believes that happiness is an activity for our soul. The soul is an inanimate object that can be driven by passion, which drives a person to do certain tasks in their life. These actions lead into happiness if the task is done successfully. Aristotle’s teachings on happiness collides with Alexis De Tocqueville’s teaching that Americans need a daily support of some energetic passion. Happiness from Americans will occur by protecting the American people’s...
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...Freedom, no matter what era, suggests a vision of endless possibilities with no limitations. To quote Boston King, a slave, “I began to feel the happiness of Liberty…” (B. King). For hundreds of years the citizens of the United States have searched for happiness through the freedoms promised in the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution. The specific rights being sought have changed over time, but the message is loud and clear. It’s as if they are saying “We demand that the freedoms promised by our forefathers be upheld” An examination of primary sources throughout history reflects these demands. A closer look at sources from the Civil War Era compared with sources from the 1960s reveals some interesting similarities and also some distinct differences in the pursuit of happiness through freedom. Rhetoric used by Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy during their time in office, declare their support of the Declaration and Constitution. President Lincoln, in the Emancipation Proclamation, declares that "persons held as slaves...shall be...forever free" (Lincoln). In the 1960s, John F. Kennedy referred to "freedom” and "human rights" throughout his inaugural address. In each era, the citizens heard promises of freedom and they were hopeful because it was within reach. It wasn’t only the Presidents who spoke of freedom and the Constitution. The citizens, themselves, were requesting that their rights be upheld. In the "Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature...
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...Equality possesses gifts despised by the government: intellectual and psychological strength. He aspires to work at the Home of Scholars, where there is some perceived semblance of education and discovery (9). However, knowing Equality possesses talent, the Council of Vocations, in a sinister move, assigns him the role of Street Sweeper (10). By placing Equality in abeyance, the Council attempts to crush his spirit and prevent him from acquiring knowledge, thereby preserving their hegemon. Equality believes he is being punished for his skills, but he accepts his fate pursuant to societal pressure for servitude, save for his “cursed wish to know” (12). Equality’s desire to learn survives the drudgery. While working one day, he discovers a tunnel from the Unmentionable Times (14). The tunnel becomes his sanctum for knowledge and self-discovery. For three hours each evening, in solitude (a transgression), he pursues his love of scientific experimentation and reflection. The more knowledge he...
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...Equality’s case he constantly feels that “we were born with a curse. it has always driven us to thoughts which are forbidden”(18). Equality only feels that he is cursed because of the standards in the society. The true reason for the “sin” Equality committed was due to the pressure of collectivism from the society he lived in. Although the actions he committed were seen as a sin in his society, Equality has a correct moral assessment of these sins because of his self-individuality and egoism in his own pursuit of happiness. Equality has always stuck out among his brothers when it came to his wits. In...
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...Gender Equality in the United States PHI208: Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor: August 26 , 2015 The topic I chose to discuss is gender equality, one of the greatest controversy’s debated across the ages. I believe the Utilitarianism has influenced American society in regards to gender equality. I believe that women in society have benefited greatly from utilitarianism way of thinking. This theory as I feel it has been applied in American society, has clouded the judgement of our society and it has become a norm. In our strides to make the genders equal we have failed to step back and see the reasoning behind or look at the effects it will have. It’s had adverse effects on many parts of our society especially the work force and in our court systems. Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that says “given a choice one should make the choice that will bring the most happiness to the greatest amount of people. With the utilitarianism theory it is believed that humans will seek pleasure meaning happiness, such as having a family have that dream job, or even having that dream job. The theory also implies that humans in seeking happiness we also try to avoid pain, losing our families, going to jail or not having the money you want. The theory suggests that our pursuit of happiness and our avoidance of pain go hand in hand with our daily decisions throughout our lives. (http://vizedhtmlcontent...
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...The collectivist culture Equality 7-2521 makes it look as if designed to remove meaningful and personal relationships. This was so bad that people were afraid to speak what they thought. In the name of equality, there is an end of personal bonds. It is so serious that it dictates the intimate act of sex to once a year. Rand believes that relationships, which were developed under it, were plain and very unfulfilling. True relationships need a combination of ones ego. She finds fault with people supporting collectivism for supporting freedom and equality into something meaningless. When she realizes the power his ego possessed, Equality 7-2521, “I am neither foe nor friend to my brothers, but such as each of them shall deserve of me. Moreover, to earn my love, my brothers must do more than to have been born. I do not grant my love without reason, nor to any chance passer-by who may wish to claim it. I honor men with my love. But honor is a thing to be...
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...to Marry” act should not be allowed to go through, but I couldn’t disagree more. In fact, I say “why the hell not?” Don’t I have the right to pursue happiness like the rest of America? Have we forgotten how many minority battles this country has gone through already? Are we, as a nation, truly ready to go through yet another one? People often ask me why I stand for the right to marry. I tell them that it is because I completely agree in equality. Who am I to challenge the heart of someone who wants to commit their life to someone they love? I honestly feel that marriage should not be decided by the states, nor the courts, but by the two individuals that are entering the union. There are many reasons as to why marriage should be legal for all citizens. I will explain just a few of these reasons. And then I will let you decide where you stand. We live in a country, which constantly reminds us of our true blindness, and hasw been making choices for us without listening to what we are feeling. How can a nation come to a decision without fully understanding the hearts that make it run? This brings me to my first reason, equality; we have all had a problem with equality at one point or another. I know that equality is a part of many arguments, but it is a major factor in determining what side to stand on. The main issue of equality is freedom; take a look at the first part of the second paragraph in our Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident...
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...woman) Terminal Values | Rate | Instrumental Values | Rate | A comfortable life | 3 | Ambitious | 17 | An exciting life | 12 | Broad-minded | 6 | A sense of accomplishment | 16 | Capable | 14 | A world at peace | 1 | Cheerful | 15 | A world of Beauty | 17 | Clean | 1 | Equality | 18 | Courageous | 13 | Family Security | 2 | Forgiving | 4 | Freedom | 4 | Helpful | 11 | Happiness | 9 | Honest | 3 | Inner Harmony | 10 | Imaginative | 18 | Mature love | 14 | Independent | 8 | National security | 5 | Intellectual | 16 | Pleasure | 11 | Logical | 9 | Salvation | 6 | Loving | 12 | Self-respect | 7 | Obedient | 5 | Social Recognition | 13 | Polite | 7 | True Friendship | 15 | Responsible | 2 | Wisdom | 8 | Self-controlled | 10 | II. 2ND Respondent: Jabee (Nurse) Terminal Values | Rate | Instrumental Values | Rate | A comfortable life | 10 | Ambitious | 4 | An exciting life | 9 | Broad-minded | 8 | A sense of accomplishment | 8 | Capable | 13 | A world at peace | 11 | Cheerful | 5 | A world of Beauty | 17 | Clean | 14 | Equality | 12 | Courageous | 18 | Family Security | 13 | Forgiving | 12 | Freedom | 6 | Helpful | 11 | Happiness | 7 | Honest | 9 | Inner Harmony | 5 | Imaginative | 17 | Mature love | 1 | Independent | 3 | National security | 15 | Intellectual | 1 | Pleasure | 18 | Logical | 2 | Salvation | 3 | Loving | 10 | Self-respect | 4 | Obedient | 15 | Social Recognition | 16 | Polite | ...
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...Prompt #1 Equality created something that would change the world immensely. He doesn’t know that it had already been created in past times however. Equality doesn’t create electricity for the world though; he creates it for self-benefit and to greaten his ego. He is right to be motivated in this way because it is ok to have self pride. Self pride is a great way to be motivated because it makes him work harder, it gives him happiness, and it inspires others. Self pride makes Equality work harder because it gives him a reason. The reason is that at the end of the hard work, comes a gift so special that nothing can compare. If he were working for a boss or some other person, than he would not be as hard working. This is because it is not for him in the long run. The work is for the person who is telling you what to do. For example, if an architect was given a job from a city planner that he did not particularly enjoy building then he wouldn’t be as excited in doing the work. The architect work as hard because he doesn’t truly enjoy his work. This can relate to Equality because it shows how you have to have a reason for what you are doing. Overall, Equality is right to be motivated for self pride because it gives him a reason to work harder....
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...more significance in the apparent opposition between self-interest and morality.”In Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, Equality, the protagonist, knows that his invention will benefit humankind greatly. However, this is not his primary motivation in conducting his experiments. His primary motivation is his ego. An analysis of this motivation, in a sense, summons to contest if the prime motivation of Equality is right when looking at his...
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