Essay about Plato - 498 Words

Plato was a philosopher and educator in ancient Greece. He was one of the most important thinkers and writers in the history of Western culture. Plato was born in Athens into a family that was one of the oldest and most distinguished in the city. His father Ariston died when Plato was only a child. The name Plato was a nickname meaning broad shoulders. Platos real name was Aristocles. Plato had aspirations of becoming a politician, however these hopes were destroyed when his friend Socrates was sentenced to death in 299 B.C. Extremely hurt Plato left Athens and traveled for several years. In 387 B.C., Plato returned to Athens and founded a school of philosophy and science that became known as the Academy. Topics such as astronomy,†¦show more content†¦Plato was interested in how we can apply a single word or concept to many words or things. For example how can the word house be used for all the individual dwellings that are houses? Plato answered that various things can be c alled by the same name because they have something in common. He called this common factor the thing’s form or idea. Plato insisted that the forms differ greatly from the ordinary things that we see around us. Ordinary things change but their forms do not. A particular triangle may be altered in size or shape but the form of a triangle can never change. Plato concluded that forms exist neither in space or time. They can be known not only by the intellect but also by the senses. Because of their stability and perfection, the forms have greater reality than ordinary objects observed by the senses. Thus true knowledge is knowledge of the forms. In his most well known work, The Republic, Plato states that in his view, only in a good society can the good life be achieved. The Republic outlines Plato’s idea of a perfect or utopian society. He also identifies the four cardinal virtues that are required for a good society. These cardinal virtues are temperance or self-control, courage, wisdom, and justice. Without these virtues he believed that the good life could not be obtained. In The Republic Plato also discusses two different forms ofShow MoreRelatedPlato967 Words   |  4 Pageswould wish the best for a friend regardless of the friend’s usefulness to them or what pleasure he could attain. Having been raised to strive to attain these virtues, the need for a reason to do so becomes pointless. Another difference is that Plato believes that the best type of good is one that is desirable both in itself and for the sake of its results, while Aristotle says that if X is desired because it brings you to Y, then Y is ultimately better than X. Therefore, the highest good is oneRead MorePlato And Plato s Republic1119 Words   |  5 PagesThe ancient Greek Philosopher Plato had an interest in finding the ideal government. In Plato’s Republic, he discusses his ideas and views of how this ideal government would function. He believed that people are born into 3 different classes, with different responsibilities (Plato 415a). Only people in the â€Å"golden† class were fit to rule. The most effective of these rulers would be philosophers, as they have knowledge of the good of the whole (Plato 473d). This system seems too perfect for me. IRead MorePlato And Plato s The Apology1623 Words   |  7 Pagesmore interested in determining how the world worked and its origins/c osmology, as oppose to philosophers such as Plato And Socrates who focused more on ethics or morality. Plato’s conception of God and religion can be depicted in his literatures â€Å"Euthyphro† and â€Å"The Apology† which he expresses through his writings of Socrates in dialogue formation. While one may assume that both Plato and Socrates shared analogous notions of God and religion it is impossible to truly know given the Socratic problemRead MoreThe Republic By Plato Vs. Plato1299 Words   |  6 PagesThe Republic by Plato is an vision of an utopian society established through the character of Socrates. Many aspects of Plato’s society appears utopian; however, it can also be viewed dystopian as it is mere subjectiveness. Many of Plato’s arguments apply to current day society; for example, Donald Trump’s rise to power depicts democracy degenerating to despotism. Plato’s Republic is utopian in idealistic terms because the most qual ified individual is in charge of society who is able to extend hisRead MoreComparison Between Plato And Plato1101 Words   |  5 Pagesmorality is, how to create justice inside and outside society, the state of nature, equality, and the state of war. They distinguish how the people and government help create a well-oiled society. Comparing Plato to Rousseau, the beginning of philosophy to a more modern perspective. In Crito by Plato, Socrates continues a speech of the Laws of Athens by appealing to a social contract that exists between the Laws and the citizens. By living in Athens, one must abide by the Laws of Athens. Since SocratesRead MorePlato s Symposium, By Plato1273 Words   |  6 PagesIn the book,† Plato’s Symposium,† by Plato, who was a philosopher in Greece, he illustrates the dialectic discussion at a party at Agathon’s to celebrate his triumph of his first tragedy. In the Symposium; the guests Phaedrus, an Athenian aristocrat; Pausanias, the legal expert; Eryximachus, a physician; Aristophanes, eminent comic playwright; Agathon ,a tragic poet and host of the banquet; Socrates, eminent philosopher and Plato s teacher; and Alcibiades, a prominent Athenian statesman, oratorRead MorePlato1819 Words   |  8 Pageswinner of the North Award for the best paper in the 2012 Agora. Ben presented an earlier version of this paper at the ACTC Student Conference at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, in March, 2011.) When reading the Apology and the Crito of Plato, one inevitably comes upon a seeming fundamental contradiction between the two dialogues. The Apology presents readers with a defiant Socrates who declares in his trial that, if acquitted on the condition that he never philosophize again, he wouldRead MorePlato Vs. Rhetoric : Plato And Rhetoric2524 Words   |  11 PagesPlato and Rhetoric Plato is one of the greatest philosophers in history. Often his words and sayings resonate to this day. But, considering all what Plato has done, what is most peculiar about him is his condemnation of poets and sophists. Plato is in a constant fight to see that the way of true philosophy replaces these false arts. But even much more interesting is that Plato goes even further, and condemns the use of rhetoric, the art of persuasion, as a whole. He not only does this adamantlyRead MoreEssay on Plato1158 Words   |  5 PagesPlato: The Life of Plato Plato was born around 427 BC, in Athens Greece to rich and politically involved family. Platos parents spared no expense in educating him; he was taught at the finest schools. He was taught by Socrates and defended Socrates when he was on trial. Plato traveled to Italy and may have even visited Egypt before founding The Academy. Plato also visited Sicily and instructed a young king there before returning to The Academy to teach for twenty years before his death in 347Read MorePlato Vs Aristotle Vs Plato1814 Words   |  8 PagesPlato and Aristotle had a considerable amount of differences in ideology given that Aristotle was Plato’s student for roughly two decades. Plato, a student of Socrates, opposed the idea of average citizens to participate in politics because he believed that political practice was skill or â€Å"technÄ“ that can only be achieved by a few people. He believed that â€Å"kings must be those among them who have proved best both in philosophy and where war is concerned.† (Republic, 491) and that these â€Å"philosopher

Different Themes in the Book Romeo and Juliet Essay Free Essays

By: Fatima Saleh Shakespeare’s â€Å"Romeo and Juliet†, a play of two young lovers from opposing families is mainly based on the theme of love and hate. Love is presented right from the start. Shakespeare used the characters and imagery to portray infatuation love, shallow love, dutiful love, parental love and romantic love or young love. We will write a custom essay sample on Different Themes in the Book Romeo and Juliet Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is arguable one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. This play is indeed relevant to a modern audience. Many teenage couples still experience being together and may still encounter the disapproval of their parents and friends and find it hard to be together. Shakespeare used the relationship of Romeo and Rosaline, Paris and Juliet to present infatuation and shallow love. In the beginning Romeo was terribly in love with Rosaline but the love is not returned which turns out Romeo unrequited love to Rosaline. Romeo: â€Å"Shut up his windows, lock fair daylight out and makes himself an artificial night. † (Act 1, scene 1, 134-135). The imagery made a depressed atmosphere, Shakespeare created a difference between light and dark, also portrayed the miserable and sorrowful feeling of Romeo. Same as Paris loved Juliet very much. â€Å"So will ye, I am sure, that you love me. † (Act 5, scene 1, 26) but Juliet didn’t love him back. Dutiful love is a major love that Shakespeare has presented throughout the play, especially in the Capulet family. â€Å"I’ll look to like, if looking liking move, but no more deep will I end art mine eye than you consent gives strength to make it fly. † (Act 1, scene 3, 99-101) Juliet has always been faithful and dutiful to her parents but became independent after meeting Romeo. â€Å"Not proud you have, but thankful that you have. Proud can I never be of what I hate, but thankful even for hate that is meant love. (Act 3, scene 5, 146-148) Shakespeare has presented dutiful love from Juliet’s words and sayings; he also contrasted the change of Juliet’s love to her parents before and after meeting Romeo. The fourth theme of love is Parental love it existed in the Montague family, When Romeo falls in love with Rosaline and starts feeling depressed, and his father Montague was so worried about him, so when he started to worry about Romeo’s behaviour he asked for Benvolio’s (his nephew) help . Montague’s conversation about his son’s sadness: Both myself and many other friend, But he, advisor to his own affections, Keeps it all to himself – I will not say how true, But to himself, so secret and so close, So far from sounding and discovery, Just like a flower bud bit by a worm jealous of its beauty, Before her can bloom and spread his sweet leaves to the air, Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. If we could figure, out why he is so unhappy, we would try to cure him with the same zeal. In this scene Montague is talking to his family, his using personification which is a figure of speech where a composer has given human qualities to an object or animal. (Just like a flower bud bit by a worm jealous of its beauty before her can bloom and spread his sweet leaves to the air, or dedicate his beauty to the sun. ) To figure out his son’s sadness. Parental love in the Capulet family, Capulet and Lady Capulet want their daughter to marry Paris â€Å"Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn the gallant. Young and noble gentleman†. Paris is accepted by Capulet and glad to marry Juliet but he doesn’t know that Juliet is married to Romeo secretly by Friar Lawrence. In this scene Shakespeare shows that Juliet’s family cares about her and they want her to get married and live happy life with the perfect guy. Young love and romantic love in â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† shows the sweetness of love. They experience love at first sight after meeting at her father’s party. They did everything possible to be together. Romeo wishes he was a glove to touch her face, for that shows passionate love and the power of love that runs into them. Example of young love, Romeo says: â€Å"See, how she learns her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek. Shakespeare used metaphor in this quote because his saying that he wishes to be a glove to touch her cheek. Also; Juliet says: â€Å"what’s in a name? (What does a name mean) That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet† in this quote he used rhetorical question because Juliet is asking a question to begin a philosophical discussion about Romeo’s true nature, and her question is not supposed to be answered . These quotes show the open love, the unconditionally love between the two lovers â€Å"Romeo and Juliet. Young love is sweet because it allows all emotions to be set free and shows how one’s life becomes the centre of the others. This was seen in the play as Romeo gives up his live as Juliet does with hers, due to them not being able to be together. Young love is so intense that â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† are prepared to die for one another. They are passionately, tragically, courageously prepared to do anything for each other. That shows the power of true love between them. For example, when Juliet says: â€Å"†O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou will not, be but sworn my love. And I’ll no longer be a Capulet â€Å"Juliet is infatuated towards Romeo, and she will even change from what she is only to be with Romeo. Romeo is to be banished for killing Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin and he has to leave her â€Å"What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon that is already sick and pale with grief†. The moon usually symbolises light and opportunities, however, in Romeo’s wording, it seems to symbolise his internal feelings of him feeling â€Å"pale† and â€Å"grief† as he is drawn away from Juliet and cannot bear to be without her. Romeo despairs that he will never be with his true love again and feels that life is not worth living without her, which is clearly proven at the end when he takes up his life as he could not be with her. When Romeo says: â€Å"My only love sprung from my hate; Too early unknown and known too late. His only love became from his hated generation without him knowing at the beginning yet it was too late to change his feelings towards her. Young love risks danger and can end tragically. The quarrel between â€Å"Romeo and Juliet’s† families doesn’t permit the lovers to show their love publicly however their love is so strong that they are willing to risk danger to themselves and their families. They are willing t o go to such extremes to be together that tragedy’s their final end. Both Romeo and Juliet die tragically because of their passionate desire to be together. â€Å"Then weep no more. I’ll send to one in Mantua,  Where that same banished run agate doth live,  Shall give him such an unaccustomed dram, that he shall soon keep Tybalt company:† The above quote is from Act 3 Scene 5, where Lady Capulet confesses her hate for Romeo, as she thinks he’s the reason for her daughter’s grief. Young love doesn’t always end with happiness. This was seen in the final scene of the play, when both lovers committed suicide thinking that the other ones dead. In this case love might not have ended happily but it shows the passionate desire Romeo had for Juliet as she had for him. It also reinforces the risks both lovers were willing to take nowing that they wouldn’t be able to live a life together. Shall I believe that unsubstantial death? Is amorous and keeps thee here in dark, to be his paramour? For fear of that, I still will stay with thee. †The quote is from the final scene, and it explains Romeo’s young yet true love fo r Juliet. Although Romeos only true love was found dead, Romeo plans on never leaving Juliet as it’s just too much to risk and won’t be a life worth living without her. Thus proving the risks and dangers one’s willing to take in order to be with their one and only, and how one’s life becomes centred on the others to the point of self-harm. Lucky is the man who is the first love of a woman, but luckier is the woman who is the last love of a man. This is clearly seen in the play written by William Shakespeare, as the two main characters that the play is named after, Romeo and Juliet, share an infatuating young love that nothing other than death can break. Also, it shows the depth both lovers are willing to go and the risks and boundaries they are prepared to face in order to truly be together and celebrate their love. â€Å"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo† How to cite Different Themes in the Book Romeo and Juliet Essay, Essay examples

Police Discretion When should the law be enforced free essay sample

Every single member of the police establishment is tasked to uphold and enforce the law (National Criminal Justice Reference Service). A large number of these people can be generally regarded as ethical and moral individuals (Austin Peay State University). But sadly, all of them are also burdened with the dipping confidence given them by the public and even lower trust ratings (Austin). Is this the result for the low regard for the ethics as practised by the police? Police officers and officials are expected by the public to conduct themselves in the highest levels of behavior (Tag Gleason, 2006). This task wrests on the concept that the police are the guardians of the law, empowered to apply such force as necessary to enforce the laws and withdraw the rights of individuals in conflict with the law as can be legally proven (Gleason, 2006). Along with the task of enforcing and upholding the law, there are powers given to the police that no one else can encumber themselves with in the performance of their duties. Among these powers that the public has entrusted in the police is the power to take the life of a person if need be and to apprehend erring individuals (Seumas Miller, John Blackler, and Andrew Alexandra, 2006). Police Discretion: A definition Before we discuss what police discretion is, let us seek to define the term discretion and the scope that the term encompasses. The term â€Å"discretion† can be defined as the authority to make policy and practice decisions (The World I, 2004). These powers, broad and all- encompassing as they may seem, must be seen as discretionary in a way (Miller, Blackler Alexandra, 2006). The qualification of the instance of the use of discretion on the part of the law enforcer must take into consideration several factors, inclusive of the type of offense committed and the possibility that the suspect will not hold himself accountable if summoned by the police (Miller, Blackler Alexandra, 2006). The instance for the need for police discretion by members of the law enforcement establishment displays the station of the police officer as a professional (John Kleinig, 1996). But in the area of police work, there is still a great amount of befuddlement about the need for the police to exercise this power of discretion and the need to restrain this power (Kleinig, 1996). This area of discretion, lest we forget to mention, also carries with it a choice of what laws are to be enforced and the method of application of these laws (World, 2004). Thus it can be said that the power of the police to exercise discretions will have a profound effect on the individuals that they come across with (World, 2004). The necessity of the policy of police discretion must be framed in that the full application of the laws and the large area of the coverage of the laws will create an unreasonable burden on the manpower capabilities of the police establishment (National). But even if these powers were to be exercised, they would still have to be subject to limitations and qualifications (Kleinig, 1996). Discretion must be considered as an important component of the duties of a public servant (Billy Thompson, 1999). The manner by which that discretion must be researched for a period of time as to manner-whether the orientation is a â€Å"service†, â€Å"watchman†, or a â€Å" legalistic†, or to the personality of the officer; an idealist, optimist , realist or enforcer type (Austin). Police Discretion: Shirking off responsibilities? But it must be accepted that a full and unequivocal enforcement of all statutes is considered to be impossible (Austin). The premise for the exercise of such power is that one individual has to be set free, in spite of the offense (Austin). There are sometimes factors, legal or â€Å"extralegal†, that determine whether the individual will be set free (Austin). Among the legal basis use in determining whether the person will be set free are the reasons that the person gives for committing the offense, the place and danger posed by the person when the offense was committed, and the severity of the crime in relation to the imposed law or standard (Austin). But, albeit considered illegal or extralegal, there are motivations that do seem unethical when these are given as the reasons that police use to consider the release of the person that violated the law. Among them is sexual interest or disinterest in the violator, the ethnic origin of the violator, and the person or identity of the truant (Austin). Aside from these factors, the determination of the ethical basis for the release of the offender is more convoluted (Austin). If we take into consideration the mindset that is prevalent in the police establishment, the possible reason that is considered by the officer in the exercise of that discretion is the respect that the person accords the person in uniform (Austin). Again, the idea that the practice of police discretion is unambiguous, even if the root from which the concept is taken is not (Kleinig, 1996). The term in the English language discretion† finds its roots in the Latin word discretio, which evokes a degree of separation or discernment (Kleinig, 1996). Therefore in this context the person who exercises discretion can be held as one possessing of sound and wise judgement in practical and interpersonal situations (Kleinig, 1996). If the police grapples with a difficult situation and brings about a satisfactory resolution, then the officer is said to have exercised good discretion (Kleinig, 1996). Just Enforcing the Law? But is the role of police just limited or set in the ambit of enforcing the law? Not so, argue some (Miller, Blackler Alexandra, 2006). Other responsibilities of the law enforcement establishment are the maintenance of the order in the society and to help in the protection of life (Miller, Blackler Alexandra, 2006). In the discussion earlier, the police must be given discretionary alternatives for them to be able to deal with situations especially when two interests collide (Miller, Blackler Alexandra, 2006). The state is tasked with the responsibility and duty to enact laws and make them known to the citizenry (Guillermina Seri). But the argument here is that the state must make the people aware of the punishment attached to the violation of the known laws of the state, and the other violent means of vengeance if the â€Å"unwritten† laws are broken (Seri). Once a police officer orders us to stop for a check, that officer is possessing absolute power when they are in the position of asking us to submit to them (Seri). The tendency of these instances when people come into contact law enforcers often leave the person exposed to the mercurial lines of the police and makes the boundary between the established, written laws and the unwritten statutes blurred (Seri). Police Discretion: Is it needed? As stated earlier, the police cannot be asked to enforce all the statutes and laws that have been enacted for the peoples protection and exercise of their rights (Austin). But in this context, can we accuse the police establishment of shirking off its duty to enforce the law since they can just apply their discretionary prerogatives in deciding who gets free and who gets hit by the book? Duty is the accountability that ones responsibilities will be discharged commensurate to the position; discretion is when that person can choose between options in the performance of that duty (Austin). If the performance of that duty of the police is tainted with other factors, that is when discrimination sets in the decision making of the police (Austin). Some opponents of the practice of police discretion aver that the police must enforce and decide the culpability of the suspects strictly by the dictates of the law (Milan Pagon, 2003). Thus, if the practice is solely dictated by the ambit of the law, then the practicality of police discretion would cease (Pagon, 2003). But the concept is hardly of any use once applied to a field setting (Pagon, 2003). The balance must be struck wherein the force of the law is applied and the eventuality that the person is subjected to cruel treatment (Pagon, 2003). References Austin Peay State University. (n.d.). Topics in police ethics. Retrieved November 7, 2008,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   from http://www.apsu.edu/oconnort/3300/3300lect04.htm Gleason, T. (2006, November). Ethics training for police. The Police Chief   Volume 73,    number 11 Kleinig, J. (1996). The Ethics of Policing.   Cambridge, Engalnd: Cambridge University Press Miller, S., Blackler, J. Alexandra, A. (2006). Police Ethics. Australia: Allen Unwin 2006. National Criminal Justice Reference Service. (n.d.). NCJRS abstract. Retrieved November 7.