The artice looks at the works of Oscar Wilde and Robert Browning to discuss the quest for the ideal/perfection and the various ways it is and is not worth the cost.
Abstract The paper present the views of Oscar Wild and Robert Browning about the search for perfection or the strive to live up to an ideal. They both hold that this quest is not worth the effort and may result in very negative outcomes.
From the Paper "Idealism means that something is perfect and worth striving for. According to Robert Browning and Oscar Wilde this search for perfection or an ideal leads to disastrous consequences. The quest for the ideal can lead to chasms in life and since no one can attain the ideal, whether that ideal is an ideal character or a state of mind, to try and attain the ideal can lead to heartbreak, as in the case of Lay Chiltern, or downfall as in the case of poor brother Lippo. Therefore, both Wilde and Browning suggest that living up to an ideal is not worth striving for and is not a way for one to live his or her life."
Abstract This essay argues that the ideal society is one that is pet-friendly. Pet ownership conveys health benefits and quality of life to many individuals. However, some difficulties do exist for creating such a world. One such difficulty is posed by animal rights organizations, which are frequently behind anti-pet legislation, among other things. It does not seem possible to eliminate such a threat to a pet-friendly world, although the end of the essay reiterates that such a world is the ideal.
From the Paper "It is easy to take the facile approach when asked about an ideal society and say "a society with world peace." However, wherever there are human beings there are differing opinions. Differing opinions lead to disagreements. Little disagreements become arguments; large disagreements can become wars. In any case, an entirely peaceful society would not seem, to me, to be a happy one. Rather, it would seem a guarded one, in which over-stressed people need to be all-too-careful with what they say in order to avoid conflict. To me, a pet-friendly society would be the ideal society. Imagine a world in which pet animals are welcome anywhere human beings are, except where they might create a health hazard. Imagine that landlords, no matter the property, would allow pets in the apartments that they rent. How might these changes affect society? Research would seem to indicate that people who are kind to animals are also kind to..."
Abstract This paper examines the role of idealism and pragmatism in the US foreign policy between 1898-1945. The author examines these two principles and discusses the reasons and effects of their incorporation into the U.S. foreign policy.
From the Paper "At the time of its independence from Britain, the United States planned to pursue an isolationist foreign policy, reluctant to get entangled in European or Asian affairs. However, the initial strategy had to be abandoned with time as economical developments led to a series of foreign expeditions that many Americans hoped would eventually create a vast commercial empire. These ambitions necessitated that the United States increase its spheres of influence abroad to protect American business interests and investments. Economic interests combined with concern for national security, international balance of power, and world order, all requisite for capitalism to flourish, to encourage American intervention overseas. Moral intentions, full of idealist hopes for a democratic, free world, played part, although sometimes seeming artificial and hypocritical. As revealed in United States foreign policies concerning the major international events of the late nineteenth century until 1945 ? the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II ? pragmatic grounds initiated American involvement abroad, while the moral reasons amplified the motivation and gave justification, and higher meaning to the involvement later on."
Tags: foreign, idealism, international, policy, pragmatism, relations, states, united
Abstract This paper compares Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and Raymond Carver's "Popular Mechanics" and in particular, looks at the ways in which both stories go against the modern love ideal.
From the Paper "The modern love ideal basically encompasses the concept of a voluntary union. It is a union between two people in which they share tenderness and protect each other from the harsh realities of the outside world. The modern love ideal is also ..."
Abstract The paper examines how Kant's theory of transcendental idealism is a useful doctrine, given that it picks up on key problems with realism and posits a theory that is intuitively acceptable. This essay compares transcendental idealism with both dogmatic idealism and problematic idealism, using the differences to clarify the meaning of transcendental idealism. As is shown, only transcendental idealism is acceptable, as dogmatic idealism and problematic idealism have fundamental problems that render them unacceptable.
This paper discusses the ideal man and women as presented in Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark".
Abstract This paper states that, when looking at gender definitions, the context dictates the ideal characteristics for men and women. The author relates that Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" shows the victory of the physical over the intellectual man, while applauding the ideal woman who craves such physicality. The author believes that Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" pits two opposite types of men against each other representing the ideal man as a blend of the two, while representing the ideal woman as a complicated blend between intellect and beauty.
From the Paper "Each man is diametrically opposed to another male influence in his respective stories, and these opposition figures represent the physical portion of the male that is lacking from both Ichabod and Aylmer. Ichabod is opposed by both the father of his love interest, and by a competitor for Katrina's love, Brom van Brunt. Brom is the ideal of masculine strength and carries with him a certain wild frontier quality. He is a braggart, a sportsman, and a swaggering daredevil wrapped into one. Katrina's father represents the town of Sleepy Hollow; he does not look beyond his own borders, cares little if any for education, and wants to keep his town continuing the way it is, free of outsiders and outside ideas. Aylmer is opposed by his scientific assistant, Aminadab."
Abstract By examining William Dean Howell's book, "Editha", the paper shows that the battle between George and Editha over whether the Spanish-American war is immoral and should be opposed or is moral and worthy of support is a study of realism and idealism, respectively. The paper shows that by using Editha to demonstrate the beliefs of the American government, the narrator fuses the more "foolish" point of view, idealism, to the "weaker" sex, females, and shows that the American government's idealistic approach to war is ?foolish.?
From the Paper "Perhaps there is no realistic, humane way to solve such a problem, or perhaps the answer is so obvious to George that he does not feel the need to mention it. Whatever the case, George does not idealize the war as "glorious" until he is so physically drunk that his senses break down and he, too, becomes inebriated with the war feeling. George's conversion under the influence of alcohol shows what a foolish state one must be in to accept the idealistic view of war and foreshadows the ending when Editha makes all idealists seem foolish."
Abstract The paper examines two different philosophical concepts of the ideal society. It shows how Plato believed that humans are governed by three elements ? bodily appetites, spiritual elements and reason ? and how each person has a dominant element that determines his or her place in society. In Plato's ideal society, only people who are governed by the rule of reason should be allowed to rule as guardians. A society which allows the ill-equipped masses to lead will be chaotic, making it impossible for good people to live productive lives. It discusses how Marx, in contrast, believed that all human beings are creators, the natural essence of all humans is creativity and that human beings have triumphed over nature by creating society and social relations. The only way back to the creative human essence is moving back to a true communist state, one where people, no longer required to labor, are free to once again indulge in creative productive work.
From the Paper "Like the human soul, Plato also viewed society as an organism. In Plato's ideal society, each person's social role will be determined by the element dominant in his or her soul. People who are ruled by bodily appetites would make the best producers ? farmers, laborers, hunters, merchants and the others whose work sustains a populace's physical needs. People who are driven by honor, loyalty, fame and other spiritual elements should be members of a city's auxiliary and military staff (Lavine: 58).
Finally, there are the men and women who are ruled by reason. They are devoid of family ties and do not possess private property. Through years of training, they could enact laws and make decisions based on reason and wisdom, on what Plato termed the ?idea of the good.? (Lavine: 58)."
Tags: soul, elements, humans, guardians, reason, chaos, communism, work
A discussion of how the great leaders Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Richard the Lionheart and Saladin fit the traits of Machiavelli's idealized prince.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Richard the Lionheart, and Saladin, and examines how each of them demonstrated some of the leadership tactics and strategies of Machiavelli's idealized prince. The author notes that each of them also violated some of Machiavelli's maxims, and in determining which leader more closely resembles Machiavelli's idealized prince, the author concludes that Alexander was more Machiavellian than Caesar, Richard I, and Saladin.
Abstract Starts out with a contrast of society's "ideal man" and Rand's man. Explains the influence of her upbringing and Communist Russia on her desired attributes of said man. Details obsession with portraying this man in all her writings. Discusses traits of creator: originator, "black or white" mentality, perfectionist, egoist, selfishness, individualist, atheist, requirement of suffering. Also touches on whether a woman can be an ideal "man", according to Rand's definition, and discusses, briefly, the rape scene.
From the Paper "If one does a search for "ideal man" on any web-based search engine, the majority of the webpage links returned describe physical qualities or list one of a number of celebrities. A recent survey to compile the most important characteristics returned the following attributes: "The ideal man is taller; athletic/toned build; hairless face and chest; medium butt and lips; blue eyes; short brown straight hair; with piercings - but depends where; and without tattoos" (Purple Tights). Now add just a single word to that search, ?Rand,? and the result changes dramatically. The web pages that are returned are primarily focused on the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of a person. Ayn Rand was obsessed with the ?ideal man.? In her book The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark, is Rand's vision of this ideal man. While Rand makes good arguments for her view of the idyllic man, there are several characteristics that alienate him from the rest of humanity and make his existence unrealistic, and more likely impossible. She has created an archetype, a superhero of sorts. And every superhero has at least one weakness. Though Rand may not classify them as weaknesses, they definitely affect his ability to interact with the society in which he lives."
A discussion of the conflict between idealism and materialism in the field of physiological psychology and how this conflict is at the very basis of one of the fiercest controversies in this field.
Abstract This paper discusses the philosophical conflict between materialism and idealism in the field of physiological psychology. The analysis of each of these ideas offers the possibility to determine with greater accuracy which are obstacles to the development of physiological psychology and which help the process. The study favors materialistic monism, but without making any strong statements.
The conflict between materialism and idealism Classifications
Mentalism
Psychophysical parallelism
Organicism
Phrenology
Psychoanalysis as a form of mentalism
Pure behaviorism as a form of mentalism
Psychophysical complementarism
Discussion on the advantages/ disadvantages of the abovementioned
approaches
From the Paper "Mentalism, for instance, is based on the thought that any reference to the nervous system is not necessary in explaining mental events, which can be causally explained by psychodynamic concepts. The brain and mind are seen as distinct and independent from each other, which equals with a dualistic perspective. The opposite perception is purely monistic, and states that mental events are simply neural events. This approach, named materialist monism presupposes the existence of a single dimension - the neural one. This way of viewing things is enhanced by the appearance of organicism, which claims that mental events are caused by a particular portion of the brain, specific for each class of neural events. The basic idea of materialist monism is kept and taken one step further, by particularizing each mental event in relation to its source. "
Abstract The character of Desdemona in William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" reflects an ideal woman in the eyes of men. Desdemona acts in a gentle manner at all times, even though with men she uses her sexual prowess and strong will to achieve her ambitions. The paper shows that Desdemona remains both virtuous and dutiful to her husband, Othello, while slanderous comments about her chaste result in her final death. Therefore, Desdemona's sincerity and faithfulness to Othello become ill spent. Although Desdemona acquires Othello as a husband by her own devices by enabling her femininity to get what she wants, Othello ironically ends up murdering her. The paper shows that Desdemona depicts the male concept of the ideal feminine role of a woman.
From the Paper "In the tragedy of Othello, Desdemona uses her sexual appeal to men in order to achieve her ambitions. At the beginning of the play, Desdemona manages to seduce Othello through her gentle and passive use of words which men find attractive. When Othello relates the story of their elopement, he comments on how Desdemona professed her love for him. "She wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd / That heaven had made her such a man; she thank'd me, / And bade me, if I had a friend that lov'd her, / I should but teach him how to tell my story, / And that would woo her. / Upon this hint I spake." (I,iii,162-166). Obviously, this quote shows that Desdemona's main motive includes the acquisition of Othello as her husband which she achieves through her use of gentle words, passiveness, and apparent fascination in Othello's life which the male character of Othello finds as an attractive trait in the female character Desdemona."
Abstract This paper discusses how according to the 19th century sociologist Max Weber, an ideal type is a kind of useful abstraction. It is a pure idea that does not directly correspond to a social reality, but it makes reality more clear, for the purpose of classification and analysis. The paper explains that Weber believed using ideal types was vital to the social sciences.
From the Paper "Weber developed his ideal types as a way of understanding and explaining real world authority-legitimacy relationships between the rulers and the ruled in comparative perspective. It will be noted that, for all of the diversity of the three types, and the diversity of personas within those types, one common thread unites them all, that of the fact that the defined types all relate to power, the fact that one party possess power and another power does not. The Western World defines the West in opposition to a less or more powerful East, bureaucracy or feudalism describes particular relations in a hierarchy, and even 'economic man' examines the relationship of humanity to the capricious marketplace, and the power the marketplace has over someone within a capitalist system. The degree of power in different relationships within all of these categories varies from era to era."
Abstract This paper explores and briefly analyzes the philosophical stance of idealism. The paper then goes on to deal with the reaction and response to this stance from the point of view of the relevance of idealism in education and the effect that it can have in terms of personal experience and the social milieu.
From the Paper "As is evident for the above discussion, the philosophy of idealism has many important implications for the modern word and in particular for education and teaching. In the first instance idealism offers a view of reality that goes beyond or transcends the mundane and everyday reality. In Platonic terms, idealism suggests that there are ideal forms or models of reality to which we aspire and these ideals act as objectives that direct our actions and thoughts in everyday life. In education there are ideals that have often been noted as being desirable. For example, the ideal of excellence in education refers to the intention of excelling or attaining the best or optimum educational standards and achievements. To attain excellence there must be higher and ideal standards. Another idealistic notion that is common in modern education is the ideal of "educating the whole child". This refers to the view that the student should receive an overall education that includes and integrates the various facets of his or her personality and potential. The central idea is that the child should be educated in terms of all the different aspects of mind and body. This view is described as, "...mutually reinforcing qualities of a fully functioning mind and body." (Dustin, Hibbler, Mckenney & Blitzer, 2004) These ideal are positive aspects that may or may not be practical in every sense but are goals or ideals that are important for the development and advancement of education. "
Abstract This paper discusses and compares Carl Roger's concepts of self, reality and ideal self. The writer then discusses how many experiences have changed and altered her view of herself. It suggests that her conceptualization of life in some ways tends to reflect the Rogerian self -triangle where the base is the ideal self and the two sides are composed of the perceived self and the real self.
From the Paper "My Ideal Self, the base of my triangle, is usually the driving force of my ambitions for life, love, success, educational goals and so on. However, I sometimes wonder whether this is a construction completely of my own doing or has it been created from the interaction between others and myself. For instance my parents were very supportive and encouraging of my education and wanted me to travel to the United States to complete part of that experience. That became one of goals for the completion of my Ideal Self-concept and I am in the process of doing so. But how does one separate what one actually wants for themselves or how much that view has been influenced by others. When I look at what I perceive as myself, sometimes I would have preferred to remain in Japan and completed my studies there, I was certainly a little fearful in leaving home and my parents to come to the United States. I have found now that it has been an experience I would have not wanted to do without. So where my perceived self may have not gone ahead my ideal self and intentions persevered and the reality of the experience was achieved."
