Abstract This persuasive exposition argues that existence and life are not synonymous. Life requires action, says the author. But apathy -- which the author defines as a profound indifference -- transforms life into mere existence. When this happens, the paper argues that society downward spirals into moral and ethical decay. The author therefore advocates for a change in this mindset at the individual level, to overthrow apathy and protect society.
From the Paper "It would seem to the unwary eye that we live in a well-adapted, civilized and socially blended nation. That idealistic belief deceives. Our country languishes in moral and ethical decay. We complain about the failings of the government but do not vote. We bemoan the increasing rate of divorce but spend little or no time with our families. We excuse our lack of interest by saying that we have to work longer to support our families when in truth we don't want to put in the needed effort to improve our relationships. We rail against the depravity of violent crime but glorify it on television. As sad and shameful as these instances are, apathy - a profound indifference, reigns as the behavioral hallmark of modern society."
Tags:apathy, decision, ethics, making, responsibility, social
Abstract The paper relates that a democracy is a form of government where the majority rules and selects the leaders. The paper discusses how, in the case of American Democracy, the majority of the electorate is not interested in participating in the process. The paper asserts that this apathy of a large portion of the population should be alarming, but it is met by the same apathy as the voters exhibit. The paper proposes that the midterm elections of 2006 were an example of an oligarchy due to apathy, where the decision of governance was in the hands of a few persons.
From the Paper "The Fifth Edition of Black's Law Dictionary defines Democracy as "That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation, as distinguished from a monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy". (Black 1979) This form of government, that is held dear and touted by the citizenry, and as Black said is distinguished from a monarchy, ruled by a king, an aristocracy, ruled by the privileged, or an oligarchy, ruled by the few, manages to only garner a minority of its citizens to participate in its elections. The United States Election Project of George Mason University (www.elections.gmu.edu) document the participation rates in elections, and of the 226,357,772 voting age members of the population, excluding ineligible 1.3 million in prison, 2.4 million on probation, half a million on parole, 2.99 million convicted felons, 3.3 million overseas, only 85.3 million found time to participate in the mid-term elections of November of 2006. (www.elections.gmu.edu 2006)"
From the Paper "March 7, 2000 was what we call "Super Tuesday". More than fifteen presidential primaries took place that day. Most of Americans were interested in whether who would win those primaries. However, some of Americans were also concerned that Americans do not seem to care about politics. It is because they are well aware of the fact that the participation rate of Americans in national elections is very low. According to G. Bingham Powell, Jr, only 59 percent of Americans voted in presidential elections from 1960 to 1978 and a much smaller percentage vote in congressional contests. Based on this information some might wonder why Americans do not show their political interest by voting more. Is it because of political apathy or something more than that? A lot of scholars have studied on this particular issue and they have concluded that having a large number of elections, hassle of voter registration, more chances to participate in politics other than voting, and decline in political party with strong ideology that differs from others have contributed to this trend."
Abstract This paper discusses political socialization, the process of developing political opinions, biases and even political apathy. It discusses the influences of family, schooling, peers, mass media, political parties and religion on one's beliefs. Four methods of indoctrination into the political society are also discussed-- latent, manifest, affective, and instrumental socialization.
From the Paper "Political socialization begins early on in life and is an ongoing process affecting individuals throughout. It is how people eventually identify personal beliefs and expectations in American politics. These political views can include our level of patriotism, faith in the democratic system, standards by which we hold governing bodies, and opinions regarding public policies. From the playground to the classroom, the office to the dinner table, much of our lives affect our political opinions. The most easily identified agents of this are family, schooling, peers, mass media, political parties and religious influences. Further more, these means indoctrinate us in the political society through four basic methods: latent, manifest, affective, and instrumental socialization."
Tags: development, beliefs, religions, America, environment, democracy, government
Abstract This paper is an examination of the reasons why American voters are detaching themselves from the American political process. The reasons given for voter apathy in the United States focus primarily upon campaign finance abuses, negative campaigns, and no real choice of candidates. The paper concludes with suggestions for reform centered around reduction of special interest campaign contributions, media controls over negative campaign advertisements, and the formation of a third political party.
Abstract Emergencies happen every day, all around the world. Not too long ago, the worst emergency erupted inside the United States in the form of airplanes and skyscrapers. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, paramedics, and many other humanitarian groups rushed to help the sick and injured while the 9/11 attacks were still taking place. The nature of humans is to help their fellow person when he or she is in trouble. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. ?Bystander apathy? takes place when people witness an emergency and take no action to help the needy. The larger question, though, is whether one should be held legally responsible for not assisting in an emergency. The author of the paper disagrees with the logic that says one should be held accountable because people are not always sure what an emergency entails, exactly. Moreover, innocent civilians should not be forced into a situation that could potentially put the rescuer in harm's way. This paper argues in favor of the proposition that innocent bystanders should not be held legally responsible for not assisting in an emergency.
From the Paper "Deindividuation?or "loss of one's sense of individuality and personal accountability that can sometimes occur in large, noisy, emotional crowds"?has been seen in courts as a reasonable plea for one's inappropriate actions (Colman, 1991). South African murder trials, in particular, have seen the argument that large crowds of people cloud people's sense of right and wrong and their ability to act rationally is diminished. According to psychologist Graham Tyson's testimony, ?it was quite plausible that they did not appreciate that death could ensue from their actions,? referring to a defendant accused of murdering a police informer (Colman, 1991). We see from here that large crowds manipulate the normal, cognitive functioning of the brain and make people act in a completely different, and unusual, manner."
Abstract The paper discusses how the vote of the people determines who is in power at the local, state and national level. However, voting is not compulsory and the number of people voting is approaching fifty percent. The paper illustrates how the actual voting population becomes the group that the people in charge aim to please. By choosing to vote every person can gain even a small degree of influence. Apathy, on the other hand, allows those in control to take actions without a high level of concern over how the action will be perceived. The paper concludes that if more of the population voted, there would be a more balanced system of government where everyone is represented and where there is some measure of control over those in power.
From the Paper "One of the main arguments against non-voting is that it has no effect. It is a decision not to act done as a form of protest against a system. However, as Dave Renton describes "like all campaigns based on inaction, it is a fundamentally weak gesture. It says to our rulers, "Look, you don't have our support", and they say, "Look, we're not bothered." Michael Staudenmaier makes another argument against voting stating that it has become based on people choosing the lesser of two evils. In effect, people vote because they don't want a certain person in office, not because they want a certain person in office. The problem with this argument is that not voting at all is not a solution."
Abstract The paper examines the "16 Jackies" by Andy Warhol, which was created after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. The paper explains that this series of pictures of Jackie Kennedy was manipulated by Warhol to demonstrate how the mass media acts as an agent that empties a person of emotion due to the constant barrage of images that deplete the ability to feel emptiness and apathy.
From the Paper "The aim of this art study will be to examine the classic 16 Jackies (1964) of Andy Warhol. This series of pictures taken from Life magazine have been manipulated to exhibit the emotional detachment of society through the mass media. In regards to Jackie's four different poses within Warhol's 16 image use of photographic repetition, Warhol believed that the emotional 'droning' influence of the mass media would make Kennedy's assassination far less impacting on the underpinning reality. In essence, mass media acts as an agent that empties a person of emotion due to the constant barrage of images that deplete the human experience to feel emptiness and apathy in the art of Andy Warhol."
Abstract The paper relates that Vipassana techniques for federal correctional institutions stem from experiments in prisons in the Republic of India that prove helpful to timeservers suffering from addictions, mental illness and apathy. The paper explains how Vipassana meditation teaches participants to clear the mind, achieve a new orientation of one's situation and relate better to others. The paper explores the success of Vipassana courses in Western prisons and concludes that in the Canadian context, one sees no objective reason as to why it might be unsuited to a federal institution.
Outline:
Rationale
Involved Parties
What is Offered
Orientation
Variables
Closing Gaps in Practice and Planning
Vipassana in Western Prisons
Concluding Notes
From the Paper "This proposal was earlier developed for consideration by provincial corrections authorities and was suggested for a Federal facility. It pertains to basic Vipassana Meditation Training for timeservers to augment addictions and therapy modules that are presently provided in federal institutions. Vipassana techniques now taught in American and other prison settings stem from pioneering experiments in prisons of all kinds in the Republic of India to prove helpful to timeservers suffering from addictions, mental illness, and apathy. (Mazumdar 1981) Vipassana Meditation has shown its suitability in Third World and Western institutions. (See Fig II)"
Abstract This paper presents the writer's response to "Visual Griots of Mali", a photographic exhibit,featuring raw pictures of a naked woman who has just given birth and is sitting in the pool of blood from the delivery. The writer relates that, after living for some time in New York City and witnessing poverty, overexposure has stripped her of her original interest in others and replaced it with apathy as she became too selfish to care. The writer then describes an incident in China where a taxi driver expressed similar feelings of being overexposed to poverty.
From the Paper "Unconsciously I spoke to the little girl in English, meaning she couldn't have understood my words. But, she understood me because there was an undeniable connection-- indescribable and unfamiliar to words. I felt it when I accidentally touched her hand and later made eye contact with her. Her eyes spoke for her. I saw something in them that pulled me in and stirred my emotions.
"My thoughts become suddenly interrupted by the taxi driver's remarks, "People always beg for food or money in this city. Just ignore them like everyone else.""
Abstract This paper relates that there is a growing occurrence of criminal activity in the middle and lower societal levels linked to antisocial behavior as well as an increasing attitude of moral apathy among many Americans. The author then describes antisocial personality disorder (APD), its basic functions as stated by Emile Durkheim and its effect on criminality. The paper concludes that the rise in criminality as it relates to deviant behavior represents a very serious threat to American society and culture and to the very foundations of American democracy.
From the Paper "Those who have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist as exhibiting Antisocial Personality Disorder "have a lifelong pattern of irresponsible behavior and show little concern for the rights of others, the norms of society, the dictates of conscience" and especially the law. Generally, problems linked to Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) begin in childhood or adolescence with disruptive trouble making, a clear disrespect for authority, violation of rules and laws dictated by society, the destruction of property and usually some type of violent behavior."
Abstract This paper examines how Frost's "Neither Out Far Nor In Deep" and Borson's "Waterfront" are poems that paint portraits of man in a light that encourages us to think of our own place in the world. The paper discusses how it is through the eyes of the poet that we can see a detached version of man that needs to be addressed and that each poet wishes to speak against apathy and encourage living our lives with open eyes that can see and appreciate the world around us. In addition, the paper looks at how in both poems this is accomplished through imagery, syntax, diction, figurative language, and content.
From the Paper "Both poems reflect upon the apathy of man. In "Neither Out Far Nor In Deep" brings our focus to a lack of human care through nature. The poet tells us that those at the beach "All turn and look one way/the turn their back on the land." (Frost 2-3). The imagery we have with these lines are that the individuals are locked in a gaze as they look out into nowhere. They look at the ocean and find very little else worth looking at. These people seems almost to be hypnotized as they look out and the "water comes ashore" (11). They are trapped because "They cannot look out far./They cannot look in deep." (13-4). We can see this kind of empathy as a lack of hope for anything better because the truth is out there, but they are at a loss as where to look for it. As a result, they continue to look out to the water. This picture of humanity is bleak considering that the people cannot find a satisfactory place in life. "
A comparison of the choices made by the protagonist, Claudia MacTeer, in Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye" and the protagonist, Lester Burnham, in Sam Mendes' film "American Beauty".
Abstract The paper examines the decision of Claudia MacTeer from "The Bluest Eye" to become a better person after she recognized her part in destroying another human being's life. The paper contrasts this choice to that of Lester Burnham who is dissatisfied with life and slips into apathy. The paper emphasizes how Claudia represents how we can derive something good out of a negative experience or a bad choice while Lester shows how one can simply give up and live a worthless life.
From the Paper "Toni Morrison maintains that a life of worth is something for which we must work, noting that a life of worth is filled with intricate, interesting work. She suggests that a life of worth is up to the individual and every choice along the way takes one in a positive or negative direction. Two characters that illustrate opposite extremes of this gamut are Claudia MacTeer from Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye, and Lester Burnham in the film, American Beauty. Both characters experience challenges and both face crossroads but they handle them differently and we discover that how challenges are handled makes more difference than the challenges themselves."
This paper covers the debate on whether or not smoking marijuana causes amotivational syndrome. It sets up standards for a case study to test the hypothesis.
Abstract This paper looks at whether smoking marijuana causes amotivational syndrome, the term given to the tranquilizing of marijuana on its users, particularly adolescents. The author discusses the symptoms, such as apathy, an inability to carry out plans or concentrate, and impairment of speech and writing. The paper also discusses plans for a twelve-year study, and concludes that the research already conducted on amotivational syndrome is not influenced by the amount of marijuana one smokes.
From the Paper "Amotivational Syndrome is a syndrome in which people are predisposed to. Smoking marijuana during adolescence can stunt an individual's psychological growth, but it does not necessarily lead to Amotivational Syndrome. There is no doubt that a correlation exists between marijuana use and Amotivational Syndrome, but the causal relationship is unclear. There is a substantial amount of information against marijuana being the cause of Amotivational Syndrome, but it is still considered to be a factor in perpetuating the syndrome further. It is common for people with other psychological disorders or learning disorders to have several of the symptoms of Amotivational Syndrome."
Abstract This paper deals with workplace stress from many perspectives. It starts with the modern definition of stress using stimulus and response. It also examines the various causes and consequences of stress. The consequences, measured in both quantitative and qualitative terms, are analyzed from the viewpoint of employers and employees. Lastly, the paper explains why managers are concerned with workplace stress.
From the Paper "Stress is an everyday occurrence in one's life. It is the wear and tear on one's body caused by pressures and problems one experiences in day-to-day life. In general, stress is perceived to be an unpleasant effect that has a negative impact on performance. However, research showed that stress is not entirely bad (Hellriegel, Slocum & Woodman, 1995). In fact, depending on an individual's ability and method of coping, certain degree of stress is essential for survival in life. As such, stress can mean different things to different people."
