Abstract The acquisition of material goods has often been equated with happiness and the American dream with the motivation for accomplishing ones goals. This paper discusses how, when tainted with wealth, the dream becomes a nightmare and how in the case of Willy Loman, in "Death of a Salesman" and Jay Gatsby, in "The Great Gatsby", it ends in death. It looks at how the authors, Arthur Miller and F. Scott Fitzgerald, through their characters, prove that money is not the key to happiness.
From the Paper "For Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, the American Dream fails in the capitalist society of 1949, "In the greatest country of the world a young man with such attractiveness, gets lost" (16). Loman was influenced by society and could not overcome the pressures of selling and making money. Willy's dreams of success are rooted in the concept of the "American Dream", which is this is a land of unlimited opportunity in which anyone can become rich. This concept of success is personified by two characters in the play: David Singleman and Ben Loman. Willy heard of a salesman, Dave Singleman, who could make his living out of a hotel room."
Abstract This paper deals with what Aristotle termed as man's "highest good"--happiness--and to what extent happiness depends on material factors like fame and fortune.
From the Paper "In book one of Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle muses over what he terms as ?The Highest Good,? happiness. He wonders about what it means to be happy and to what extent happiness is dependent on factors such as fate and fortune. One of the questions he raises along this line of inquiry has to do with the Greek saying, ?Count no man happy until he [is] dead.? He begins to deal with this question in section 1.82 of Irwin's translation. He first takes the Greek saying quite seriously, asking the reader if it is possible for someone to be happy after they die. Quickly, he points out that this interpretation is absurd?after all, if happiness is an activity, how can someone who is dead take part in it (1100a14)"
The paper explores the debate between Sut Jhally and James Twitchell entitled "On Advertising" that looks at their views on consumerism, advertising and the relationship between people and material things.
Abstract The paper explores the perspectives of Sut Jhally and James Twitchell on the relationship between material things and people as manifested by advertising communications. The paper explains both positions but argues in support of Twitchell's view as the more realistic of the two, given its grounding in the reality of human conduct rather than in the idealistic projection of what human actions should or might be.
From the Paper "In order to explore the perspectives of Jhally and Twitchell it is first necessary to understand the basic ideas and concepts that inform their arguments. Scholars conducting research in fields adjacent to communication studies, such as Jhally and Twitchell, tend not to see material objects as simply artifacts of human construction that take up space and may have ranges of value attached to them by human individuals and collectives. Rather, these material things are visual vehicles of meaning."
Abstract This paper examines how the book, "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville, considers the phenomenon of democracy as it manifests itself in the United States. It looks at how, apart from legislative authority, democracy carries with it certain dangers that, if not properly dealt with, will result in despotism by the majority.
Outline
The Love for Equality
Individualism
Materialism The Preservation of Liberty in the Face of Democracy
Association and Press
Religion
De Tocqueville's Relevance
From the Paper "The main premise for this argument include the sovereignty of the people and the power of public opinion. De Tocqueville sensibly argues that equality precludes the importance of any one person's rule over another, since nobody can claim to be more important than any other. However, to establish order in society, a certain rulership has to be established. The only way to achieve this is by the rulership of the majority, which then can lead to despotism. This happens by means of tyranny of the majority. Because everybody is seen as equal, no opinion is more important than any other. Thus, the opinion of the majority is in effect adhered to, in order to satisfy the majority. A further implication of equality is that the minority, being equal to the majority, has not right to disagree with the majority, as this implies that such an opinion is more important than that of the majority. This is the basis of despotism; that the minority is helpless to resist the general opinion, and thus liberty is undermined."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the notion and emotion of happiness. Firstly, the writer presents a definition of happiness. The writer explains that happiness is a state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy or emotions experienced in a state of well being. The writer points out that happiness comes from within a person and can be seen in people who are satisfied with life. Further, the writer notes that happiness comes from finding answers to life and knowing that life is satisfying.
From the Paper "What is happiness? How does a person determine whether he or she is happy? Often people confuse joy with happiness, but they are not the same. Joy is fleeting moments of happiness, while happiness is long lasting. A person winning a lottery is overwhelmed with joy, but it may not bring happiness. An elderly woman with five children and twenty grandchildren is happy because she knows she is loved. Happiness can be defined as an emotion similar to being sad, mad, angry, frustrated, joy, love, etc."
Abstract This paper examines Aristotle's philosophies, especially those about happiness and compares these to Forrest Gump, the character of the movie. The simple pleasures in life is what makes Forrest happy and this ties in to Aristotle's views.
From the Paper "Aristotle believes that goodness is accompanied by kindness, generosity, hopefulness, and also such traits as love of friends and fellow men, and love of what is noble. Forrest Gump was not a smart man by any means, but ignorant people often make better choices than more knowledgeable people. It does not take intelligence to do good. To constitute true happiness, good actions must persist with continuity throughout a lifetime. A person is defined as "good" if his behavior is in accordance with what human nature was designed for. Happiness consists in fulfilling this function excellently. Even though Forrest Gump is handicapped, this does not stop him from displaying virtue, courage in danger, love for others, and generosity."
Abstract In this paper, the writer studies the relationship between happiness and money. The writer discusses different interpretations of happiness. The writer concludes that the relationship between these two aspects is not as straightforward as sometimes believed.
From the Paper "Happiness, Aristotle argues, is the one thing sought for itself and for which everything else is done. Everyone seems to agree on this even if their reasons for doing so might vary. The problem then becomes how to explain what this happiness means, for as he points out different people have different interpretations of happiness, based on their own understanding of it. Some men of the most vulgar type argue that happiness is pleasure others of superior refinement and of active disposition ... "
Abstract This paper discusses the question "is there a necessary connection between 'being good' and being happy?" which might at first glance look fairly straightforward. However, in order to grasp the complexity of it, each of the important words in this sentence needs to be examined, i.e. Necessary, good, and happy. The paper shows that this is anything but a straightforward question and consequently, a simple answer is not possible. However, on balance, it argues that the answer to this question is no. The word "necessary" means essential or requisite.
Abstract This paper addresses how Plato and Aristotle, although from similar traditions, differed in their perceptions of happiness. The comparison is done by addressing Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics" and Plato's "The Republic".
Abstract The present study will consider how material culture and the standard of living has changed for middle-class Americans over the course of the twentieth century. Such changes were made possible by economic, technological and cultural factors that will be discussed here. The paper will conclude with an assessment of the consequences of such change.
Abstract This paper looks at Alison Baker's "Happy Hour" as an evocation of the absurdity of the human condition. It discusses Baker's use of irony and the story's focus on end- of -life family dynamics in an institutional setting.
From the Paper "Reinforced by a context of narrative irony, Happy Hour presents numerous closely observed details about end-of-life family dynamics in an institutional setting. The irony is not laden with humor or smugness rather taking on attributes of an absurdity ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes and reviews "Happy Endings," a short story by Margaret Atwood about a couple named John and Mary. Atwood presents six succinct scenes, centralized around the couple, and illustrates possible avenues their relationship may undergo. The reviewer notes Atwood's feminist perspective in this work, and Atwood's cynical and satirical tone. The writer sees Atwood as using cynicism to convey her belief in the nonexistence of fairy tale endings.
From the Paper "Atwood's cynical attitude about the insignificance of life is evident in the third story when she explains the reason John purchased a handgun is "the thin part of the plot and can be explained later" (219). Atwood does not place impact on the events leading to death. Instead she concentrates on the "happy ending" itself, for all that matters is that the ill-fated lovers do die, it does not matter how. This reinforces Atwood's notion that life is simply a means to the "happy" end."
Abstract This paper looks closely at the elements of materialism and spirituality. It contends that materialism takes the more significant role in our daily lives. The paper firstly looks at the ideas of psychology, Marx and Nietzsche to prove that materialism is central to our human nature. The author explains that writings negative to materialism usually only deal with the excess of materialism, not materialism itself, to finally conclude that spiritually is important but not vital to existence.
From the Paper "This estrangement between the two spheres of life, the relationship between materialism and spirituality, is as central a divide as one can imagine. From the remains of our earliest writings, these concepts have been illuminated for us by religious figures, philosophers, novelists, and literary critics, amongst many others. The two concepts, however, are often inextricably linked. In our daily lives, it is clear that materialism remains dominant, and it is vital to our survival as a species. Substance, then, is the true reality of the world, as it is used for the medium of explanation. Spiritualism, too, has been shown to play an important role in our lives as well, as faith has been illustrated as a guiding construct for people daily. The following will address the concepts of materialism and spirituality, analyzing the importance or vitality of acknowledging our material nature while allowing that spirituality too has a place ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the way in which Guy de Maupassant treats materialism in his short story, "The Necklace." This paper offers a characterization of the major female character who places value only on material objects.
From the Paper "In his short story "The Necklace" Guy de Maupassant tells the story of a woman who borrows a diamond necklace for a party and loses it during the course of the night. As a result, she and her husband must live in poverty and spend the next ten years working to pay off the debts to replace the necklace. In his characterization of Mathilde, Loisel de Maupassant clearly argues against materialism as she is forced to pay for her petty superficial desires."
Tags: de maupassant, necklace, materialism, irony, material objects, shallow
A critical paper on the nature of Marxist philosophy on materialism and an examination of whether or not the theory is of a 'scientific' nature as it claims.
3,051 words (approx. 12.2 pages), 10 sources, 2000, $ 89.95
Abstract This critical paper illustrates in a number of ways that dialectical materialism is arrived at through a process of scientific inquiry. The author gives a distinct definition of the meaning of what it is that warrants the description of a theory as "scientific". Next, she applies this definition to Marx's historical theory and shows how it corresponds to this description. Finally, she reflects and responds to some of the ways that Marx's critics are in disagreement with her argument that dialectical materialism is, in fact, a study of history that is based on scientific theory and objectivity.
From the Paper "As a student of history, I believe that there is validity in Marx's "scientific" postulation. The study of history is very important, I believe, in discovering what lies ahead of us and how best to avoid repeating past mistakes. Although there are no "concretes" in history, and at this point, I diverge from Marxian historiography, there must be an objective way of looking at the past in order to theorize about how we have arrived at our current situations. Although I do not believe Marx's theory of history to be entirely correct, I do argue that this theory is arrived at objectively and scientifically."
