Abstract The paper examines "Hamlet" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" and explains that both of these plays analyze the moral state of the 'modern' society. The paper notes that these plays are at two very different moments in time, the Renaissance and the end of the Victorian Age, but they both show the moraldecline of society. The paper discusses how the plays reach a similar conclusion about humanity: the trivial side of human nature usually prevails over the spiritual, ethical one.
From the Paper "In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the state of moral decline of the society at the Court of Denmark is the main focus. Denmark is meant to figure, of course, the larger, universal context of man. The plot is somewhat simple: Hamlet is called upon to revenge (morally) the death of his father. The appearance of the ghost of the murdered king in the first act is already a sign of the moral direction in which the play goes: a dead spirit comes back to claim justice. Thus, Hamlet's own ideas about the world and about man, which are essentially idealist, meet with an obvious obstacle in the material world, where he sees the baseness of character of both his uncle and his mother who are capable of murder, adultery and duplicity. All of Hamlet's famous soliloquies oppose the idealist and the actual, real view of man as an immoral and trivial creature."
The Egyptian Societydeclined rapidly from the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty. The relationship between this decline and economic conditions, the position of weakened pharaohs and warfare is examined.
Abstract This paper examines the causes of the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization and argues that a number of factors played a role. Among these are a shift from economic prosperity to poverty, the weakening power of the pharaoh (related to the rise of the priesthood and royal instability) and continuous warfare with neighbouring societies.
From the Paper "From the Egyptian state's origins in the Old Kingdom, circa 2575 B.C., it flourished in relative isolation from other civilizations. It was protected by the Mediterranean in the north, the desert in the east and west, and by an "ethnic frontier" in the south (Adams, 1984, p. 38). During this time of remoteness, the Egyptian state built complex pyramid structures, developed a unique religion and established a political system based on the supremacy of the pharaoh and a hereditary bureaucracy (Fagan, 2004, p. 385). However, the prosperity and stability of the Old Kingdom (circa 2575 to 2180 B.C.) could not last forever, and since several succeeding pharaohs lacked leadership Egypt entered a period in which the central power of the government declined and local leaders became independent rulers within their own territories (Fagan, 2004, p. 389). In conjunction with this decline in power, came a prolonged drought cycle, but this led to improvements in agriculture and eventually to a rapid increase in population, though famines continued to strike for over three hundred years. Trade networks were vastly expanded during the Middle Kingdom (2134 to 1640 B.C.) and parts of the desert lands of Nubia were conquered, the first signs of imperial ambitions (Fagan, 2004, p. 390). The second intermediate period, occurring between 1640 and 1530 B.C., brought political instability and economic disorder to Egypt once again. However, in the same way that the first intermediate period brought improvements to the Egyptian civilization, this new period of instability brought several innovations that preserved Egypt's role in the eastern Mediterranean world (Fagan, 2004, p. 391). The New Kingdom, 1530 to 1070 B.C., brought with it periods of extensive wealth, an expansive empire, and political stability, though these qualities were quickly dissolved with the last of the long-lived pharaohs Rameses III (Fagan, 2004, p. 391; Ibid, p. 395). The last years of the Egyptian dynasties were marked by a "succession of short-lived, sometimes competing and generally unremarkable kings"(Rice, 1997, p. 1980). After this time political weakness opened the door to the rapidly evolving civilizations crowding Egypt's borders. By about 1000 B.C. the country was bankrupt and the influence of other ancient civilizations, Assyrians and Persians followed by the Greeks, came to dominate the Nile Valley (Clayton, 1994, p. 173). The decline of the Egyptian civilization resulted from the complex interplay of several factors including economic conditions, a weakening of the pharaohs? power, and warfare with other complex societies."
Abstract The decline of Koryo is discussed, mainly from the point of view of a too hierarchical and aristocratic order that did not respond well to external threat or serve the needs of other groups in the society.
Abstract This paper reviews arguments and counter-arguments regarding of Robert Bork's concept of modern liberalism and American decline.The author argues against the claim that modern liberalism is responsible for American decline.
From the Paper Conservative argument or White conservatives frequently argue that modern liberalism has been a major cause, perhaps the chief cause, of American's decline. Indeed, the phrase modern liberalism and American decline ..."
This paper analyzes the theme of morality, which is clearly evident in the "Aeneid" by Virgil, "Inferno" by Dante Alighieri and the "Book of Jonah" from the Bible.
831 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 29.95
Abstract This paper illustrates how all three works have used journeys as symbolic representations through which each story's protagonist has learned that suffering is inevitable when surrounded by evil. In the "Aeneid," Aeneas is characterized as a mortal who has witnessed, discovered and explored the life of other mortals in what was later identified as hell. A similar scene is depicted Dante's tale, wherein the title character must witness the suffering in the City of Dis. In the Bible, the reader understands that Jonah's journey is in the form of repentance and humility. Suffering was illustrated through Jonah's ordeal when he was swallowed by the whale. The writer contends that despite the differences in the cultural contexts of the three journeys, each had similar themes that entailed suffering in either hell or the underworld, which was the result of man's moraldecline.
From the Paper "Thus, Aeneas' journey in the underworld is but a manifestation of the state of mind when evil acts dominate one's soul or self, which is full of suffering. Apart from suffering, Virgil also identified Revenge, Diseases, Want, Fear, Famine, Toils, Death, Sleep, Pleasures, Frauds, Force, Furies, and Strife as other elements that, when committed excessively by the individual, leads ultimately to the descent of the soul in the underworld. A similar scenario was presented in Dante's "Inferno," wherein he portrayed Limbo as a place wherein suffering also prevails."
Abstract This paper addresses social, industrial, infrastructural, and economic issues that give evidence of growing concern among those who live in the United Kingdom about the real state of the strength of the nation. In this tertiary analysis, there are countless clues as to the real state of affairs that give, at least, some credence to the individual, bound by gross personal debt and afraid for the future. The paper examines why the numbers players continue to call the U.K. one of the strongest nations in the world and whether a general decline in all nations, comparatively, has given the U.K. a shining star for strength only because so many other nations are sinking economically, socially, and industrially.
From the Paper "Yet, despite the fact that the UK has set historical precedence in the area of crime statistics, the comparative data is still relied upon as an indicator of the nations health. It can be proven without a doubt that international comparisons are mute in a situation where statistics are not congruent, yet they are, another example of the ways in which statistics can cover any problem with a translucent bandage. Critics of the new crime programme find fault in its ability to spin statistics to make the crime rates look as if they are going down when they are clearly not."
Abstract This paper examines the importance of pollination services. As the author explains, the health of ecosystems and agriculture worldwide depends on pollinating services performed by particular pollinators. This paper evaluates the importance of pollinators, provides statistical evidence for vertebrate and invertebrate pollinator decline and examines causes and consequences of pollinator decline. The paper also demonstrates the consequences of pollinator decline in terms of plant pollinator interactions and corresponding research, including figures. The paper concludes that that the functional diversity of the pollination network is critical to ecosystem sustainability and productivity.
I. Introduction
II. Importance of Pollinators
III. Pollinator Decline A) General Pollinator Decline B) Honey Bee Decline C) Decline of other Pollinators
IV. Causes of Pollinator Decline A) Pesticide Misuse
B) Loss of Habitat and Forage
C) Diseases and Pests
D) The "Killer Bee Hype"
E) Light Pollution) Monocultures
G) Climate Change
V. Consequences of Pollinator Decline A) Plant Pollinator Interactions
B) Decline of Genetic Variability and Effect on Plant Populations
VI. Reduction and Prevention of Future Pollinator Decline-
A) Possible Actions
B) Future Research Needs
VII. Conclusion
VIII. Literature Cited
IX. Figures and Data
From the Paper "Green plants represent the primary food source for a large portion of the worlds living biota. Many plants reproduce sexually and require pollination agents to ensure genetic diversity and other adaptive advantages through cross-pollination. During the search for nectar, pollen, oil, or mates, pollinators transfer pollen from male anthers to female stigmas and hence perform pollination (Cane, 2001). Due to co-evolution among angiosperms and pollinators, many primary pollinator- plant relationships are highly specific. Therefore the health of ecosystems and agriculture worldwide depends on pollinating services performed by particular pollinators. In recent decades human activates have decimated biodiversity in many different species-rich groups, including invertebrates (Cane, 2001). Declines have been recorded in many groups of pollinators including: insects, bats, birds and mammals. This decline represents less frequent flower visitation, gradual decrease of seed and fruit production, and reproductive losses in additional taxa within the community and could eventually disrupt community function (Cane, 2001)."
Abstract This paper explores Lon Fuller's theory from his work "The Morality of Law" and its eight principles regarding law and morality. The paper then examines H.L.A Hart's article titled "Positivism and the Separation of Law and Morals" that criticizes Fuller's theory but discusses how Lon Fuller reacts strongly to Hart's ideas and defends his own thesis. The paper shows how while Fuller presents a theory that provisions for a moral system of lawful guidance, Hart seems to believe that lawful practice in society is not determined to be constrained by moral behavior. The writer of this paper offers a personal opinion that a combination of the two theories is most suitable for the legal system; we need both policy-makers that will empathize with the concerns of the citizens and enact laws that are just and moral, but we also need policies that will simply serve to control certain elements of society.
From the Paper "Primarily, the first principle that Fuller proposes in his internal morality of law theory is that the guiding laws for human behavior must be be expressed in general terms. While this may seem like a very obvious principle for an academic to propose in a new theory about law and morality, Fuller here shows that it is an important guiding principle exactly because of that. Often, smaller sects of societies have failed chiefly due to the failure of this one principle. By not expressing a law or a set of laws for people to understand clearly and completely, it is impossible to expect adherence to those set guidelines. Similarly, if the law or set of laws is passed down through a system of person-to-person interaction, it is going to be equally as difficult to manage the masses in terms of adherence."
Abstract This paper examines the theories of Lord Devlin and H.L.A. Hart - Two British philosophers who analyzed the concept of enforcing morals. It takes a look at these theories as applied in contemporary British society, compares their contents and argues about the relevance of their application today.
From the paper:
"Because of the diversity of cultural, ethical, and moral views and beliefs that obtain in contemporary Britain, the idea that the legal system may be used to legislate morality has become in the past generation ever more tenuous, casting doubt on both the philosophies of Lord Devlin and H.L.A. Hart. Both now seem to be limited in their philosophical application to legal and moral considerations in Britain in the 21st century; another way of saying this is to argue that when applied to British contemporary society Devlin's theory on the enforcement of morality does not differ substantially from Hart's at least in the legal implications of both. This paper examines this position."
Abstract This paper discusses how the concepts of morality and truth have been defined since the beginning of time, how idealists such as Plato defined morality in a deliberate manner, and how the Bible defines morality and truth in much the same manner. It looks at how the Bible has established principles and laws that govern how a society should operate, how it supports the idea that a moral and true society operates for the benefit and good of all men, and that all men are subject to the same rules and regulations. These ideas and principles are explored further within this paper.
From the Paper "Ethics according to Plato involved deliberately thinking about one's decisions, the "art of reasoning about morality, a reflective exercise on a moral rule" (Steffensen, 1966). Morality and ethics actually are tied hand in hand according to Plato. The actual decision an individual makes regarding anything reflects upon what truths this person believes to be real. A decision is merely in essence the course of action one selects. Plato would also observe however, that some decisions lie in a person's deduction or reasoning of why one option should be taken over another. He might argue that we make a decision and only then finding a way to justify it. Plato also comments in "The Republic" that reality exists only as far as some people can see (Beatty, 1976)."
Abstract This paper examines how morality laws can be defined as laws that permit and forbid behavior and actions depending on whether or not they are considered ethical. It contends that governments should not legislate morality because it would mean imposing the beliefs of one group in a society over all members of a society, which would contradict with the right of freedom and encourage discrimination against those who follow a different moral system or religion.
From the Paper "Governments do not have the right to interfere with the way people lead their lives as long as what they do is not harmful to society. In an essay entitled, "On Liberty," John Stuart Mill examines "the nature and limits of power which can be legitimately exercised" by a government over the society. As Mill argues, the role of a government in a society is to make laws that will protect the people's rights to live a secure life. By outlawing violence and theft, for example, governments are doing so without contradicting with the principle of individual rights and freedom. However, if governments were to make laws which forbid divorce, for example, saying that it is an immoral act that leads to the destruction of families, they will be interfering with the right of individuals to choose the way that they live their lives."
Abstract The writer of this essay examines the different philosophers in history including Aristotle, Descartes and Augustine and how their views and theories impact morality in society today. The paper also discusses society's dire need for a new morality that believes justice should be blind and lawyers not greedy, where glass ceilings disappear and affirmative action laws are no longer necessary.
From the Paper "Perhaps, until Karl Marx, philosophers with ideas used God and religion to either provide doubts or explain rational phenomena of the Human mind- including being, doubt, wisdom, and the ability to adapt. Given this thesis, one can search for some sort of compatibility between Augustine and Descartes- both believing that God is the ultimate truth, and that the doubts that seem to occur in one's life-time are human traits. If Augustine searches for truth and finds it in the Judeo-Christian concept then Descartes searches for reality, which, he claims in his Meditation, can only be found if one refuses to doubt the existence of God."
This is a personal essay examining and analyzing arguments about both the good and bad of today's morality, a value-system that is generally without God's influence.
Abstract This is an essay which discusses God and morality. It looks at how God is viewed by different people. The author disagrees that a lack in faith in God has contributed to the country's current moral fibre, and argues that while moral standards and looser values are in existance today, but they are a result of the influence of the mass media and dissolution of the nuclear family, and not because of absence of a God-based society.
From the Paper "The negative effects of the loss of God are just as crucial to understand in discussing God and morality. These have often been overlooked by those who welcome all things new and better at whatever cost. The fact that society has lost the perception of harmony and unity created by divine guidance means that it can be argued that there are no universal morals left in the world. The acceptability of certain acts that were considered immoral before bothers many of us, and the term "liberalization" is often used in society when we really mean that we are without common norms of behavior or values."
Abstract This paper explains that, by showing how the more socially acceptable minor characters in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are often less moral than Huck, son of a drunken father and Jim, a slave, Twain shows how conventional societal morals are completely awry from what is considered to be truthful and intrinsically good. The author points out that, for all of their faults and lack of conventional education, Jim and Huck at least strive to be loving and loyal to one another; thus, by contrasting them with people like the Widow Douglas and Buck Grangerford, Twain creates two great heroes of unexpectedly ethical behavior for 19th century American literature. The paper concludes that Huck's love of freedom, in contrast to the Widow and Miss Watson, instructs society and stands in direct contrast to his father's love of gentility, the semblance of morality of the warring Grangerfords and, most importantly, against the freedom-denying racism of American society.
From the Paper "The minor characters of the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are more often than not are motivated by greed, a lack of civility, a lack of true morals and values and a lack of respect for fundamental human dignity-as well as common, ordinary racism. Instead, Huck and Jim are propelled forward by a drive and desire for freedom, loyalty, and mutual respect. The first and most benign example of a minor character with a lack of true moral understanding is the well intentioned but misguided Widow Douglas. Although she is well meaning in her attempts to civilize Huck, the Widow Douglas does not understand the true needs of a young boy."
