Aquinas - Wealth and Power Essay Example for Free

Aquinas Wealth and Power Essay In Question II, Thomas Aquinas breaks down the complex question of where or in what man’s happiness consists, mainly by emphasizing wealth and power. While people dream of obtaining both wealth and power in their life, Aquinas emphasizes that both are neither good nor bad, and both make up a means to an end. Aquinas argues that happiness does not consist in â€Å"wealth† or â€Å"power†, yet presents another argument where he states that happiness can, indeed, be associated with wealth and power. Aquinas begins his second question and first article by pondering the question of whether happiness consists in wealth. He breaks down the two types of wealth into artificial and natural. He describes natural wealth as something that â€Å"relieves man’s natural needs, such as food, drink, clothing, travel, shelter and so on.† In other words, natural wealth fulfills the needs of humans to live and â€Å"cannot be man’s ultimate end.† On the other hand, artificial wealth is â€Å"sought only for the sake of natural wealth.† Augustine argues that a man would have no artificial wealth unless he had natural wealth to begin with. With natural wealth, there is a finite amount of objects one needs in order to survive. For example, a person doesn’t not need to buy several large pizzas to satisfy their hunger, just a few slices to get some food in their stomach and go on with their day. On the other hand, artificial wealth revolves around objects for which people have endless desires for, such as money. There are some people in society who feel that the only thing that matters in life is the amount of money you can earn before you die, just a dollar sign. However, money cannot buy happiness, wisdom, strong relationships, or virtue. Augustine backs up this point by quoting Proverbs 17:16 â€Å"What does it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom?† Aquinas takes into account the arguments that say that happiness can, in fact, consist of riches by offering examples such as â€Å"all things obey money† (Ecclesiastes 10:19). Although he covers both possible sides, he offers his own stance on the question in his response where he covers the differences between artificial and natural wealth. In Aquinas’ fourth article, he discusses the question of whether happiness consists in power. He argues that it is impossible to have happiness in power for two reasons. The first is that â€Å"power has the nature of a principle, whereas happiness has the nature of an ultimate end,† emphasizing that power is a means to an end. Second, he states that power is both good and evil and â€Å"happiness is the proper and perfect good of man.† Although the hook for a popular song, the quote â€Å"no one man should have all that power† uniquely resonates in Aquinas’ argument against happiness consisting of power. People may believe that if they have a greater sense of power, then they feel more important and â€Å"happier.† The more powerful someone grows, the greater their fear grows of losing the very power they obsess over. A classic example from history is Joseph Stalin’s command over Russia. He was given so much power on behalf of the communist USSR that he let his sense of power overcome him. When he had caught word that there was someone planning a revolution in his cabinet, he had every single one of his high commanding officers killed. Very simply, power makes people do very abnormal things to remain in their high position. However, Aquinas argues that power can’t solve every problem in a person’s life. To quote Og Mandino, â€Å"All the gold in the world cannot buy a dying man one more breath so what does that make today worth?† This quote accurately depicts that no matter how much power and wealth someone has, it all means nothing when you are facing death. Although one may seem highly satisfied with the power he possess, it is easily revocable and those with power fear they will lose it. Aquinas presents that questions of whether happiness consists of â€Å"wealth† and â€Å"power† and presents firm arguments against each. Although he may find faults with each idea, especially the warnings of the abundant use of wealth and power, his idea still remains that both â€Å"wealth† and â€Å"power† are neither good nor bad things. For example, if a man is making enough money to feed his family and make a living for himself, that is a fine example of using wealth for good. However, Aquinas reminds us of the arguments against having â€Å"wealth† and â€Å"power† makes up a person’s overall happiness. Using both of these values for happiness is simply a means to an end, Thomas Aquinas emphasizes that these things do not lead to everlasting happiness, an argument that I agree with.

Government :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Marriage is a word where a man and a woman come together in the eyes of God and pronounce their love for one another and are joined together as one. This concept has been the ways of the world for hundreds of years. However, marriage back during the eighteenth (18th) and nineteenth (19th) century was completely different from the way it is in the twenty-first (21st) century. Woman of today have better equal right to the world where they are seen as equals to men than woman back in the day. Over the years ancient philosophers tried to dissect the concept of equality for woman back during the 18th and 19th century. One of those philosophers was John Stuart Mills who developed a writing called the Subjection of Women, which dealt with the women’s emancipation. He also made references of sexual equality in his other works (Utilitarianism, On Liberty) as well. The institute of marriage has been oppressive to woman why is that so? That is what we are going to explore and find out. The institute of marriage was a burden to women during the 18th and 19th century because they were not seen as equals. They were either forced into marriage by their parents by marriage arrangements or they married for survival in the world. The men during that time were seen as the breadwinners. Men work to support the family financially, where the women bared the children, kept the home clean and ensured that there was a meal on the table every day. Women were not allowed to vote, play a role in politics, nor could they earn an income to support their family. Whatever the husband voted or how he played a role in his career and politics was the wife’s position as well. John Stuart Mills was a philosopher who believed in utilitarianism, which is the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people. He believed this to be for both men and women. He advocated for women because he believed they needed to prosper in societies. He said that â€Å" women expressive power has been stifled and that if women fail to developed and if they are excluded from involvement, society as whole is impoverished if it denies itself their contributions † (Subjection of Women) He believes that women need to be out in the world doing the same things as men, and that they can contribute a lot to society.

The Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

The Deaths of Romeo And Juliet December 1st , 2010 The Deaths of Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare was the spectacular playwright who wrote Romeo and Juliet. The play is about â€Å"Two star-crossed lovers†, Romeo and Juliet, and how they keep their love a secret because their families are enemies. The forbidden lovers must go through obstacles to be together, and go as far as committing suicide because they are apart. Romeo and Juliet die as a result of Friar Laurence, Lord and Lady Capulet, and the couples own poor decision making. Friar Laurence's actions throughout the play resulted in Romeo and Juliet's deaths. First, Friar Laurence led them to their to death by agreeing to secretly wed them in order to potentially bring the families together. Friar Laurence says to Romeo: â€Å"In one respect I'll thy assistant be,/ for this alliance may so happy prove,/ to turn your households' rancor to pure love (2. 3. 97-99). Friar Laurence should have thought about the outcome before jumping to conclusions because he could have caused the feud between the Capulet's and Montagues' to become even worse. Secondly, Friar Laurence gives Juliet a sleeping potion so that she can be with Romeo. Friar Laurence commands Juliet: â€Å"Take thou this vial, being then in bed,/ and this distilled liquor drink thou off† (4. 1. 93-94). Friar Laurence should have thought of a better way for her to be with Romeo because he is putting both Juliet and his own life in danger. Lastly, the Friar leaves Juliet in the Capulet vault all by herself after she sees her only love dead on the ground. Friar says to Juliet: â€Å"Come, go, good Juliet-[Noise] I dare no longer stay† (5. 3. 9-10). The Friar should have stayed and comforted Juliet instead of being scared and nervous that he will be blamed for the death of Romeo. In the beginning Friar Laurence had tried to help Romeo and Juliet but instead ended up being one of the main reasons for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Lady and Lord Capulet also caused troubles that lead to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Firstly, Lord Capulet threatens Juliet to marry Paris which causes Juliet to seek help from Friar Laurence. Lord Capulet threatens Juliet: â€Å"Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! / I tell thee what, get thee to church o' Thursday,/ or never after look me in the face† (3. 5. 160-163). By saying this, Lord Capulet weakened his relationship with Juliet. Lord Capulet should have been more understanding and should have listened to Juliet's reason for why she could not marry Paris, before threatening her. Secondly, the Capulet's hate towards the Montagues' causes Juliet and Romeo to keep their love a secret. Nurse says to Juliet: â€Å"His name is Romeo, and a Montague; the only son of your great enemy† (1. 5. 135-136). The Capulet's should compromise with the Montague, so their families can be happy together. Lastly, there is no communication between Lady Capulet and Juliet. At one point in the play, Lady Capulet wants to talk to Juliet in private but calls the Nurse back for extra support. If Lady Capulet communicated with Juliet she would have known about Juliet's problems. Lady and Lord Capulet tried to be the best parents they could be, but instead they lead their only daughter and her only love into an early grave. Romeo and Juliet choose poor decisions throughout the play that cause their own deaths. Firstly, they decide to get married the first day they meet each other. Juliet asks Romeo: â€Å"Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow† (2. . 144). This was a very poor decision by the couple because they are not truly in love and the only thing they know about each other is that there families are enemies. Secondly, Romeo and Juliet did not communicate with each other. Juliet asks the Nurse: â€Å"O God! Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood? † (3. 2. 77). Romeo should have told Juliet right away because they are married. If Romeo h ad communicated with Juliet right away she would have known why romeo killed Tybalt, her cousin. Lastly Romeo and Juliet both decide to kill themselves without thinking of other choices. At the end of the story, Romeo drinks a fatal potion because he believes that Juliet is dead, but Juliet was still alive and wakes up to see to Romeo dead on the ground so she stabs herself. They both react very quickly to the situation before thinking about their friends and family; they should have thought about doing something else, like finding a new beauty just like Romeo did in the beginning. Romeo and Juliet loved each other but their poor decision making was a big reason for their death. The deaths of Romeo and Juliet are Friar Laurence, Lord and Lady Capulet, and the couples poor decision making.

Management and Diversity - 3341 Words

Megan Gregor Managing Careers and Diversity HRM 565: Developing Human Capital Dr. Geraldine Puleo Strayer University December 16, 2012 Abstract Susan Jackson states in Diversity in the Workplace: Human Resource Initiatives that, â€Å"Surveys of business leaders confirm the perception that interest in managing diversity successfully is widespread. In a study of 645 firms, 74% of the respondents were concerned about diversity, and of these about one-third felt that diversity effected corporate strategy.† This means that the majority of organizations feel diversity is important, and see the need to take action, however; implementing the process can be more difficult. This paper will outline a human resources†¦show more content†¦Through aligning diversity and inclusion with the company’s overall goals and including key leaders in the organization states that this is a high priority and is supported by the overall company. By engaging managers at different levels through employee network groups and having diverse slates in hiring practices allows the company to continue to grow in diversity and inclusion. Finally, providing training and policies in place to encompass all employees gives everyone the understanding of what behavior is acceptable and that the work environment is inclusion for everyone. There can be a variety of reasons that managers or employees would resist change. According to the article, Workplace Diversity: How to Tackle Resistance it states, â€Å"Employees resist diversity for a number of reasons; if the organization’s definition of diversity is not broad enough and inclusive, some employees may feel excluded or left out of the change process. Furthermore, employees who are not often made to feel included in the process, such as white men, may feel blamed for inequities in their organization and react with defensiveness. 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