The Stoic and the Epicurean Philosophies

The Stoic and the Epicurean Philosophies Which lifestyle, Epicurean or Stoic, achieves the greatest amount of happiness? In his book Stoics, Epicureans and Skeptics, Classicist R.W. Sharples sets out to answer this question. He  introduces readers to the fundamental ways in which happiness is created within the two philosophical perspectives, by juxtaposing the schools of thought to highlight criticisms and commonality between the two. He describes the characteristics deemed necessary to achieve happiness from each perspective, concluding that both Epicureanism and Stoicism agree with the Aristotelian belief that the sort of person one is and the lifestyle one adopts will indeed have an immediate bearing on the actions one performs. The Epicurean Road to Happiness Sharples suggests that Epicureans embrace Aristotles conception of self-love because the goal of Epicureanism is defined as  pleasure achieved through the removal of physical pain and mental anxiety. The Epicureans foundation of belief rests within three categories of desires, including  the natural and necessary,  the natural but not necessary, and  the unnatural desires. Those who follow an Epicurean worldview eliminate all non-natural desires, such as ambition to attain political power or fame because both of these desires foster anxiety. Epicureans rely on the desires that free the body from pain by providing shelter and abolishing hunger through the supply of food and water, noting that simple foods provide the same pleasure as luxurious meals because the goal of eating is to gain nourishment. Fundamentally, Epicureans believe people value the natural delights derived from sex, companionship, acceptance, and love. In practicing frugality, Epicureans possess an  awarene ss of their desires and have the capability to appreciate occasional luxuries to the fullest. Epicureans argue that  the path to securing happiness comes by withdrawing from public life and residing with close, like-minded friends. Sharples cites Plutarchs criticism of Epicureanism, which suggests that achieving happiness through withdrawal from public life neglects the desire of the human spirit to help mankind, embrace religion, and take on leadership roles and responsibility. The Stoics on Achieving Happiness Unlike the Epicureans who hold pleasure paramount,  the Stoics grant the highest importance to self-preservation, by believing that virtue and wisdom are the necessary abilities to achieve satisfaction. Stoics believe reason leads us to pursue specific things while avoiding others, in accordance with what will serve us well in the future. The Stoics declare the necessity of four beliefs in order to achieve happiness, placing the utmost importance on virtue derived from reason alone. Wealth obtained during ones lifetime utilized to perform virtuous actions and the fitness level of ones body, which determines ones natural ability to reason, both represent core beliefs of the Stoics. Lastly, regardless of the consequences, one must always perform his/her virtuous duties. By exhibiting self-control, the Stoic follower lives according to the virtues of wisdom, bravery, justice, and moderation. In contradiction to the Stoic perspective, Sharples notes Aristotles argument that virtue alon e will not create the happiest possible life, and is achieved only through the combination of virtue and external goods. Aristotles Blended View of Happiness Whereas the Stoics conception of fulfillment resides solely in virtues ability to provide contentment, the Epicurean notion of happiness is rooted in the obtainment of external goods, which vanquish hunger and bring the satisfaction of food, shelter, and companionship. By providing detailed descriptions of both Epicureanism and Stoicism, Sharples leaves the reader to conclude that the most comprehensive conception of attaining happiness combines both schools of thought; thereby, representing Aristotles belief that  happiness is obtained through a combination of virtue and external goods. Sources Stoics, Epicureans (The Hellenistic Ethics)D. Sedley and A. Longs, The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. I (Cambridge, 1987)J. Annas-J. Barnes, The Modes of Scepticism, Cambridge, 1985L. Groacke, Greek Scepticism, McGill Queens Univ. Press, 1990R. J. Hankinson, The Sceptics, Routledge, 1998B. Inwood, Hellenistic Philosophers, Hackett, 1988 [CYA]B.Mates, The Sceptic Way, Oxford, 1996R. Sharples, Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics, Routledge, 1998 (How can I be happy?, 82-116) [CYA]

The Stoic and the Epicurean Philosophies

The Stoic and the Epicurean Philosophies Which lifestyle, Epicurean or Stoic, achieves the greatest amount of happiness? In his book Stoics, Epicureans and Skeptics, Classicist R.W. Sharples sets out to answer this question. He  introduces readers to the fundamental ways in which happiness is created within the two philosophical perspectives, by juxtaposing the schools of thought to highlight criticisms and commonality between the two. He describes the characteristics deemed necessary to achieve happiness from each perspective, concluding that both Epicureanism and Stoicism agree with the Aristotelian belief that the sort of person one is and the lifestyle one adopts will indeed have an immediate bearing on the actions one performs. The Epicurean Road to Happiness Sharples suggests that Epicureans embrace Aristotles conception of self-love because the goal of Epicureanism is defined as  pleasure achieved through the removal of physical pain and mental anxiety. The Epicureans foundation of belief rests within three categories of desires, including  the natural and necessary,  the natural but not necessary, and  the unnatural desires. Those who follow an Epicurean worldview eliminate all non-natural desires, such as ambition to attain political power or fame because both of these desires foster anxiety. Epicureans rely on the desires that free the body from pain by providing shelter and abolishing hunger through the supply of food and water, noting that simple foods provide the same pleasure as luxurious meals because the goal of eating is to gain nourishment. Fundamentally, Epicureans believe people value the natural delights derived from sex, companionship, acceptance, and love. In practicing frugality, Epicureans possess an  awarene ss of their desires and have the capability to appreciate occasional luxuries to the fullest. Epicureans argue that  the path to securing happiness comes by withdrawing from public life and residing with close, like-minded friends. Sharples cites Plutarchs criticism of Epicureanism, which suggests that achieving happiness through withdrawal from public life neglects the desire of the human spirit to help mankind, embrace religion, and take on leadership roles and responsibility. The Stoics on Achieving Happiness Unlike the Epicureans who hold pleasure paramount,  the Stoics grant the highest importance to self-preservation, by believing that virtue and wisdom are the necessary abilities to achieve satisfaction. Stoics believe reason leads us to pursue specific things while avoiding others, in accordance with what will serve us well in the future. The Stoics declare the necessity of four beliefs in order to achieve happiness, placing the utmost importance on virtue derived from reason alone. Wealth obtained during ones lifetime utilized to perform virtuous actions and the fitness level of ones body, which determines ones natural ability to reason, both represent core beliefs of the Stoics. Lastly, regardless of the consequences, one must always perform his/her virtuous duties. By exhibiting self-control, the Stoic follower lives according to the virtues of wisdom, bravery, justice, and moderation. In contradiction to the Stoic perspective, Sharples notes Aristotles argument that virtue alon e will not create the happiest possible life, and is achieved only through the combination of virtue and external goods. Aristotles Blended View of Happiness Whereas the Stoics conception of fulfillment resides solely in virtues ability to provide contentment, the Epicurean notion of happiness is rooted in the obtainment of external goods, which vanquish hunger and bring the satisfaction of food, shelter, and companionship. By providing detailed descriptions of both Epicureanism and Stoicism, Sharples leaves the reader to conclude that the most comprehensive conception of attaining happiness combines both schools of thought; thereby, representing Aristotles belief that  happiness is obtained through a combination of virtue and external goods. Sources Stoics, Epicureans (The Hellenistic Ethics)D. Sedley and A. Longs, The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. I (Cambridge, 1987)J. Annas-J. Barnes, The Modes of Scepticism, Cambridge, 1985L. Groacke, Greek Scepticism, McGill Queens Univ. Press, 1990R. J. Hankinson, The Sceptics, Routledge, 1998B. Inwood, Hellenistic Philosophers, Hackett, 1988 [CYA]B.Mates, The Sceptic Way, Oxford, 1996R. Sharples, Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics, Routledge, 1998 (How can I be happy?, 82-116) [CYA]

The Stoic and the Epicurean Philosophies

The Stoic and the Epicurean Philosophies Which lifestyle, Epicurean or Stoic, achieves the greatest amount of happiness? In his book Stoics, Epicureans and Skeptics, Classicist R.W. Sharples sets out to answer this question. He  introduces readers to the fundamental ways in which happiness is created within the two philosophical perspectives, by juxtaposing the schools of thought to highlight criticisms and commonality between the two. He describes the characteristics deemed necessary to achieve happiness from each perspective, concluding that both Epicureanism and Stoicism agree with the Aristotelian belief that the sort of person one is and the lifestyle one adopts will indeed have an immediate bearing on the actions one performs. The Epicurean Road to Happiness Sharples suggests that Epicureans embrace Aristotles conception of self-love because the goal of Epicureanism is defined as  pleasure achieved through the removal of physical pain and mental anxiety. The Epicureans foundation of belief rests within three categories of desires, including  the natural and necessary,  the natural but not necessary, and  the unnatural desires. Those who follow an Epicurean worldview eliminate all non-natural desires, such as ambition to attain political power or fame because both of these desires foster anxiety. Epicureans rely on the desires that free the body from pain by providing shelter and abolishing hunger through the supply of food and water, noting that simple foods provide the same pleasure as luxurious meals because the goal of eating is to gain nourishment. Fundamentally, Epicureans believe people value the natural delights derived from sex, companionship, acceptance, and love. In practicing frugality, Epicureans possess an  awarene ss of their desires and have the capability to appreciate occasional luxuries to the fullest. Epicureans argue that  the path to securing happiness comes by withdrawing from public life and residing with close, like-minded friends. Sharples cites Plutarchs criticism of Epicureanism, which suggests that achieving happiness through withdrawal from public life neglects the desire of the human spirit to help mankind, embrace religion, and take on leadership roles and responsibility. The Stoics on Achieving Happiness Unlike the Epicureans who hold pleasure paramount,  the Stoics grant the highest importance to self-preservation, by believing that virtue and wisdom are the necessary abilities to achieve satisfaction. Stoics believe reason leads us to pursue specific things while avoiding others, in accordance with what will serve us well in the future. The Stoics declare the necessity of four beliefs in order to achieve happiness, placing the utmost importance on virtue derived from reason alone. Wealth obtained during ones lifetime utilized to perform virtuous actions and the fitness level of ones body, which determines ones natural ability to reason, both represent core beliefs of the Stoics. Lastly, regardless of the consequences, one must always perform his/her virtuous duties. By exhibiting self-control, the Stoic follower lives according to the virtues of wisdom, bravery, justice, and moderation. In contradiction to the Stoic perspective, Sharples notes Aristotles argument that virtue alon e will not create the happiest possible life, and is achieved only through the combination of virtue and external goods. Aristotles Blended View of Happiness Whereas the Stoics conception of fulfillment resides solely in virtues ability to provide contentment, the Epicurean notion of happiness is rooted in the obtainment of external goods, which vanquish hunger and bring the satisfaction of food, shelter, and companionship. By providing detailed descriptions of both Epicureanism and Stoicism, Sharples leaves the reader to conclude that the most comprehensive conception of attaining happiness combines both schools of thought; thereby, representing Aristotles belief that  happiness is obtained through a combination of virtue and external goods. Sources Stoics, Epicureans (The Hellenistic Ethics)D. Sedley and A. Longs, The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. I (Cambridge, 1987)J. Annas-J. Barnes, The Modes of Scepticism, Cambridge, 1985L. Groacke, Greek Scepticism, McGill Queens Univ. Press, 1990R. J. Hankinson, The Sceptics, Routledge, 1998B. Inwood, Hellenistic Philosophers, Hackett, 1988 [CYA]B.Mates, The Sceptic Way, Oxford, 1996R. Sharples, Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics, Routledge, 1998 (How can I be happy?, 82-116) [CYA]

The Subculture of Nerds and Their Rise to Stardom Research Paper

The Subculture of Nerds and Their Rise to Stardom - Research Paper Example Cultural divisions between nerds and popular culture a) The fact that there is certain music, movies, and other interests that are viewed as being solely for nerds. The Treatment of Nerds 1. Bullying Nerds a) The lack of effectiveness in the solutions for picking on nerds that the educational system ash offered and reasons why their actions continue to ineffective. The Nerds’ Status Change 1. Cause of the increased popularity of nerds a) The appearance of the sexy, rich nerd and explanations for the growth in popularity of the nerd subculture Conclusion The Subculture of Nerds and Their Rise to Stardom Introduction Subcultures define the state of high school society. While the identification with a set subculture often fades from a person’s definition of themselves after high school, some people stay members of their groups. Subcultures themselves have a continuation past the school years and emerge in mainstream society. While for some subcultures there is no particula r judgment of being good or bad, there are many subcultures to which many would hesitantly subscribe because of the negative way people in that group are perceived. Nerds, in particular, are a subculture to which the members often have been assigned without their choosing. On the opposite side of judgment stands the popular crowd. Usually, it is the popular subculture that is responsible for the many social ills from which those deemed nerds suffer. Being considered good, they judge against all that are not like them. It is members of this group that give labels to the others. Many who are called nerds would rather not be called thusly. Nerd has been a term used in teasing and still persists in modern bullying. Yet, even with all the persecution that those who are considered nerds must bear, this subculture has received some promotion in today’s society. Being once only a group to be despised, the nerds have actually won fans and there are some who now enjoy being members of this subculture, proudly wearing the label that they have been ascribed. An investigation into the nerds as a subculture cannot effectively be completed without defining just what a nerd is. There are actually many different meanings of the word. For some, a nerd is a special group which is set apart from others whose members display a greater than normal intelligence. Yet, for others it is a name that can be used interchangeably with others. In explaining the stereotype of the nerd, it has been said, â€Å"The stock character nerd is typically depicted as a white male with glasses and large sets of obscure data committed to memory† (Stauffer, 2009). Indeed, media would depict a nerd the same. The controversy lies in making the distinction between the nerds and a similar subculture called ‘geeks’. For many it seems ridiculous to make a distinction between a geek and a nerd, as it has been stated, â€Å"They are called â€Å"nerds,† â€Å"dweebs,† à ¢â‚¬Å"dorks,† â€Å"geeks,† â€Å"brainiacs,† and â€Å"computer jocks† (Kinney, 1993: p.21). All of these names are generally meant to imply someone who is socially inapt and has an above average interest in things like science, math, science fiction, computers, and the like. However, there has been some distinction made. For example, from an interview performed it was quoted, " 'Nerd' is a stickier term that is applied to people in a more negative way," Kendall said. â€Å"

Assess the hierarchical structure of the court system in England and Essay - 4

Assess the hierarchical structure of the court system in England and Wales. To what extent does the common law doctrine of binding precedent engage with this structure - Essay Example The structure of the courts that lie along all the three jurisdiction are always arranged in accordance to the cases subject matter that have been brought before the court instead of the source of the laws that will be applied in making rulings to the cases. The latter formed a strong basis for a great deal in the whole court structure in England and wales until towards the end of the nineteen-century, but some influence is still seen to date. All the other courts in the hierarchical structure of the legal system are bound to any decision and judgments made by the House of Lords. Despite this bond, the decision is only exempted to the House of Lords rulings itself. Previously, the House of Lords used to be bound to its decisions that were made in previous rulings until the practice was changed back in the year nineteen sixty-six. The old practice rationale was that the decision made by the highest court in the country was meant to be final so that certainty in the law would be and henceforth finality in litigation. However, due to changes seen in the social conditions, the law was changed. The current practice, therefore, enables the highest court that is the House of Lords to adapt to the laws of England and wales so that it can be able to meet the ever-changing social conditions. In addition, to enable the structure to be able to pay its attention to the decisions made by the superior courts within the commonwealth. The freedom bestowed upon the House of Lords currently to change its decision that it made previously creates recognition that law, whether it has been expressed in cases or printed in statutes, is considered to be living. Because of this, institutions must change to adapt to the circumstances under which these laws apply if practical relevance of the laws is to be retained. The court of appeal lies second in the ranking of the courts.