ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: police-brutality

Violating use of force protocol is unethical because it does harm to people who do not deserve it, it’s not just the physical damage it can do but the mental as well. It would also be viewed as unethical because it is not for the greater good or overall happiness of everyone. It also appears to makes the police officer look untrustworthy and uncontrollable. This was what happen in the case for Rodney King, who had beaten by three police officers while their supervisor watched. Unfortunately Mr. King was beaten with metal batons, stomped on, and kicked as he lay on the ground defenseless. King was being arrested after sending police on a high speed car chase, that could have injured many innocent bystanders, but that does not justify the actions that were taken upon him. While the officers were trying to arrest him, Mr. King had put up a fight, resisting arrest, so the Officers, shot him twice with a stun gun, unfortunately still he resisted. When he finally rose to his feet, this is when the beatings began. Unfortunately for the Officers but fortunately for Mr. King, all of this was caught on tape. Even though it was apparent what the Officers had done to be unethical when the case went to trial all of the officers were found innocent.
Topic: police-brutality

This verdict caused such outrage with many people who followed the case that soon after the verdict was announced riots erupted all over Los Angeles. This is a perfect example of society losing faith in our Criminal Justice System they see the proof of what the Officers had done wrong yet they hw were not held accountable for their actions. When things like this are released it makes our justice system look sloppy, unprofessional, and most importantly unethical. It is understandable that the officers were probably upset that King had sent them on a dangerous car chase and resisted arrest; however, once he was subdued they should have put the cuffs on him, and placed him in the police car, and take him away. Instead, it looks like these officers took out their frustrations on Rodney King brought justice they felt he deserved into the street without a judge or his peers or a right to a fair trial. This would be seen as unethical because it was not for the overall happiness of everyone, it did not do any good, and the officers did not follow by the rules. They took themselves and placed themselves above what society feels to be acceptable and they broke that trust.
Topic: police-brutality

Another ethical case involving use of force is also in Los Angeles, California. This is a recent problem involving the Chief of Police Charlie Beck. Beck is being accused of not punishing police officers who have used excessive force. “Since Beck took over as chief in late 2009, the commission has ruled on about 90 incidents involving officers who fired weapons or used other deadly force. In almost all of them, Beck concluded the officers used force appropriately and urged the commission to clear them of wrongdoing. The board followed his guidance most of the time.” (Rubin) However, four shootings that involved three people being killed and another three wounded by gunfire the commission did not agree with the Chief. This did not persuade Beck to invoke punishment to the officers involved in the shootings. He agreed that one of the officers had been wrong in his choice to fire, but still did not punish him. The commission fears that the lack of punishment toward officers who use excessive force could be sending out the wrong message to members of the LAPD. I would agree with the commission that Beck is sending out the wrong message. If an officer is already lacking good moral judgment when faced with a dangerous situation they may over-react to it if they know there are no consequences for their actions.
Topic: police-brutality

“Every day, law enforcement officers face danger while carrying out their responsibilities this is something they decided to do take an oath and are to abide by what they have been taught and represent. When dealing with a dangerous—or unpredictable—situation, police officers usually have very little time to assess it and determine the proper response.” (United) We can make sure that when faced with these situations police officers make the right decision through proper training. Such training could include knowing the Use of Force Model. As taught this model is a guide to what use of force actions are appropriate for each situation and should be carried out in such a manner. For example, if someone is assaultive (trying to cause bodily harm) the officer should use defense tactics to subdue the individual first trying all verbal communication before resulting in a physical altercation. Another training guide that is used is the Police Training Model, which was created in 1999 by PERF and the Reno Police Department. This model “addresses the traditional duties of policing in the context of specific neighborhood problems and includes several segments on the use of force.” (United)
Topic: police-brutality

It is very important for police officers to make ethical decisions while in the field. It is important because it is their duty to protect and serve. It is also important because we as citizens look up to law enforcement and if they are caught doing something unethical it can ruin the respect and trust we have in law enforcement. When faced with dangerous or a tough situation police officers need to be trained to quickly make the best and most ethical decision possible. Police officers like those who beat Rodney King should be punished and made an example of. It is not ethical to hurt someone just because you have the power to. “The criminal justice system is designed to enforce moral rules that have been written into the criminal law. Aristotle believed that justice consist of giving each person his or her due” [ (Jay.S, 2013) ]. Maybe the Police Officers in both cases felt they had to take on the ethical teachings of Aristotle. When looking at today’s society and if you go back as far as there is written proof the court systems and law enforcement rules and regulations have grown and developed into more evolved court system and law enforcement for society to follow. At one time it was not unethical to flogged or whip a person, this was to deter them from committing future crimes, this is where Officers like the ones in these cases may have gotten by with physical abuse and unnecessary of force. Fortunately for us as citizens we have constitutional rights and there are laws in place to protect us from unnecessary use of force and the citizens of The United States of America are allowed their freedom, a speedy trial
Topic: police-brutality

1. Harari, O. (1993). Lessons from the Rodney King tape. Management Review, 82(8), 20. 2. Jay.S, A. (2013). Professional Ethics In Criminal Justice Being Ethical when no one is looking. 3rd edition. In A. Jay.S, Professional Ethics In Criminal Justice Being Ethical when no one is looking. 3rd edition (pp. 1-153). Upper Saddle River : Prentice Hall /Pearson.
Topic: police-brutality

When one thinks of a cop what should come to mind is “hero”. Cops should be a sign of safety, when a cop comes around you should feel safe and protected. Although a few years ago it was that way it is no longer true. Now day’s cops are seen as people you want to stay away from, people are afraid of them. Cops are now abusing, assaulting, and killing innocent people, this is called police brutality. Police brutality can be caused by policeman’s ability to assume everyone is up to no good, racism, and thinking they have the power to do whatever they want, and it results in falsely accused young adults, death, abuse of power by troubling the lives of others.
Topic: police-brutality

Nationally 83 percent of police are white; this is most likely why black males are locked up and get pulled over daily. Racism is something that is still a huge problem in America. White people are always seeing blacks as criminals and anytime there is a crime blacks are the first ones who are blamed. “Tonight there is anger here in New York City as 5 police officers fire 50 rounds into a vehicle last weekend killing one man, injuring two others. Victims were all black and unarmed.” – I am Sean Bell. Why was it necessary to shoot 50 rounds into a vehicle? What did they do that was so wrong for police to fire 50 rounds into their vehicle? The men in the vehicle were not armed so why were two of them injured and one killed. Police see black people and see them all as criminals that lead to situations like this. If cops weren’t racist maybe so many black people would not be locked up or killed.
Topic: police-brutality

When a person becomes a police officer they all a sudden thinks they have all the power in the world and can do anything they want and get away with it. Policemen think that they can do anything in the world, they think they have godlike powers and when they do certain things they will get away with it, and the truth is most of the time they do get away with it just by saying “ I thought it was the right call”. Just because they think something is up doesn’t give them the right to start shooting or arrest someone. Everyday people are getting searched without consent, with no warrant, with no reason whatsoever for their actions other than they wanted to. A lot of policemen will pull citizens over for no reason; the biggest reason is to meet their quota. At the end of the month when they don’t have enough tickets to give to their chief they just start pulling people over for going 2 miles over the speed limit, which is unnecessary. “Some of the interactions are entirely situational and unpredictable, driven by each party’s immediate constructions of the others motives or actions.
Topic: police-brutality

Voice may be expressed and altercations may occur when officers show disrespect towards a citizen or when officers refuse to provide reasons for their actions.”(Weitzer) Policemen go around and tackle citizens to cuff them when all they had to say was put your hand up. By watching numerous episodes of cops I’ve learned that cops don’t give anyone any time to follow their instructions. If you don’t comply within a second they result to force which is completely unnecessary and may injure innocent citizens. Police use unnecessary force before they even find out what the story is. In my view police really need to tone it down and do their job the way it is supposed to be done and not hurt or kill innocent people.
Topic: police-brutality

In conclusion policeman these days do not know how to do their job without injuring, or killing innocent or even guilty citizens. The job of a policeman is to clean up the streets effectively and with the least amount of casualties possible. The police are not doing their job the way it is supposed to be done. They are being extremely violent, and killing innocent people, they don’t give people the chance to do what they want them to do. For the safety of others the police need to change, Cops are now abusing, assaulting, and killing innocent people, this is called police brutality. Police brutality can be caused by policeman’s ability to assume everyone is up to no good, racism, and thinking they have the power to do whatever they want, and it results in falsely accused young adults, death, abuse of power by troubling the lives of others.
Topic: police-brutality

What is police misconduct? It can be defined as any action performed by a law enforcement officer that is unethical by established employment guidelines, unconstitutional, or a crime with in itself. When people hear the term “police misconduct” they automatically think of a police officer using unnecessary force against a civilian. While that is a form of police misconduct it is not only form. Throughout this paper I will bring light to the many types of police misconduct that can happen in the law enforcement industry.
Topic: police-brutality

While being a police officer, you have guidelines and rules that you need to follow just as if you worked as a chef or even a sales associate you have rules and regulations to follow while at the work place. For police officers though, the rules and regulation still apply while being off duty. Police enforcement officers may use their powers of arrest while off duty, and because of the danger of abusing those powers can cause to individuals and the community, police officers are supposed to be held to a higher standard of conduct, both on duty and off duty, than members of other occupations.
Topic: police-brutality

Police misconduct can be broken down into 3 categories. Civil, procedural, and criminal. Which means a violation in department policies, a violation in constitutional protections or a violation of the law itself. Not to say that two can’t be broken in one action or even all three at once. Many departments have what is called a “use of force continuum” which establishes the rules on what type of force is permissible in response to specific actions that a suspect may perform.
Topic: police-brutality

One type of police misconduct can be the use of excessive force. This means that while a police officer is arresting a person, they use force that is not needed in taking the person in. This can happen in the form of beating a person while making the arrest or using any unnecessary force against the person. Sometimes police beatings can be racially based or can happen due to an argument between the officer and the person. The use of excessive force in the law enforcement industry is not tolerated in any form. If a police officer is found guilty in using unnecessary force on a person they will be terminated from their job. Using unnecessary force is one of the more know types of police misconduct being that when excessive force is used on a person there is normally charges pressed on the officer and the case is brought into court and therefore into the media. Another type of police misconduct is sexual harassment. This would be when a officer sexually harasses a male or female individual. Most sexual harassment case are from a male officer to a female victim.
Topic: police-brutality

Some police officers like to take advantage of their authority and will go as far to rape individuals just because they feel that the fact that they are a police officer, they will be able to get away with it. A report done in 2010 showed that 6,613 law enforcement officers throughout the United States were involved with police misconduct. 9.3% was sexual harassment charges of police misconduct. Officer-involved sexual misconduct describes an entire subset of police misconduct that includes non criminal complaints such as consensual sexual activity that occurs while an officer is on-duty, sexual harassment, up to felonys of sexual assault or child molestation. Sexual misconduct was the second most common type of misconduct reported throughout 2010. 618 officers involved in sexual misconduct complaints during that time, 354 were involved in complaints that involved forcible non-consensual sexual activity such as sexual assault or sexual battery. Of the 479 alleged victims of serious sexual misconduct which were tracked, 52%, or 249 were minors and 48%, or 230 were adults.
Topic: police-brutality

This would indicate that minors are victims of alleged serial offenders more often than adults. Of the 354 officers involved with serious sexual misconduct reports, 56 law enforcement officers were involved in allegations where multiple victims were involved. Another type of police misconduct is known as kickback or bribery. Police officers have numerous opportunities to take financial advantage of those with whom they have dealings. Kickbacks and bribery could come from a store owner who would like extra protection, or from a drug dealer who wants an officer to look the other way. Many police officers get bribed throughout their career. Bribing a police officer is a automatic felony by law. You may not offer a police officer any amount of money in exchange for a service. Police officers who get caught accepting the bribe will be prosecuted. Recently in Suffolk County a sergeant was found take money from people he believed to be illegal immigrants. He was doing that because he knew they wouldn’t come forward about the wrongful acts at risk of being sent back to their country. A undercover Spanish police officer was sent out to get pulled over by the sergeant and he did in fact take a 100$ bill from the Spanish undercover and it was caught on camera. SCPD kindly let the sergeant, who has more than 20 years on duty, retire, before he was arrested.
Topic: police-brutality

He is awaiting trail and could face up to 20 years. Being that he targeted Spanish individuals, he could be charged with a hate crime. In conclusion, Police misconduct is low in the United States because most officers know that they are held at a high level than most members in society, and should be setting a positive example. Police officers also know that just because they have more powers than most individuals they should not be taking advantage of them to benefit personally. Although police misconduct is still a problem that will never totally be fixed, police departments should have harder rules and enforce the law harder on law enforcement officers. By letting Officers retire so they don’t lose their pension before they go on trial to me is wrong and not a way to stop police misconduct.
Topic: happiness

” Nurses are essentially the backbone of the medical world, with their long hours and heightened sense of care for those that are ill or injured. The demand for nurses in the work place increases each day as the population grows larger. With that being said, “employment for RNs is projected to increase 16 percent through 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That growth coupled with the above-average earning potential makes a registered nursing career sound appealing.
Topic: happiness

Of course, the nursing world is one of the most competitive fields of work, yet there is always room for those that can prove their skills and knowledge. The job of the nurse is almost never complete, and this has to do with the diversity of the position itself. Each hospital and medical facility has a specific policy, many of which require nurses to follow strict guidelines and perform unusual tasks. To expand on the previous note, “aside from the standard technical medical duties, nurses must also have a strong blend of soft skills.
Topic: happiness

Nurses working in any setting must possess excellent communication, decision-making, teamwork, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.” Outside of bedside manner and rational thinking, nurses are required to go above and beyond the call of duty to be successful in their jobs. Today, there is much debate as to how well nurses work in comparison to how much money these individuals receive. This has caused several skeptical nurses to wonder if monetary gain is the answer to a more productive nursing career.
Topic: happiness

For as long as the medical world has been established, there has always been an assistant or care provider to aid the primary physician. It has taken several years, yet despite stereotypes nd stigmas, nurses have gained the ability to rise above the challenges that they have faced. “registered nurses (RNS) are not limited to working in hospital settings. RNs can also work in clinics, schools, assisted living facilities, homes, schools and more. They can also specialize in areas such as cardiac care, midwifery, family practice, geriatrics, labor and delivery and emergency nursing.” Nurses have a diverse set of skills that allow them to accomplish the most challenging of medical tasks. In some instances, nurses are trained almost as well as highranking surgeons among other medical physicians. Furthermore, “hospital RNs also administer medication, change dressings and document care in patients’ records.
Topic: happiness

Hospitals know no business hours, which means these nurses may be expected to work long shifts, including overnight or on weekends and holidays.” In reference to how often nurses work long hours, several of these individuals are experience shift work related sleeping disorders. Issues such as sleep apnea and insomnia are more closely associated with truck drivers and other individuals who are incarcerated or in prison. All this to say, nurses put much of themselves on the line not only to make a living, but to help those who are in need. In other circumstances, “clinic nurses typically care for patients with non-life-threatening injuries, so the work is not as fast-paced. They can also expect to work more predictable shifts during regular business hours.” Now that the full position of the nurse is understood, the other aspects of this career can be examined. These aspects include how much nurses get paid versus how much work is being conducted in the workplace.
Topic: happiness

It is important for nurses to take pride in their work, and by doing so the reward of helping others should provide them with enough happiness. However, just as with many other professions, there is a disparity between how much an individual gets paid and how much work they actually do. As a whole, nurses do not get paid as much as popular opinion believes they should. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “the median annual wage for registered nurses was $68,450 in May 2016.” More often than not, nurses work more hours than engineers, construction workers and many of the other professions that require the care of a nurse. Of course, there are other factors that play a major role in how much a nurse gets paid, but still, these factors go against how many nurses feel about their job positions. To reiterate, “nursing job duties include communicating between patients and doctors, caring for patients, administering medicine and supervising nurses’ aides.” In some hospitals there are nurses who feel as if they are receiving the correct amount of money for the work that they put in. This generates the question of how well do these well-paid nurses work in comparison to their underpaid peers.
Topic: happiness

The following statements are provided by well experienced nurses, many of which have knowledge that expands well beyond their years. These brave individuals have put several sleepless nights into perfecting their craft and establishing themselves as some of the most qualified nurses in their hospitals. One nurse in particular claimed that “some new grads with whom I started were so stressed they couldn’t pass meds without sobbing. I was hired into critical care with about 25 other new grads. We practiced without a license until we passed or failed boards (if you failed, you were an automatic nursing assistant with a reduction in pay until you passed).” Even as recently as a few decades ago, nurses have been required to uphold a strong work ethic. Through the process of trial and error, weaker nursing candidates are exposed while those with the accurate skill level for these positions prevail and prove their worth. When speaking of who should and who should not work in the medical world, “Some people who become nurses talk about having a vocatione, a sacred calling, as do priests or nuns. I certainly did. Yes, practitioners should expect a fair working wage, but that shouldn’t be the sole reason they choose a nursing career.
Topic: happiness

Very few who go into nursing only for the salary stay in it.” Anyone interested in nursing should keep in mind that there are always exceptions to the principle of working hard for ones pay. Not all nurses have an equivalent work ethic, and not every individual is cut out to perform in the nursing community. Another nurse claims that they “would insist that we all work hard for the money — back then and now. And as American RNs, we are the highest compensated nurses in the world.” Compensation for one’s hard work is not a misunderstood principle, however some nurses do not feel as if they are being paid appropriately Despite this, true professionals are completely in love with their jobs, and this is what separates them from those that only care about the lucrative aspects of their professions. traits allow them to adapt well to basically any medical situation or circumstance. This diversity between individuals widens the talent pool in which nurses dwell and compete against each other. As a result of these talents, “nurses may choose to specialize in specific types of treatments, health conditions, patient populations or body systems, specific job duties can vary amongst specialties.” Happiness can develop from any basic construct of the human condition, meaning that it can be found anywhere. Money can in fact make a person happy, but just as money cannot last forever, neither can the happiness brought on by money. True happiness stems from the relationships that exist between individuals that truly care about one another.
Topic: happiness

On another note, “advanced practice nurses can work independently and have additional job duties, such as prescribing medications, examining patients and making diagnoses.” Within these widely overlooked tasks are the more important aspects of living in the world. Nurses experience firsthand the issues that plague the world, and they do their absolute best to ease the pain brought on by these issues. Nurses are “nice” in the sense of how they willingly put the feelings of others before their own emotional needs, and this alone may grant a nurse happiness. As far as money goes, nurses deserve to be paid more for their services, but money is not why they are happy with their job positions. To put everything into perspective, “nurses can also have uncommon schedules, working long hours in numerous facilities, based on need as well as their understandings of care types.” The happiness of an individual depends on the individual, making happiness and joy extremely subjective. For some nurses, taking pleasure in assisting those that are less fortunate than themselves is enough of a reward. However, it is undeniable that monetary incentives may very well increase an individual’s willingness to work and do well in their field. Overall, well paid nurses are happy nurses, yet all nurses can find happiness in their positions.
Topic: happiness

Shelley was a poet of early nineteenth century, who continued to bring out individual liberty. Though his writing of poetry he hoped to bring a new idea of the world to others, by envisioning a world of freedom in which there should be no slavery and no mistreatment. In the poem ‘To a Skylark’, he writes a skylark that sings a sweet melody and soars up at a great height and songs sung so sweetly that has the world strung by its melody.
Topic: happiness

Shelley perceives the Skylark as the most magnificent thing in the sky. The, sun, the stars the moon and clouds, are enchanted and its sweet melody. The Skylark (small bird) is a spirt, unseen to others but gives others happiness around the world. It represents the new world free of dishonesty, abuse and slavery. The Skylark signifies the poet’s imagination, eternal joy and harbinger of peace and progress. He then explains that all the wonderful things that people can bring can’t even compare to this bird’s song.
Topic: happiness

The more efforts the poet tries to convey the message of the power of the bird’s song he comes to realize that it is impossible. Being human he is left to feel what he is missing, the things that he can’t have. As quoted “We look before and after, and pine for what is not:” In contrast to humans the speaker speaks differently of the bird’s happiness as being pure joy. He uses different words in describing the bird’s happiness. He uses the words ‘shrill delight” he wants us to think and focus on the sound, and to perceive the bird’s song as an appearance of pure joy, an explosion of natural happiness. As slowly pulling us away from the image of the skylark as an ordinary, little brown bird. “Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight”
Topic: happiness

The speaker points out to us that the skylark is a mystical being and more than just a bird. This is something that throws the reader off in the beginning of the poem being that the poem should be about a bird. Though it shows us from the beginning that this poem isn’t about reality and beginning literally. Instead this poem is about emotion, purity and spirt, amongst many other things. As quoted “Bird thou never wert, (2)” In the ending stanzas, Shelley’s ideas came about rather than the subject of the poem. This poem represented his struggle that he had and in hopes to change the world. He brings out the inspiration to others that one day his words word be heard though this sweet song of the skylark.
Topic: happiness

Though I grew up with nothing and was part of the lower-class, I did not let it hold me back from thriving and becoming a successful country man today.  the expectations of Epicurus. “… owene sone, That heeld opinion that plein delit Was verray felicitee parfit” . Being an epicurean has brought me nothing but happiness and wellbeing in life. I am not greedy with my earned wealth nor do I ever intend to be. Sharing the pleasures of the world with others not only brings them happiness but also myself.
Topic: happiness

Coming from nothing I do not carry much on my body just my dagger and my white purse. I do not indulge in spending my wealth on personal belongs, I prefer to spend it on things that cause greater pleasure in life. Though, gold and cloaks may seem nice for someone’s appearance along with getting respect from others based on looks. I choose to spend my wealth on things that come from the world to nourish myself along with others and bring true happiness. I made a name for myself by working my way up in status starting as a sheriff.
Topic: happiness

Being a epicurean, a disciple of the greek philosopher and believing the pleasures of the world brings true happiness. I not only had the patients to wait for my life to flourish, I also gained knowledge on how to appreciate what you have no matter what life gives you. I wake up every morning and indulge in a breakfast I “… loved he by the morwe a sop in win.” I have a large house and I love entertaining others and allowing them to enjoy the pleasures of the I worked to attain. “ An housholdere and that a great was he: Saint Julian he was in his contree”: I was always being referred the saint of hospitality. I appreciate what I have by sharing it, it brings true happiness to others. Walking into my house the table always has food covering it no matter what time of the day. People say it is like it rained wine and hailed food at my house. I pride myself in having all the equally high quality foods for others to indulge in when they come to visit me. They say “ his breed, his ale, was always after oon”. People come from miles away to experience my possessions. I truly see the happiness in everyone that I welcome into my home. No matter if they are poor or wealthy I want everyone to to experience the pleasures that life has brought to me in this world for true happiness.
Topic: happiness

Starting with nothing other than my beliefs then building my way up by showing hard work and honesty. It taught me how to be generous and the importance to show and share the true pleasures of life. I have given meaning to my name in a good manner, where others feel welcomed and comfortable in my home.I am highly known for my hospitality and all of my high quality foods I get that this earth provides for true happiness. I have worked hard to get my life where it is today. Even though my demeanor does not resembles who I am as a person, I have shown my honesty, hard work, and generosity. Everything I have done in order to be able to have a huge house, and high quality foods that I have my table covered with at all times of the day. People say “Was nowhere swich a worthy vavasour”. Everything I have done to give my name meaning shows, I deserve to be classified as high-status and be shown respect by others.
Topic: happiness

Happiness is not only a kind of emotions, but also an attitude of living. I am sure that everyone here at least experienced happiness in the life, but not all the people think highly of the happiness. Thus, I encouraged everyone to be happy as it can be one of the most pivotal goals of our living. To begin with, let’s have a deep look at this world. How can we perceive the world? According to Tanya and Staff, “What people think they perceive is actually filtered and processed by the brain to construct a useful view of the world”(Tanya).
Topic: happiness

As Clara said, “If you, me and every person and thing in the cosmos were actually characters in some giant computer game, we would not necessarily know it”(Clara). How can we distinguish the reality of the world? Let’s firstly check how we can realize the dream. Patrick concludes this as follow: “Most people who have experienced these sorts of ‘false awakenings’ report an ‘eerie feeling’ that accompanies the false awakening once they realize that they are dreaming. The eerie-ness is not surprising given that the experience undermines the belief we all usually have that we have direct contact with reality.
Topic: happiness

For instance, one eeriness I experience in my dream is that I cannot feel the sense of pain in the dream. When I find that my sense of pain does not exist, I realize I am in a dream. However, our ability to perceive the dream is based on our memory of the so called reality, and when we need to check whether this reality is actual, we find we do not have memory outside the reality. What if our world is another dream? If the world is not real, what are we working for? “My advice is to go out and do really interesting things”, Tegmark suggested(qtd. in Clara). I agreed with him, and I believe the goals of everything we do in the world are to make ourselves happy.
Topic: happiness

Visual game: happiness. Nowadays, countless PC, video, and mobile games flourish in the game market. With the development of visual reality technology, we can even play the games in a more real way. But why we play the games? We all know the games are not real, no matter how actual the technology makes them to be. The answer is that they bring happiness. I apply the same reasoning in the real life, if the world is not real. Happiness is the main reason why we are obsessed with unreal worlds like games, dreams, and maybe the so-called reality.
Topic: happiness

Life attitude. To be happy is a kind of life attitude. Someone may be happy with money, so he can earn money persistently and earnestly, regardless of some critics from others who think he is greedy. Someone may be happy with his family, so he always spends his free time with his family, even though his work in the company is not completed yet. Someone may feel unhappy when he participates in parties, so he chooses to be relatively isolated. Someone may feel unhappy when living in one place, so he moves to another place. Today, many people compromise not to do what actually makes them happy because they think about evaluations and critics from others. However, if the world is not real, if others around us are just codes according to the simulation theories, these views do not matter. Happiness is most essential to our life, as it is the most desirable emotion in such an unreal world.
Topic: happiness

In Republic, Plato argues that justice is something everyone enjoys because it is good and so are its consequences. In this paper, I will refute Plato’s argument that by showing that society pressures us into being just. People only like the concept of justice because of its benefits. No one is born being a just person. It is our instinct to protect ourselves and make sure that our own needs are met. If you were to come across a toddler, they would have no concept of justice.
Topic: happiness

There would be no need to influence those to act just if what Plato says is true. Plato would disagree with my points. Plato would say that although we are born with no concept of justice that we could easily learn to love justice. Just because people are conditioned to do something doesn’t make it less of a good. Since people are born as blank canvases that they all have the capacity to learn how to be just. Children just need to be given the right tools and environment to learn how to appreciate justice as something we have a symbiotic relationship with.
Topic: happiness

I would then argue that we only grow to be just because we are conditioned that way. Society has implemented justice into our laws and morals and therefore people have turned their backs on their natural instincts. If justice was such a great good that held benefits similarly to happiness then we would naturally be just beings without being taught so. Many people only practice justice because they do not want unjust things to happen to them. Therefore we implement justice and condition children to adopt these customs as well as a form of precaution. Free will is the ultimate trait that all humans are gifted with. If we don’t have freedom of thought and are allowed the ability to choose justice on our own, it’s not as inherently good as something as happiness. The only real reason we have justice in place is because we fear the consequences of breaking the law. Many people would choose to disobey various laws if they knew there was no chance of them breaking the law.
Topic: happiness

People are not innately just, they are raised and conditioned into accepting justice. Acts of unjustness can prove to be more profitable than just ones. In the book, the character Glaucon talks about the Ring of Gyges, a ring that grants whoever who wears it invisibility. If someone were to obtain a great power such as invisibility with no consequences, the chances of them doing something self-beneficial is greater than them doing something beneficial for society. This example shows that justice is something that we only participate in because we fear the consequences of acting unjust. Many people don’t actually care about being just but instead appearing just because appearing just yields rewards while also giving you the freedom to be unjust in your actions. The character Glaucon uses an example of two men who are extreme examples of justice and injustice.
Topic: happiness

The unjust man ends up having a life filled with many rewards and a respectable reputation while the just man does not. A more concrete example of this would be politicians. Many politicians such as Bill Clinton appear as upright just citizens in the public eye although in various cases they have proven to not be as shown by the Clinton and Monic Lewinsky scandal that occurred in the late 90s. Politicians gain multitudes of social power based off of lies and scandals but don’t get the same amount of backlash as the average citizen all while appearing just. Plato would refute my claims by saying that justice is the moral duty of man. It’s not about reputation or who gets the upperhand in society. It’s something that everyone must participate in for the greater good. Justice isn’t related to materialism because materialism isn’t a good. It’s something that manifested from individualism in society. Justice is a good because it’s something everyone in the society benefits from; it’s not something that a specific group or individual can take the upperhand of.
Topic: happiness

If our society was a football team, justice would be winning a game. Every football player has a role that they must fulfill for our entire team to win the game and to achieve justice in society. Plato would also be against my argument of unjust acts being more profitable. A person living an unjust life would only appear to be more profitable because they’re working to improve as an individual. Just because a person can gain social power and a good reputation through unjust acts, it doesn’t guarantee that person happiness. Unjust acts can only bring someone temporary happiness in the form of items and money. An example of this would be celebrities. Plenty of celebrities such as Amy Winehouse and Robin Williams were very successful and they weren’t satisfied with their lives. This shows that being successful doesn’t always guarantee happiness. I would then argue that we can not define happiness for people.
Topic: happiness

Everyone has their own idea of what happiness looks like to them. For some people it is to fulfill their moral duties and for others it might be to obtain social power. Most people would be happy if their basic needs are met so that they could achieve their more complex goals in life. If they had money to pay their bills and be seen as a respectable person in their community they would be happy and this could allow them to achieve things that they originally didn’t have the time or the means to achieve. Some people might even argue that the individual trumps all. At the end of the day the only person we have is ourselves and acting as a collective isn’t in favor of one ‘s own happiness but the collective’s overall satisfaction.
Topic: happiness

If justice isn’t ensuring the happiness of the individuals of a society then it isn’t intrinsically good. I define good as something valuable. Justice is valuable, but it isn’t as valuable as injustice because at least injustice can lead to some form of personal happiness whether it’s temporary or not. Jesus, the son of Christ, lived an extremely upright life and did what he believed to be morally right was condemned and lived a very bleak life. This shows that living your life in favor of justice can lead to dire consequences in some cases. Even if justice is proven to lead to happiness, it isn’t the same type of happiness unjust acts can bring you. As Plato’s book Republic proposes, justice can be a good because it’s inherently good and so are it’s benefits. However, I have argued that being injust works out in our favor more than justice does.
Topic: happiness

The assertion by Socrates that an unexamined life is not worth living was a product of an examination, based on certain experiences, aspirations, and reflections that culminated into this philosophy. According to Socrates, every living human has a basic obligation to seek an absolute sense of self-knowledge and understanding, through which one attains the ability to make sense of the various purposes for which they exist. In this case, the philosopher sounds to encourage humanity that each person is on a mission, a journey that must end at the most desirable destination as the only way one would claim success for the time they ever lived on the earth.
Topic: happiness

The statement by Socrates regarding the circumstances under which death is permissible communicates a significant aspect of his understanding of death. It also communicates, in this context, his level of commitment to the process of investigating to understand the statement of the Pythia. In his understanding of Pythia’s response to Chaerephon’s question, Socrates perceived it as a communication that originated from Apollo, the god, an understanding that translated into his prime directive (raison d’etre). At this time, faced with a choice between exiling, which would have to separate him from elenchus and prevent him from his process of investigating the statement, and death, Socrates appears to choose the latter.
Topic: happiness

Using his religious understanding as a source of confidence and hope for the biblical life after death, he chooses to forgo a life on earth that denied him a chance to seek the truth. While choosing death as a punishment, he communicates a sense of confidence in his choice and philosophy that it is possible to die, and find a second chance to pursue this truth in another life. This forms the basis of his philosophy that it is better to die and leave the earth, if one’s life does not guarantee an absolute chance to think, reflect, meditate and contemplate as one seeks the truths of life.
Topic: happiness

Subjecting Socrates’ assertion to a rigor of scrutiny, it is evident that his statement continues to sell in the market place of ideas. Human beings, by their very nature, are social creations whose content of character, as well as the totality of their success is often a product of the influence from the environment. This environment, in most cases, consists of both biotic and abiotic components, with an interaction that delivers the final taste of influence to shape up a person. Consequently, the nature of the environmental components and their interactions inform the chances of success or failure of an individual person occupying such spaces. Socrates, while alluding to the possible dangers of living without self-examination, postulates that such a life is predisposed to all the dangers resulting from external dictates, and devoid of personal wisdom. It is possible that people who does not examine their own lives may live other people’s lives, and ignore the original purpose for which they were created.
Topic: happiness

Even though Socrates’ philosophy of life examination as a way of gaining the requisite self-understanding and realization has attracted significant acceptance, it has also elicited major debates in which people have contested this position. There is a section of those whose school of thought contradict the common belief that an unexamined life is not worth living. Part of the logic presented in such cases is that there is a lot more that contribute the wholeness of an individual’s life, than the mere act of examination to determine the purpose and live to fulfil such purposes. Opining that the art of self-examination is an absolute route to self-realization and actualization is unrealistic, untrue, illogical and inadequate, this stand suggests that a person’s happiness and overall well-being is actually a product of a more close-knight relationship with the environment, where each of the components plays a role.
Topic: happiness

In tandem with this position is Epicurus philosophy on happiness, which unlike Socrates’ that roots for just one thing (constant examination), outlines three aspects that makes a person happy. These include good companionship, which is a product of the company one keeps from within and outside their immediate environment. In addition to the good companion, Epicurus’ philosophy also suggests freedom as the second aspect that contributes to an individual’s happiness. In this case, the philosopher refers to the freedom from everyday life politics and ability to attain a sense of self-sufficiency. Thirdly, the philosopher also believes that one needs an analyzed life to gain the requisite sense of happiness, adding that everyone needs a personal time and space to think matters through as they occur. This third component bears an ideological similarity with the Socratic position, except the fact that Epicurus combines it with the need for freedom and good companionship.
Topic: happiness

However, Epicurus’s concept fails to establish a reliable clarity on the nature of the freedom from politics, especially when there are individuals whose happiness and passion originates from the practice of politics. For instance, if there is a politician who derives happiness from engaging masses of people in public addresses, seeks and wins elective positions and leads in policy formulations to derive self-satisfaction, claiming that the need for freedom from literal practice of politics is invalid. It is further agreeable that there are large masses of people who derive happiness from involvement with political activities, and a possible alienation could be a potential threat to the idea of happiness.
Topic: happiness

It is also worth noting that there is a major distinction between Socratic and Epicurus’ ideas of analyzing life. Epicurus would stand against one opting to spend money to acquire a sense of relief from a bad experience such as a bad day, with a philosophy that advocates for taking time to reflect, contemplate and strategize to win in the next experiences. While Epicurus reduces the idea of self-examination to just a third of what constitutes a person’s happiness, the Socratic understanding believes that if one cannot to engage in a routine act of self-reflection and meditation, it is not worth living. His message is pegged at the importance of each person finding time to seek the truth regarding the purpose for their existence, a process he believes, is most achievable under routine practice of self-examination.