Culture and ethical values Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Culture and ethical values - Essay Example 78). Each individual gives up his own power to the supreme sovereign, the ‘Leviathan’, whose authority is indivisible and unchallengeable. The ethic of self-preservation is the basic tenet of Hobbes’ framework. Because men cannot cooperate amongst themselves, the Leviathan is tasked with the protection of order, and its powers are unlimited. Such is the untrammeled power of the supreme sovereign – whether one man or an assembly – that it exercises the right of censorship over any and all expression and all property is subject to its laws. For Hobbes, â€Å"rebellion is but war renewed† (2005, p. 195); he understands that the Leviathan could very well become tyrannical, yet he maintains that even the worst form of despotism is preferable to the anarchy and chaos of the state of nature. Rebellion against government, thus, is explicitly wrong, not only because it is destined to fail, but also because it sets a poor example (Russell, 2004, p. 506). The only reprieve that Hobbes provides for the citizens of his commonwealth is that of self-defense: self-preservation being the highest goal of an individual, he reserves the right to defend his person. Any other means of resistance to government is culpable. Therefore, we can see that there is a very limited scope in Hobbes’ agenda to rebel against government: essentially, â€Å"Hobbes wants to show why we have to obey† (Harrison, 2003, p. 191). Hobbes’ fascination with authority and the unbridled faith he reposes in the sovereign are products, however, of how he feels a just society and a commodious existence can be best preserved. He â€Å"†¦insists that the natural condition [in the state of nature] is one of liberty, equality, and the most extensive individual rights imaginable. He argues, however, that these free and equal people are in a condition of utter wretchedness and insecurity – not in spite of their liberty and

Critical analysis and evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Critical analysis and evaluation - Essay Example Then, there were the practical considerations, which could be seen in her concentration on form – the number of pints, the pub’s structure, the lightings and their significance. Ethical relativism can also be detected in the attitude towards the effects of alcohol. One sees this in the statement about how the pub endures time because beer and men would always be present. This is particularly emphasized in her linking of the pub’s disrepair to its importance in men’s life and her double talk about beer being a â€Å"cohesive element.† While it is a clear reference to uniting all elements in the painting, there is a hint that beer contributes to the companionship and dialogue that happens in the pub. Aesthetic perspectives are, of course, primary in the description as critiques on structure, story, perspective, color and interpretations were each paid their dues. And so this would be the major evaluative standard used. In the opinion of this writer, Benko has given sufficient attention to the elements and relationships suggested by the composition to support her conclusions. The attention to detail in referencing the image and creating a clear picture in her description was cogent and showed a thoughtful assimilation of material from the description of the image itself, as well as the author’s translation. For example, in the decay, cracks, stains and disrepair she found on the pub she had seen warmth and affection instead of neglect. She also supplied personal commentary on drinking and men and the significance of the pub, including connotations of permanence and social significance. Many of the image descriptions are written in a combined form which take away from analysis because they provide material on a summarizing basis that has already been apparent. Her description did not just summarize the referenced elements because