Utilitarianism in Crime and Punishment Essay - 1874 Words

Utilitarianism in Crime and Punishment Raskolnikovs mathematical evaluation of the moral dilemma presented to him in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment exemplifies the empirical view of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism attempts to distinguish between right and wrong by measuring a decision based on its calculated worth. Raskolnikov appears to employ the fundamentals of utilitarianism by pitting the negative consequences of murdering his old landlady against the positive benefits that her money would bestow onto society. However, a true follower of utilitarianism would be outraged at Raskolnikovs claim that murdering the old woman can be considered morally right. Raskolnikov arbitrarily†¦show more content†¦Employing the utilitarian principle, I would have to weigh each option and then decide which one has consequences at least as good as or better than any of the other options possible. But, what standard do I use to gauge the consequences in order to choose the best alternative? The theory of right action does not stand alone as the only condition for ethical evaluations. To measure the given alternatives, I would have to apply the theory of value. The theory of value bases itself on the premise that pleasure is the only thing valuable in itself and as an end. Mill clearly states, that all desirable things are desirable either for pleasure inherent in themselves or as means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain . In my moral dilemma, I had to take each alternative and calculate the total amount of pleasure that each would produce, minus the total amount of pain each alternative would induce. So while not doing the paper might give me the most amount of immediate pleasure, the pain that I would incur upon receiving an F in my class would greatly reduce the amount of net pleasure. On the other hand, I might experience some pain (due to boredom, frustration, etc.) from writing the paper. However, this amountShow MoreRelatedUtilitarianism In Dostoevskys Crime And Punishment770 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel Crime and Punishment the main characters Raskolnikov, Svid, and Sonya embody different philosophies. Throughout the novel you can tell which philosophies Dostoevsky likes and dislikes depending on the character. Sonya represents religion, Raskolnikov represents utilitarianism, and Svid represents a utilitarian hedonist. Throughout this novel these characters help to describe the psychology of a criminal and paint the path between crime and punishment. This novel is told almost entirelyRead MoreMorality And Its Effect On Society1196 Words   |  5 Pagescan prove that punishment is moral because it will reduce crime, it will give satisfaction to society, and it will deter other potential offenders. Punishment involves the deliberate infliction of suffering on an offender for a violation they caused such as a crime they did. Since punishment involves inflicting a pain or suffering to a criminal similar to an offender inflicts pain on his victim, it has generally been agreed that punishment requires moral justification. Utilitarianism determines goodRead MoreEthical Treatment Of Prisoners811 Words   |  3 Pagesethical treatment of prisoners, one is forced to decide what is right and what is wrong, not only for the prisoners involved, but for society in general. One theory of punishment is called the utilitarian philosophy, and generally assumes that whatever is best for society in general is the best course of action. The idea of utilitarianism, when applied to the criminal justice system can benefit those involved because what is best for society is an ethical question, one that must be answered within theRead MoreThe Dilemma Of The Death Penalty1703 Words   |  7 Pagespa per will discuss the ethological dilemma of the death penalty in the philosophical outlooks of Utilitarianism and Deontology, present arguments in light of both, and proceed to show why Deontology offers the best insights into the justification for the death penalty. The death penalty, also known as â€Å"capital punishment†, is, â€Å"the sentence of execution for murder and some other capital crimes (serious crimes, especially murder, which are punishable by death).† (Death Penalty Law, Law And Legal Definition)Read MoreRetributivism Vs Utilitarian Theory1730 Words   |  7 Pagesacting immorally. A common response to immoral behavior is punishments, which leads me to ask the question: how is punishment justified? In his article â€Å"The Classic Debate†, American legal philosopher Joel Feinberg lays out the main points of discourse between the two major theories of justified punishment, which I will deconstruct. Feinberg asserts that there are two main theories used to justify punishment: Retributivism and Utilitarianism. These two theories supposedly oppose each other such thatRead MoreThe Capital Punishment Debate Essay1396 Words   |  6 PagesCapital Punishment, also known as the death penalty is a legal sentence for a criminal to be put to death. The Punishment is rising to a controversial topic and has led to a lot of heated debates. As of 2014, over 150 countries have abolished the death penalty and 40 others have not used it in recent years, although it is still legal. The death Penalty is mostly used in extreme cases of crime like rape or murder. The convicted criminals are mostly put to death in inhuman ways such as lethal injectionsRead MoreThe Classical School Of Criminology935 Words   |  4 PagesClassical School of Criminology are that humans are rational and that our behavior comes from free will, and our human behavior is derived from pain and pleasure. To deter criminal’s punishment is necessary, which may set an example for others. As well as crime prevention should be implemented with quick regulated punishment for violations of the law. What were some forerunners of classical thought in criminology? Some forerunners of classical thought in criminology are that societies have notions ofRead MoreCapital Punishment And The Death Penalty1714 Words   |  7 PagesCapital punishment, or the death penalty is the legally authorized death of an individual as punishment for a heinous crime, typically one that involves murder. The legality of it varies by state and it continues to be a contentious topic of discussion in the United States. Furthermore, in recent decades, public opinion has been shifting from a supportive stance to an unsupportive stance on the use of the death penalty. It is now perceived by most people to be an unethical, immoral, and expensiveRead MoreLiterature Review Retributive Justice: The Case of Justin Wolfe1838 Words   |  7 PagesWolfe of premeditated killing for hire, the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The jury further ruled that Wolfe fi t the vague standards of future vileness and dangerousness necessary for capital punishment. While Wolfe made multiple admissions during his testimony, he did not admit to conspiracy to commit murder or murder for hire. The presence of two offenders in murder for hire, resulting in shared culpability, allowed Owen Barber, the triggermanRead MoreThe Death Penalty Is Justified1534 Words   |  7 Pages Capital punishment raises the very difficult question whether or not it is ethical to kill a convicted criminal. People who oppose the death penalty often argue mistaken identity and wrongful conviction. They argue that long-term imprisonment is the better course of action, because it allows for the possibility that if a mistake was made in the conviction of a suspect, they would be able to correct it without ending the life of an innocent person. They also state that the threat of the death penalty

Arts and Crafts of Elizabethan Era Essays - 611 Words

Queen Elizabeth’s reign had a very large impact on the blossom of arts and crafts in late 1500’s and early 1600’s of England. She had a great passion for arts, crafts, and literature. This inspired several artists, play writes, author, and architects to move their practice to the England. Some authors include William Shakespeare, Francis Bacon, and Thomas Wyatt. Architects include John Brayne, also included famous artist Nicholas Hilliard. The collection of arts in England mad this country very popular. Nicholas Hilliard was one the few famous artists in the Elizabethan era. Nicholas was born to Richard Hilliard (an English goldsmith) and Laurence Wall. As a young boy Hilliard became attached to the household of leading Exeter Protestant†¦show more content†¦In 1600, he wrote Treatise on the Arte of Limning, which was an account on his method and special sidelights for individual mericual and engaging temperament. Nicholas struggled with financial situat ions; this led to a short imprisonment for debt. Researchers say: â€Å"His Treatise also states that he derived his sensibility from that of the painter Hans Holbein the Younger, a German portraitist working in England, whose influence doubtless accounts for Hilliard’s preference for even, nondramatic lighting and firm contours, as seen in the miniatures An Unknown Youth Leaning Against a Tree Among Roses and An Unknown Man Against a Background of Flames.† Nicholas Hilliard was very valuable to the artistic nature of England during the Elizabethan era. There were not many different types of known art at the time of Elizabethan era. The main type of art at the time was portraiture. Portraiture is the practice of making portraits. Many families, or people of power would have an artist compose portraits that would usually be displayed in the main entrances of their households. The intent of the portrait is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. William Shakespeare lived in the time known as the Elizabethan Era. It was named this because of the rule of Queen Elizabeth I. Art flourished during her reign because she loves art immensely. Her favorite artist was Nicholas Hilliard; he often painted portraits for her. Isaac OliverShow MoreRelatedThe Rise Of The Elizabethan Theatre1846 Words   |  8 Pagesresults of centuries upon centuries of exploration and growth in not only the art of live performance, but th e very core of storytelling as well. Throughout its rich and exciting history, however, it’s difficult to find a period quite so prosperous for the art of western storytelling as the Elizabethan era: an era which sparked exponential growth that would be built upon for centuries to come. Since its very beginning, Elizabethan Theatre has had a marvelous impact on the lives of everyone it touched,Read MoreEssay on Renaisssance versus Baroque Periods967 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent periods. The renaissance period rolled into the baroque era. There were changes made over the years from the baroque to the renaissance period. Differences in style accumulated along with views of art and music. Baroque era covers the period between 1600 and 1750 beginning with Monte Verdi (birth of opera) and ended with deaths of Bach and Handel. The term baroque music is borrowed from the art history. It follows the Renaissance era (1400-1600). It was initially considered to be a corrupt wayRead MoreHamlet- Shakespeare dramatises the tension between Passion and Reason1413 Words   |  6 Pagesunderlying tension. ‘Hamlet’ presents challenging representations of the traditional values of passion and reason through their varying forms. The representation of these concepts coupled with dramatic tension conflicts with traditional plots of the Elizabethan era thus creating a sense of enduring value. The various depictions of dramatized tension that underpin the play, allows issues of passion and reason to flourish throughout as is the intention of Shakespeare. Tension emphasises how acts of passionRead MoreComparison/Contrast Renaisssance and Baroque Essay967 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent periods. The renaissance period rolled into the baroque era. There were changes made over the years from the baroque to the renaissance period. Differences in style accumulated along with views of art and music. Baroque era covers the period between 1600 and 1750 beginning with Monte Verdi (birth of opera) and ended with deaths of Bach and Handel. The term baroque music is borrowed from the art history. It follows the Renaissance era (1400-1600). It was initially considered to be a corrupt wayRead MoreLiterary Group in British Poetry5631 Words   |  23 PagesRenaissance in England 3.1 Early Renaissance poetry 3.2 The Elizabethans 3.2.1 Elizabethan Song 3.2.2 Courtly poetry 3.2.3 Classicism 3.3 Jacobean and Caroline poetry 3.3.1 The Metaphysical poets 3.3.2 The Cavalier poets 4 The Restoration and 18th century 4.1 Satire 4.2 18th century classicism 4.3 Women poets in the 18th century 4.4 The late 18th century 5 The Romantic movement 6 Victorian poetry 6.1 High Victorian poetry 6.2 Pre-Raphaelites, arts and crafts, Aestheticism, and the Yellow 1890s 6.3 Comic verseRead MoreReview of Virginia Woolfs Shakespeares Sister3106 Words   |  13 PagesVirginia Woolf’s ‘Shakespeare’ Sister’ is the third chapter from her literary essay A Room of One’s Own. In this chapter, which is the essay on Shakespeare’s Sister, she considers the question of why no women writers are represented in the canon of Elizabethan drama. To explore the issue, Woolf invents a fictional and mythical sister, Judith, for William Shakespeare and compares the barriers brothers and sisters would have encountered in achieving success as playwright. Imaginatively, Woolf despairs ofRead MoreEssay about Ben Johnson and William Shakespeare 1275 Words   |  6 Pagescenturies because they endear the audience to the human experience. Ben Jonsons literary style was influenced by the Greek and Roman classics (Mulryan). He had a distinctive style that was potent and candid. He preferred realism to the standard Elizabethan romantic plays that he considered flighty and fanciful. He was the master of satire (Baskerville). His characters in his plays were generally flat (dominating characteristic) and represented the follies of man. His decision to include the harsherRead MoreThe Child Safety Is Important Essay1366 Words   |  6 Pages(termination of parental rights) is the best option at this point, then so be it. TPR may be an option now but it was not always available. Social Welfare Policy is very important. Changes happen often which can be good or bad. In colonial America, The Elizabethan Poor Law Act of 1601 may have been necessary during its time. The government consolidated various laws. Counties were required to assume relief-giving function when church communities could not meet their responsibilities (they were extremely religiousRead Moreâ€Å"the Spirit of Renaissance and Elizabethan Era†5448 Words   |  22 Pagesdating from the early 16th century to the early 17th century. It is associated with the pan-European Renaissance that many cultural historians believe originated in Tuscany in the 14th century. This era in English cultural history is sometimes referred to as the age of Shakespeare or the Elizabethan era, the first period in English and British history to be named after a reigning monarch. Renaissance literally means rebirth. It refers especially to the rebirth of learning that began inRead MoreThe Elizabethan Eras Effect on Shakespeares Works2878 Words   |  12 PagesThe Elizabethan Eras Effect on Shakespeares Works If every playwright in Shakespeares time aspired, as he did, to paint a portrait of an age in their works, his would have been the Mona Lisa, leaving the most lasting impression on generations to come and at the same time, one of the worlds most baffling mysteries. Surely it is no coincidence that the worlds most celebrated dramatist wouldve lived during the time when one of the worlds most powerful rulers in history reigned. Or was it?

Analytical Discussion of Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier Essay Example For Students

Analytical Discussion of Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier Essay The story of Cold Mountain is of a war and adventure across the mountainous terrain, but, most of all it is a love story. Before the blossoming love is torn by the separation of war, Ada and Inman venture into the woods together to say their goodbyes. There Inman recites to Ada a story told to him by an Indian woman. At the end of the story, Ada had nothing but a satirical remark regarding the validity of Inmans tale. It wasnt until later that she realized that it had not been about an old woman but about his own fears and desires.p 254 The moment in the woods made them recognize their differences. Their love for each other would not let them return to each others company until they had both settled their personal troubles. The war left Inman wounded physically and spiritually. Inman had seen so much death it had come to seem a random thing entirely. He could not even make a start at reckoning up how many deaths he had witnessed of late. It would number, no doubt, in the thousands. Accomplished in every custom you could imagine, and some you couldnt come up with if you thought at it for days. He had grown so used to seeing death, walking among the dead, sleeping among them, numbering himself calmly as among the near-dead, that it seemed no longer dark and mysterious.p 230 The death and violence that Inman saw and enforced upon those he met distanced him even more from the person he once was. Much of this was attributed to the many encounters he had with his own death. At every turn there seemed to some other way for him to die, and another possible way for him to escape it. Each encounter or thought of that day to be his last benefited him. He began to view the world around him in different light. The optimistic thought lasted but a minute, and he continually returned to his gloomy way of living. The image he now possessed disturbed him so much that he could not bear the sight of himself. He looked down into a pool and caught sight of his visage looking up at him, wavery and sinister, and he immediately frabbled his fingers in the waterfor he had no desire to look upon himself.p 299 There was slow progression to Inmans scorn toward people and nature. As his journey continued, he found himself to treat those around him with more respect. No only was this apparent with the people he encountered, but it was also obvious with his reaction to nature. Not far into his journey, Inmans confrontation with Juniors three-legged dog showed his inhumanity toward the living. The dog ran low to the ground and completely soundless on a trajectory straight to Inman Before it got to him, Inman kicked and caught it under the chin with a boot toe. The dog collapsed and lay motionless  in the dirt. p 211 The dog was evidently not a threat to Inman, but he persisted to fight anything that wanted to challenge him. He showed persistence to harm animals again when he encounter the bear and its cub. Without wanting to kill the bear, he ended up doing so anyway. As a tender way to relieve the cub of its loss, he shot the cub, and killed it also. Although Inmans actions do not seem to be improving the intentions of them show progress. Unlike Inman, Adas journey is not mapped out. Her journey is within herself and her property to find the best in both. Adas life begins to fall apart after her fathers death. She did not possess many qualities that would give people a reason to like her. Many of her friends had fallen away, finding her too bristly and eccentric.p 66 Besides the absence of her social skills, a lady told Ada that she was the most naive girlp 181 she had ever met. .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 , .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .postImageUrl , .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 , .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:hover , .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:visited , .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:active { border:0!important; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:active , .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945 .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u689cf9d6479dbef0545d5a388751a945:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Running in the Family EssayAda had lost more than a father when Monroe died. She also lost guidance. She depended upon her father to supply everything for her, including knowledge, and ways to think. The intelligence Ada had did not amount to much after her fathers death. Ruby aided Ada in her struggle for survival, and gave her much needed answers and friendship. Ruby stressed a life of working for what you wanted, and not just buying it. This method of thinking caused Ada to do things for herself. Ada developed an interest in nature that was not as superficial as before. She declared outloud when she said, I am living a life now where I keep account of the doings of part icular birds.p 239 This served as an important revelation for Ada. Never before had she concerned herself with things, especially in nature. Ada developed better relationships with people by being around Ruby. Their relationship, alone, taught Ada to express her emotions to someone other than her father, instead of neglect them. Ada realized it was the first time they had embraced, and Ruby stood with her arms to her sides and was just a hard knot of a person in Adas arms.p 373 However, it was not until the moment that Ada sat with Stobrod in the snow, and killed an animal for them to eat that she had matured to a person who knew how to take care of others and herself. At that same time, Inman went to drink from a creek when a salamandermoved among the stones. Inman lifted it out and held it cupped in his hands and looked at the salamanders faceHe returned the salamander to its place and walked backp 392 When these two moments occur, both their journeys seem to be complete. The physical separation of Cold Mountain is not so restraining on each of them, and the paths leads Ada and Inman to each other. They find each other just as Adas father fell  in love with Adas mother. For many years they lived their separate lives, but it was in the time apart that circumstance made them come to appreciate each other. Because the tradition of history repeating itself will never seize, Ada and Inmans future faced the same pattern as Adas parents did.

Women The Abused Gender in Literature and Life free essay sample

A study of four books where the trauma of the women characters are explored. The paper explores four books which are linked by the trauma of the women characters The Bluest Eyes (Toni Morrison), Jasmine, (Bharati Mukherjee) Bastard Out of Carolina (Dorothy Allison), and White Oleander (Janet Fitch). The paper shows how each book involves the story of a young woman who suffered abuse through no fault of her own and that although they take place at different times, different locations and to different types of young women, they are linked. The author touches on the thread of abuse towards women in real life. As a young girl she shows her strength when she saves the village women from a wild dog. Throughout her life in India, Jasmine, a young Punjab girl undergoes a series of changes. She is the embodiment of the fatalistic beliefs of the Hindu religion as she goes through cycles that allow her to become a mature woman in a new country, America. We will write a custom essay sample on Women: The Abused Gender in Literature and Life or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The story is told from the perspective that young woman in America as she recalls the life she lead in India, and how she came to America. Behind her is the oppression of females. Ahead of her is hope for a better life. In her is the clash of beliefs from the fatalistic Hindu, to the optimistic American. Along the way her name is changed several times until she winds up with the non-ethnic Jane, instead of Jasmine.