Human Evolution
Ardipithecus ramidus
This species was announced in September 1994. It is thought to
be the oldest known hominid species. It was dated at 4.4 million
years old. The majority of the fossils found were skull fragments.
Other evidence suggests that this species was bipedal. The
individuals were about four feet tall. Some fossils found indicate
that ramidus may have been a forest dweller. The teeth resemble
something between earlier apes and A. afarensis. The fossils were
discovered by a team led by Tim White in Aramis Ethiopia. The
find consists of 17 individuals.
Australopithecus anamensis
This species was named in August 1995. The fossils were mostly
found in Kanapoi Kenya in 1988. Anamensis is thought to have
existed between 4.2 and 3.9 million years ago. The teeth and jaws
are very similar to those of older fossil apes. A partial tibia
supports bipedality. The first fossil of this species was found in
Kanapoi Kenya by Bryan Patterson. The fossil was a lower left
humerous dated to be about 4.0 million years old.
Australopithecus afarensis
This species existed between 3.9 and 3.0 million years ago. It had
an apelike face with a low forehead, a bony ridge over the eyes, a
flat nose, and no chin. They had protruding jaws with large teeth.
The skull is similar to that of a chimpanzee except for more human
like teeth. The canines of this species were smaller than those of
earlier apes but larger than humans. Their pelvis and leg bo...
Mill grew up under the influences from his father and Bentham. In his twenties, an indication of the cerebral approach of the early Utilitarians led to Mill’s nervous breakdown. He was influential in the growth of the moral theory of Utilitarianism whose goal was to maximize the personal freedom and happiness of every individual. Mill's principle of utility is that “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness”. Utilitarianism is the concept that a man should judge everything based on the ability to promote happiness for the greatest number of individual. He believes that Utilitarianism must show how the conversion can be made from an interest in one’s own particular bliss to that of others. John Stuart Mill also states that moral action should not be judged on the individual case but more along the lines of “rule of thumb” and says that individuals ought to measure the outcomes and settle on their choices in view of the consequence and result that advantages the most people. Mill believes that pleasure is the only wanted consequence. Mill supposes that people are gifted with the capacity for conscious thought, and they are not happy with physical delights, but rather endeavor to accomplish the joy of the psyche too. He asserts that individuals want pleasure and reject
“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity” (Nelson Mandela). Throughout the novel 1984, written by George Orwell, there is a severe lack of humanity. During the course of the novel, the level of humanity is tested through the challenges Winston and Julia face in their war against the Party. In 1984, humanity has been impacted by the Party’s control over its members, its lack of control over its members, and its war against love.
The Founding Fathers of the United States relied heavily on many of the principles taught by John Locke. Many of the principles of Locke’s Second Treatise of Government may easily be discovered in the Declaration of Independence with some minor differences in wording and order. Many of the ideas of the proper role of government, as found in the Constitution of the United States, may be discovered in the study of Locke. In order to understand the foundation of the United States, it is vital that one studies Locke. A few ideas from Hume may be found but the real influence was from Locke. Rousseau, on the other hand, had none.
“Utility” or the “greatest happiness principle holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure." (Mill 7)
In Locke’s essay, Book II called Second Treatise he explains his philosophical approach to the state of nature and how men are bound to a social contract giving consent to the government to protect their unalienable rights.
In an afterword by Erich Fromm he writes the question that every reader should be trying to answer, “can human nature be changed in such a way that a man will forget his longing for freedom, for dignity, for integrity, for love—that is to say, can man forget that he is human?” (318). Orwell provides evidence for both sides and this one quote could be discussed in great detail. Although, when 1984 is spoken of it is only referenced within a context of “thought police,” “doublethink,” and “Orwellian” (Geoffrey).Yet, there is so much more substance within the book. There is human betrayal, love, loyalty. Humans have struggled with these emotions for years. When the book is narrowed down to a few simple themes about government control and surveillance the reader is pushed to only analyze their surroundings and neglect to look within themselves. Winston’s environment is so detrimental to his mental health and physical well-being that it pushes him to lose parts of his humanity. Surveillance binds him from thinking freely, party loyalty stops him from forming true bonds, and a structured schedule squashes his creativity. Without these, are we really
In this paper I will argue that John Stuart Mill, the presenter of the most compelling theory of act-utilitarianism (AU), ultimately falls short in addressing the moral complexities which factor into man’s virtues and its effect on his motives for certain actions.
John Locke was a British philosopher who believed in a state of nature and his ideas of a government influenced the Founding Fathers in creating the Declaration of Independence. Locke believed that the purpose of government was to protect the natural rights of citizens. Those rights are the right of life, liberty and property. If the government fails to protect individual rights people are obligated to replace it. The colonists started to believe that the British were violating their right to property and decided to rebel against Britain. Without Locke’s ideas, the Founding Fathers wouldn’t have had another reason to write the Declaration of Independence.
Each person has a different definition for what being human really stands for. To some, giving to others in a merciless way could constitute being human. In Orwell’s novel, his protagonist Winston would consider being human as the ability of a person to think and act freely. That is what Winston was trying to hold on to throughout the novel; his ability to stay human. With the government controlling every single aspect in the lives of their people, the
Have you ever heard of the Enlightenment era in history? It was a significant period in time where people started to have new ideas in technology, science, politics, and philosophy. The Enlightenment also brought about a lot of memorable thinkers who still continue to influence us today. Among those thinkers included the very wise John Locke and Thomas Jefferson. John Locke was an excellent Enlightenment philosopher who actually influenced Thomas Jefferson’s writings for the Declaration of Independence. Their writings helped to create the unity in America, and justify the break from Great Britain. As a result, together these two famous philosophers helped our country become independent with the Declaration
John Locke is one of the most influential Enlightenment thinker, and social contract theorist who aided the development of the Declaration of Independence with his wise words and theory. Locke in his most important and influential book The Two Treatises of Government defends his claim that all men are born free, equal, and with reason. The Two Treatises of Government allows the reader to understand the meaning of equality through Locke’s theory. Throughout the book Locke gives many arguments as to why it is imperial for societies to be equal, and how it is fundamental to humanity. Ultimately, Locke emphasizes the importance of equality mentioning how it allows society to prosper with the protection of government. The premise of the Social Contract Theory is people entering an agreement by creating a government that will aid in preserving natural law. Locke’s social contract provides the organization for how governments must protect citizens and ensure prosperity. The Social Contract
Each person has a different definition for what being human really stands for. To some, giving to others in a merciless way could constitute being human. In Orwell’s novel, his protagonist Winston would consider being human as the ability of a person to think and act freely. That is what Winston was trying to hold on to throughout the novel; his ability to stay human. With the government controlling every single aspect in the lives of their people, the ability to think and act freely was very hard to maintain. If one does not have the capability of controlling what they think, do, or even what they say then, according to Orwell, they cannot possibly remain “human”. In 1984 Orwell says, “’Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.’” (Orwell. PG 34). This is a significant quote that can be used to support the claim that being human is related to one’s ability to
We have two great philosophers, Plato and Aristotle. These are great men, whose ideas have not been forgotten over years. Although their thoughts of politics were similar, we find some discrepancies in their teachings. The ideas stem from Socrates to Plato to Aristotle. Plato based moral knowledge on abstract reason, while Aristotle grounded it on experience and tried to apply it more to concrete living. Both ways of life are well respected by many people today.
Plato and Aristotle both established important ideas about politics and their government. The general idea these two men wrote about were tyranny and the rule of law. What the rule of law is stating is that no one is immune from the law, even the people who are in a position of power. The rule of law served as a safeguard against tyranny because laws just ensure that rulers don’t become more corrupt. These two philosophers explored political philosophy and even though they didn’t agree on much they’re impacts are still around the world today.
...attainment of happiness is oftentimes difficult, so we are morally justified in searching to essentially reduce the amount of unhappiness and pain experienced by the human beings impacted by some of our actions. According to Mill, the absence of pleasure is only acceptable when it is for the greater good of humanity.