Herman Melvilles Billy Budd - Innocence is More Important that Wisdom :: Billy Budd Essays

Herman Melville's Billy Budd - Innocence is More Important that Wisdom  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Billy Budd, the author, Herman Melville, presents a question that stems directly from the original sin of ouAdam and Eve: Is it better to be innocent and ignorant, but good and righteous, or is it better to be experienced and knowledgeable?   Through this work, Billy Budd,Melville is telling us that we need to strike some kind of balance between these two ideas; we need to have morality and virtue; we need to be in the world, but not of the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To illustrate his theme, Melville uses a few characters who are all very different, the most important of which is Billy Budd.   Billy is the focal point of the book and the single person whom we are meant to learn the most from.   On the ship, the Rights-of-Man, Billy is a cynosure among his shipmates; a leader, not by authority, but by example.   All the members of the crew look up to him and love him.   He is "strength and beauty.   Tales of his prowess [are] recited.   Ashore he [is] the champion, afloat the spokesman; on every suitable occasion always foremost"(9).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Despite his popularity among the crew and his hardworking attitude, Billy is transferred to another British ship, the Indomitable.   And while he is accepted for his looks and happy personality, "...hardly here [is] he that cynosure he had previously been among those minor ship's companies of the merchant marine"(14).   It is here, on the Indomitable that Billy says good-bye to his rights.   It is here, also, that Billy meets John Claggart, the master-at-arms.   A man "in whom was the mania of an evil nature, not engendered by vicious training or corrupting books or licentious living but born with him and innate, in short 'a depravity according to nature'"(38).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Here then, is presented a man with a personality and character to contrast and conflict with Billy's.   Sweet, innocent Billy immediately realizes that this man is someone he does not wish to cross and so after seeing Claggart whip another crew-member for neglecting his responsibilities, Billy "resolved that never through remissness would he make himself liable to such a visitation or do or omit aught that might merit even verbal reproof"(31).   Billy is so good and so innocent that he tries his hardest to stay out of trouble.   "What then was his surprise and concern when ultimately he found himself getting into petty trouble occasionally about such matters as the stowage of his bag.

The Importance of Being Educated

I believe that Early Childhood centres should create a positive environment where children are more stimulated, happy, comfortable and safe from harm. Where learning is more meaningful and children can be extended. I believe that children learn in a holistic way through play. They learn by being actively involved. The process of a child's work is important not just the results. They learn through stages at their own pace. The adults role in children's learning is to provide scaffolding for the child's endeavours, supports and connections, that are removed and replaced when and where they are needed. Adults need to provide a developmentally appropriate programme to cater for all children. There is a need to plan for each child based on their own interests, strengths and needs. The curriculum planning should be based on the principles of Te Whaariki and the knowledge that all children are individuals. I feel that there is a need for Early Childhood Educators to work in partnership with parents/caregivers and Whaanau. This is an essential part of providing the best possible opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential. I recognise that parent/caregivers and Whaanau are the major sources for this knowledge. Which is a very valuable resource for teachers. Therefore there must be a good relationship between centre staff and parents to provide a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child's world. I believe that the uniqueness of each child should be valued. To apply the principle of fairness to all practices within the centre and to avoid discrimination as the basis of culture, gender, disability, religion or class. I feel that all children have the right to attend a centre. I am committed to providing an environment in which every child is enriched by the dual cultures of the treaty partners. I recognise that we are becoming a multicultural society and realise the importance of understanding the diversity that this brings to Early Childhood Education. I believe that Te Reo Maori should be actively included into the centres programme. It is important as an Early Childhood Educator to work as a team member, where each member is encouraged to utilise their own individual skills. There needs to be open and honest communication between staff members to create on effective team. It is also necessary for staff to have common goals and work together to achieve them. I feel that the management of children's behaviour must be fair and consistent. Teachers and adults must model and promote peaceful conflict resolution methods to enable children to learn and deal with conflict in an appropriate way. I also believe that the development of self-esteem by positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour is important to safeguard the rights and emotional development of every child at the centre. I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be involved in a continuing process of professional development to keep in touch with the changes that are constantly effecting the Early Childhood Education field. The Importance of Being Educated I believe that Early Childhood centres should create a positive environment where children are more stimulated, happy, comfortable and safe from harm. Where learning is more meaningful and children can be extended. I believe that children learn in a holistic way through play. They learn by being actively involved. The process of a child's work is important not just the results. They learn through stages at their own pace. The adults role in children's learning is to provide scaffolding for the child's endeavours, supports and connections, that are removed and replaced when and where they are needed. Adults need to provide a developmentally appropriate programme to cater for all children. There is a need to plan for each child based on their own interests, strengths and needs. The curriculum planning should be based on the principles of Te Whaariki and the knowledge that all children are individuals. I feel that there is a need for Early Childhood Educators to work in partnership with parents/caregivers and Whaanau. This is an essential part of providing the best possible opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential. I recognise that parent/caregivers and Whaanau are the major sources for this knowledge. Which is a very valuable resource for teachers. Therefore there must be a good relationship between centre staff and parents to provide a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child's world. I believe that the uniqueness of each child should be valued. To apply the principle of fairness to all practices within the centre and to avoid discrimination as the basis of culture, gender, disability, religion or class. I feel that all children have the right to attend a centre. I am committed to providing an environment in which every child is enriched by the dual cultures of the treaty partners. I recognise that we are becoming a multicultural society and realise the importance of understanding the diversity that this brings to Early Childhood Education. I believe that Te Reo Maori should be actively included into the centres programme. It is important as an Early Childhood Educator to work as a team member, where each member is encouraged to utilise their own individual skills. There needs to be open and honest communication between staff members to create on effective team. It is also necessary for staff to have common goals and work together to achieve them. I feel that the management of children's behaviour must be fair and consistent. Teachers and adults must model and promote peaceful conflict resolution methods to enable children to learn and deal with conflict in an appropriate way. I also believe that the development of self-esteem by positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour is important to safeguard the rights and emotional development of every child at the centre. I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be involved in a continuing process of professional development to keep in touch with the changes that are constantly effecting the Early Childhood Education field.

The Ethics Of The Death Of A Fetus - 1505 Words

Ethics can be defined as a set of principles which dictate what is considered as morally ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Abortion is defined as the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy through a medical procedure which results in the death of a fetus. Within ethics, there are many arguments as to whether abortion should be permitted in society as many regard it as an act of murder and others simply see it as a decision that should be given to the mother only. The issue of abortion remains to be one of the most controversial topics in society, which causes an inevitable clash of opinion. Through the exploration of philosophical principles, we are able to evaluate the origins of such opinions. In the same way, utilitarianism equates wrongness or blameworthiness of an action with its resultant pain or unhappiness. The central principle of utilitarianism expresses the belief that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. Since utilitarianism differentiates ethical and unethical actions on the basis of the outcomes of those actions, it falls into the consequentialist class. With this belief, utilitarianism challenged traditional views that abortion was an evil act, arguing instead that the end justifies the means. In contrast, the deontologist would consider the intent of the person seeking an abortion in evaluating its ethical standing. In addition to this, postmodernism argues that, since there isShow MoreRelatedEssay on Abortion, Pope John Paul II and Peter Singer1578 Words   |  7 PagesAbortion is one of the most controversial issues today. It has become a question of not only ethics, but morals. In the 1973 case of Roe v Wade the Supreme Court ruled that a woman has the right to terminate a pregnancy by abortion within the first six months of the pregnancy. However, conservative Presidents have changed the legislation enough to allow states to restrict a bortion in various ways (Practical Ethics, Peter Singer). In the following paper, I will summarize the views on abortion of Pope JohnRead MoreThe Ethics And Ethics Of Abortion1496 Words   |  6 PagesTHE ETHICS AGAISNT ABORTION Abortion has been one of the most debated social and political topics since it was made legal in South Africa. Through the application of different philosophical arguments this paper will showcase in detail if abortion is either immoral or permissible using ethical underpinnings (cite 2). In this essay abortion will be defined as the deliberate removal of a fetus from the womb of a human female through the request of the mother resulting in the death of the fetus. AbortionsRead MoreThe Rights Of Pregnant Women982 Words   |  4 Pagesorder to save the life of her fetus because physicians felt she would not live long enough to give birth. This case presented one of the earliest controversies surrounding the maternal-fetal conflict and a pregnant women’s rights to informed consent, privacy and bodily integrity. Any situation where the pregnant woman’s well-being or wishes conflicts with fetal benefit creates a maternal–fetal conflict. Past and recent court decisi ons â€Å"aimed at protecting the fetus as separate from the woman haveRead MoreAbortion And Abortion1557 Words   |  7 Pages Abortion; is defined, â€Å"the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. This is the definition of abortion of which I will be reviewing its ethical status. After Roe vs Wade, the supreme court simultaneously decided that women have the right of privacy under the 14th amendment; making it acceptable to abort a pregnancy within the first trimester. The main argument on abortion is really a debate on human life,Read MoreMedical Ethics And Abortion : A Moral And Ethical Dilemma Essay1662 Words   |  7 PagesMedical Ethics and Abortion Abortion is wrong because it is the murder of a human being. Abortion continues to be a moral and ethical dilemma for all those involved. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics states, â€Å"nurses have the ethical and moral obligation to promote and protect life.† Still, debates continue, opposing the belief of life against the principle of autonomy and a woman’s right to regulate her body. It is disputable that the right to have an abortion is a right to dominateRead MoreWhy Abortion Is Morally Wrong1559 Words   |  7 Pagesstrongest arguments used are that the fetus is a complete human, the mother has a responsibility to the fetus, and the burden placed on the mother during the pregnancy out weights the death of the fetus. The people who believe that the abortion of a fetus is a morally deplorable act use the fact that the fetus is a complete human being. In the article Lee and George define what qualifies as a human being. In the article Lee and George explain that the fetus is a genetically different than both theRead MoreTwo Sides to Abortion: Find a Compromise Essay examples659 Words   |  3 PagesAbortion is the action of deliberately terminating a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the fetus. For years, people around the world have been divided on this issue. Bioethicists have been debating on the morality and permissibility of such act as it raises many questions concerning the parties involved in it. Even though finding clear answers to these questions raised could be difficult and might need hours of reflection, comparing and contrasting the views and principles of philosophers JohnRead MorePersonhood: the Central Question in Medical Ethics1219 Words   |  5 PagesMedical Ethics A patient is lying on a hospital bed hooked up to several machines regulating his bodily functions. The doctor has informed the family that the patient is brain dead. His spouse makes the decision to pull the plug but his mother argues against it. It is the mothers opinion that her son is still alive, and deserves to be treated like a person, even though his brain is no longer functioning. The spouse holds the opinion that any trace of her loved one has left with the death of hisRead MoreAbortion : Ethical And Moral1495 Words   |  6 Pagesexpulsion of a fetus from the womb of a human female, at the request of or through the agency of the mother, so as in fact to result in the death of the fetus† (Merriam-Webster, 2016). What about the morality of un-coerced, human abortion for our purposes abortions are voluntary, deliberate removals of a human fetus (Objections to Warren, 2016). The Argument To argue that abortion is wrong that every fetus will be a person and every person has a right to live does that mean every fetus has the rightRead MoreA Consistent Ethic Of Life930 Words   |  4 PagesA consistent ethic of life refers to a set of beliefs that advocates against abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia. When it comes to abortion, a consistent ethic of life does/doesn’t apply depending on the circumstance. In a case where the fetus threatens the mother’s life, it is understandable if the removal of the fetus is the best option to save the mother’s life. For instance, a three months pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital due to a hemorrhage condition. She didn’t know that