Sir Thomas More and the Case of the Careful Critic - Literature Essay Samples

In Sir Thomas Mores Utopia, one may find a fascinating adventure story about the sailor named Raphael Hythloday. However, below the surface of this adventure story lies a deep sea of social criticism. In a time period where speaking against the government was very dangerous, More found a way to express his opinions via the fictional character of Raphael. More is quite loyal to his convictions, while also being very careful not to earn punishment for his would-be seditious societal commentaries.When writing Utopia, Sir Thomas More must have been thinking about the problems of society and how to combat and correct them. At the same time, he wanted to write his suggestions in a way that would not put him in dire straights with the law. Mores first attempt to absolve himself from direct criticism was to write a piece of fiction, not a speech or essay. More creates a narrator in Raphael Hythloday to speak any criticisms or controversial ideas. Sir Thomas even puts himself into the story with Hythloday, participating in dialogues with him, and even asking Raphael the questions that he knew would be asked of him if he spoke such outlandish ideas in public. The first concrete proof of an escape clause for Sir Thomas More is the very name of his main character. The surname Hythloday, when broken down into its Greek roots, is converted to two words: huthlos and daien. Further study of footnote nine on page five of the text provides a definition of the two Greek roots. Huthlos has a translated meaning of nonsense, while daien has a translated meaning of to distribute. It is also noted that when the words are brought together, they literally mean distributor of nonsense or peddler of nonsense. This is a quite humorous situation because one could easily imagine a lawman in Renaissance England challenging More about the text of Utopia and the ideas presented by Raphael Hythloday. More could save himself by passing it off as simple drollery. He could reply to any charges by saying, It was all in fun. Everything Hythloday says is nonsense. His surname translates to peddler of nonsense, dont you get it? It is comedy. Throughout the text, More embodies a lawyers precision in avoiding self-incrimination.On page nine of the text, More and Hythloday are engaged in a dialogue concerning the common practice of societies considering any new ideas unacceptable and against tradition. Hythloday recalls, Now in a court composed of people who envy everyone else and admire only themselves, if a man should suggest something he had read of in other ages or seen in far places, the other counselors would think their reputation for wisdom was endangered, and they would look like simpletons, unless they could find fault with his proposal(Utopia, p8). Hythloday goes further to explain such proud, obstinate, ridiculous judgments I have encountered many times, and once even in England(Utopia, p9). I thought this was one of the strongest statements of t he passage. Perhaps even dangerous for Thomas More to even address the possibility of his beloved England being guilty of closed mindedness. However, More quickly extinguishes any fire underneath him by challenging ideas of Hythloday. What! Where you ever in England?(Utopia, p9). This is another, mildly humorous case of Mores apparent fear of the government and his subsequent attempts to cover his tracks. One other careful criticism is made my Mores alter ego Hythloday when he speaks of a dinner he had in the presence of the Cardinal, a high official of the church. More creates another patsy when Hythloday speaks of a layman that was learned in the laws of your country, who for some reason took occasion to praise the rigid execution of justice then being practiced upon thieves(Utopia, p9). In footnote two on page nine, it is noted that It was unusual at that time for a layman to have legal training; but More, who is going to attribute cruel and stupid opinions to this man, w ants to dissociate him from the Church and the Cardinal(Utopia, p9). Here again, More is careful to clearly point out that the layman in no way represents the views of the Church. Any criticism of the Church of England would surely bring about death.The layman represents a common societal point of view when he challenges Hythlodays view of the punishments not fitting the crimes. There are the trades, and there is farming, by which men may make a living unless they choose deliberately to be rogues(Utopia, p10). Obviously, Sir Thomas More believes that the society should not be structured around the fear of being executed. His puppet character, Hythloday, goes further to strike down the retort of the layman by saying, Oh no, you dont, you wont get out of it that way. We may disregard for the moment the cripples who come home from foreign and civil wars, as lately from the Cornish battle and before that from your wars with France. These men, wounded in the service of kind and cou ntry, are too badly crippled to follow their old trades, and too old to learn new onesThere are a great many noblemen who live idly like drones, off the labors of othersLords would rather support idlers than invalids(Utopia, p10). This serves as another logical criticism of a common practice in renaissance England that Sir Thomas More was obviously offended by.The finale of Utopia is the last example of Mores careful criticism. He speaks of his own thoughts after Hythloday finishes his story of the island of Utopia. He affirmed, my chief objection was to the basis of their whole system, that is, their communal living and moneyless economy. This one thing alone takes away all the nobility, magnificence, splendor, and majesty which (in the popular view) are considered the true ornaments of any nation(Utopia, p84). This is a statement of contradiction because any man who has the ability to identify imperfections in society and also suggest remedies for those imperfections, as More did in the text of Utopia, could not consider nobility, wealth, and majesty as the true ornaments of society. No, Mores character in the text is only saying this to avoid incriminating himself. It is important to recognize that in the parenthesis, More notes that the elements he listed are the popular view of society. Therefore, one could say that he finds a way to stay true to his convictions by letting the readers know that the statement is the public consensus, not necessarily his own.Sir Thomas More must have possessed great vision of a better society in order to portray his ideas so precisely and honestly through the words of Hythloday. Although the time period did not allow him the freedom to criticize, he still found a way to point out unfair practices by the government and immoral executions of the law. More was clever enough to leave himself an escape route by manipulating elements of a fictional story and puppet characters. Utopia is a story that someone had to writ e. Humanity needed new ideas and fresh critiques of age-old laws and customs. Mores flawless execution of careful criticism in Utopia serves as reminder to the modern era that even passive resistance can bring about change.

Genetically Modified Organisms - 1128 Words

Imagine living on a farm. It is cold most of the year, but for a few months you are able to grow some corn to feed your family, and occasionally if you are lucky you can sell it in town to make some money. It is hard work for what seems like a little reward. You must often deal with insects eating many of the corn stalks, and your corn doesn’t do well in cold temperatures, so you must harvest it before the cold weather starts again. You have to plow much of your field to plant this corn, and it takes much effort to look after it. Then a man gives you some seeds. He calls it genetically modified corn. You plant it and the next year and the year after that there is no need to worry about pest, because the pesticides you used no longer†¦show more content†¦This would lower prices and scarcity of food has decreased. Allowing more people to afford the food and there would also be enough food to satisfy the demand, which would also decrease prices. This article also lets the reader know of the possibilities that GMOs can be used to prevent diseases by being infused with vaccines. They also may be able to remove the genes that trigger people’s allergies. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations also educates those who inquire about the potential disadvantages of GMOs. For instance there is no conclusive evidence one way or another if Modifying an organism can destabilize it. The long term effect of genetic modification could cause potential mutations that harm the plant and could in turn possibly harm the animal that consumes it. Genetically modified organisms could also breed with native species and create a lack of biological diversity on the planet because they would be damaging. This would happen because GMOs are hardy plants that take over native species. This invasive species could produce more food, but it has the potential to be detrimental to the environment as well. The invasive species would be a problem if something were to happen to the GMO that would make it inedible or kill it and get rid of a large portion of our food supply. Another potential harm that can come from genetically modified organisms i s the possibility that an organism can be genetically modified to resist an antibiotic mayShow MoreRelatedGenetically Modified Organisms : An Organism1471 Words   |  6 Pagestoday’s world, genetically modifying organisms is a very common practice in the world of science. Scientists are genetically modifying a variety of different organisms, including a number of different plants, foods, medicines, and animals. To genetically modify an organism, the genetic structure of the organism has to be changed (Goldbas, 2014). The main purpose of genetically modifying an organism is to change something genetically about the function of a particular part of the organism. This idea ofRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms And Organic Organisms Essay1578 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract In this brief, the reader will see how organic and genetically modified organisms are viewed and interpreted. They will see the â€Å"facts† about the genetically modified organisms and organic organism, and how producers and consumers view this. The reader will be able to understand what is actually happening to genetically modified organisms and organic organisms during the production and when it is getting processed. They will also learn about certified organic and the USDA organic and howRead MoreGenetically Organisms : Genetically Modified Organism1528 Words   |  7 PagesA GMO is a genetically modified organism. It is a process of taking â€Å"genes from one species and inserting them into another in an attempt to obtain a desired trait or characteristic, and this is why they are also called transgenic organism† (About GMO). This process is categorized under two names even though they are one in the same, Genetic Engineering and Genetic Modification. In order for a scientist to introduce new DNA into an organism, they must go through a series of steps or methods like:Read MoreGenetically And Genetically Modified Organisms1188 Words   |  5 Pages Genetically engineered crops or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants in agriculture and the DNA that has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. The goal of this type of bioengineering is to add new traits to a plant which doesn’t occur naturally in the species. Farmers have adopted the technology. The first genetically made crop was manufactured in 1982 which was an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant. In 1986, the first free trials were in Europe and the USA and were madeRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms779 Words   |  3 PagesINTRO Genetically modified organisms are genetically modified organisms. 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The planet’s current population is already two to three times higher than the sustainableRead MoreGenetically And Genetically Modified Organisms2311 Words   |  10 PagesGenetically Modified Organisms are organisms whose genetic make-up have been changed by mutating, inserting, or deleting genes, by using genetic engineering techniques or biotechnology (Klein, Wolf, Wu Sanford, 1987). The topic of genetically modified organisms became very controversial in today’s world. GMO have been used not only in producing vegetable, but also in medical and biological researches, drug production, and medical treatments. However, the food field generates the biggest controversyRead MoreGeneticall y And Genetically Modified Organism998 Words   |  4 PagesGMO or genetically modified organism. Is an organism which has had its genetic makeup altered by removing part of its genetic makeup and inserting a modified gene from another organism or the mutation or deletion of the biome. The biological complexity of life is narrowed down to a single gene and shoot at with foreign substances that change a genetic trait of an animal or plant. The history of altering genetics goes back to a family who had a monopoly on petroleum in the 19th century and becameRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms1661 Words   |  7 PagesFood products in our community are being genetically modified or being grown next to or transported with none genetically modified food. The United States doesn’t require the distributers to put labels on their food product that contain genetically modified organisms. Also the foods originally grown without genetic modification are still being contaminated by GMOs during transportation and production. This is a problem because GMOs have been proven to increase the risk of cancer and can cause otherRead MoreGenetically Modified Organism : An Organism1364 Words   |  6 PagesAM Core Rayna Liu Sandoval Feb. 12, 2016 SAY NO TO GMOs GMO, â€Å"Genetically modified organism; an organism or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered by means of genetic engineering,† as defined by dictionary.com. GMOs today are a great leap to another stage of technology we are still developing and researching†¦ as some people think, but they are not the most essential thing we need today. Injecting chemicals and drugs into food for â€Å"more nutrients†

Workplace Diversity Within The Workplace - 1322 Words

The past decade, diversity in the workplace has become one of the most frequently discussed topics in management groups or circles, while interested academically in the actual prospective of workplace diversity has remained limited. To be successful in managing diversity in the workplace first one must understand it from a personal perspective. To be able to derive knowledge and strength from one’s differences shows deep faces in character. A book I read in high school defined diversity as â€Å"the mosaic of people who bring a variety of backgrounds, styles, perspectives, values, and beliefs as assets to the groups and organizations with which they interact† (Rasmussen, 1996, p. 274). Workplace diversity is characterized as representing two perspectives: functionalist perspectives and a critical believe there is several challenges with diversity in the workforce. Challenge because it requires organizational change; it means fostering a cultural environment that values differences and maximizes the potential of all employees. Workplace diversity is everywhere, from the small corner business to the fortune 500 company, and is one of the most important challenges facing companies today. This mixture of diverse gender, personality, experience, race, and culture is what makes a team successful. It is an opportunity because organizations that proactively address diversity have a competitive advantage. An advantage everyone wants. It involves recognizing the value ofShow MoreRelatedDiversity At Workplace Diversity Within The Workplace3281 Words   |  14 Pages1.0 Diversity at workplace Diversity is a very extensive subject and can be in any genre or class; it is difficult to categorize because of its complex nature. According to Res (2012), diversity can be represented as a variety of human aspects pertaining to different societies and cultures in the workforce or can be explained tolerating the differences. On the contrary, diversity is a quest of differences among human beings in safe, positive and nurturing surroundings and moves beyond simple toleranceRead MoreThe Diversity Within The Workplace1538 Words   |  7 PagesIt is a known fact that in order for companies to flourish, excellent leadership practices and employees go hand-in-hand. What most companies have failed to acknowledge is how diversity within the workplace, especially in management and executive leadership, does not have a very strong presence. Numerous executives have embraced the fact that their hiring practices are inconsistent with their new motto (we do not discriminate†¦), but fail t o realize that it is more of an internal issue than it isRead MoreWorkplace Diversity Within The Workplace865 Words   |  4 Pagesmarket today is workplace diversity. Workplace diversity is defined as all characteristics and experiences that defined each employee as individuals, but it can also be misunderstood as discrimination against employees. Diversity can include race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability and sexual orientation discrimination. One reason why workplace diversity is important is because when you respect your employees productivity rate rises and many companies do not know that. A diverse workplace targets toRead MoreThe Diversity Within The Workplace1540 Words   |  7 PagesIt is a known fact that in order for companies to flourish, excellent leadership practices and employees go hand-in-hand. What most companies have failed to acknowledge is how diversity within the workplace, especially in management and executive leadership, does not have a very strong pr esence. Numerous executives have embraced the fact that their hiring practices are inconsistent with their new motto (we do not discriminate†¦), but fail to realize that it is more of an internal issue than it isRead MoreThe Diversity Within The Workplace1324 Words   |  6 PagesAs the global reach of each organization grows, their objectives have not changed, however, their look toward leadership has. The increased diversity in the workplace requires superior synchronization by identified employees to meet effectively the mission and vision of the organization. This individual must be capable of meeting the needs of subordinates with their area of expertise with set expectations for meeting organizational goals. While the world analyzed this need, several theories becameRead MoreDiversity Within The Workplace : Diversity6655 Words   |  27 PagesDiversity in the Workplace What diversity are we talking about? We have ethnic mixes, cultural differences, racial diversity, and religions across the spectrum, wide age ranges, class mixes, and sexual orientation options. The world is so connected that we are doing business by e-mail and computer transmission all over the globe at all hours of the day and week. We encounter a staggering variety of people every day. We have so many types of people in the workforce today that we must define whatRead MoreDiversity Within A Diverse Workplace1320 Words   |  6 PagesDiversity is seen as the difference among people. These factors include gender, race, ethnicity, age,sexual orientation,religion,capabilities/disabilities. A Diverse workplace,in the last 30 years, become an important issue to emerge, and it’s effects this can have on a organisation. More and more research has gone into a diverse workplace and effects it can have on an organisation competitive advantage. Although having diverse workplace, bri ngs about opportunities and threats, diversity is complexRead MoreThe Diversity Within The Workplace Essay2257 Words   |  10 Pagesrise to a diverse workforce comprising of different individuals who significantly differ from one another. Diversity in the workplace has been defined as the differences and similarities among the employees that make up an organization in terms of age, cultural background, sex, religion (Anon., n.d.). The diversity in the workplace in terms of age is more often referred to as generational diversity. The desire by some to stay and work longer has led to the current workforce capturing many generationsRead MoreGender Diversity Within The Workplace1323 Words   |  6 PagesGender Diversity in Work Balance between men and women in the workplace has been absent from modern corporations. More often than not, employers discriminate against women for being the domestic partner. But society is changing, and we are creating a cultural lag in society, meaning that women have proven their capabilities to be far superior than what is commonly presumed time and time again, but society still fosters beliefs built on traditional gender roles. Women are not always domestic humans;Read MoreThe Value Of Diversity Within The Workplace1163 Words   |  5 PagesThe Value of Diversity in the Workplace Globalization sets the perfect environment to develop diversity in the workplace. This new society, in which we are currently living, has created a new workforce that is based on its diversity that can greatly help with any business development and growth. In business, diversity brings opportunities to grow, expand and reach out to other markets by utilizing the values, ideas and the diverse skills that people from many different backgrounds have to offer.

Teenage Responsibility free essay sample

A lot of parents believe that when a child turns into a teenager, they lack on there responsibilitys and there actions. This is hundred percent true because there brains go blank when they turn into a teenager. At age 17, teenagers should be held responsible for there actions because they will need to make good decisions, get ready for college, and they can drive. One thing that they will be reliable on is making good decisions. Everyday teenagers have to stop and think, so that they can make good decisions. A good decision to make is dont do drugs.Also is to not do bad things and using your time wisely. These decisions can affect your future, so I wouldnt do them. Another action is to get ready for college. When a teenage goes to college, they have turned into an adult. That means they have to be responsible for what they do and where they go. We will write a custom essay sample on Teenage Responsibility or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They also have to learn that they have to pay there way throw things, which is saying that they have to pay for there food, gas, shelter, and clothes. A really important thing is to keep your grades good, like I mean all Ass. When they turn 17 years old, they will already have there drivers licenses.When they are driving they will have to be smart and watch there speed and look where there going. Also they will not text and drive. Many parents have to think about letting there child get there license because they will have to trust them to be careful and to protect you and the people around you or the people In the car with you. Parents should also remind there kids to pay for there own gas too. These responsible actions are things teenagers need to know when they turn 17 years old. Always remind them to drive safe and carefully. Teenagers should study these rules.