Lay Down Your Burdens - 2426 Words

In Kant’s vast and dense collection of philosophy, there lies an entire moral code for people to follow. As one of the last traditional philosophers, Kant builds his tremendous philosophical system from the ground up, particularly discussing morality as it applies to people. Kant’s categorical imperatives, just one aspect of his moral law, applies to all situations and commands absolute authority. Kant formulates his moral code in several ways. First, he says to act as if the maxim of your action were to become a universal law of nature, and also to act in such a way that one never uses his or herself or any other person simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end. Kant flagrantly demands that people must not exploit one†¦show more content†¦Rubashov cannot foresee, however, the desperation and burden Richard feels as a result of Rubashov and the Central Committee’s decision to expulse him. This anxiety is most evident in Richard’s la st words to Rubashov, where he stammers, â€Å"You c-can’t throw me to the wolves, c-comrade †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Koestler 38). Rubashov successfully protects the pure ideals of the Party from dangerous dissidents like Richard, though he condemns Richard to an uncertain fate. Both Rubashov and Dorian Gray succeed in achieving their respective ends; however, the unintended consequences and adverse effects on others in the process of achieving these ends are reason to argue that the ends do not always justify the means by which one achieves it. In the novel Darkness at Noon, various events that occur in Rubashov’s life reflect the maxim that the ends do not justify the means in the novel. Rubashov’s silence when offered the opportunity to exculpate his former secretary, Arlova, is but one instance in which the end does not justify the means. When Arlova is arrested for â€Å"suspicion of oppositional conspiracy,† Rubashov, as Arlova’s superior, is expect ed â€Å"to disavow them [Arlova] publicly† (Koestler 71). Only when the Party sends Rubashov an ultimatum, or in other words, when his head is at stake, does Rubashov finally choose to give a public declaration. His â€Å"declaration of loyalty †¦ automatically finishes Arlova† and condemns her to a grim fateShow MoreRelatedSymbolism in as I Lay Dying1066 Words   |  5 PagesAs I Lay Dying Essay In the novel As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner each chapter is written through a different characters perspective. The book follows the Bundrens family on their journey to fulfill Addies dying wish. There were many motifs and themes throughout the book but one of the most important ones was the use of symbolism. Cashs tools and Anses farm equipment symbolizing their stability becomes threatened from the carelessness of the Bundrens journey. The coffin stood the burdenRead MoreThe Impact Of Womens Impact On The Lives Of The World War?1172 Words   |  5 Pageshole. The twisting, fiery agony in his gut, lack of appetite, and overall fatigue told him his time was coming. There was a time not long ago he would have died surrounded by his loving sons and their wives and children. Waited on hand and foot as he lay in bed, waiting for his life to slip away. But that time was long gone. His sons and their wives were dead. His grandchildren were dead. All except little Alice. And Alice was far too young and vulnerable to let her face his death alone, unaided. SoRead MoreScarlet Letter Hester Prynne Character Analysis Essay840 Words   |  4 PagesImagine yourself on display in front of your whole town, being punished for cheating on your husband or wife. Today adultery is looked down on, but in reality nobody makes a huge deal out of it. Sin can affect a person in many ways, but whether it’s good or bad only time can tell. 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