Philosophy Blog

I do agree with Aristotle that there are There different type of friendships. The three friendships are pleasure, utility, and virtue. Personally I’ve never determines based on what services are provide them and what they do for me. Generally individuals separate between comfortably level, and closeness. After learning the differences it made me analyze every friendship I’ve had. Aristotles utility friendship is defined by individuals coexisting for means of mutual benefit. Another friendship is for pleasure, which is more for sensuality. The final friendship is o virtue an end. Someone who is by your side, with no agenda nor purpose.They just like to be around you and help you regardless of whether they will get anything In return. I can first identify a friendship for utility, for example my senior year of high school I made an unprecedented friendship. Lets call him Mark. Mark and I were both teammates ,but cam from completely different social groups, status, and background. He was was extremely talented at football and had every girl at school after him. I was the involved spirited friend of all. We always knocked heads due to people always comparing us an out abilities. well there was a major difference between us back home. Mark came from a broken household and has no support at school and after school. On the other hand I always had a wholesome meal backhoe and loving family. So one day I approached him and asked he’d like to put our differences aside and offer each other things. I would feed him every morning before school and in return I wanted him to help me get an advantaging the football field. We both started hanging out and boning a little and we both benefited. I became the top scorer in the team, and he was finery able to have a meal and have my family cheer for him as-well. I say this relationship was for utility, because after football season we went separate ways, for we no longer had something to offer each other, yet we both respected each other the rest of the school year.

Now another friendship I can see as pleasure is one of many young adults do nowadays. That is friends with benefits. I had two friends that had a been together since we were in kindergarten and as we approached junior year neither of them had prom date nor had a girlfriend. They both went to prom together which is no problem, but what cam next I belie was full pleasure. Both decided that since neither had experienced anytime of romance yet, that it was okay for them to make out and do other things that boyfriend and girlfriend would usually do. Neither of them ever put a label in what they were neither acknowledged each-other feelings. I found it hard to believe hard feelings were never created, but I guess it really was for purely pleasure. After they got bored everything returned to normal. They were still friends and glad that they did that together, because they trusted each other.

Now finally I recognize a true friendship a friendship of virtue. A friendship that has respect and honor. “the Friendship between these men continues to subsist so long as they are good; and goodness, we know, has in it a principle of permanence.” This quote stuck with me with Aristotles work because I am glad to say I believe have a permanent friendship. My friend Ulises. Ulises has been there for me since middle school. We have been there for each other through a lot of hurt. We have attended each others family funerals, and have had our close friends pass away, but out bod remained and we continued to be there for each other. We both were the loser in middle school with little social skills a small group. We spent our times at each-there homes, eating with each other families, and doing homework and video games. A pretty classic movie type deal right? Over he years we tried to up our game and get into weights and have makeovers. it wasn’t until high school until we both hit growth spurts and became ate;tic when we received a lot of attention.through it all we supported each other and remembered hen were just these dorky kids, and let me tell you we still are!! Now that were older, drive, work, etc. We so each other favors and support each other with no agenda. I can happily say that he is now my college roommate and I’m extremely happy because were Brodies haha. When my aunt was diagnosed with cancer and I pledged to shave my head for three months, he was the one to defend me from bullies. When his grandma passed away I was there by his side giving him words of encouragement. We graduated together and plan on being friends for longtime real friends, friends of virtue.

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Female Circumcision

When coming to this topic in class I was fairly quiet, because I wanted to get a females perspective on it. Gender equality in this nation problem as it is, but its sad to see what many suffer around the world. Kopelman touched on this topic saying that there are two thoughts of relativism. I will attempt to explain the difference between disputable and non dubious thoughts of relativism .The dubious relativism is the view that individuals from different societies/backgrounds act indifferent ways and have different standards. In my opinion These differences might not be respected, but they should be acknowledged. A disputable relativism is a belief that can be universal that many can agree on. Kopelman’s ideas reveal that for one to have a complete objective view a societies standards it is simply impossible. Why? We’ll simply we have grown and already have establishes our MO’s. Now in the case of female mutilation, it can be seen with moral relativism. It was proven that this practice is completely hazardous and has no benefit to a female, moreover it can be traumatizing. With research and time a ratite like this can be seen even if someone has bias, because it proven by science that is is harmful and cause permeant damage. One can then have an opinion on another societies relativism for a belief of wrong becomes universal.

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This story can be easily dragged on for many pages, but giving someone a perspective of a social injustice may not always be an easy task. To begin my family history is very broad. My Grandfather was a German soldier “Nazi” during WW2 and he so happened to escape to Mexico before Nuremberg Trials. So he was able to live a life in Mexico and start anew with my Grandmother which so happened to be Chinese! She ended up in Mexico due to being collateral of war and finding haven in Mexico. So they both had my Father. My Father’s name is Jaime Luis Schwartz-Fong. His name shows a background from many places. Of course like many immigrants my family came to the Unites States in search of a better life and opportunity. My parent are un-documented and suffer everyday for not being able to be citizens of a country they consider home. This of course has caused a lot of problems for my parents over the years, and has been the organ of many social injustices they have faced. One memory that has been ingrained into my brain was when my Dad was pulled over by a police officer for no reason. Back then my Dad worked picking peaches and drove a red beat up van. Of course the cop’s reasoning for the stop was suscpicion and he quickly took advantage of the fact that my Dad spoke no English, therefore he couldn’t defend himself. My Dad was able to park outside our home as he was pulled over, but the police officer proceeded to harass him. Multiple officers were called in and my Das was detained and brutally out against his car and the cop kept him pushed down vigorously. My Mom and I attempted to explain the best we could that my Dad has heart failure and he can’t be pushed around like that. My dad posed no threat he was already tired from work and the officer continued to abuse his power. But why? You may think why this happened well, because my Dad was first of racially profiled as a Mexican gang member, but on top of that accused of identity theft. This had my whole family distraught my mother and sister were in tears while my Father exclaimed everything will be okay. The police officer actually has a ride along/trainee with him that checked my Dad’s record, and of course it was clean. Even after all the extra officers told the cop to leave my Dad alone he continued with his abuse. It took the officer to ask me a five year old boy, my full name and my Dad’s. After confirmation through me, my Dad was let go and we were able to come inside our home and feel safe once again. After this experience I never looked at a cop the same, instead of seeing them as superheroes, I saw them as individuals with scary amount of power and authority. My background and last name have always been a source of storytelling and awesome reactions. But everything has a con and mine was witnessing this injustice. This country has come a long way in accepting immigrants, but it’s nowhere near being what it should be. I should feel like my background should be hidden and unspoken about. This is why I took this class I wanted to dive in to ethics with other individuals who might share similar beliefs or stories and I was right. This class is full of diversity and I’m glad I was able to experience it!

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A particular component that I found interesting was Right Livelihood. This component of the high fold path emphasizes one must live in peace and be all about peace. In today’s society our livelihood depends our income and status. In my experiences, to live comfortably one doesn’t need a lot of money to live comfortably. I would also argue that one doesn’t need a lot of money to live happily, but that’s a personal opinion, and it is back up by Buddhist views and many other religous views. Now, for one to live by Right Livelihood their profession/work shall not cause harm onto others, or provide a living by wrongful means. For example one cannot sell firearms, alcohol, and drugs. These are considered unjust means of livelihood. The article says, “These three factors (right speech, right action, and right livelihood) of the eightfold path constitute ethical conduct.” What is Ethical conduct? Merriam-Webster Defines this as a theory or a system of moral values. After reading the portion of livelihood I believe this value can be transparent in my life and work. My number one goal is to help individuals , and more specifically my community, friends, and family. I have a lot to thank for through my life, and I could t loo at myself the same if I didn’t pursue a career that somehow gave back someday. Buddhist beliefs are clearly anti-war/harm. But In my opinion one can sell guns and alcohol and not cause harm to individuals. First in foremost these are inanimate object, and without corruption and someone without an agenda behind it, these things can’t cause harm. One can wield a pen, an object for many consider a tool, but in the wrong hands is used to stab someone in prison. Now giving this argument still, I would not want a job, where my work can’t be perverted and be used to cause suffering. Now my connection between cessation and end suffering. Magga which is the end of suffering can be either liberation of suffering through mind/spirit, or a physical one, meaning ones fight is over. Through history there are many virtues that cultures and groups consider things to live by. For example In Christianity commandments are put in place before times of Christ, until after his sacrifice individuals were then able to live by grace, through the Bibles “virtues.” Some virtues for example fidelity, love, compassion, purpose, competence, etc., are all words to live by. The connection between virtues and end of suffering is that these are like a handbook of how one should walk about life. I believe both are means to an end, why? Well we’re all this Earth to live and enjoy what life has to offer. We have ups and downs, good choices and bad choices, but the most implant thing in my option is the human connection. I think that the connection between virtues and end of suffering. The opportunity to be better everyday and make our neighbors and loves ones feel our conection to them, regardless close or not.

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Kant’s second formulation explains how our “humanity” we just rest as an end. I view the end as goal, a goal in which we must active in order to have our human quality. One can’t acknowledge someone else without respect. There’s two conceptions when is universal and one is humanity. The universal notion is he act so that the ruler action could be a universal law of nature. The humanity aspect requires that rational people should be treated as an end never as a means. The end is in intrinsic value whether to do good or bad. But because the duty motivated usually the will is good. There are two ideas of what ones duty should be one is the conventional duty we’re one follows orders while the other is self driven. The Kantian model is related to utilitarianism with the fact that it’s pro humankind. This means humanity and life should have respect. This means we have to respect one another and promote each other. Many confuse Kant’s notion and clear that we must not use each other, but I disagree. Kant explained that we must use one another and our abilities or else we can’t walk this earth and be prosperous. Aslong as one receives credit for their efforts it is then respected, therefore their humanity is honored. Today we use uber and use a drivers line of work to transport us wherever we need to, and we show respect with a thank you or tip. This is what Kant means when the “taxi driver has freely exercised his rational capacities in pursuing his line of work, we make permissible use of these capacities as a means.” This that humans play off one other. If we all treat each other as a means, then our abilities and talents will encouraged therefore a cycle begins where humanity is respected and recognized.

Furthermore, Kants belief in my option shows that respect isn’t earned nor given, its a basic human right there for we give respect its deserved because just being a human and alive is to be honored. We are all truly equal rich, poor, ugly, pretty, etc. All humankind is to be respected. I wish to apply this to my life because sometimes we forget we’re all human and living. Teachers aren’t robots. It’s no a cashiers fault if you’d not like product. We are all on this Earth to Live!

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The strengths of a utilitarian argument for open boarders contains three main premises. The first premise is the impact on economy. The second is an end to poverty, and the third is that the current status quo isn’t sufficient. The first premise projects a 50% to 150% increase in the economy. The reason for this dramatic change is because individuals with qualifications for job will go to a are where they’ll get compensated more, therefore spending and paying for goods would increase with higher wages. Its a snowball effect in my opinion the initial grow builds on itself. This increase is only one time, and it doesn’t matter if it is if it ends poverty, which is the second premise. The reason why poverty would end is because the gap between the poor and rich would become smaller. The increase would benefit the “lowest rungs” the most. With the current status quo having huge margin between the rich and the poor, opening orders would allow change and more opportunity. I believe the argument for open borders is valid and I support it. I mean why not? As a son of immigrants I can see the value of open borders, because it would let my family have a better transition to the United States. The argument could be better is it addressed how The U.S. would combat crime, overpopulation, and individuals being taken advantage of,etc.

I can also see a flaw in this concept. I suppose if their are complete open borders, I think some countries may fall behind others. For example in the U.S. we pay individuals in tech vastly more than around the world. That would mean individuals would leave their homeland to work here in-order for greater compensation. Countries would be left dry with tech support and cause downfalls of parts of an economy. It can cause an imbalance of individuals in a kine if work, which would saturate a location, which in theory overtime, would cause their line of work to be valued less.

But overall I still think an argument for open borders is valid, I am biased ti this because I am a son of immigrants and I wish they had more opportunities, which closed borders have prevented.

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Yes! Organ sales should be legal. First and foremost we all have a right to our bodies, we should be able to do what we want with it. Usually organ sales come with monetary compensation, and offering a kidney can amount to a great deal of money. In the film we viewed in class, it was clear to see when individuals are in desperate situations the willingness to act on a desire doesn’t need question. When one feels something will always hold them back from achieving their dream/desire, then one will remove whatever is preventing the ability of achieving. Today in the U.S. a large amount of the population at some point in their lives have donated blood. That’s part of our body, why not a non essential organ. Selling an organ doesn’t just benefit one party, it benefits the donor, organization distributing the organ, and finally going to the individual in need. The Kantian argument for organ sales would be on the opposing end; Kant would be against even the donation of organs in my opinion. A Kant view would say that once you put a price on your body/livelihood it cause harm. There is no end beach your hurting your body. Whether its donation or the sale of an organ, there will be sometime of motivation and through a Kantian’s eyes that is wrong. Even friendly donation can be considered partly coerced. Kant being Christian is the biggest billboard for a premise against organ sales. Through a religious view “we are not owners of our bodies” and we also have a human duty of self conservation. There is gray in my opinion for what an individual can donate for example, blood, plasma, bone marrow. 

Now a Utilitarian in my opinion would support the sale of organ sales for a simple reason. Utilitarianism is identified as a theory seeking the most good for the greatest amount of  people. A utilitarian would argue the more individuals sell their organs the more lives are spared, therefore creating a chain of people blessing others. The issue that a Utilitarian can run into is that one receives money in the process; it’s no longer all about the individuals in need, but both parties. A question to be asked is, “what is the consequence on human kind?” Well it is projected organ sales will shorten the waiting time and availability of organs, by having individuals more encouraged to donate for money. The welfare of a patient is still being cared for through organ sales and also preservation of life is seen. Overall, utilatrianism is pro-life, so in my eyes regardless the pricetag, if it help an individuals its a GO!

So why not sell? The benefits that come out of organ sales are positive, first a patient receives another chance of life, and the opportunity to grow up. Plus as a bonus the seller gets compensation. If both parties benefit and are happy I see no harm.

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