Apology and Phaedo, by Socrates - 833 Words

Riya Roy HON 105 Will McNeil 04/15/14 Paper One Contemplating Death Both philosophers and non-philosophers stand on a level of equality with respect to death. There are no experts on death, for there is nothing to know about it. Even those who study the death process have no edge on the rest of us. We are all equals in thinking about death, and we all begin and end thinking about it from a position of ignorance. One trouble with discussing this topic is the instinctive fear of death. We tend to avoid death in our thoughts and actions. However, if we could forget our fears for a minute, we could see more clearly how interesting the concept actually is from a more detached point of view. One of the most interesting views on death comes from an ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. In the texts that are going to be analyzed in this essay, Apology and Phaedo, are the retellings of words and thoughts of Socrates by Plato, a pupil and admirer of Socrates. Both texts lecture about the topic of death and though both are the thoughts of Socrates at different t imes of his life, they have similar and contrasting views on the outlook of death. The Apology is the most authentic account that has been preserved of Socrates defense of himself as it was presented before the Athenian Council. Socrates accusers are poets, craftsmen, politicians and orators who accuse him of corrupting the youth by making them lose confidence in the government that has jurisdiction over them. Socrates speaksShow MoreRelatedThe Apology And Phaedo By Socrates914 Words   |  4 PagesIn the Apology and Phaedo, as Socrates prepares to die his friends are concerned about him and why he does not fear death, but rather looks forward to this. Plato through Socrates makes this statement of his beliefs of death and what lies beyond this final barrier of consciousness. Plato believes that we live on through our souls and into another body. Socrates faces death with excitement because in his eyes to die is to practice perfect philosophy. This comes from his Argument of Opposites and theRead MorePlato s Apology And The Apology1591 Words   |  7 PagesIn thi s paper I will discuss how Plato s Apology and Phaedo have difference ideas of what it means to be a philosopher. I will explain how in the Apology, the philosopher is wise in how he/she understand that they are wise because they know that they don t know, and in Phadeo the philosopher knowledgable and are concern in gaining more knowledge. In Plato s Apology we learn about Socrates life and who he really is. In platos Apology a philosopher is a wise person because he understands thatRead MoreArguments On Death And How The Human Condition1197 Words   |  5 PagesDeath and How They Relate to the Human Condition In Plato’s â€Å"Five Dialogues†, Socrates argues what he believes death is and what it will bring, and then urges humans to not fear death and perhaps even embrace it. Though the arguments both aim to dispel the fear of death, only one, the Phaedo, truly provides insight into the meaning of death, the preparation for it, and goes on to expound the human condition. The Phaedo does this in a detailed way by offering a strong argument that provides answersRead MoreTry to Persuade Socrates Friends to Save Him Against His Will1191 Words   |  5 PagesTry to persuade the Socrates`s friends to save him, against his will. Socrates Is one of the most colorful figures of the ancient Greek world, who the strangeness of privacy life have always been of special philosophical and political science. He was convict to death because he does not believe in God and corrupted the youth people to do the same. In Plato`s dialogue Crito, Socrates spent his last time in the prison. Crito is coming to save Socrates and have plans how toRead MoreThe Comparison Of Socrates And The Death Of Plato And Plato1292 Words   |  6 Pagesdrawing and different pieces of art to the Bible. Today we will be discussing the The Death of Socrates (Apology Crito and Phaedo) and the author Plato. Plato was a student of Socrates. In these dialogues, he narrates the events leading up to Socrates’ death. To begin I will be discussing the reasons why Plato wrote these dialogues. Leading into the discussion of each dialogue and the importance each work. Socrates was a man who in these dialogues discusses how during his life he knew that he did not knowRead MorePhilosophies Relationship to Death Essay971 Words   |  4 PagesDeath Apology and Phaedo Knowledge of Death versus Belief in a Soul In Plato’s Apology, Socrates says that he knows nothing of death while in Phaedo he discusses many of his beliefs on death and its philosophical ramifications. From this simple perspective it may seem as though he is contradicting himself although he, after further investigation, is not. Philosophically, the idea of death and an afterlife can be looked at from multiple non-contradictory viewpoints. Socrates talks of hisRead MoreEssay about Socrates vs Gilgamesh1173 Words   |  5 PagesJoe Arce 19 Sept 2011 Socrates Vs. Gilgamesh Socrates’ view of death in the Phaedo, Crito, and Apology is complex. His argument tries to prove that philosophers, of all people, are in the best state to die or will be in the best state after life because of the life they lead. Socrates’ views are sharply contrasted in The Epic of Gilgamesh. In fact, he would probably say that Gilgamesh had not lived the proper kind of li fe and his views of life, and death would lead to an unsettled existence in theRead MoreThe Death Of Socrates And Jacques-Louis David1578 Words   |  7 Pagesof Socrates was painted by the French painter Jacques-Louis David during the Neo-classical era in 1787. The painting illustrates the execution the Philosopher Socrates as told by Plato in his Phaedo. In 399 B.C, the Athenian court had put Socrates on trial for talking about things in the sky and below the earth, corrupting the minds of the youth, and not believing in the gods, but in other spiritual things. Socrates was then sentenced to death by drinking a poisoned hemlock. In Plato’s Phaedo DeathRead MoreThe Body And The Soul1153 Words   |  5 PagesAn Analysis of the Distinctions of the Body and the Soul in the Philosophy of Socrates This philosophical study will define the distinctions of the body and the soul as defined in the philosophy of Socrates. In the Phaedo, Socrates defines the important distinction between the †visible† body and the â€Å"invisible† substance of the soul. Socrates defines the temporal and changing nature of the visible body, which is impermanent. In contrast to this view, the soul is a higher form of incomposite energyRead MoreUnderstanding Philosophy and Its Benefits1194 Words   |  5 PagesUnderstanding Philosophy and its Benefits By: Anonymous Understanding Philosophy and its Benefits 1 Many of Plato’s dialogues such as the Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo are based upon the same reoccurring theme, the defense of the study of philosophy. Plato’s dialogues notable for their depth in a relatively narrow framework, attempt to argue the benefits of philosophical reasoning through essence, knowledge and truth. To understand the benefits of philosophy one must pose the question

Black Is Never too Dark free essay sample

Those black eyes have the power to kill. A mere glimpse of those eyes is enough to paralyze every muscle in a person’s body. They do not stir; they do not move. Remaining perfectly placid, those eyes mock every trespasser with deathly silence. Preventing me from a perfect state of equilibrium, my oversized backpack added to the force of gravity as I stood there looking—just looking. I quickly learned how intimidating a four-story, brick building is to a Catholic school girl coming from a class of thirty students. My hands began to shake, and my feet appeared to be cemented into the ground. A loud ring pierced me to the bones—welcome to high school. Heart pounding, mind screaming—this is it. This is do or die. The time has come for me to face my fears and begin my journey. I took a deep breath and began my way up the seemingly endless stairs. We will write a custom essay sample on Black Is Never too Dark or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Approaching the monstrous brown doors was one of the scariest, most defining moments of my life. Although I longed to seize my past between my fingers, I had finally reached that vital transitioning moment between adolescence and adulthood, and it was time to extend my hand to unlatch my future. Unfastening the doors, I opened the first passageway to the next four years of my life. I thrust myself forward and embark on my adventure. I start off slowly, allowing my confidence and comfort levels to build. After trading in my extra-large backpack for one of a more manageable size, I stood straighter and my smile widened. Erect and confident, I was ready to confront anything that sophomore year threw my way. I nurtured my high-school experience in the palm of my hand and realized I could mold it however I desired. I made new friends, joined teams, affected organizations, and developed close relationships with my teachers. Slowly but surely, I began to break the barrier of shyness that had previously surrounded me. With every passing second, my speed increases. I am on top of the world. No one can touch me; no one can bring me down. I am one with my surroundings, and everything around me is working in perfect harmony. The evolution from under-to upperclassman is truly a coming of age in any high-school student’s life. For me, this was my year of growth and self-discovery. It was then, for example, when I found my first job. As a waitress, I learned how to deal with diverse personalities—an important lesson for any aspect of life. I also discovered my knack for chemistry and love of writing. I was no longer a shy underclassman; I was now a role model who intended to live up to my title by always remaining true to myself. I released my feet from the imprisoning bindings of my snowboard. Those black eyes would not kill me. I conquered my first double-black diamond. As a senior, I struggle with the idea of closing this chapter of my life. Part of me dreads reaching the last page, but part of me is enthusiastic about turning it over and finding a clean sheet—a fresh start. Beyond the books, high school has taught me to be an independent, hard working, and caring person. I have strived to be the best version of myself, and I am proud of what I have accomplished. No trail is ever too icy; no slope is ever too steep. I am prepared for any challenge that comes my way. I cannot wait to take the chair lift back up to a new beginning, a more advanced trail. I am more than ready to begin college.

Technology and Art

Question: To what extent does art respond to, or is shaped by, the technology that enables it? To what extent have advanced and accessible digital technologies, such as websites, digital photography, and YouTube, changed the relationship between art and technology? Are these technologies reshaping our attitudes toward artists? Answer: Art influences the digital technology as it makes the contemporary nature more attractive. The artists get more time to focus on creativity and contemplation with reduction in actual execution of artwork (Thomson, Purcell, Rainie, 2013). The social media sites and digital technologies have blurred the lines between real and virtual experience. Our attitude towards artists is getting reshaped as the flame of creativity is dying out as the artists imagination is getting frozen (Woolf, 2016). References Thomson, K., Purcell, K., Rainie, L. (2013).Section 6: Overall Impact of Technology on the Arts.Pew Research Center: Internet, Science Tech. Retrieved 27 July 2016, from https://www.pewinternet.org/2013/01/04/section-6-overall-impact-of-technology-on-the-arts/ Woolf, A. (2016).The impact of technology in art. London: Raintree.

Internet Marketing and its Evolution an Example of the Topic Business Essays by

Internet Marketing and its Evolution Introduction Need essay sample on "Internet Marketing and its Evolution" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Internet marketing is an activity of carrying out business transactions using computer networks that is selling and buying of goods and services through the utilization of the concept of internet applications. It follows the basic principles of traditional commerce but in this case, buyers and sellers swap or exchange commodities through the internet for money. This has offered maximum convenience to buyers and sellers alike. Buyers and sellers in this form of internet marketing get the opportunity to compare prices, quality of the products and other factors before deciding to undertake any business transaction. With internet marketing sourcing of goods and services internationally has become simple and has increased inter reliance between countries in supply of goods and services. With globalization being the form of contemporary business, internet marketing has taken the center stage in marketing activities and research indicate that it has yielded the best results in terms of increase in profit levels as a result of increased market share by organizations through the use of internet. (Mark, 2001) The use of internet as a marketing tool College Students Usually Tell EssayLab professionals:Who wants to write paper for me?Essay writers advise: Rely On Our Help In Essay WritingEssay Company Write Essays For Money Assignment Helper Online Write My Essay Online For any business, the main goal is to increase its market share, increase relative industry growth, enhance competitiveness, and enhance its survival and growth in the ever changing business environment. In the contemporary business world, information technology (IT) particularly the use of internet marketing has increasingly become essential in order to explore new markets and to widen the firms financial bases. More advancement of information technology is being witnessed, which is providing better solutions to ever upcoming challenges in marketing activities. Internet marketing remains an important feature in building organizational value and especially enhancing marketing activities. IT and particularly the utilization of internet marketing concept have had the capacity to change product nature, their processes, change industries and companies and even affect competition itself. The introduction of e commerce, which can be defined as selling and buying of goods or services using electronic media for example, the internet has seen an increase of volume of goods and services being bought and sold. Internet marketing includes transfer of money using electronic means, e-marketing, inventory management, online marketing and many others. Many companies are embracing internet marketing in one way or another in order to remain competitive and international in scope. The use of internet marketing has a lot of advantages and that is the reason why many have opted to transact business using the internet mainly referred to as online business. The use of internet provides a direct link between the two businesses; it is possible that any party can update their e-catalogue anytime they want especially if a new product has been launched in the market or when prices are to be adjusted. This will result in reduction of expenses which could be incurred if the traditional methods were used. It also provides extensive search capabilities to the businesses in order to keep record of any threat in the market. (King, Lee, and Vineland, 2004) Internet marketing also reduces the competition gap between businesses. This can be in terms of reduced advertising or marketing costs. It also provides a level field that will allow small and growing organizations to have an equal footing with multinational giants in the same sector. This means that all these companies will have to compete on availability, quality or prices of the products. With the use of internet marketing there is usually an unlimited market place that businesses can achieve. In addition, there is the effect of extended customer base that will ensure that the business will meet other customers electronically. The internet for example gives customers the opportunity to stay in their offices and perform their transactions. It really does not matter the distances, time or resources availability, it provides a global outlook. Internet marketing is one of the cheapest ways of doing business. Business to business communication costs are reduced greatly when the two companies adopt this concept as a medium of transaction. Costs such as; phone calls, purchasing costs, traveling costs, inventory costs, data entry costs, faxing among others reduce the amount the transaction costs which is beneficial to the growth of any business. Since all transactions carried out through internet are computerized and are only accessed through the computer, it promotes the automation of all operations and the automation come with all sorts of benefits including security, improved authorization features, direct checks and minimal errors and omissions. . (Mowery and Rosenberg, 1989) Online marketing is based on the technology of internet and the usage of personal computers. In earlier days companies used power full computers to computerize millions of transactions carried out every day. Through internet branches of the same organization can develop networks, through which they could keep up to date with business progress and could improve service provision to customers. Internet marketing is relatively a new advancement in the field of marketing even then there are many business and customers who have switched from traditional to online/internet marketing. The reason being quite obvious, the convenience and flexibility it provides cannot be ignored. Managers of different organizations need to ensure good planning by availing resources in terms of finances and skilled employees who can provide technological advancement. It is important for the organization structures of the company to be well organized to create an enabling environment for the company to succeed in internet marketing. Leadership any company should be taken seriously, good leaders inspire their juniors and also ensure that they take the lead in embracing new technology in the company. Through this, the company will be able to attain its objective; of using internet marketing to improve the company sales. The management should use control to come with measures that can ensure that the company benefits a lot from internet marketing. Though, internet marketing is full of advantages to the company, without proper control from the management, the company will not be able to realize full benefits of this concept. . (Philip, 1996) Evolution of Internet Marketing The history of internet marketing can be traced back to the 1960s when the Electronic Data Interchange was developed. It was specifically tailored to conduct business information and electronic transactions the use of internet evolved through various steps and in 1984 through the ASC X12, it transformed itself to the Mosaic browser which allowed better and efficient access to electronic commerce browser. The kind of internet marketing got a boost in the 20th century when ICT became the medium of communication, learning, education and marketing. Internet marketing became fully utilized in the last one decade especially given the fact that most sectors went online including online banking and online sourcing of products among others. Internet was first developed by the United States Department of Defense in the early 1960s. Since then, it is believed that there are almost over three hundred thousand networks which are spread all over the nations of the world. It has been the most exciting development in the world of computers today. Internet refers to international network of computers worldwide with many people accessing the data available. By ensuring that computers in an organization are networked with internet, the company stands to benefit a lot. Besides accessing files on other computers within the organization, one can run software located on all the other computers enabled. This therefore makes communication among the employees in the organization effective and efficient. (Mowery and Rosenberg, 1989) Another feature of internet use in the instant access of material concerning any topic imaginable to anybody Internet users can also be able to converse with all people all over the world thus boosting international marketing. Internet has globalized this world and also internet marketing is considered global in itself. Difference in cities or countries even continents does not affect internet marketing and recent developments indicate that there has been great disregard to national boundaries. Transaction is very fast and effective; many online business sites now offer sophisticated tools to help consumers manage all their assets more effectively and conveniently. There is another significance of internet marketing which is that of less paper work has to be done and once you have entered information, it doesn't need to be re-entered for similar consequent checks, and future payments can be programmed to occur automatically. The old days ways of marketing was not only time consuming but also costly especially to a wide range of customers. The current internet technology is the best as it is currently the widely used distribution channel that is being used in the market. Since nearly every household in the world today has a computer and most of them are currently connected to the internet, it makes an opportunity for the marketers to reach a high percentage of the target consumers which boosts their marketing activities. The internet is a bi-directional communication tool which is ironically the least expensive way of advertising compared to other types of advertising such as radio, television, magazines and news papers. Internet marketing offers great benefits for businesses in this century; increased effectiveness, wide range of audiences, reduced advertising, marketing, and transportation costs, improved exposure, increased popularity, among others. (Philip, 1996) The potential in internet marketing is high, the internet economy is not falling and many businesses that have taken up this concept are doing well. Thus, the projection that the organizations will continue doing well through internet marketing is high. According to research reports suggests that, the future of internet marketing is emphasized as bright. In fact many organizations are witnessing an increased volume of sales as a result of taking up internet and particularly internet marketing. Internet marketing is not only selling products on the internet, it is companies incorporating their businesses procedures to the internet, enhancing them and boosting their profits levels. Conclusion Internet marketing has become the way of doing business in this modern world and business activities has been made simple and interesting with the use of this concept. It has gained roots because of its simplicity and convenience in the ordinary course of businesses and it has been utilized by both Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Multi-national Corporations (MNCs). Industry players agree the internet marketing is going to continue to grow. According to research carried out by Center for Research in Electronic Commerce, internet marketing is predicted to revolutionaries industries in the 21st century. Economy of the internet continues to increase robustly. Many companies both new and well established continue getting profits through internet marketing. Internet marketing still has a big market which is not tapped. (King, Lee, and Vineland, 2004) As many business analysts points out, it effects on industrial economy may be compared to the importance occurrence when the world shifted from agricultural to industrialization in the seventeenth century. Internet marketing over the internet is seen as a more informal way of doing business between two or more companies and especially formulation of different types of contracts. In general, internet marketing does not allow for face to face communication between the traders and therefore the two groups of people may not effectively agree on some things but more transactions can be carried out between the two groups of people. Today cheap labor and availability of raw material is not enough in world competition, technology advancement that leads to production of high quality products, which are more reliable and flexibly on the market is the key issues of competition. Internet marketing through utilization of modern Informational Technologies is an important aspect in any organization; it helps in product advancement, better service delivery and lowers cost of production. In todays economy internet marketing continue to be very relevant to companies as they struggle to invent cheaper and more efficient to the market. Internet marketing has modernized the way business is being done and opened up new challenges for the managements of the companies. (King, Lee, and Vineland, 2004) The management of the company needs to familiarize itself with this concept of internet marketing in order to be a motivating force of the organization prosperity. The future for internet marketing is considered to be bright, as studies show more and more organizations are turning to internet marketing particularly through the utilization of internet as a way of carrying out business transactions. References King, D., Lee, J., and Vineland, D. (2004): Electronic Commerce; a Managerial Perspective, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Mark, D. (2001): Principles and Practice of Marketing; 3rd Edition of Chartered Institute of Marketing, Washington, U.S Mowery, D. C and Rosenberg, N. (1989): Technology and the Pursuit of Economic Growth, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Philip, K. (1996): Principles of Marketing: Stages of customer relationships. 4th European Edition, Prentice Hall Harlow (UK)

Sample Essays - Why Do You Need to Review Samples of Essay Introductions?

Sample Essays - Why Do You Need to Review Samples of Essay Introductions?It's probably no secret that you should be using samples of essay introductions and a few samples of essay reviews. I'm not talking about hiring professional writers to write the essay for you; I'm just referring to writing samples that are considered a lot less serious. You might even consider them amateurish and slightly sloppy.For example, here's a small sample sentence from an essay. These are written by some type of student who has an opinion about an event or has a certain point of view on a certain issue. Some of the topics include studies on animals, women's rights, economic issues, and a few others. This essay is so general that it would be almost impossible to consider it a good essay.This essay could be a picture of every other essay that came before it. They're incredibly easy to read. They just get in the way of the main point of the essay, which is to talk about the topic. There are also several si milar phrases throughout the essay, which seem as if they came straight out of a random word processor.A few sample sentences in these introductory paragraphs include 'There was a guy who was wearing a cowboy hat and shorts; he looked like the kind of guy who used to visit the old country homesteads that were closed down and left to rot. Maybe, this cowboy hat and shorts-looking fellow had been up on the hills one of those many times.' There are several similar statements that go along with this thought. One of the things that bothers me about these types of introductory paragraphs is the fact that they make it seem like these writers just have some trivial opinion and don't really care.That's not to say there are no extensive explanations to what the writer means. Of course there are. There are many examples of essays that might be considered amateurish. The fact of the matter is that they only show how a writer wants the student's point of view to be presented. It's rather absurd to consider these types of introductions to be any different than samples of essay introductions where you provide information about your background, hobbies, etc.I can see why the students think they're trying to impress their teachers and even try to give their viewpoint and take the professor's homework, but they're going to be disappointed when it comes to writing a composition because of their lack of ability. No one's opinion is worth the paper they're writing.If you really want to write articles with some seriousness, then you're going to need to put in the time to take a look at samples of essay introductions, essays, and essay reviews. By the time you finish reading all of them, you'll realize that you really don't know much about the topic at hand. It takes time to really learn something new and to gain some experience, so start taking the time to learn a bit about the topic, and then you won't have to worry about taking the time to review samples of essay introductions or essays.

Definition of Rhythm in the Visual Arts

Definition of Rhythm in the Visual Arts Rhythm is a principle of art that can be difficult to describe in words. We can easily recognize rhythm in music because it is the underlying beat that we hear. In art, we can try and translate that into something that we see in order to understand an artworks visual beat. Finding the Rhythm in Art A pattern has rhythm, but not all rhythm is patterned. For example, the colors of a piece can convey rhythm, by making your eyes travel from one component to another. Lines can produce a rhythm by implying movement. Forms, too, can cause rhythm by the ways in which theyre placed one next to the other. Really, its easier to see rhythm in just about anything other than the visual arts. This is particularly true for those of us who tend to take things literally. Yet, if we study art we can find a rhythm in the style, technique, brush strokes, colors, and patterns that artists use. Three Artists, Three Different Rhythms A great example of this is the work of Jackson Pollock. His work has a very bold rhythm, almost chaotic like what you might find in electronic dancehall music. The beat of his paintings come from the actions he made to create them. Slinging paint over the canvas in the way he did, he created a mad fury of motion that pops and he never gives the viewer a break from this. More traditional painting techniques also have rhythm. Vincent Van Goghs The Starry Night (1889) has a rhythm thanks to the swirling, well-defined brush strokes he used throughout. This creates a pattern without being what we typically think of as a pattern. Van Goghs piece has a more subtle rhythm than Pollock, but it still has a fantastic beat. On the other end of the spectrum, an artist like Grant Wood has a very soft rhythm in his work. His color palette tends to be very subtle and he uses patterns in almost every piece of work. In landscapes like Young Corn (1931), Wood uses a pattern to depict rows in a farm field and his trees have a fluffy quality that creates a pattern. Even the shapes of the rolling hills in the painting repeat to create a pattern. Translating these three artists into music will help you recognize their rhythm. While Pollock has that electronic vibe, Van Gogh has more of a jazzy rhythm and Wood is more like a soft concerto. Pattern, Repetition, and Rhythm When we think of rhythm, we think of pattern and repetition. They are very similar and interconnected, though each is also distinct from the others. A pattern is a recurring element in a particular arrangement. It may be a motif that repeats itself in a wood carving or piece of fiber art or it may be a predictable pattern such as a checkerboard or brickwork. Repetition refers to an element that repeats. It may be a shape, color, line, or even a subject that occurs over and over again. It may form a pattern and it may not. Rhythm is a little of both pattern and repetition, yet the rhythm can vary. The slight differences in a pattern create rhythm and the repetition of elements of art create rhythm. The rhythm of a piece of art can be controlled by everything from color and value to line and shape. Each piece of art has its own rhythm and it is often up to the viewer to interpret what that is.

Aristotle Alchohol Abuse

An ethical issue that is debated in our society is the concern of driving while intoxicated.   Although this was naturally not the case during Aristotles time, many of his ethical beliefs can be applied to refute this dilemma.   I will prove the standing issue to be unethical through Aristotles discussion of virtue and his concept of voluntary/involuntary actions in the Nicomachean Ethics. Plagiarism Detection >Aristotle believed that of the virtues learned in our youth, each has a respective excess and deficiency.   The virtue is the mean (or midpoint) of the excess and deficiency.   The mean can be thought of as just right, and the extremities can be labeled as vices.   The mean should not be thought of as the geometric middle of the two vices- it varies between the vices, depending on the person.   Aristotle believed that the mean and the vices are within our control and of the two extremes (vices) we should choose the less erroneous.   It is not always easy to choose the less erroneous of the two.   For example, Bill decides he wants to drink this Friday night, but he has to drive himself home.   His choice of how much to drink lies between two vices: sobriety and drunkenness.   Although neither may be his intention for the evening, it is obvious that the less erroneous of the two is sobriety.   So much, then, makes it plain that the intermediate state is in all things to be praised, but that we must incline sometimes towards the excess, sometimes towards the deficiency; for so shall we most easily hit the mean and what is right   (Aristotle 387).Aristotle defines virtue (also known as excellence) of humankind as living in accordance with reason in the best kind of way.   Simply put, doing what is characteristic of a thing to do.   He argues that our reasoning, which is the foundation for our virtues, derives from habit and not from nature.Neither by nature, then, nor contrary to nature do excellences arise in us; rather w e are adapted by nature to receive them, and are made perfect by habit.   Again, of all the things that come to us by nature we first acquire the potentiality and later exhibit the activity(Aristotle 376)    Hence, all of the virtues that we believe are what we practice.   The point in mind is that all of our morals are instilled in us through the process of learning.   What we see others (whether adults, teachers, etc.) practice when we are children has a direct bearing on our thoughts and opinions.   We simply practice these thoughts and opinions in our day to day lives.   Thus, in one word, states arise out of like activities (Aristotle 377).   This may be the case with a child who is reared in an alcohol abusive family.   Say the childs father frequently drove while intoxicated and the child was lead to believe that this was okay.   Although this does not make it ethical, or lawful for that matter, for the child to drive drunk, it simply may have been a rea son why.   It makes no small difference, then, whether we form habits of one kind or of another from our very youth; it makes a very great difference, or rather all the difference   (Aristotle 377).   Although this may be the reason why in this situation, it does not justify the learned activity; this is the rationale of Aristotle.   Aristotle believed that although our actions are the results of our learning, virtue still involves rational choice.   He is saying that if we have not been taught what is the moral excellence (the midpoint of the two vices), of a particular action or behavior, we still have the ability to attain excellence through choice.   If a drunk driver chooses to continue driving drunk (the vice), he will never attain moral excellence.Aristotle believed that practicing virtue leads to a virtuous circle, in which the more you abstain from a vice, the easier it becomes to abstain.   Eventually, performing virtuous activities becomes habit.   Thi s again can be related to the topic at hand.   If an alcoholic (I am not assuming a person is an alcoholic simply because of driving drunk) decides to quit drinking, the first few months may be hard to cope with since the alcohol was the former solution to a problem.   As time goes on, alcohol is less and less thought of and has become easier to abstain from.   Sometimes there is not a mean for an action or passion because its name already implies its badness.   This is the case with drunk driving.   There is no moderate way to drive drunk, its name implies that it is an extremity.   By reason of being an extremity, Aristotle would condemn drunk driving:   It is not possible, then, ever to be right with regard to them (the extremities); one must always be wrong   (Aristotle 383).Further illustrating belief that driving drunk is not virtuous, Aristotle discusses the concept that in the case of drunkenness, an individual chooses the actions which affect his state of consciousness.   The choice to drink alcohol is voluntary because it involves reason and thought.   Therefore, virtue, and the vices of this virtue are within our power.   While our actions are labeled as voluntary, the outcomes can either be involuntary or non-voluntary.   Involuntary actions involve regret for actions done out of ignorance, while non-voluntary actions do not involve regret for actions done out of ignorance. Plagiarism Detection >Indeed, we punish a man for his very ignorance, if he is thought responsible for the ignorance, as then penalties are doubled in the case of drunkenness; for the moving principle is in the man himself, since he had the power of not getting drunk and his getting drunk was the cause of his ignorance.   (Aristotle 396)    If a man is knowing of what he does when he is sober, the very state of drunkenness makes him unjust (in respect to virtue) since he is ignorant in this state and he has voluntarily brought himself to drink .   Thus, if a man knowingly acts in a way that will result in his becoming unjust, he must be said to be voluntarily unjust   (Aristotle 396).Alcohol abuse is not debated in our society-we know it is wrong, yet this does not seem to stop our actions.   Aristotles view of alcohol abuse in the fourth century BC is the same as the outlook of the modern world but todays technological advancements have drastically increased the dangers of abuse.   Driving while intoxicated is a deep concern that is not taken lightly.   I have discussed why his ethical system proves that this is wrong, even though we know it is wrong.   The point in mind is that the problem will never cease to exist, we can only derive solutions and/or repercussions to deal with it.    Bibliography      Aristotle, A New Aristotle Reader.   Trans. J.L. Ackrill.   Princeton:   Princeton University    Press, 1989.