One of the hardest things to accept. Change.

In our society, every culture included, change is inevitable. With this inevitability, I believe there comes necessity as well. Although I believe change is necessary, there are many who find it hard to accept. This can be seen throughout acclaimed literature, various sources of media, and our everyday lifestyles. Collectively, as human society, we find change an extremely difficult concept to grasp. Why is this? We grow so accustomed to what we feel comfortable with. We find this comfort in stability and this stability is built off of the assurance that life goes according to plan and no bumps in the road are ever made. However, we know from experience this does not typically go as planned. I think we have to be accepting of change because it is what shapes and molds our society throughout history. For most, it is much harder to understand change than it is for others and examples of this can be seen in such work as “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. The main character, Okonkwo, is faced with change head on. As a group of foreign white men bring new traditions and concepts of life to his Nigerian home village, Okonkwo grows uncomfortable with the unfamiliarity that the men bear and is unaccepting of any change, good or bad. Others in his town, including his own son, Nwoye, are quite the opposite as he. In fact, they seek this change and find comfort in the different traditions.  Okonkwo, in my real world example, represents the men in our world who may be afraid of what change will bring. He could also represent the men who are so intertwined in their own lifestyle, that they are blind to seeing the need of change. On the other hand, Nwoye represents the men in our society who anticipate change, and expect and accept it as it comes. It’s important to be like Nwoye for several reasons. Yes, the foreign men could have had ulterior motives. Yes, they could have wanted the land. But, whether it be these white men swooping in and revising things in the villages, or some other force, it was time for change. In my opinion, acceptance of this change, in both Okonkwo’s world and ours, is the first and most important step towards societal progression.

The Moral Code: Right or Wrong?

After reading the article, “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism”, written by James Rachels, I have to say I agreed quite quickly with the ancient Persian King Darius.The difference in behaviors for specific cultures is tremendously fascinating. Why are we, as humans, so quick to judge others that speak or behave differently? Each individual was raised thinking his or her ways of life are right. What we think is morally right, is only what are parental guardians have taught us to believe is right. Nurture. Right or wrong can be defined in any culture, but when generalizing for every culture, it is much harder to pin point any specifics. When focusing on cultural relativism, I have to say I agreed strongly at first. I mean, how can there be a universal truth when not one man’s truth is the same as another’s? The more I read though, the more I found contradictions to this claim. For example, I still think each individual should follow the morals presented in their specific culture. However, if one culture condoned murder, I would certainly not say that it should still be an accepted custom within their nation. As I continued to read I saw myself slipping away from the culture relativist assertions that I, moments ago, supported passionately. These concepts of cultural relativism relate to the novel “Things Fall Apart” written by Chinua Achebe. The main tribes of some nine Nigerian villages believe strongly in honoring spirts and obeying their many gods. When strange white men begin to imperialize on their home, the two groups and their conflicting views on religion and morals begin to clash. Some conform, whereas others, like the protagonist Okonkwo, fight the change because they cannot accept that another culture could be right. The examples someone decides to use to support or oppose culture relativism is very crucial to accepting it or denying it. Also, our deepest morals that lie so innately within us influence how we perceive right or wrong in any culture and how we might act upon it. Thus, it is hard to agree on any exact belief. In conclusion, without further evidence, I don’t think anyone can say cultural relativists are, and I do apologize for the repetition, right or wrong.

Have Our Heroes Evolved?

Heroes throughout time have shared many similarities. These similarities have collectively defined them as such recognized individuals as they are. Despite the common characteristics they have shared, when examined with more detail, it becomes quite obvious that our past heroes have certainly evolved. As modern society’s priorities, ambitions, and mannerisms have been transformed, along have our perceptions of people as well. We have proof of this evolution in ancient stories of valiant gods and goddesses, epic warriors, and dauntless noblemen.  These heroes are described as being as close to perfection as possible, if not perfection. But what truly defines a hero in any era, anyway? Bravery. Courage. Confidence. Compassion. Support. The list could go on and on.  The heroes that we notice and ‘catch in the act’ today, stand out in media. However, just because some brave, courageous, confident, compassionate, and supportive people blend into society and don’t get noticed, doesn’t mean they are any less of a hero. At least this seems to be held true by modern standards. In fact, this is where the biggest difference between the past and present hero lies. Past heroes exhibit great physical strength and bravery but they have to prove themselves worthy of such a heroic title. They are less human-like, and more god-like in qualities. For example, in the older, epic poem, Beowulf, the protagonist battles monstrous creatures multiple times and wins. He is described as strong and fearless by lords and soldiers. He outwits all his enemy’s, and eventually saves his people from destruction. In comparison, todays heroes are, metaphorically, “smaller”. They are those people who don’t do it for fame, or attention, but rather for the greater good. They don’t have to be tall and muscular. They make mistakes like any human would. They could do something minor and stand up for someone who is being bullied. They could also do something major and save a child from a burning building. Today, we don’t see or portray our heroes as perfection. So yes, I would say our heroes have most definitely evolved; not for better and or for worse. In my opinion, they are just viewed differently, and as any time changes, the people and their opinions around it do as well.

Rand's Ideal Man, Does he Exist?

Ayn Rand has often stated, in several interviews, that the reason for her composition of The Fountainhead was to project her views of what she considered was the ideal human being in society. Rand’s ideal man has essential characteristics, distinct to her own philosophies. In an interview with on-air executive, James Day, she says this ideal man must be “rational; guided by his own reason, independent, and a man of great self-esteem”. This man would not act blindly or impulsively by emotions, but rather, he would be in control of his life through his own conceptual reason. This man would also never sacrifice himself and show responsibility for another man, or the other way around. He would not exhibit force, or either succumb to it. She says that man will choose their own rational self-interests and claim their rights for the mind rather than for feelings.  In fact, Rand demonstrates this throughout the novel by distinctively characterizing Howard Roark. Roark never compromises his sketches for the benefit of others, makes independent decisions rationally as well as logically, and exhibits great pride and self-esteem in his work. But is everyone’s ideal man going to be the same? Will we all share the same opinions as Ayn Rand? Of course not. So than what should we do as society, to accommodate for everyone’s ideal human characteristics? Does this “ideal” man even exist in society today? Actually, our media and customs influence how we see the world’s perfect person today. So, yes, our views on the ideal man will constantly be changing. Mass media presents what it thinks is the ideal man. The power mass media has, although projected subtly,  is monumental.  It allows ideas and opinions to be embedded subconsciously into our brains as we watch television broadcasts, hear radio talk shows, or even read propagandized magazines.  I believe, as people in a functioning society, we know what makes at least a semi-perfect man. However, I do not believe he actually exists entirely and I think not everyone would agree on which desirable traits create this ideal man. In my opinion, he can only exist in novels and in theory. When brought into reality though, no man can exhibit all common idealistic qualities at once. Also, no man is considered perfect, and in almost all scenarios, society’s definition of perfection varies quite dramatically anyway.