Ethics For Life Class: Please Read The Following For Word Re
Ethics For Life Class Please Read The Following For Word Requirement
Ethics for life class. Please read the following for word requirement and details: During war time and times of crises, there are people who willingly sacrifice their lives to save others for a greater good. For example, on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer and others on United Flight 93 overpowered the plane’s hijackers and, in doing so, prevented the plane from crashing into Washington, D.C. Beamer and the other 43 passengers and crew members were killed when the plane crashed in a remote area of Pennsylvania. In a short essay, discuss how Thomas Hobbes and E. O. Wilson might explain Beamer’s actions. Are you satisfied with their explanations? Support your answer. Your essay should be approximately 1 page, double spaced (roughly 275 words). You will be graded on content, organization, development, conventions, and APA format.
Paper For Above instruction
The acts of self-sacrifice during times of crisis, exemplified by Todd Beamer’s heroic actions on United Flight 93, evoke profound questions about the motivations underlying such behavior. Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes and E. O. Wilson provide contrasting frameworks to interpret these motivations, each emphasizing different aspects of human nature and societal influence. Applying their perspectives offers insight into why individuals may choose to sacrifice their lives for others, and evaluating their explanations reveals the complex interplay of innate tendencies and societal factors.
Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work Leviathan, presents a view of human nature rooted in self-preservation and a natural instinct to avoid harm. Hobbes posits that in a state of nature, absent societal structures, humans are driven by competition, diffidence, and glory, leading to a state of perpetual conflict. However, in the context of societal life, Hobbes argues that individuals enter into a social contract, surrendering some of their natural rights to a sovereign authority to ensure security and peace. From Hobbes' perspective, Beamer’s altruistic act may be perceived as a rational decision rooted in self-interest—protecting the innocent and preventing further chaos aligns with human instincts to preserve order and stability. Moreover, Hobbes might contend that such acts are expressions of the innate desire for self-preservation enhanced by societal norms and fear of chaos, which motivate individuals to act bravely for the collective good, ultimately serving personal security.
In contrast, E. O. Wilson, a renowned biologist and advocate of sociobiology, emphasizes the biological basis of human behavior, arguing that altruism is deeply embedded in our evolutionary past. Wilson’s theory suggests that acts like Beamer’s are driven by genetic programming aimed at increasing inclusive fitness—the survival of one's genes manifested through caring for relatives and cooperating within groups. He advocates that altruistic behaviors have been naturally selected because they enhance group survival, which in turn ensures the propagation of shared genes. Wilson would thus interpret Beamer’s sacrifice as an adaptive trait, evolved to benefit the group and, indirectly, the individual's genetic legacy, fostering social cohesion and mutual aid.
Evaluating these perspectives, I find both offer compelling insights but also limitations. Hobbes’s emphasis on self-interest overlooks the genuine selflessness observed in many acts of heroism, while Wilson’s biological focus may undervalue the moral and cultural dimensions that motivate humans beyond genetic imperatives. In reality, Beamer’s actions likely reflect a complex fusion of innate biological tendencies, societal influences, and personal moral conviction.
In conclusion, both Hobbes and Wilson provide valuable frameworks to interpret altruistic behavior during crises. While Hobbes illuminates the role of self-preservation and societal contracts, Wilson highlights our evolutionary past. A comprehensive understanding of such heroic acts may necessitate integrating these perspectives, recognizing that human motivations are multifaceted and interconnected.
References
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