Augustines Concept of Politics Essay - 2417 Words

Augustines Concept of Politics For Augustine, political life is a necessary evil. Why is it evil and why is it necessary? How then, does his claim influence his political theory? Introduction It is probably prudent to begin by discussing some of the fundamental beliefs of St. Augustine in order to better tackle the question. We must remember that St. Augustine is first and foremost a theologian, and thus his beliefs are firmly rooted in the teachings of Christianity. He accepted the doctrine of the Bible, i.e. the world and everything in it was created by God. Men were initially living in relationship with God, but after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they `fell, and effectively condemned their genealogy with the†¦show more content†¦This is not only due to our limited ability of reasoning, but also due to our weak and distorted will that often overrides our reason. Since we are unable to live by perfect reasoning, we are unable to rationally perfect ourselves in a perfect historical city/state. Finally, Augustine states that peace and harmony are the foremost desires of the human heart; however, the `grip of destructive impulses and passions in the human heart prevents the establishment of such order. Furthermore, God is punishing Mans original sin by making human life in this world penal. Man is unable to achieve perfect peace, which can only be found in Augustines City of God, a divine city to be ruled by God after Jesus second coming. Augustines Interpretation of the State Augustine believes that the State exists as a consequence and a manifestation of sin. It is unlike the Aristotelian and Platonian definition of the state, which is naturally part of human life; or a natural forum for the development and expression of the human character. Augustine believes that it is in fact a contrived supervention upon the created order; it has been called into being by the fact that mans naturally sociable and co-operative disposition has been denatured and made selfish byShow MoreRelated Christianity According to St. Augustine and Machiavelli Essay1388 Words   |  6 Pages In St. Augustine’s book entitled Political Writings, one could see that Christianity plays a very important role in his view of politics. His opinion on the morality or lack of morality in politics, to me makes it more evident that Christianity persuades his views. Although it seems his writings have become quite well known and admired, not everyone fully shared his beliefs. Niccolo Ma chiavelli, for instance, seemed to believe in a government that was not driven by morality, but more by practicalityRead MoreLove Is The Beautiful And Sublime Love977 Words   |  4 Pagesthroughout the course of the semester, I was able to draw up my own concept of love. My concept of love includes that there are two different types of love and this idea is taken from Kant’s idea of love being beautiful and sublime and the fair sex and noble sex. The other author that presents two different types of love is Augustine, he presents the bodily and spiritual love and with these two concepts of love I was able to develop my own concept of love, that there are two different types one internal andRead MorePlato V. Augustine Essay1107 Words   |  5 PagesAfter reading both Plato’s Symposium and Saint Augustine’s Confessions, one can see how the latter holds certain ideas and concepts that are parallel to those found in the former. Despite the differences in time, me n are hindered from their pursuit of goodness, truth, etcetera, by similar, if not entirely identical, desires. That being said, of all of the speeches found in the Symposium, Augustine would connect most deeply to that of Alcibiades. Alcibiades is depicted as a prominent Athenian statesmanRead MoreSt. Augustine as the True Heir of Plato Essay1144 Words   |  5 PagesAristotle and St. Augustine have both been influenced by Plato. Their philosophy on morality, politics, and the purpose of life has been platonically influenced. St. Augustine is the true heir of Plato because he has taken Plato’s ideal state, and revealed the implications of the lives that the citizens of the earthly city lead, in the City of God. Plato’s state is an ideal state, that would not function in reality. St. Augustine has taken Plato’s notions, and have furthered the implications of livingRead MoreAugustine s View Of Slavery Essay2309 Words   |  10 PagesAugustine’s overall view of slavery in Book 19, of chapter 14, is controversial, because mankind was originally meant only to rule over non-rational creature. For the focused problem that arises from Augustine view is his concluding statement in chapter 14 . â€Å"The apostle therefore admonishes servants to be obedient to their master’s, and to serve them loyally and with good will [†¦] they can at least make their own slavery to some extent free† [944]. The entailing notion that as long as the individualRead MoreLiterary Masterpieces Matrix1186 Words   |  5 PagesLiteratures |Augustine’s confessions |Sir Gawain and the Green | |The Augustine is influenced| | |features, forgiveness, |Knight’s is written in |Both influenced by |by the Bible as well as | | |temptation, lust, |poem form using Old |Christianity, the |Neoplatonism. | | |redemption, confession |English meter |concepts of chivalry andRead MoreAugustine s View On Slavery Essay2229 Words   |  9 PagesAugustine’s overall view on slavery is controversial, given mankind was meant to rule over non-rational creature, when problematically prideful men enslaved individuals from conquests of war, or those that are weak. However, the main problem that arises is from Augustine condoning slavery in his statement. â€Å"The apostle therefore admonishes servants to be obedient to their masters, and to serve them loyally and with good will [†¦] they can at least make their own slavery to some extent free† [944]Read MoreAugustine s View Of Slavery Essay2268 Words   |  10 PagesAugustine’s overall view of slavery in Book 19 chapter 14 is controversial, given mankind was only meant to rule over non-rational creature, and problematically the possibility that prideful men could enslave individuals fr om conquests of war, or those that are weak. For the main problem that arises from Augustine view is his statement. â€Å"The apostle therefore admonishes servants to be obedient to their masters, and to serve them loyally and with good will [†¦] they can at least make their own slaveryRead MorePlato And Augustine Of Hippo Philosophy1769 Words   |  8 PagesAugustine was reading Hortensius by Cicero, a book urging the practice of philosophy, when he experienced a transformational shift from his love of love to a much more valuable love of God and Godly wisdom. God used Hortensius as the first piece of Augustine’s conversion. The second piece God used was a bishop named Ambrose. Ambrose struck Augustine with his friendly demeanor and preaching of true salvation. Ambrose’s preaching of salvation began to edge Augustine closer towards giving his life to GodRead MoreThe Just War Theory Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesWhen just war is engaged, the military plans and actions must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants. Just War is God-sanctioned violence. The just war theory has a long history. Parts of the Bible hint at ethical behavior in war and concepts of just cause, announcing the justice of war by divine intervention. St. Augustine provided comments on morality of war from the Christian point of view (railing against the love of violence that war can engender) as did several critics in the

Gun Control And Gun Violence - 1226 Words

Violence is everywhere in the world. In every country, city, town and village there is some form of violence. In my lifetime, there have been countless deaths and injuries due to gun violence. We happen to live in a country where gun violence is among the most prevalent in the world: The United States of America. Today, gun control and gun violence has become a controversial issue in America. The issue for gun control has been debated for a long time, probably ever since they were invented. It is small, yet an extremely dangerous factor in our lives. The right to keep and bear arms could be beneficial and problematic at the same time. While many believe that the second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms provides security and self protection, I believe that gun ownership leads to deaths, violent crimes, suicide and homicide outside or inside homes. People committing crime has nothing to do with gun control; in fact, gun control laws have made it easier for them to kill, injure or hurt helpless citizens who abide by laws of our state. The effect of gun ownership in crime is theoretically ambiguous. It could either be the case that gun ownership increases the cost of crimes and thus discourage potential criminals, or it could also be that gun ownership rates make it easier for criminals to obtain guns, and thus causes more lethal crimes to occur. I believe that Gun bans don t disarm criminals, gun bans attract them – Walter Mondale. EvenShow MoreRelatedGun Control And Gun Violence1054 Words   |  5 PagesGun control generally refers to policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms (Wikipedia). This is an important definition for citizens, lawmakers, and gun lobbyists to follow over the debate on gun control. 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Regrettably, gun violence has no straightforward solutions, generating two

Best Buy Analysis Free Essays

Best Buy Context Analysis Best Buy Co. , Inc. is a specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. We will write a custom essay sample on Best Buy Analysis or any similar topic only for you Order Now It also operates in Mexico, Canada, China, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The company’s subsidiaries include Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and in Canada operates under both the Best Buy and Future Shop label (Dual Branding). Together these operate more than 1,150 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, and Turkey. In addition, the company has rolled out over 100 Best Buy Express Automated Retail stores or â€Å"ZoomShops†, operated by Zoom Systems, in airports and malls around the U. S. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Richfield, Minnesota. Best Buy was named â€Å"Company of the Year† by Forbes magazine in 2004, â€Å"Specialty Retailer of the Decade† by Discount Store News in 2001, ranked in the Top 10 of â€Å"America’s Most Generous Corporations† by Forbes magazine in 2005, and made Fortune magazine’s List of Most Admired Companies in 2006. On March 9, 2009, Best Buy became the primary electronics retail store (online and bricks and mortar) in the eastern United States, after smaller rival Circuit City went out of business. Fry’s Electronics remains a major competitor in the western United States. Many locations feature in-store pickup, which can be arranged through the company’s website. Climate Factors Political * Best Buy is engaged in various activities to promote the promotion of candidates and political organizations. The company complies with all the laws related to the political contributions and strives to contribute to the  parties that are interested in the well being of their industry (Best Buy, 2009). Economic * The economic slowdown has no doubt affected the business operations of Bust Buy Co. and they are facing consumer related challenges at every point in the market. * Due to these economic conditions, in 2008, Best Buy Co. asked its employee’s to separate from the company on volu ntary basis (ecoustics, 2008). This strategy allowed the company to settle down in the market to some extent. * Corporate partnership with CPW has helped the company to perform better in the adverse conditions of the economy and markets Social * Best Buy is engaged in effective social and community related initiatives. * It has developed Children’s Foundation that aims to support the local communities via its grant making programs. * It took an initiative to give power to teens to improve their relationship and educational status at school and for them to engage in their communities. The company gives grants and store donations to promote education. * Has partnered up with foundations like Admission Possible, AFI Screen Nation, America Scores, American Red Cross Society, Ashoka’s Youth Venture, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, among others. Technological * The company is highly equipped with the latest gadgets and the technology it requires to facilitate its customer base. * They are also using techn ologies like click stream on the websites to keep the anonymous track of their visitor’s preferences and likes. This technology helps them to develop a better, more secure shopping experience and helps Best Buy to understand how visitors use their website. Environmental * Best Buy launched a program called Greener together to increase the energy efficiency in its products and to reduce the level of waste  by using recyclable packaging and disposing system. * The company also offers free recycling of gadgets large and small. Bust Buy S. W. O. T. Analysis Strength * Consumers have a positive view of Best Buy as opposed to competitors * Strong market presence and wide consumer base provides competitive dvantage. * Loyalty programs – â€Å"Reward Zone† * Acquisitions like Future Shops, Geek Squad, Napster, and Jiangsu Five Star * Knowledgeable Staff Weaknesses * Private Brand recalls * Constrained credit availability Opportunities * Expanding presence in China, Mexico, Europe, Canada, UK, and Turkey. * Private brand potential * Growing online sales * Circuit City’s demise ha s freed up some of the market * Dual branding in Canada and China Threats * Economic slowdown * Intense competition * Political issues between U. S. and China * Quality issues with Chinese exporters. How to cite Best Buy Analysis, Essay examples