Philosophy Issues Happened in My Life - Essay Example

I would definitely take action. First I would begin talking to the media. I would ask journalists to interview me. I would begin organizing a protest movement. We would begin to apply pressure on the decision-makers. If no results were forthcoming, I would take more drastic, and perhaps illegal, action. I would blockade government buildings. I would try to shut down the government through peaceful means as protestors recently tried to do in Wisconsin. I would help lead the students on a strike march to Sacramento.

Throughout this whole process, I would feel justified to take these actions because I would see the government's policies as illegitimate and undemocratic. The only response to that kind of policy is to protest and cause maximum disruption. Part 2 Socrates makes a number of very intelligent points to Euthyphro. In my situation, I have said that the policies of the government are not just. This injustice is what motivates me to take action against the government. I have a definition of justice in this context which would be something like this: in a financial crisis, the burden of cuts should be shared somewhat equally across society; it is unfair to pass all of the costs on to students who have very little money, to begin with.

I understand that not everyone would agree with this idea. For example, some critics might say students should pay more because they will get better jobs with their degrees. That is not a bad argument, but it is not enough. In general, I am not a relativist. Although I cannot give an ironclad definition of justice, it is easier to know it when I see it. I understand Socrates' point with his comments about piety, but not everything in the world is perfectly knowable. It is important to scrutinize your beliefs and opinions and consider other perspectives, but that does not mean you should be paralyzed by indecision.

Relativism is the belief that all opinions are more or less equal. I know that is not acceptable because if everyone believed that then nothing would ever get done. In my situation, I may not be able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the policies of the government are unjust, but I am quite certain of it. That is enough to inspire me to act. Socrates' dialogue is useful in that it shows that ideas should be scrutinized, but I do not believe he means to embrace paralysis.