Essay on Robert Nozicks Experience Machine - 1074 Words

Good experiences are something that we spend our life constantly striving to obtain. Once we gain these good experiences, we look for the next opportunity in order to gain that same great feeling that we had in our last experience. What if someone told you that there was a way to have these good experiences all the time? You could quite literally plug yourself into a machine that would give you the great experiences that you have been searching for your whole life. The best part is that, once you have decided to plug yourself into this machine, you would feel and think that these false experiences you are having are real. Robert Nozick proposes this very scenario in his book Anarchy State, and Utopia. This scenario is known as â€Å"the†¦show more content†¦Unger mentions the tendency for us to buy life insurance as a claim that good experiences are not the only thing that matter to us. We do not get good experiences for paying our life insurance. In fact, we will never exp erience anything that happens to this money. We do this so that our dependents will benefit from this money. With all this said, we are still very rational in buying this life insurance. (Unger 1990, 166) Therefore, we should value our capacity to make free decisions in the real world over just having good experiences. The life insurance example, that Unger mentions, is a perfect example as to why there are things that matter to us besides pleasure. Nozick sums this up by saying, â€Å"Perhaps what we desire is to live as ourselves, in contact with reality.† (Nozick ² 2010, 1) One can interpret Nozick’s statement by his insinuation that gaining pure pleasurable experiences are not as valuable as knowing that we are living in contact with reality. We should cherish and desire our lives in our realistic world; false pleasure experiences have no real value. In our lives, we want to BE certain people—to plug in to an experience machine is to commit a form of suici de. (Nozick ² 2010, 1) Plugging into an experience in order for you to merely experience false happenings would be lying toShow MoreRelatedEssay on Robert Nozicks The Experience Machine954 Words   |  4 Pagespleasure. Robert Nozick presented the philosophical world with his though experiment, â€Å"The Experience Machine† in order to dispute the existence and validity of hedonism. Nozick’s thought experiment poses the question of whether or not humans would plug into a machine which produces any desired experience. Nozick weakens the notion of hedonism through his thought experiment, claiming humans need more than just pleasure in their lives. Nozick discovers that humans would not hook up to this machine becauseRead MoreRobert Nozicks Experiment, The Experience Machine and the Inclusion of Meta-Pleasure722 Words   |  3 PagesThe Experience Machine and the Inclusion of Meta-Pleasure Robert Nozick is a philosopher who seeks to disprove the utilitarian notion of hedonism through a thought experiment that he has entitles â€Å"The Experience Machine† (Nozick 646). I will first explain the concept of utilitarianism and hedonism, then the experience machine before I give a reply about the inclusion of a third category of pleasure which I have called â€Å"meta-pleasure†. Finally, I will show how technology may be disproving the entireRead MoreHappiness By Robert Nozick1500 Words   |  6 PagesLife, philosopher Robert Nozick lists three conceptions of happiness, which he calls the ‘three forms of happiness’ (Nozick, p. 108). The third form of happiness is defined satisfaction with life as a whole--being able to look back on one s life and be satisfied with what one has done/experienced (Nozick, p. 110). He argues it is easy to understand why people long for this type of happiness, as it is pleasurable to experience in itself. This is, if evaluation of one’s past experiences are correct, andRead MoreEssay on Robert Nozick ´s Happiness and the Experience Machine585 Words   |  3 Pages Robert Nozicks Happiness Many theorist believe that happiness is the only important in peoples life, and all that should matter to a person is being happy. The standard of assessing a good life is how much or quantity of happiness it contains. This openness of happiness, its generosity of spirit and width of appreciation, gets warped and constricted by the claim pretending to be its greatest friend—that only happiness matters, nothing else. Robert Nozick does not on the side of hedonisticRead MoreDefending Utilitarianism- Mills Answer1163 Words   |  5 Pages â€Æ' Defending Utilitarianism: Mill’s posthumous answer to Nozick’s experience machine â€Å"The greatest good for the greatest number†; that is how the British philosopher John Stuart Mill famously summarized utilitarianism (Shafer-Landau, 2012b, p. 120). He is not only one of the greatest utilitarians, he is also a hedonist. Hence, he believed that this greatest good can be achieved by focussing all action on attaining the greatest amount of happiness. Mill describes utility as holding ‘that actionsRead MoreEthical and Psychological Hedonism Essay1395 Words   |  6 PagesAdditionally, some arguments and ideas presented by Robert Nozick in his essay â€Å"The Experience Machine† prove relevant to the discussion of hedonism, where Nozick concludes by disagreeing with the hedonist’s ideas. I will start by defining the two versions of hedonism so far presented and follow this up by exploring my own personal views of two branches, paying attention to what they each say about values and pursuing pleasures. To conclude, Nozick’s essay wil l be considered for its value to our discussionRead MoreHedonism, By Robert Nozick1272 Words   |  6 Pagesoff of that. By examining Nozick’s experience machine, Issues on morality, and the paradox of pursuing happiness. We will see there are many flaws with this way of thinking leading it to be a poor choice for the well-being of mankind. The first argument against hedonism is Nozick’s experience machine. Robert Nozick an author and philosopher first thought of this machine was in his book Anarchy, State, and Utopia thus the title of Nozick’s machine. The point of this machine was an individual would beRead MoreThe Happiness System, By Daniel Nettle997 Words   |  4 Pagesthat the big issue in life is not being joyful, which is at best going to be an occasional perk, but being happy in the sense of generally satisfied overall (33).† Throughout his novel, Nettles explores the depths of happiness and what it means to experience it in all forms and aspects across generations and cultures, and how it helps develop us into the people that we are, and our success as a living species. The happiness system is designed to help us gain a better understanding of our core valuesRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Moral Philosophy1505 Words   |  7 Pagesstance by all philosophers 2. Opponents to Hedonist thinking, include Jean Kazez, Robert Nozick, and Chris Heathwood. I argue that pleasure is not the only intrinsic good, rather it is one among many other goods that hold intrinsic value. To assert my position, I will first discuss Epicurus and Mill’s explanation on what makes pleasure intrinsic. I will then consider Robert Nozick’s â€Å"The Experience Machine† in order to exemplify the existence of other intrinsic values. Adding to my argumentRead MoreAnalysis Of Robert Nozick s Experience Machine2339 Words   |  10 Pagesreality, stepping out of Robert Nozick’s experience machine. While in this device, wires are connected to an individual’s brain which triggers pleasure while their body is being nourished in a giant reservoir. This unique machine allows one to fulfill his/her appetite of all desires no matter how insane or simple, existing only in his/her mind. Of course this machine doesn’t actually exist, but it represents a perfect example of what life would be like if we could experience all of the pleasures we

The Nazi Anti-Jewish Policy - 1115 Words

Many Germans could accept the fact that their country’s defeat in WWI whereas they argued that â€Å"backstabbing† of the Jews and the weaknesses from the beginning caused the front to collapse. They claimed that the Jews caused the spread of defeatism hence destroying the German army. The Germans argued that the Weimar Republic’s democracy was a government that had been constrain on Germany and not suited for the German way of life. They obeyed the Treaty of Versailles and paid reparations as revenge from the victors of WWI. This frustration caused the growth of right-wing groups in Germany such as the Nazi Party. Hitler attracted many Germans that wanted it change through his powerful speaking. He persuaded everyone a better life and a better and prosperous Germany. In 1923 while Hitler was imprisoned, he wrote his book â€Å"Mein Kampf† (My Struggle) which expressed his ideas about radical theory and Nazi dominion. He realized that he must apply legitimate democracy in his struggle to seize power. The Nazi party was mostly liked by the lower middle class, the employed, and the young people. This party rose to power rapidly. Before the economic depression occurred, the Nazi party was unknown, winning only 3 percent of the vote to the German parliament in the 1924 election. But in the 1932 election, the Nazi party won 33 percent which was more than any of the other parties. By January 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor which gave him the job of beingShow MoreRelatedNazi Policies Towards Jews Were Brutal but Erratic Essay1283 Words   |  6 PagesNazi Poli cies Towards Jews Were Brutal but Erratic In the years after the Machtergreifung in 1933, German Jews were subject to fluctuation levels of violence and intimidation at the hands of the Nazi Party and its supporters. The variations in intensity were the result of a number of factors including the occasion of the Berlin Olympics, and internal rivalries in the Nazi party about the best way to proceed with Anti-Semitic policy. ‘Brutal’ is defined in the OxfordRead More Jewish Reactions to the Holocaust: A Learned Behavior Essay1667 Words   |  7 PagesJewish Reactions to the Holocaust: A Learned Behavior When thinking of Jewish persecution, images of Nazi Germany, concentration camps, and the Holocaust are most likely to be conjured. Although these images do represent the attempted destruction of the Jews, persecution actually began thousands of years earlier. The Holocaust, or Final Solution, which was the destruction of European Jews by the Nazis, was the culmination of attempts by other groups to eradicate Jews from their society.1 ReactingRead MoreHitler s Ideology And The Nazi Bureaucracy1674 Words   |  7 Pagesmillions of Jewish people across Europe. The Intentionalists stress the consistency, sequence and persistence of the Nazi s anti-Jewish policies as a clear indication that the genocide we call the Holocaust was a top-down affair implemented in accord with Adolf Hitler s absolute will. Functionalists however argue that the genocide resulted from a number of factors including the compounding failures of the Nazi bureaucracy, these historians de-emphasize Hitler s ide ology and focus on Nazi bureaucratsRead MoreA Sign Of The Humble Rabbi s Patriotism1392 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Danish Jewish community. The king followed the Rule of Law and believed in his state’s welfare system so he never disenfranchised his Jewish citizenry. The lack of segregation between the Danish citizens and its minority Jewish population explain the rare instance in which the nation rescued ninety five percent of it Jewish population. The Danes did not judge the Jewry by their religion but rather by their citizenship. In contrast, The Danish government in the 1930’s viewed Jewish immigrationRead MoreGerman Attitudes Toward the Jews and the Final Solution Essay1033 Words   |  5 Pagescentral role in the rise of Nazi Germany were fundamental in the development of the anti-Jewish policies that emerged leading to the final solution. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that the anti- Jewish feeling in Germany reflected a much stronger, widespread support amongst its people and this essay will examine the role and attitudes of the German people towards the Final Solution. On the 1st of April, 1933, the boycott of Jewish businesses reflected Read MoreThe Holocaust Of The Jewish Holocaust858 Words   |  4 PagesThe Jewish Holocaust is often described as the largest, most gruesome holocaust in history. It began in 1933 with the rise of Adolf Hitler and lasted nearly twelve years until the Nazi Party were defeated by the Allied powers in 1945. The expression â€Å"Holocaust† originated from Greece which is translated to â€Å"sacrifice by fire†. This is a very proper name considering the slaughter and carnage of Jewish people inflicted by the Nazis. In addition to the Jewish, Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexualRead MoreHolocaust Essays1076 Words   |  5 PagesApril of the same year would see the beginning of Hitler’s implementation of such anti- Semitic legislation, starting with the prohibition of Jews from the Civil Service. II. November 1935- Nuremberg Laws enacted A. Jews are now subject to a myriad of prohibitions, aimed at their disemancipation. B. Anti-Semitism takes on a legislative form III. November 1938- Kristallnacht A. 7500 Jewish businesses destroyed B. 267 shuls burned C. 91 Jews killed Read MoreThe Treaty Of Versailles At The Completion Of World War1405 Words   |  6 Pagesand his anti-Semitic views falsely led him to accuse the Jews of Germany’s problems. Using the race as practical scapegoats, Hitler began dictating ideologies of German nationalism and anti-Semitism through speeches - delivered to the like-minded individuals of the German Workers Party (later, the Nazi Party) - and later through his autobiographical manifesto, Mein Kampf. Then, upon assuming leadership of the nation in 1933, he and Nazi followers systematically introduced an array of anti-SemiticRead MoreTargeting Jews for Genocide Essay903 Words   |  4 Pagesfor Genocide When discussing The Holocaust, our minds tend to jump straight to the genocide of the Jewish populations of Europe. This is because of the approximate 11 million people killed during The Holocaust; roughly 6 million of them were Jews. Many people are now left to wonder why Hitler and the Nazi Party specifically targeted the Jews for genocide. The main reason was because the Nazi Party took the idea of nationalism to an extreme, new level. Hitler also thought the Jews were responsibleRead MoreThe Treaty Of Versailles At The Completion Of World War1407 Words   |  6 Pagesand his anti-Semitic views falsely led him to accuse the Jews of Germany’s problems. Using the race as practical scapegoats, Hitler began dictating ideologies of German nationalism and anti-Semitism through speeches - delivered to the like-minded individuals of the German Workers Party (later, the Nazi Party) - and later through his autobiographical manifesto, Mein Kampf. Then, upon assuming leadership of t he nation in 1933, he and Nazi followers systematically introduced an array of anti-Semitic

Research Paper Teen Alcohol Abuse Essay Example For Students

Research Paper Teen Alcohol Abuse Essay From unsupervised parties at home to college visits, the social calendars of most teens are full of alcohol. Other drugs rise and fall in popularity from generation to generation, but alcohol never really goes out of style. From being worshiped by the ancient Babylonians to being forbidden to teenagers, alcohol has caused many problems. Today, drinking is the drug of choice by teens and causes most wrecks and deaths today. To understand alcohol people must first know the history of alcohol, the effects of teen drinking, and the solutions to teen drinking. Alcohol has been all around the world for centuries and has become a custom of people all over. No one knows for sure who discovered alcohol, but we know how different types of alcohol are made. Just as well, no know knows when alcohol was discovered. There are no records of the discovery or discoverers of alcohol. Although historians do know alcohol was used by primitive people and recorded as early as 10,000 years ago in the Neolithic period and by European civilization(Milgram 22). As early as 5000 B.C., the ancient Babylonians brewed, the process of making beer, their beer in religious temples because it was considered a gift from God. Beer is an alcoholic beverage made by fermentation of cereal grains such as, wheat, rye, corn, or barley; beer contains 3 to 6 percent alcohol. Besides the ancient Babylonians, the ancient Egyptians drank beer. The Egyptians called their beer hek, which was made from barley bread. The bread was crumbled into jars, covered with water, and allowed to ferment. The Egyptian pharaohs blessed this beer in the honor of the goddess of nature, Isis. Egyptians handed out free jugs of beer to peasant workers, and by no surprise drunkenness was a common problem in ancient Egypt (Nielsen 13). C., the ancient Babylonians brewed, the process of making beer, their beer in religious temples because it was considered a gift from God. Beer is an alcoholic beverage made by fermentation of cereal grains such as, wheat, rye, corn, or barley; beer contains 3 to 6 percent alcohol. Besides the ancient Babylonians, the ancient Egyptians drank beer. The Egyptians called their beer hek, which was made from barley bread. The bread was crumbled into jars, covered with water, and allowed to ferment. The Egyptian pharaohs blessed this beer in the honor of the goddess of nature, Isis. Egyptians handed out free jugs of beer to peasant workers, and by no surprise drunkenness was a common problem in ancient Egypt (Nielsen 13). The strongest alcohol drinks are called liquors or spirits. Liquor was discovered in the eighteenth century A.D. by an Arabian alchemist named Geber. Geber made liquor by distillation, burning away the impurities that formed in wine during fermentation and isolated the remaining liquids. As a result, the concentrated liquid had a higher alcoholic content, which was mainly flavored alcohol and water(Milgram 65). Liquor was discovered in Europe 500 years later by Arnaud de Villanueva, when he made brandy. Arnaud claimed that brandy would cure all humanitys diseases, prolong life, maintain youth, and clear away ill humor. In the 1600s gin, akravit, and whiskey were discovered in many other countries. Then in the 1700s, the Americans invented bourbon. Teenagers rarely think before they do many things. Many times teenagers go to big parites or little get togethers with their friends on the weekends just to drink. Their first thought is not about death, their grades, or alcoholism; their main purpose is to get drunk fast and sober up before going home by their set curfews. At parties, teenagers have an average of five or more beers in one night. In the United States teenage drinking has become a major problem, with about 3.3 million teens as problem drinkers. One-fourth of all seventh through twelfth graders admit to drinking at least once a week(Nielson 47). About forty percent of twelfth graders said they had one episode of heavy drinking in the past two weeks. Although no one knows why teens turn to drinking, various studies show that the amount of alcohol changes by their geographical location (Nielsen 47). One major problem with teens and alcohol is death. Many teenagers go to parties and drive home thinking that everything is all right, but twenty- one percent of young drivers involved in fatal crashes have been drinking (MADD 1). On a normal weekend, an average of one teenager dies in a car crash every hour, and nearly fifty percent of these crashes were involved with alcohol. .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 , .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .postImageUrl , .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 , .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:hover , .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:visited , .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:active { border:0!important; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:active , .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72 .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufae7074bd1434f1313edecece72fac72:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Homelessness Essay Uses of alcohol and other drugs are associated with the leading causes of death and injury among teenagers and young adults (NCADD 1). Not only do car wrecks kill teenagers, so does compulsive drinking. Alcohol, a depressant on the central nervous system, is detectable when someone begins to have slurred speech, slow reaction time, or staggered walking (Milgram 20). The more a person drinks the higher the risk .