The US Merchant Marine Service Academy is run under a strict regimental system aligning to US Coast Guard standards. This society that is created by the Midshipmen Regulations supports Plato’s envisioned ideal of a harmonic social order more closely than Robert A. Dahl’s view of democracy. The organization is characterized by a class rank system based on experience and seniority, with those of a higher class rank getting more responsibility and rewards bestowed upon them. The relation between Kings Point and Plato’s idealized society is that both are governed by a philosopher-king. The regulations have been in use since the founding of the school, and have governed the lives of midshipmen since then. These rules are used as the moral backbone …show more content…
The regiment is quite different to democracy due to the removal of midshipmen rights and the formation of social classes. The regimental society of Kings Point is divided into classes numbered one through four. The structure of this society is a class rank based on seniority, and with a higher class rank comes more duty and freedoms. All of different classes have differing rights for actions available to them on and off campus, and punishments for disregarding authority and breaking rules. These classes and rules help create future officers of moral character and …show more content…
The standards set by rules of King’s Point emphasize self-improvement and responsibility for one’s bearing and behavior. Principles such as “Plebe Candidates will display proper military bearing at all times,” (Standards) and “Plebe Candidates will NOT consume alcohol at any time, regardless if they are over the legal age (21),” (Standards; bold in original) help establish restraint. This standard of morality and discipline prepares midshipmen for their future obligation in the military or maritime service. The training that the midshipmen undergo at Kings Point makes them disciplined enough to focus on productive actions, such as devoting time to studding, that will further their education and qualifications for graduation. Plato notes that “‘unnecessary’ would be the right name for all appetites in which can be got rid of by early training and do us now good and in some cases harm” and “he turns again to those lotus eaters [without ambition] and throws in his lot with them openly” (Jacobus 60-61). This view of Plato’s is mirrored in the regulations’ focus on eliminating distraction and shape self-control to prevent distractions and the onset of moral
What is justice? In Plato’s, The Republic this is the main point and the whole novel is centered around this question. We see in this novel that Socrates talks about what is justice with multiple characters.In the first part of Book 1 of The Republic, Socrates questions conventional morality and attempts to define justice as a way for the just man to harm the unjust man (335d) ; however, Thrasymachus fully rejects this claim, and remarks that man will only do what is in his best interest, since human nature is, and should be ruled by self-interest, and he furthers this argument by implying that morality, and thus justice, is not what Socrates had suggested, but rather that it is simply a code of behavior exacted on man by his ruler. Thrasymachus begins his argument by giving his definition of justice. He says that justice, or right is simply what is in the best interest of the stronger (338c). When questioned by Socrates on this point, he explains that each type of government (the stronger party) enacts types of justice that are in its own best interest, and expect
Why did he pick the Marines as his topic? Attracted to the Corps perception and morale, Thomas E. Ricks expresses the Marines as the only service still upholding its honor and tradition. Due to society changing into a commercial society with a “me” attitude, civilians focus on how they can splendor themselves with material items—never looking big picture at all that we can accomplish as a team if we give our heart and soul in life. Team meaning everyone on earth, for we are the people that provide for one another with peace and prosperity. As a Marine, it is imperative to have leadership skills along with being capable to work with others. This book was written to enhance the reader’s mentality of how the Marines operate. It informs those who are looking into the service, and provides an in depth look into the trials and tribulations it has been through—as well as conquered.
In book four of Plato's “The Republic” Socrates defines justice in the individual as analogous to justice in the state. I will explain Socrates' definition of justice in the individual, and then show that Socrates cannot certify that his definition of justice is correct, without asking further questions about justice. I will argue that if we act according to this definition of justice, then we do not know when we are acting just. Since neither the meaning of justice, nor the meaning of good judgement, is contained in the definition, then one can act unjustly while obeying to the definition of justice. If one can act unjustly while obeying this definition, then Socrates' definition of justice is uncertifiable.
The Army requires its members to adhere to prolonged training and learn specialized skills. From the moment a soldier transitions from the civilian sector into the Army, he is indoctrinated with training. Regardless of rank, the Army demands each soldier to be technically proficient and mentally competent in order to be qualified in a respective Military Occupation Specialty. As a soldier progresses in his military career, he is required to continue his education and training. Army leaders are expected and required to continue developing their skills through academic studies, operational experience, and institutional training. An opposing view argues that anyone can learn these skills; however, statistics show less than 0.5% of the population serves in the armed forces, indicating a soldier is a rare mix of intelligence and character.1 These lessons are necessary qualifications to achieve what General Martin Dempsey describes as “effectiveness rather than efficiency.”2 Much like the profession of medicine which must heal, the media which must provide truth, and law which must provide justice, the profession of arms must provide secur...
For years I have aspired to become a part of an elite organization such as the military, and more importantly, the United States Navy. Its reputation for instilling high moral character was encouragement for me to develop into a more mature, responsible, and independent young citizen. There are certain qualities that an officer must possess such as: honor, courage, commitment, and attention to duty, responsiveness to orders, cooperation, loyalty, leadership, integrity, and discipline. Throughout my high school career, I showcased these qualities while an active member of The American Legion of Ohio Buckeye Boy’s State, The National Honor Society, as a leader in the Ohio State Highway Patrol Junior Cadets, Clay and Waite High School Marching Band Alumni, Quiz Bowl, and Top Ten Scholars. I was actively involved in charitable activities such as Math and SOS tutoring, community volunteering, and the Indian 100 Leadership Team, (a volunteer organization on my high school campus). I have shown strength, perseverance and leadership in my participation in wrestling, cheerleading, and bodybui...
The basic ideas the council rulers appeal to in order to retain power consist of limiting the people of their world below them to having nothing of their own, such as a house, friends, let alone their own name (which is replaced with a sequence of words and numbers to identify an individual). Some of the beliefs of the council are very similar to the ones in Plato’s Republic. For instance, Plato states that “Philosophers form the only class of men to possess knowledge and are also the most just of men (Plato’s Republic 2). In other words, what Plato is essentially saying is that the only the highest class (in Anthem’s case, the council) is worthy to obtain any additional knowledge past basic grade school education. This is extremely demeaning due to the fact that this society is said to revolve around equality, when overall, it is just a massive dictatorship ruled by the so called “elite”
It can be argued that MIDREGs promotes moral behavior, but it is also easy to offer a rebuttal saying that it demoralizes midshipmen. I believe that it falls somewhere in the middle. In the beginning, MIDREGs can promote moral behavior by giving an outline of what is right and what behaviors are considered upstanding. For a plebe especially, reading MIDREGs allows us to understand how to behave. Many of us come from being civilians and would not know exactly the standards we are now to uphold without them being explicitly stated in MIDREGs; however, past the initial reading, I think it starts to make people think “How much can I do without getting in trouble?” There are, of course, some rules and guidelines in MIDREGs that are rules that
2. Once accepted inside the academy, the cadets undergo both military and academic training so as to hone them for their roles as future military officers. They are exposed to rigorous training for the development of their stamina, endurance and physical characteristics. Their character is also developed as they engage in the different trainings requirements inside the academy. They were engaged in different trainings that will help them to be a better one. Cadets follow a daily schedule in which they wake up early, fix their beds, clean their rooms, and dress up for reveille. Since they are full in duties, they have limited time to do their own personal stuffs. This however, will help them to develop stability under pressure that despite limited time, they can still work for their compliances, prepare for their personal things and even for the next duty, both under the military training requirements and academic requirements. This set up is necessary since the cadets must be well trained physically, mentally, emotionally, and also academically.
Socrates once said “the just man is the much happier than the unjust, but a just man 's life is only pleasant”. Throughout his lifetime Socrates searched for the type of individual who lives the happiest. In eighth book of Plato’s republic Socrates describes five different types of individuals, in which he believes all humans fall under at least once. As a philosopher he also believed that humans would attain happiness once they have found their souls, although he also claims that only philosophers can find their souls. Dr. Joe Freeman provided a lecture discussing democracy in the United States related to the ideologies of Socrates. In the lecture Dr. Freeman provided a pyramid of how Socrates rated humans based on his categories, justice
In Plato’s Republic, justice and the soul are examined in the views of the multiple characters as well as the Republic’s chief character, Socrates. As the arguments progress through the Republic, the effect of justice on the soul is analyzed, as the question of whether or not the unjust soul is happier than the just soul. Also, Plato’s theories of justice in the man, the state, and the philosopher king are clearly linked to the cardinal virtues, as Plato describes the structure of the ideal society and developing harmony between the social classes. Therefore, the statement “justice is the art which gives to each man what is good for his soul” has to be examined through the definitions of justice given in the Republic and the idea of the good
Abrashoff begins the book by informing the reader of how his story begins; when he is given command of the USS Benfold. The Benfold was the Navy’s most advanced guided missile destroyer the Navy had in 1997 and its command was to be one of the Navy’s top innovators. Unfortunately, Abrashoff points out some flaws with the Navy’s personnel management that I found to be shocking. First, was that “nearly 35 percent of the people who joined the military annually, wouldn’t complete their enlistment contracts.” (p.2) Such turnover can be understood by many business managers in the service industry, but unlike the quick and cheap training process for them, the cost for the military (taxpayers) is astounding. Abrashoff estimates that it cost roughly “$35,000 to recruit a trainee and tens of thousands more in additional training costs to get new personnel to the basic level of proficiency.” (p.2) Curbing this trend on his own ship and eventually helping to achieve a decrease overall in the mil...
...ether they are part of the rulers' class or not. Plato stated that each person has a function in a political arrangement of justice. Opposite to Plato’s definition, Glaucon argued that sometimes people gain advantage from injustice and finally, Thrasymachus told that justice is when our unnatural self possessions demand more and more because of our natural desires.
The Republic is an examination of the "Good Life"; the harmony reached by applying pure reason and justice. The ideas and arguments of Plato center on the social settings of an ideal republic - those that lead each person to the most perfect possible life for him. Socrates was Plato's early mentor in real life. As a tribute to his teacher, Plato uses Socrates in several of his works and dialogues. Socrates moderates the discussion throughout, as Plato's mouthpiece. Through Socrates' powerful and brilliant questions and explanations on a series of topics, the reader comes to understand what Plato's model society would look like. The basic plan of the Republic is to draw an analogy between the operation of society as a whole and the life of any individual human being. In this paper I will present Plato’s argument that the soul is divides into three parts. I will examine what these parts are, and I will also explain his arguments behind this conclusion. Finally, I will describe how Plato relates the three parts of the soul to a city the different social classes within that city.
In Plato’s Republic, the main argument is dedicated to answering Glaucon and Adeimantus, who question the reason for just behavior. They argue it is against one’s self-interest to be just, but Plato believes the behavior is in fact in one’s self-interest because justice is inherently good. Plato tries to prove this through his depiction of an ideal city, which he builds from the ground up, and ultimately concludes that justice requires the philosopher to perform the task of ruling. Since the overall argument is that justice pays, it follows that it would be in the philosopher’s self-interest to rule – however, Plato also states that whenever people with political power believe they benefit from ruling, a good government is impossible. Thus, those who rule regard the task of ruling as not in their self-interest, but something intrinsically evil. This is where Plato’s argument that justice is in one’s self-interest is disturbed. This paper will discuss the idea that justice is not in one’s self-interest, and thus does not pay.
Many cadets are between eighteen to twenty-one-years-old, and they strive to become successful leaders. “Truth” is one of three MMI’s core values. According to the MMI Cadet Manual of a message from Colonel Edwin Passmore, the most important trait for a successful leader is integrity (3). Cadets might not know if they have integrity because most cadets may not have experienced a position that tests their integrity. Further, cadets in leadership roles may not be able to recognize any leadership deficiencies, like lack of integrity, and therefore unintentionally may lose respect from their followers. This paper suggests that cadet leaders at MMI discover their leadership strengths and weaknesses, those inexperienced leaders may fail to tell the truth to their followers, and in turn, those followers may lose respect for those new