Diogenes and Alexander

Introduction Contentment comes with success whereby one feels happy with their current situation in life. Success has been defined as doing what one really wants to do, and in the story of Diogenes and Alexander, Highet compares two personalities who meet under peculiar circumstances. Diogenes was a Greek philosopher while Alexander the great was the lordly ruler of the Greek empire.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Diogenes and Alexander specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Choice of Lifestyle Diogenes lived a simple of a beggar. He had little regard of the basic needs of human beings, choosing to cloth himself with a single blanket, since God had not provided a way for humans to protect themselves from the cold, like he had for the animals (Highet 8). Diogenes assumed the lifestyle of animals, especially the dog, arguing that there was no need for extravagance. He had no furniture and slept in a cask that he moved e verywhere with, and placed it where he wanted to sleep. He survived on borrowed food from the people. Many people had lived the way he did, mainly the refugees, but he did so by choice, since his teachings emphasized that people should live a natural life, he chose to teach the people by example. According to Highet, Diogenes lived a contented life, since he could adopt and practise his teachings, without worrying about a family or work. Alexander on the other hand had little choice of his upbringing, as he was the son of King Philip. He had been taught by the greatest mind in Greece at that time, Aristotle. He was knowledgeable in many fields including poetry, philosophy, scientific research and military, being termed a magnificent commander (Highet 9). Alexander too, lived a contented life, at least according to the time of the story, at age twenty. He was skilled in many fields and was a great military commander. He was also honourable, as could be seen in his self control, with both women and alcohol. His choice of lifestyle, which involved battles, was an indication of his selflessness. Mission in life While Diogenes admired Hercules for his might and concern for other people, Alexander admired Archiles, who defeated the Asian armies. The two people are similar in that they fought for what they thought was right, in their own way. Diogenes lived a life similar to that of dog, trying to influence people that they could live a natural and happy life. While on the rich streets of Greece, he taught people his doctrines, and those who cared to listen followed him. To expound on his doctrine, Diogenes wrote plays, poems and essays (Highet 8).Advertising Looking for essay on ancient history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He emphasized a natural life, saying that it was normal and could not be evil or shameful. His teaching emphasized that a free life had no conventions, complexities and extravagances. He taught people that riches brought worries, since people spent more time and energy protecting what they had. He tirelessly taught his doctrines to those who chose to listen, in an effort to open the eyes of the people. He was contented with his mission work, since he chose to continue instead of living a hidden life, away from the ignorant people, like others before him who had given up and isolated themselves from the people (Highet 8). His followers were also a motivation factor to him, since they appreciated his doctrines, and Alexander acknowledged this when he took one of them as a philosophical interpreter. Alexander also laboured to help mankind, choosing to be at the forefront of battles, while he could easily sit back and let others fight. Alexander had many responsibilities bestowed upon him, and through his education and training, he acquired enough knowledge to handle himself, and take care of his people. Alexander was contented with his life, since only a truly free ma n could identify another free person, as seen when he indicated that if he were not himself, he would be like Diogenes. The more contented life While both Diogenes and Alexander lived free lives, Alexander must have been more content than Diogenes. Both people lived as they chose to, keeping to their beliefs, though Diogenes had a difficult time getting his doctrines across, since he was at times chased with stones (Highet 8). Though he was able to get a few pupils, he had to persevere, and at his level of a beggar, he still influenced people. Alexander on the other hand was readily accepted by the people, and he had an easier time influencing them. His life was more contented since he had more power to conquer, and the masses trusted him due to his status. He brought more change, based on his authority and position, as an icon and ruler for the people, having greater responsibilities and expectations from the people, he was able to achieve. Works Cited Highet, Gilbert. â€Å"Dioge nes and Alexander.† American Heritage Magazine 1963. This essay on Diogenes and Alexander was written and submitted by user Victor Good to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Economic Responsible Citizenship

Economic Responsible Citizenship Introduction In their book, Economic Sense Economics: What Everyone should know About Wealth and Prosperity, Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) shed light on economic principles that are critical to the national and individual economic progress.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Economic Responsible Citizenship specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They provide a lucid and concrete overview of the need for a better understanding of simple macro-economic and individual economic principles which are an essential ingredient in economic prosperity. The bottom-line of this book is essentially the creation of a financial and economic literacy among nations and their citizens. In particular, this book provides an in-depth analysis and enlightened discussion on clear thoughts about economic prosperity. This essay provides a personal understanding of the basic principles of micro and macro-economic aspects as discussed by Gw artney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010). The aim of this essay is to enable the individual to become a responsible citizen who actively participates in revenue generating activities to ensure wealth creation and economic prosperity is attained. Economic principles and responsible citizenship Individuals have an obligation of participating in different actions that ensure the betterment of their own lives, and the entire society at large. To achieve this, they should participate in activities which promote the personal and societal well-being. In many developing and developed nations across the world, individuals are demonstrating their citizenship responsibilities through democratic processes with a view of guaranteeing their personal and societal rights. According to Logan and Molotch (2007), a responsible citizen takes part in a democratic process as a civic duty. This is to ensure a better understanding of political, economic, and other environmental systems that have a direct i mpact on the improvement of individual, communal welfare, and prosperity of the nation.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Responsible citizens should be able to understand how their exercising of political and democratic rights has an impact on resource allocation, which determines their personal prosperity and welfare. A responsible citizen cares about the creation of wealth at an individual, firm, or national level. This can only be achieved through a clear conceptualization of how the government and political processes protect both individual and property rights. At this point, Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) urge individuals to understand that political processes will not always ensure consistent allocation of resources, but market allocation of economic resources will ensure economic progress. Individuals should realize that politics is merely a socia l structure alternative, but not a remedy that provides solutions to challenges affecting the individual or society. In their argument based on the market allocation of resources; Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) opine that free markets allow individuals to engage voluntarily in mutual agreements, acquire more information about varied market choices, and allow them to have diverse representations. These factors empower them to create wealth rather than relying on political choices. A thoughtful consideration of government economic policies such as subsidies, trade, taxes, and government expenditure should be evaluated critically by all citizens (Gwartney, Stroup, Lee Ferrarini, 2010). Responsible individuals should be alert and vigil about these policies taking note of their impact on social and private life. These policies have a far reaching consequence on citizens who are taxpayers; hence under-scores the significance of acquiring the right knowledge about these polici es. For instance, an economically responsible citizen should be able to know that government costs are not only limited to taxes, but rather the consequences of such economic policies on the private sector, use of resources, and price distortions. Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) illustrate the consequences of increased federal expenditure since the 1960s, which has resulted in budget deficits and has increased the national debt.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Economic Responsible Citizenship specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) argue that governments to a large extent slow down the rate of economic progress when they seek to reward some individuals at the expense of the nation for political reasons. The efficient acquisition of wealth by individuals and economic progress relies on the production and exchange of goods and services at a value, to generate income. This enhances the wealth of the society at large rather than plundering, which benefits a few individuals at the expense of the majority. The promotion of productive activities through the protection offered by the government on property rights and elimination of favors is believed to positively trigger economic prosperity. The primary objective of responsible citizenship should be to bring benefits to the society at large as opposed to targeting specific interest groups. The economy and money are important tools that require the right knowledge and understanding in order to eliminate poverty, as well as create sustainable development. One of the major impediments to wealth creation and economic prosperity is poverty. Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) note that over-reliance on transfer payments and subsidies from the government has not had a positive impact on the reduction of poverty levels in the last seven decades they have been in existence, in the United States. They hold that transfers are a burden to taxpayers, and long-term objectives are eroded due to competition for the transfers. To reduce poverty and ensure economic prosperity, as well as the creation of wealth; Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) propose that the youth should obtain a minimum education qualification (high school), avoid child-bearing before marriage, and continue working before they secure a full-time job. Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010) criticize the central planning of resources by the federal government as being retrogressive to economic progress. Central planning is prone to political lobbying that eventually wastes resources hence prohibiting economic development. They argue that this is a disincentive to private investors wishing to engage in productive activities. Responsible citizenship calls for the devolvement of central planning and allocation of resources so as to encourage individuals to exploit their property rights productively hence creating wealth. Additionally, decentralization of the government planning and encouraging a competitive free economy, allows the market channels to discipline producers, and consumer to be more accountable to ensure future efficiency.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Only productive projects that generate income thrive in such an economic situation. In a nut-shell, the introduction of competition in the public sector will go a long way in ensuring that private firms play on an equal platform with government agencies. This will definitely guarantee economic progress. According to Gwartney, Stroup, Lee and Ferrarini (2010), there is a greater need to synchronize political processes and sound economic policies. They suggest that new rules should be in place to bring together and ensure that interest groups, politicians, and bureaucrats work in harmony to ensure economic prosperity. Going back to the constitutional beginnings which enshrined the protection of property rights, limited government involvement, equality, and federalism are cited as major milestones in ensuring economic prosperity of all individuals in the United States. Conclusion The authors of this book provide an informative guide to understanding the basics of economic principles at the national level, and how they affect personal finances. The significance of economic literacy is brought out clearly in the book to help individuals make decisions on economic issues such as savings, consumption, and investment among many other personal economic issues. Democracy, politics, and government to a large extent are cited as some of the factors derailing economic progress and wealth creation. The elimination of these inefficiencies created by government and political systems, as well as knowledge and understanding of simple economic principles by individuals will go a long way in ensuring economic prosperity. References Gwartney, J. D., Stroup, R. L., Lee, D. R., Ferrarini, T. H. (2010). Common sense economics: what everyone should know about wealth and prosperity. New York: Macmillan. Logan, J. R., Molotch, H. L. (2007). Urban fortunes: The political economy of place. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.