Citizenship - Highly Debated Throughout History - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1221 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/04/12 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Citizenship Essay Did you like this example? Its important to discuss citizenship because being able to define what constitutes as civic engagement can solidify the way we solve or discuss problems within our society. Some, like Aristotle, believe that citizenship is dictated by the power to take part in the decisions of a state or by possession of a government position. Others, like John Dewey, emphasized the idea of working as a whole for the common good and focusing on the public rather than a sole individual. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Citizenship Highly Debated Throughout History" essay for you Create order Both takes on citizenship are flawed†Aristotles is too alienating, and Deweys concept is too idealistic†but both takes got certain points about citizenship correct. Aristotle claims that the citizen () differs under each form of government, (Aristotle, The Complete Works of Aristotle, 2024) that is to say, a citizen in a democracy will most likely not be a citizen in a dictatorship. This is not because of birthright, but rather because different types of government systems have different principles and values. In terms of a democracy, he insists that citizens are those who hold a position in government or who have the opportunity to make administrative decisions. As a result, laborers cannot be considered citizens because we cannot consider all those to be citizens who are necessary to the existence of the state (Aristotle, The Complete Works of Aristotle, 2028). Since they have several responsibilities and obligations, they cant have the time to deliberate the issues and concerns of a society and thus cannot be considered a citizen. Aristotles requirements on who can be considered a citizen are much too demanding and, in this day, and age, a very few number of people are actually able to fulfill these requisites. In addition, Aristotles views are also very elitist. It places citizenship solely on people that hold a government office, leaving the majority of society who cannot give as much time to leisurely activities or to things like education or political activism out of the running. This only works in forming an unfair hierarchy, with the upper class at the top and in control while the lower classes are forced towards the bottom. According to Aristotle, citizens should have little to no responsibilities, which is almost impossible nowadays since everyone has a job or a career that requires their time and attention. His demands are incredibly difficult to be met in todays world, which doesnt put his theory on a solid base. On the other hand, Aristotles take on the qualifications needed to be considered a citiz en encourage political participation. Citizens would be required to make well-informed decisions affecting the public. Political participation†or lack thereof†is an issue in todays world. Its fair to assert that only those actively engaged in making change are citizens. These citizens would be civic agents and theyre the ones that work to improve our political community by starting discussions and bringing about change that will improve everyones life and not just a single groups. Voting is an example of civic agency and it is the lack of voter participation that is a huge issue in our society now. People are not being as politically active as they can be either for lack of availability or apathy and its affecting the way we are governed. John Dewey argues that democracy should be embedded not only in our political community, but in every aspect of our everyday lives. Everyone longs for freedom and its their search for it that can lead to conflict. Democracy, he believes, is the solution to these issues since it can serve as a moderator for individuals. A democratic government will ideally give everyone equal rights, as well as protect and defend them. Everyone will be entitled to stating their beliefs and interests. He claims that a good citizen finds his conduct as a member of a political group enriching and enriched by his participation in family life, industry, scientific and artistic associations, (Dewey, The Public and its Problems, 148) meaning that in order to be considered a good citizen one must not only be involved in the political community but said involvement will be improved by all other aspects of their life. As a result, they will be more well-rounded and prepared to take on the challenges that inevi tably appear when in a democracy. If the public are deprived of education and knowledge, then they will be ill-informed and unable to make decisions that benefit the public as a whole. As a result, the society will no longer be a democracy since only those with enough power to receive an education will be ruling. Only when education and proper communication channels are adapted so that theyre available to everyone will there be an ideal democracy. By using our intellect, scientific inquiry, and moral reasoning, we can solve our problems. In order to be a good citizen, according to Dewey, one must obtain an effective sense of being an individually distinctive member of society; one who understands and appreciates its beliefs, desires and methods, and who contributes to a further conversion of organic powers into human resources and values (Dewey, The Public and its Problems, 134). Deweys ideas seem more plausible than Aristotles. For one, its not as exclusive or elitist. He places tremendous importance on education for all, which is easy to support. The idea that everyone needs to have access to the same education in order to make decisions that will affect everyone is a good one. Today, a lot of people tend to vote or spout rhetoric without being fully informed and seeing the complete picture. This is an issue because if you vote without being knowledgeable on the topic, you could potentially be harming yourself and other people. Democracy is a system that permits everyone to have a voice. There are many issues with our society today. For starters, its getting more and more difficult to hold a meaningful conversation with someone of differing opinions. The polarization of our society causes us to be forceful, rather than patient and understanding. The problem with Deweys view, however, is that he is far too idealistic. There will always be a difference of opi nion amongst citizens in a society and no matter how much we all communicate, there are times when no one can reach an agreement. If one is reached, there will always be someone that is unhappy with the compromise or decision. Not only that, but there will always be citizens that perhaps do not want to communicate. People tend to be set in their ways and can be very opposed to change. Theres really not much that can be done to change the perspective of these people. The best way to determine citizenship is through civic agency. As long as someone is actively engaged in their community and contributes ideas and actions that only serve to progress society, they can be considered a citizen. There is too much relevance given to whether or not someone who is part of the state can be a citizen. For one thing, change can be brought about by anyone†a part of the state or not†its all about determination and dedication. Secondly, assuming that a political community is not necessarily an entire nation, then someones relation to the state is irrelevant since a political community can be entirely local or perhaps completely separate from the state.

The Greatest Influence Of A Leader - 1046 Words

As I try to think of the person who has had the most influence as a leader in my life two people promptly come to mind. The first is my father, Cornelius Sims aka Bull, and the second is Robert Johns. Robert Johns was my mission president when I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission. Both have been superior examples of a leader in my life. Both have loved me and shown me patience in times where I was more than difficult. Both have been excellent examples of a daddy and a husband. With that said, I have decided to write about my father in this paper. However, there have been a plethora of events in which he demonstrated leadership in my life. This†¦show more content†¦There have been many of these stories which were hilarious and I enjoy hearing them over and over, others were not so fun to hear. My father is a hardworking man as well as a family man. He was a strong proponent of discipl ine for his children and expected us to be respectful and to obey the rules. My earliest memories of my father were him working at Louisiana Downs, during the racing season, as an assistant horse trainer and as a semi-truck driver during the down time. He would often take my older sister and me to the track or in the semi with him so we could work with him. He was well respected at the track and people were naturally drawn to him. It may have been his big smile, which he does not like to share in pictures, his stories, or his willingness to help others and the respect he expressed to others. In 1985, my parents decided to move the family to Fairbanks, Alaska which is where the majority of my mother’s family was living. My father drove my mom, my older sister, and me to California where we met up with my aunt and her family to continue the drive to Alaska. While in California, my mother was involved in pedestrian versus car collision in a gas station parking lot. The operator of the vehicle responsible for the collision was an intoxicated male. This resulted in the first time I ever saw my father yell out of anger at another person. My uncles had to restrain my father for the protection of the other

The Greatest Influence Of A Leader - 1046 Words

As I try to think of the person who has had the most influence as a leader in my life two people promptly come to mind. The first is my father, Cornelius Sims aka Bull, and the second is Robert Johns. Robert Johns was my mission president when I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission. Both have been superior examples of a leader in my life. Both have loved me and shown me patience in times where I was more than difficult. Both have been excellent examples of a daddy and a husband. With that said, I have decided to write about my father in this paper. However, there have been a plethora of events in which he demonstrated leadership in my life. This†¦show more content†¦There have been many of these stories which were hilarious and I enjoy hearing them over and over, others were not so fun to hear. My father is a hardworking man as well as a family man. He was a strong proponent of discipl ine for his children and expected us to be respectful and to obey the rules. My earliest memories of my father were him working at Louisiana Downs, during the racing season, as an assistant horse trainer and as a semi-truck driver during the down time. He would often take my older sister and me to the track or in the semi with him so we could work with him. He was well respected at the track and people were naturally drawn to him. It may have been his big smile, which he does not like to share in pictures, his stories, or his willingness to help others and the respect he expressed to others. In 1985, my parents decided to move the family to Fairbanks, Alaska which is where the majority of my mother’s family was living. My father drove my mom, my older sister, and me to California where we met up with my aunt and her family to continue the drive to Alaska. While in California, my mother was involved in pedestrian versus car collision in a gas station parking lot. The operator of the vehicle responsible for the collision was an intoxicated male. This resulted in the first time I ever saw my father yell out of anger at another person. My uncles had to restrain my father for the protection of the other

The Greatest Influence Of A Leader - 1046 Words

As I try to think of the person who has had the most influence as a leader in my life two people promptly come to mind. The first is my father, Cornelius Sims aka Bull, and the second is Robert Johns. Robert Johns was my mission president when I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission. Both have been superior examples of a leader in my life. Both have loved me and shown me patience in times where I was more than difficult. Both have been excellent examples of a daddy and a husband. With that said, I have decided to write about my father in this paper. However, there have been a plethora of events in which he demonstrated leadership in my life. This†¦show more content†¦There have been many of these stories which were hilarious and I enjoy hearing them over and over, others were not so fun to hear. My father is a hardworking man as well as a family man. He was a strong proponent of discipl ine for his children and expected us to be respectful and to obey the rules. My earliest memories of my father were him working at Louisiana Downs, during the racing season, as an assistant horse trainer and as a semi-truck driver during the down time. He would often take my older sister and me to the track or in the semi with him so we could work with him. He was well respected at the track and people were naturally drawn to him. It may have been his big smile, which he does not like to share in pictures, his stories, or his willingness to help others and the respect he expressed to others. In 1985, my parents decided to move the family to Fairbanks, Alaska which is where the majority of my mother’s family was living. My father drove my mom, my older sister, and me to California where we met up with my aunt and her family to continue the drive to Alaska. While in California, my mother was involved in pedestrian versus car collision in a gas station parking lot. The operator of the vehicle responsible for the collision was an intoxicated male. This resulted in the first time I ever saw my father yell out of anger at another person. My uncles had to restrain my father for the protection of the other

Therapists Role in Gastric Bypass Procedure Free Essays

A Therapists Role in A Pre-Surgical Interview for a Gastric Bypass Procedure Abstract The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of the psychologist when evaluating a patient seeking a gastric bypass procedure. To this date there is no standard avenue given to those conducting the interview. Due to the limited knowledge of long term success post-surgery a guideline is given for psychologists to follow. We will write a custom essay sample on Therapists Role in Gastric Bypass Procedure or any similar topic only for you Order Now Continued research is needed to determine what may be needed in the interview that is not being addressed at this time. A Therapists Role in A Pre-Surgical Interview for a Gastric Bypass Procedure A huge problem in the United States for the average individual is obesity. While traditional weight loss programs are failing and more extreme methods are being used, psychologists are being called upon to determine if individuals are mentally fit to have a procedure called Bariatric surgery (ie, gastric bypass). This procedure is used for populations of people whom are extremely obese. Therefore extremely obese patients are turning to this unconventional method to lose weight. Unlike traditional weight lose methods whose risks are low, gastric bypass procedures have high health risks involved. In order for this surgery to be successful patients need to reframe their thinking after surgery to continue to maintain the weight that is lost due to the procedure. There have been no clear assessment tools psychologists’ use for pre-op assessment but many psychologists are using a standard assessment to determine if the individual is a candidate for bar iatric surgery. Even though a patient may not want to undergo a psychological evaluation it is a necessary criterion in order to undergo this extreme weight loss procedure. The information a psychologist collects in the pre-op procedure is why they are seeking surgery, diet and weight history, what are their habits currently in regard to eating, educating patient that future lifestyle changes associated with behavior modification therapy, history and current social supports, and any psychiatric symptoms (current and past) (Snyder 2009). The psychologist’s 3 responsibilities during the assessment is to collect a history about the patient, act as an educator providing information to patient about the psychological aspect of the surgery, and the therapist motivating the patient to seek post surgical behavior modification treatment while helping the client deal with emotions that may come up during the evaluation (Snyder 2009). The psychologist’s initial question is the patient’s reason for surgery and what are they hoping to accomplish. The therapist therefore will determine the clients expectations to assess if the client has unrealistic expectations centered around the surgery results (ie. motivation due to only changing physical appearance). The results may suggest the patient may not be a candidate for surgery. Researchers have learned the motivation for surgery should be strictly for health reasons (Bauchowitz, A. , 2007). Patients that have unrealistic expectations regarding weight loss are prone to issues of depression when the surgery and outcome is not what they expected. The second area assessed is a review of the patients eating habits past and current. Researchers found that clients learned messages from family that were contributing factors to weight gain (ie. eat everything on your plate) (Gibbons, L. M. , et al. , 2006). Psychologists’ also determine if a client has had past failures with diets and if not the client is encouraged to try dieting before seeking surgery. The philosophy behind this way of thinking is due to getting used a healthy lifestyle with food intake. The role of the psychologist here is to educate the patient with what will be needed in the future to maintain their ideal weight. They are warned going back to old behaviors with eating behaviors and habits could result in gaining all their weight back. Also, psychologists help the patient if they are dealing with shame for failed diet attempts in the past. Another area of assessment is determining the patient’s current eating behavior. It is important for the therapist to determine the motivation for behavior modification and also seek out eating disordered clients. The patient is also questioned about their plan for exercise post surgery. The biggest finding about non-compliance among failures with post treatment was the lack of motivation for exercise (Snyder 2009). Psychologists also determine if a client is bulimic due to the dangers of a bulimic client can have with gastric bypass procedures. Psychologists at this point educate the patient on the importance of exercise for long term benefits of surgery (Snyder 2009). The psychologist also educates the patient to help them to understand what they are agreeing to when seeking gastric bypass. The therapist also should point out the consequences of going back to the past ifestyle with eating behavior (Snyder 2009). Another area of importance is the social network of family and friends the patient has when having surgery. The social network can make or break a patient’s success or failure. Therefore, it is important for the psychologist to understand the patient’s social network in the past and present. Negative consequences of the surgery (ie. affair) ca n lead to jealousy of the spouse and present sabotaging behavior of the spouse. Therefore it is important for a psychologist to address issues that could present themselves if applicable (Snyder 2009). One of the primary reasons an interview is conducted pre-surgery is to determine if there are any psychiatric disorders that might interfere with success of surgery. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychosis, mania, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, history of abuse, family history of mental disorders, and any treatment regarding mental health issues are assessed. An examination called a Mini-Mental Status is given to the patient to determine any psychiatric complications that can present themselves (Fabricatore, Crerand, Wadden , et al. 2006). The MMPI-2 is a psychological test given to pre-surgical candidates for a gastric bypass. This is a way to validate that the psychologist’s assessment interview are the same as compared to the MMPI-2. The psychologist should instruct the client to answer all questions honestly so the test results will be accurate. If the clients’ results show defensiveness with the test results the test may have to be taken again (Walfish, S. , 2007). The Millon Behavior Medicine Diagnostic allows for norms within the population that have undergone surgery. These two tests have been selected for psychologists to use even though there are other tests available. In conclusion, it is important for patients to be assessed before having surgery. The psychologist role is to understand the readiness of a patient and how emotional issues can challenge long term success. The psychologist’s role also is to educate the client on all possible issues that they may face post surgical. Overall, this demonstrates how important a pre-surgical evaluation is needed to increase success for the patient short and long term. References Allison G. Snyder (2009) Psychological Assessment of the Patient Undergoing Bariatric Surgery. The Ochsner Journal: Fall 2009, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 144-148. Bauchowitz, A. , L. Azarbad , K. Day , and L. Gonder-Frederick . Evaluation of expectations and knowledge in bariatric surgery patients. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2007. 3 5:554– 558. Devlin, M. U. , J. A. Goldfein , L. Flancbaum , M. Bessler , and R. Eisenstadt . Surgical management of obese patients with eating disorders: a survey of current practices. Obes Surg 2004. 14 9:1252–1257. Fabricatore, A. N. , C. E. Crerand , T. A. Wadden , et al. How do mental health professionals evaluate candidates for bariatric surgery? Survey results. Obes Surg 2006. 16 5:567–573 Gibbons, L. M. , D. B. Sarwer , C. E. Crerand , et al. Previous weight loss experiences of bariatric surgery candidates: how much have patients dieted prior to surgery? Obesity (Silver Spring) 2006. 14 suppl 2:70S–76S. Walfish, S. Reducing Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory defensiveness: effect of specialized instructions on retest validity in a sample of preoperative bariatric patients. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2007. 3 2:184–188. How to cite Therapists Role in Gastric Bypass Procedure, Essay examples