Existentialism in Demian and Crime and Punishment Essay Example for Free

Existentialism in Demian and Crime and Punishment Essay Existentialism is fairly common in literature, despite being a relatively new school of thought, and both Demian and Crime and Punishment show existentialist traits. This gives each book not just a philosophy, but also a certain feeling and mindset. Existentialism starts that with the idea that existence precedes essence, or purpose. We come into this world without a purpose, and we simply exist. Our task is to find a purpose. The world around us is an alien chaos, a circus that we stumble through, trying to find a meaning for our life. In Demian, it is clear that Sinclair does not know his purpose. His struggle is to find out what it is. Jean-Paul Sartre says, Life has no meaning a priori? its up to you to give it a meaning. Hesse declares that [e]ach man had only one genuine vocation? to find the way to himself?. His task was to discover his own destiny (Hesse, 132). It is clear, then, that we come into the world with nothing, no purpose at all. The only genuine task we have is to figure out what we are going to do here. According to Existentialism, no one can find it for you, and, similarly, no doctrine or philosophy can find it for you. Sinclair learns these same lessons. Demian pulls Sinclair away from mainstream religion early in the story, saying that the division of good and evil has no real meaning. Later, Pistorius tries to teach Sinclair about myriad past religions, but Sinclair rejects him, feeling that he should try to come up with something original instead. Throughout the story, Sinclair engages in different mentor-pupil relationships (like his relationships with Demian and Pistorius) but eventually he shrugs those off, taking his friends wisdom with him and facing the world alone. That is what everyone must do, eventually? face the world alone. And alone is exactly how we feel, as we stumble through this circus of a world. Sinclair spends most of his time not just feeling but also being by himself, adrift. When he leaves his family and his sisters, it does not affect him much, if at all, he is so isolated. He connects only with a precious few people, and never for very long. He somehow distances himself from his peers. Even when he was partying and drinking a lot, he found a way to separate himself from them. In that case, it was the role of sex in his life. Demian is a story about one mans journey. The reader never really learns the story of any other character, not even Demian himself, who remains something of an enigma to the very end. This puts the story in an existentialist mindset. Sinclair is drifting through a swirling, gray mass of humanity. Alone is also how we must act. Jean-Paul Sartre says, It is only in our decisions that we are important, and, We must act out passions before we can feel it. This pretty closely mirrors the sentiment presented when Pistorius says, [Y]ou cant consider prohibited anything that the soul desires (Hesse, 116). It is only when we make our own decisions and act for ourselves that what we do has meaning. Hesse puts the existentialist framework to work for him by using it to highlight the need for independence and spiritual self-reliance. Dostoyevsky, on the other hand, uses the mindset to facilitate Raskolnikovs downward mental spiral, highlight his aloofness, and pull the story along. The world of St. Petersburg is, without a doubt, a strange and hostile place for Raskolnikov. He stumbles along and things constantly happen around him. He repeatedly wakes up with people in his room. He sees things in the street, such as the drunken rape victim early in the story, or a prone Marmeladov, that cause him to lose his cool. More and more, he finds himself doing crazy things without regard for logic or even common sense. People in this world confound him. He has no idea what they are up to, and he is constantly paranoid that people are plotting against him. His guilty, delirious inner world combines with the crazy, chaotic outer world to make Raskolnikov into a raging, feverish, maniac. He is not just any raging, feverish, maniac, though. He is an aloof raging, feverish, maniac. He considers himself better than those around him, and his superior mentality drives his antisocial behavior. His antisocial behavior, in turn, gives the character and story a feeling of being alone. Not only is the world crazy, but also Raskolnikov is separated from it and everyone in it, at least until the very end of the book. He is isolated, so much so that at times he can feel it clearly with every fiber of his being that he could never again address these people (Dostoyevsky, 122). Finally, Dostoyevsky uses this chaotic world to drive his story along. Things are constantly happening by coincidence, and Dostoyevsky moves the plot forwards at a dizzying pace, forcing Raskolnikov to act. It is fantastic that Raskolnikov should happen upon Marmeladov soon after he is injured, and that Raskolnikov should overhear people discussing the very same murder that is on his mind, and that someone should eavesdrop on him and hear his confession. The frenzied plot makes it much easier for both Raskolnikov and the reader to slip into a mania, which is surely Dostoyevskys aim. The philosophy of existentialism, too, plays a part in Crime and Punishment. Sartre says that the only true goal of our lives is that which we set for ourselves. Raskolnikov, through the main portion of the story, has no clear goal. He wavers between wanting to turn himself in and trying to avoid suspicion. Sartre says, Man can will nothing unless he has first understood that [he has] no other aim than the one he sets himself, and it is clear that Raskolnikovs will is pretty much useless. He can effect no real change in either himself or in his surroundings until he finally picks a goal and follows through with it. His personal development is completely halted during his entire spell of indecision. Only in the epilogue do we see him begin to change, begin to forsake his philosophy of the superman, find happiness, and fall in love. The philosophy of existentialism was around long before anyone gave a name to it, as is evidenced by Dostoyevskys St. Petersburg, the perfect example of an existentialist world. Both Dostoyevsky and Hesse use existentialist ideas help them express their points. Andrew Holbrook, 2006.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (npd) - Criteria :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Please read CAREFULLY! The text in italics is NOT based on the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual, Fourth Edition (1994). the text in italics IS based on "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited" (1999) An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour), need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts. Five (or more) of the following criteria must be met: (1) Feels grandiose and self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements) (2) Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist), bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist) , or ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion (3) Firmaly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions) (4) Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation - or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious (narcissistic supply) . (5) Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favourable priority treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her expectations (6) Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or her own ends (7) Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or acknowledge the feelings and needs of others (8) Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about him or her (9) Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes coupled with rage when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted. Some of the language in the criteria above is based on or summarized from:

Does Violence in Today’s Media Influence Aggressive Behavior Among Adolescence Essay

Chapter 1 Introduction Background and rationale There is increasing evidence that the programs aired on TV are responsible for the aggressive nature of children in their adolescent and early adulthood (Task Force on Television and Society. 1992). Cartoons and programs targeting children are more likely to have violent content than would an average soap opera or movie aimed at an adult audience. Violence aired on children’s shows is normally directed at the evil character or perpetrated by the ugly person who rarely gets punished. The victim of the violent act does not bleed or feel pain and as such the children believe that violence is acceptable as it does not cause any permanent damage. These misconceptions lead the children to adopt aggressive attitudes in a bid to imitate their TV stars. By reenacting scenes they watched, the children end up actually hurting one another and with time they internalize this behavior if they are not warned against it. This study is aimed at adding to the literature on the subject by investigating the influence of media violence on the aggressive nature of adolescents. By determining if a co-relationship exists between the exposure to media violence and the aggressive nature of adolescents in general, the research would have provided the basis for more research to be conducted into more detailed areas. The impact of TV violence on adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds, economic statuses and ages can be investigated to see if there are differences in overall results and if so why. This research will be deemed to have been successful it can come up with a general statement regarding the influence of media violence of the behavio r of children. Thesis Statement The researcher opines that, ‘media violence is responsible for the rise in adolescent aggressiveness in recent years.’ Statement of problem Parents, teachers, pediatricians and other stakeholders are increasing concerned at the trend of violent actions perpetrated by adolescents. The Columbine High School shooting shocked the nation into reassessing the triggers that make young people turn to extremely violent ways to deal with their problems. Video games and violent TV programs were singled out for mention as the possible contributors to the boys’ actions. In finding solutions to the problem of TV violence and its influence on adolescents, the stakeholders are keen to be better informed on the co-relationship between the two aspects so they can face the challenge more effectively. This research aims to fill the literature void and come up with realistic options that can be pursued. Chapter 2 Review of Literature In studies conducted by the American Psychological Association, it was found that the amount of violent TV watched had a corresponding effect on the level of violence exhibited by the viewer (Task Force on Television and Society, 1992.).The viewer becomes immune to the grim realities of violence and the consequences thereof that they begin to treat violence as an acceptable behavior. Cartoon figures rarely get hurt and violence meted on the characters appears funny as nobody bleeds even after being clobbered on the head with a hammer. The children attempt to play the same games they viewed on TV with painful results. Other programs glorify the use of armed weapons and killings such that the adolescents become desensitized and gradually accept violence as a mode of life and something to be emulated. Â  Unless the parents or caregivers can disabuse the children and get them to eschew violence, this view remains with them into adult life. Adolescents can be expected to act aggressively immediately after watching a violent movie (Comstock, 1980). The studies indicated that the individual is psyched up by the action viewed and needs little motivation to perpetrate violent actions against anything or anybody that will challenge their ego. Studies have indicated that children are more susceptible to media violence influences between the ages of 1-10. After that age the impact of media violence is tempered by the individual’s perception of life and a realistic view of things. By that time a child knows that being hit on the head with a hammer will cause a lot of pain and will not imitate everything they see on TV. However, adolescents can still be influenced to act violently especially if their hero succeeds through aggressive behavior (Lefkowitz, et al., 1977). Television programs have been scheduled such that the times those children are free to watch TV there is a lot of violence. Studies conducted found that between 8 and 9 am violence was screened at least 9 times while on Saturdays, the average number of violent scenes per hour peaked at 21(Greenberg et al., 1980). Yet another study established that parents have got to careful what they allow their children to watch as a lot of the programs being aired are violent or have adult themes that are unsuitable for adolescent viewing (Josephson, 1995). The findings further revealed that the viewing habits a child develops in their youth are carried on to adulthood. Thus, if they are used to violent movies, they will continue to prefer these over other programs and consequently internalize violent behavior as the accepted norm. In a bid to tackle the problem posed by media violence, specific measures must be taken by the caregivers to limit the exposure of the child to TV and to direct their energies to more productive pastimes. Where a child has developed aggressive behavior, it is crucial to counsel the child on the dangers of violence and encourage them to adopt a friendlier attitude towards people and life in general.

Tobacco Kills One Person Every Six Seconds (Sahil). The

Tobacco kills one person every six seconds (Sahil). The use of tobacco has been around for many years, and it seems only to be getting worse. The human body is affected in an abundance of ways due to the abuse of tobacco products. If individuals would stop the use of tobacco, this would help prevent many diseases, negative health consequences and possibly early death according to their age. Tobacco use is a problem because, it causes numerous health effects on individuals, such as addiction, birth defects, cancer, and diabetes, which can be caused from second hand smoke and physical and mental effects. Smoking causes many adverse effects in individual lives. Our society must keep presenting the facts about the use of tobacco to the†¦show more content†¦Next, another cause to why tobacco is harmful, is because some mothers smoke during pregnancy. When mothers smoke while pregnant, it can cause life threatening issues for their child. A mother that smokes is much more likely to give birth to a child with defects. Congenital heart disease is one of the most popular effects (Banschbach 349). This is a problem because it is not only putting the mother’s life in danger, but it is not giving a baby the chance to be healthy and free from defects; some of these defects could be entirely prevented by not smoking. Not only does smoking cause heart defects, but it also can cause a lack of oxygen and nutrition while the baby is in the womb (Banschbach 349). Banschbach, found that many babies whose mothers smoke, are â€Å"born too early, and have a low birth weight, making it more likely the baby will become sick or die† (349). While these examples are the main effects, babies can also suffer from simpler physical effects such as, a cleft lip or palate. Lastly, one of the most harmful effects to a child due to smoking is the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Banschbach 349). Consequently, the use of tobacco is not only harmful to the person consuming it, but it also influences everyone