Martha Nussbaum

~ What are the central human capabilities?

Martha C Nussbaum is a professor at the University of Chicago, where she teaches literature and philosophy. During her teaching career Nussbaum wrote a novel called “The Central Human Functional Capabilities”. Throughout her book she expresses not in what a person really does, but what they should be in titled too. For example, she believes that all people should get the chance to live a long live, that everyone should have the choice to get an education, that everyone should be able to eat enough for themselves, that all people should have the choice to live in a home unless they choose not to do so (Nussbaum). This is all called central human functional capabilities. In her book Nussbaum makes a list of ten things she believes that people should have a choice to in during that life. After reading this novel I really find myself supporting in what Nussbaum is trying to say. I know some of the things on the list are something we can not control, but there still are some things as people we can. I believe that if I had a decision to choose to live like we are now, or choose to live with the ability of the central human functional capabilities, I would choose CHFC but wouldn’t. Martha Nussbaum wrote a very good novel and I feel that this is one of the better readings that I have read during this class. The things that she discusses are very good points and she expresses her feelings very well throughout the book.

John Rawls ~ A theory of Justice

~ How does Rawls articulate his idea of “justice as fairness”?

For the first time after already having to write seven blogs, this one is very hard to understand and I have to say I am very confused by it. In the readings by John Rawls he explains a theory he wrote on justice. In his theory he talks about how his idea of justice is fairness. He explains “In order to do this we are not to think of the original contract as one to enter a particular society or to set up a particular from of government. Rather, the guiding idea is that the principles of justice for the basic structure of society are the object of the original agreement.” Throughout the rest of the reading by Rawls I do not understand his theory or what he is trying to get across. Even after reading over and over again, to me it does not make any sense on how his theory would work. To me it just sounds like another Karl Marx reading. How someone has found out the best of doing things. I don’t know why people in this world try to sit down and think of different ways we could run our government and make it better, its not like they would listen to any ideas. I hope later in the future someone can explain to me better what Rawls is trying to explain about his theory. Or maybe the fifth or sixth of me reading again and the light bulb in my head will light up, but as I stand now, I do not understand his reading at all.

Elizabeth Stanton

~ What power has man had over women, according to Stanton?

Ever since I’ve been born, the United States has been the best country in the world. One of the main reasons which make this country as powerful is because of the freedoms and rights which belong to every citizen in America. It does not matter if your black, white, brown, man, or women, everyone is equal. However, it has not always been this way. Back in the eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds not everyone had their rights which in the constitution entitles everyone does so. Both women and blacks were both treated differently. Growing up through school we learn about slavery and how blacks did not have any freedoms until the civil right acts, but how about the women. During school we never learn on how they women were treated back in the early days. In the readings of Elizabeth Stanton she explains the feelings about being behind the shadows of the men. She expresses how in her life, she never got the chance to exercise her rights. She felt has if her first rights were all taken from her. And when married she explains on how it made you feel civilly dead. After reading this novel by Elizabeth Stanton, I wonder why growing up we never learn about learn how the women in this country had to quietly fight for there rights also. During the early ages of the U.S women had no say; they were stay at home women who did not work nor get to go anything as the men got to do. I am glad that all these issues happened before the days of my time. I do not know how I would have lived my life knowing that not all people have the freedoms that I have just because their not white nor male. Looking at the world today, everyone should just be in smiles about the steps the United States have taken, there are all kinds of people no matter if you are black, white, brown, male or female, making this country as great as it is today.

Martin Luther King

~ Why was Martin Luther King disappointed with the white churches?
Martin Luther King was one of the biggest civil rights leaders for a long period of time. He led many civil right acts all over the United States. During his time King was very victorious by getting his point across, which still to this day everyone still remembers the “I have a dream speech”. During his time Martin Luther King was throwing into the Birmingham jail for a short period of time. One of Martin Luther King biggest disappointments was that he was very disappointed with white churches. King felt that the churches have lost their leadership, that the white churches have lost their spirits inside the church. King did not say this because he wanted to make issues about it, but because he was a minister himself. He also felt the white churches did not welcome the black community very well either. King expressed his feelings about when there was a time when the churches were very powerful, and the leadership was there. That there was not any popular opinion back then. Martin Luther King did not go against the white churches to make any kind of issues. He was just very disappointed in what happen to the white churches. He could not believe how different the churches have become. He felt that if the churches do not try to recapture the spirits they once had, that it will never be the same as it one was. Martin Luther King was one of the greatest leaders in time, and will be always remembered all over the world forever

Henry David Thoreau

~ What is the individual’s responsibility regarding supporting the government when it is wrong?

It is the common saying, not everything is perfect. I believe the people of this country have the right to determine whether they believe anything regarding the government is wrong to them. Throughout the years of the United States many laws have been switch around. Not only that, but we have also changed some situations with some of are government too. In the novel by Thoreau stated “We must affect our country as our parents; and if at any time we alienate, our love or industry from doing it honor, we must respect effects and teach the soul, Matters of conscience and religion. And not desire of rule or benefits.” From this quote Thoreau is explaining that our country is like our parents, as a child when you felt your parents were being unfair or wrong, you gave your opinion, and told them how you felt. That is the same way you should be with our country, when there is something you feel that is wrong or unfair, you should speak up and let your voice be heard. It is the most powerful amendment we have has citizens, the freedom of speech. We couldn’t ask for a better government, what we have today is exactly why we are one of the most powerful countries. But every now and then the perfect person makes a mistake, not everything the U.S. does might be right. And when something happens that we know is unfair or wrong, we have to be there to step up and let our voices be heard.