... for their inadequacies. Furthermore, philosophers such as Socrates and Vonnegut have stressed that responsibility for one's actions is the first step toward understanding why things are the way they are (i.e. war, hunger, injustice, etc.) As Socrates states, "Would that the majority could inflict the greatest evils, for they would then be capable of the greatest good, and that would be ... could please all of the gods, but more importantly, Socrates would advocate that it is ludicrous to act in a mechanical way merely to please beings which are at constant war with each other. Ultimatel...

• Word Count: 2901
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... or she thinks is right, even if the government is saying otherwise (Baym 967). Because he had not paid a poll-tax in six years in protest of slavery and the Mexican War, Thoreau was imprisoned for one night. After his experience in jail, Thoreau argues that prison is a place where "a free man can abide with honor" (Baym 972). Although not ... ...

• Word Count: 1963
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate