BLOG #3

             When it comes down to social and moral principles I feel as though there’s always a disconnect. Whether it’s Sartre, Locke, or Marx the scale that’s weighing the advantages with the disadvantages comes close every time. So it’s quite difficult to distinguish which side to stand for, or against. Locke’s three principles of life, liberty, and property are all very compelling. And the idea of working hard in order to accomplish something that is tangible is also appealing, but goes directly against Marx’s view that no person should have an advantage over another. So here is the problem I’ve encountered, which is right and which is wrong? Although Marxism appears wonderful on paper, when played out in real life situations more things often conflict with each other rather than better the situation. On the other hand, Locke’s principle allows for the wealthy to rise and the middle/lower classes to stay firmly planted in place. Thus, allowing the wealthy to have more control over our country that consists mostly of those whom are less fortunate than themselves. Perhaps there needs to be a limit on how much property one can have and the income they can make. This may allow for a bit of Marxism as well as Locke’s views to coincide.
            In my previous blog I noted that our principles have a direct affect on our happiness, whether we do the morally right or wrong thing comes from a decision based on our principles and what we stand for. Sartre’s view that we are fully responsible over our own lives seems too good to be true. Don’t get me wrong; if we did life would be much different, and perhaps even better. But – do we really have THAT much control? I do however find a parallel between my own personal principles and Sartre’s principle that we must act in good faith. By guiding your actions in such a way that you would expect others to follow, (if they are good actions, of course) there would be less evil in the world. Most people fail to look at the bigger picture, and only take into consideration what will benefit themselves. I believe I can try to live according to this principle, and although at times it may present difficulties in the grand scheme of things it will be for the greater good. In applying the principle of utility more people will be pleased rather than displeased, and since there’s no way to please everyone it seems like the most fair 
concept.








- I commented on Melissa Swain's blog http://melissaswain22.blogspot.com/