Martha C. Nussbaum

In “The Central Human Capabilities,” Martha C. Nussbaum writes about many of the essential opportunities and capabilities that she believes, should be provided to everyone. Nussbaum’s work is almost a response, or an addition to the work and ideals of John Rawls. In this text, she actually wrote specifically about all of the capabilities that she deemed necessary for human beings, rather than simply voicing her general ideas. After reading Nussbaum’s list of capabilities and her explanations for each, I was struck by the truth and importance behind her different capabilities. I found myself in complete agreement with her entire list of capabilities. I believe that all humans should have the opportunity to live a healthy, practical life filled with their own emotions and ambitions.
Martha C. Nussbaum also believed in providing various opportunities for all individuals, based on simple humanity, rather than social and economic status. Nussbaum was sure to remind readers, and likely her critics, of the fact that an opportunity should always be given, but human beings should never be required to take that opportunity. This was of course very important, because of the freedoms provided in our country. I was fascinated by Nussbaum’s writing, and strongly support her dramatic ideas. I believe that providing the same opportunities to all human beings would entirely change our world today. I was especially struck by the significance in providing learning opportunities for everyone, and allowing people’s minds to naturally flourish. “The Central Human Capabilities,” opened up many great ideals and standards for human beings, in general, to follow and help provide.

John Rawls

John Rawls had many abstract, complicated ideas about justice and fairness. His writing in, “A Theory of Justice,” was somewhat difficult to interpret. It was clear that he believed in equality among different sectors of social classes within our society today. He established, from early on in the text, that economic and social success was mostly based on cooperation. Even the people with the least number of advantages could succeed among the elite in society, with of course, the help of the upper class. John Rawls’ writing felt somewhat vague to me, though it was clear that his ideas were some of the most profound of his time. This new idea of equality among different social classes was probably unheard of for hundreds of years. Most people seem to believe that social and economic success is earned through hard work, that cooperation alone cannot help the lower classes flourish. In some ways, I do strongly agree with John Rawls. His ideas about justice and fairness were fascinating. I also believe that with enough cooperation, with enough people making an effort to help promote equality and success, there could be thousands more people living in better conditions. In “A Theory of Justice,” Rawls says that justice cannot be fair if some people dominate in the areas of wealth, power, and opportunities. I found this idea also very thought-provoking. If wealthier people could help provide more opportunities to the struggling, lower class, many people would be living more stable lives. “A Theory of Justice,” though somewhat vague, was an interesting look at justice in today’s society.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

The document, “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions,” by Elizabeth Cady Stanton was undoubtedly the effectual beginning of the feminist, suffrage movement. In this document, Stanton demands rights for women, that I could not imagine living without today. The right to vote, the right to an education, and the right to make decisions without the influence of a man, are rights that most women, including myself, take for granted today. In this declaration, Elizabeth Cady Stanton lists many of the specific powers that men had over women during that time period. Men did not allow women to vote. Once married, most women were under the complete control of their husbands. Their husbands also demanded dowries, and were allowed to spend it anyway they pleased. Women had no voice in the formation of laws, but were still forced to follow these laws. Elizabeth Cady Stanton listed many of the oppressions that women faced, because of controlling, power-hungry men. There were so many unjust laws placed on women during that time, it is difficult to imagine any woman being able to live happily in that type of society. In the pretext reading of this document, the author says that the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions,” was almost a parody of Thomas Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence.” After reading Stanton’s declaration, the parallels between the two texts were very clear. Looking back on the Declaration of Independence, I can understand this presence of hypocrisy and irony in the document. Preaching equality to men and women, but not including women, was clearly unjust. The fight for women’s rights, especially the fight for suffrage, was far too difficult and took far too long. The hypocrisy of men during the 1800s, in a “free” country, was unbelievable.

Martin Luther King Jr.

It is very rare that you find a writer and activist with the ability to express their beliefs in such a profound manner. After reading “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” I was beyond impressed by the depth and honesty of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. In the letter, he writes about the rallying that took place for desegregation, before he was thrown in jail for supposedly, protesting without a permit. Martin Luther King Jr. later expressed his disbelief and disappointment in his fellow, white clergymen. The clergymen wrote him criticizing letters, claiming that desegregation would come with time, and that the civil rights leaders were acting too quickly and too rashly. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his former hope that the clergymen would fight with him from the beginning, and understand better than anyone, his devotion to desegregation. In one of his many, forceful and beautifully written statements, Martin Luther King Jr. says that,
“the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is…the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice” (181).
I felt that this quote, along with many others from the letter, had a great impact on the readers. His feeling of disappointment toward the white church was clear throughout the letter. He felt that the indifference of a white man was far worse than their loud disapproval. King wished that the white church could appreciate the hardships that African Americans had suffered, and step up to rally with them, rather than merely watching from the sideline. “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was by far, the most profoundly and humbly written piece that we have read thus far. Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the nothing would stop African Americans from having their voices heard, and that eventually, freedom and basic civil rights would be won.

Works Cited
King Jr., Martin Luther. “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006 pp. 173-189

Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” was a very interesting, but somewhat confusing speech. Thoreau’s writings attracted national, as well as global attention. The recognition he received, particularly the influence his work had on Mohandas Gandhi during India’s fight for independence from Great Britain, was remarkable. In this particular speech, Thoreau argued strongly against following and allowing government actions that the people considered to be unjustifiable. He believed that openly disobeying state and national laws could truly make an impact on other people, as well as the government. After reading “Civil Disobedience,” I was somewhat impressed with Thoreau’s own actions of civil disobedience; refusing to pay a national poll tax, was a particularly courageous and defiant action against the United States government. Thoreau believed that people who did not agree with any law or government action, had an obligation to openly defy that certain principle, and not damage their own personal belief system by participating or following in something that they did not believe or agree with. Even after being thrown in jail for a night, Thoreau continued to encourage civil disobedience. The people could make an impact, without waging a civil war. In many ways, especially after learning of the success that Mohandas Gandhi had in using civil disobedience to gain freedom from Great Britain, I find many of Henry David Thoreau’s ideas very enlightening and significant to our world today. In the United States, we are lucky to have the freedom to fight and rally for what we believe in, while many other countries in our world are not so lucky.