Higher Education And The Consequences Of The Rising...

Presidential candidates are predicting the next economic crisis facing our country is the rising student loan debt (Josuweit, 2015). Some refer to it as a â€Å"generational time-bomb ticking with adults under age 35 disproportionately bearing the brunt of escalating inequality† (Collins, 2015). Today’s college graduates are entering an economy with stagnant wages and a government that can no longer afford to provide a safety net. This paper will examine the economic benefits of higher education and the consequences of the rising student loan debt to the nation as a whole. Magnitude of the Student Loan Debt Crisis One in five U.S. households is affected by student loan debt. Forty-one million Americans carry student loan debt with a median†¦show more content†¦The federal direct loan program allows students to borrow a maximum of $5,500 in their first year of college, $6,500 in their second year, and $7,500 in their third and fourth years of undergraduate education (Education, Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized, n.d.). Since these amounts are far below the annual cost of approximately $23,872 to attend a four year institution (the most recent data as of 2012-2013 included tuition, fees, room and board), the financial aid office assembles a package of private loans, often with interest rates as high as 18%, compared to 6% for federal student loans (Education, Tuition costs of colleges and universities, 2013). Ninety percent of student loans other than the federal direct loans require a cosigner with good credit history (Education, Tuition costs of colleges and universities, 2013; Kaspe rkevic, 2014). As the cost of college continues to rise above the rate of inflation each year, more and more students are turning to private loans to finance their education. In the 2014-2015 academic year, lenders made $6.7 billion in new private loans, which represents 7 to 10 percent of the total debt (Neubecker, 2015). Why is Student Debt Growing? A 2012 study done by Harvard University and the University of Virginia reported a sharp rise in private-sector borrowing to finance higher education; the total debt grew from $1.5 billion (constant 2009 dollars) in 1995-96 to $21.8

Is Abortion Morally Right - 943 Words

Abortion is a major topic of debate in today s society. Politics, doctors, and many others discuss this topic regularly. Is abortion morally right? Should it be allowed? Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. There is generally two major sides on this topic; for or against. There has been a lot of research done on both views looking at the sociological effects. Throughout history abortion has been a controversial topic. In the early 1800s women healers and doctors would perform abortions regularly. Abortions were done using knitting needles, coat hangers, dangerous solutions such as lye, or ingesting strong drugs. In 1973 The supreme court case Roe V. Wade determined that the constitution protected the right for women to get abortions without political interference. In 1803, Britain first passed anti-abortion laws. In 1880 almost all abortions in the United States were illegal except for ones in which it would save the mother s life. During the 19th century abortion was viewed as a sin. This was a period in which humanitarian reform was trending. In the 1890s there was an estimated two-million abortions a year, compared to todays half a million. There are two essential components to every social problem; the objective condition and the subjective concern. An objective condition is a condition of society that can be measured or experienced. A subjective concern is the concernShow MoreRelatedIs Abortion Morally Right or Wrong907 Words   |  4 PagesIs Abortion Morally Right or Wrong Kirstyn Fletcher PHI 103 Informal Logic Anthony Biduck October 26, 2011 What About it is Considered Moral or Unmoral? This subject is probably one of the top five most controversial subjects in the world today. Is it immoral to kill an unborn child? Do we have the right to choose what grows in our bodies before it becomes a citizen in America? Will God punish you for killing a person? So many questions go into this type of situation of what’s morally rightRead MoreIs Abortion Morally Right Or Wrong?1833 Words   |  8 Pagesdefines abortion as â€Å"a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus.† Although that statement seems clear cut, there is a lot of controversy over whether or not abortion is a morally permissible thing to do. Those who refute abortion claim that it is the a violation of a fetus’ right to life. However, the opposite view is that forcing a woman to have a baby is a violation of the right to her own body. The question ultimately comes down to more than whose right is moreRead MoreA Defense Of Abortion By Judith Thomson1678 Word s   |  7 PagesWhat takes precedence; an unborn fetus’ life or its mother’s right to her body? Anti-abortionist argue that the life of an unborn fetus has priority, and thus abortion is morally impermissible as it violates the fetus’ right to life. In her article â€Å"A Defense of Abortion†, Judith Thomson argues that abortion is morally permissible under the certain conditions where the rights of the fetus fail to surpass a mother’s right of choice. For the sake of her argument, Thomson allows the assumption thatRead MoreAbortion : The Morality Of Abortion1442 Words   |  6 Pagesthe morality of abortion, or the ending of a pregnancy without physically giving birth to an infant. Often times abortions are categorized into either spontaneous, a natural miscarriage; induced or intentional, which is premeditated and for any reason; or therapeutic, which albeit intentional, its sole purpose is to save the mother’s life. It seems however th at moral conflicts on issue mainly arise when discussing induced abortions. In general, people universally agree it is morally wrong to kill anRead MoreThe Abortion Debate Over The Rights And Wrongs Of Intentionally Termination A Pregnancy Before Normal Childbirth1458 Words   |  6 PagesThe abortion debate deals with the rights and wrongs of intentionally termination a pregnancy before normal childbirth, killing the fetus in the process. Abortion is a very painful topic for women and men who find themselves facing the moral dilemma of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. It s one of the most polarizing moral issues - most people are on one side or the other, very few are undecided. Everyone agrees that adult human beings have the right to life. Some people would say that theRead MoreMarquis vs. Warren in the Case Against Abortion1298 Words   |  6 Pagesdetermining if abortion is morally permissible, or wrong including; sentience of the fetus, the fetuses right to life, the difference between adult human beings and fetuses, the autonomy of the pregnant woman, and the legality of abortion. Don Marquis argues that abortion is always morally wrong, excluding cases in which the woman is threatened by pregnancy, or abortion after rape, because fetuses have a valuable future. Mary Anne Warren contends that late term abortions are morally permissible becauseRead MoreAbortion : An Argument For A Pregnancy Before Normal Childbirth1153 Words   |  5 PagesTerm Paper: Abortion Generally, abortion means the intentionally termination a pregnancy before normal childbirth. Now, the topic abortion is worldwide endless intentionally termination a pregnancy before normal childbirth. The debate mainly focuses on the rights and wrongs of the result of abortion which kills the fetus. It s one of the most opposing moral issues. Most people are on the side whether totally agree or totally disagree, negligible people are the middle liner. Pro-abortion groups, whoRead MorePractical Ethics, By Peter Singer, The Modern Bioethical Philosopher1469 Words   |  6 Pagesweighted. According to Singer, a being’s interest should be weighted on the basis of the properties of the being and never on the basis of its affiliation to some abstract group (Peter n.p). The book studies a wide array of ethical issues including abortion, sex, race, ability, infanticide, political violence, the moral status of animals, obligation to assist others, overseas aid, species, embryo experimentation, and euthanasia (Review of Practical Ethics n.p). In assessing the lives which are pleasurableRead MoreEssay about Using Utilitarianism to Address Abortion1286 Words   |  6 Pagesdefining act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism, use both standpoints from a rule utilitarian and an act utilitarian to decipher their responses to abortion, and investigate both claims to come to a conclusion if or if not utilitarianism is adequate enough arg ument to address abortion. First the definition of utilitarianism is, â€Å"An act is morally right if and only if it does more to improve overall happiness than any available alternative† (Farley). Overall happiness can also be used interchangeablyRead More`` A Defense Of Abortion `` By Judith Jarvis Essay1552 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Is it immoral to have an abortion? Abortion is the process of stopping a pregnancy through the removal or killing of the fetus. Dan Marquis is adamant that abortion is wrong and that the fetus is a full human being that deserves to live while, Judith Jarvis Thomson would say that should the mother decide to terminate her pregnancy it is her body and her right. However, what if there was a third side to this already complicated issue? I argue that abortion itself is amoral and that circumstances

An Indivisible Peace Free Essays

string(36) " truth that is driving their lives\." It is very inevitable that somewhere in our lives, we have been touched by a special bond called â€Å"friendship†.   That special bond might happen in the most unusual time and place. It might even be connected not just with love, but also with envy and selfishness. We will write a custom essay sample on An Indivisible Peace or any similar topic only for you Order Now A Separate Peace is a timeless novel which depicts a tale of two best friends named Gene and Finny or Phineas who are both away from their homes to attend boarding school during World War II. Since both of them are experiencing the same hardships, pressures and turmoils that come with boarding school, they both create a unique bond and help each other survive tough times. They help each other develop independence and courage while trapped in a boarding school that’s full of distressing things. The plot revolves around Devon School which is said to be the most beautiful school in New England because it helps its male students master both scholarly and athletic facets of their lives. Devon School is a boarding school which has an atmosphere of privileged students. The students who are accepted in Devon both possess class and money. It is very usual that a school is just a place for educational achievements and at the same time, personality growth. But Devon isn’t just an ordinary   institution for it’s a place wherein the boys get the chance to be carefree without worrying about their reputations being ruined. The novel is set on World War II, a very crucial point for the boys because it is the time wherein they’ll choose which certain military branch will they enlist in. The boys aren’t really forced to enlist in the military but during that time, being involved in the war is truly a great status symbol for it proves the courage of a man. Both Gene and Finny possess contrasting personalities. Gene is a man who excels in his academic and on the other hand, Finny is excellent in sports. The state of being a pacifist also lies in Finny’s nature. Although Gene’s character isn’t that bad, it is Finny who   is well-adored by their teachers and schoolmates. He doesn’t have enemies and a lot of people look up to him and want to be in his shoes for his extraordinary skills in sports. Gene is the type of man who runs rebellious things inside his head. When they both go to the beach, Finny told Gene that they’re now â€Å"best pals† but Gene doesn’t respond for a darkness in his heart is already accummulating. He is doubtful of Finny’s â€Å"pure† character. He believes that Finny is just showing his sincere side because he is deeply jealous with him and his achievements and that he wants to sabotage him. Since Finny is not doing well academically, Gene doubts that Finny wants to destroy him academically by diverting his attention. With this in mind, Gene decides to get even with Finny. Gene even mentions that â€Å"[Finny] could get away with anything. I couldn’t help envying him that a little, which was perfectly normal. There was no harm in envying even your best friend a little.† (Knowles 18). But what Gene thought isn’t harmful turns out to be a very critical situation. Gene’s grudge towards Finny is unbearable that’s why while jumping on a tree during a summer day, he intentionally shook the tree which causes Finny to lose his balance and fall drastically. Although Finny already has a doubt that Gene intentionally did it, he never seriously thinks about it for he believes that his best friend cannot do it. Finny’s leg become broken which disabled to him to play sports again. He somehow loses his self-confidence knowing the fact that he cannot engage himself with the one thing he’s passionate with which is sports. He returns to Devon in crutches and in a pitiful state, but he never bears a grudge in his heart. Both he and Gene develops their bond more stronger. They willingly share each other’s skills. Gene tutors Finny in his academic subjects while Finny teaches Gene about the foundations, tactics and techniques of sports. For a while, they forget about the war in which they are pressured to enlist to. Time comes wherein Gene is put in a mock trial for someone suspects that he’s the cause of Finny’s injury. Finny then realizes that his best friend actually knocked him off the tree. Fifteen years later, Finny knocked himself again off a marble staircase which causes his recovering leg to become worse again. Gene’s conscience undoubtedly bothers him so in the infirmary, he visits Finny and asks for forgiveness for the monstrous crime that he has committed. Finny unconditionally accepts his plea for forgiveness and assures him that nothing will change between them. Finny dies and although Gene is shocked about his death, he still continues to enlist in the Navy. Gene then realizes the misery that he created out of his dark and jealous heart and decides to change his view of the world. The central focus of the heartwarming novel is to depict that each individual in the world is longing for his own separate peace and will do anything to attain it. Each individual has his own way of achieving his separate peace. In Gene’s case, he attained his separate peace by knocking off Finny in the tree. Gene fears that his bestfriend will sabotage and betray him that’s why he chooses to get even with him. Although he doesn’t have a concrete evidence that Finny is really set to destroy him, he still continues his plan and thus, satisfying himself with Finny’s downfall. Looking at Finny’s case, his separate peace is to detach himself from the war and so he uses his excellence in sports to get away from the enlistment. The characters of the novel both have fears that’s why they create their own defense mechanisms to hide the truth that is driving their lives. You read "An Indivisible Peace" in category "Papers" During those times, the boys in Devon also act in conformity. They do things which they think would be acceptable with their friends. Instead of listening to what their hearts really want, they listen to what their friends must say about what is acceptable and what is not. Of all the schoolboys, Finny is the only one who enjoys his life using his own standards. His kind-hearted and genuine character sets him apart from his friends including Gene. Finny follows everything that his heart dictates and he always sees that the things that he’s doing is a heartwarming reflection of his love for life. A Separate Peace is beautifully woven to show the evils that are lurking inside a human’s heart. It depicts that a human has fears and insecurities which cause him to release his â€Å"dark† and â€Å"flawed† side. On the lighter side, it is truly humbling to know that not all humans are indeed evil for there exist some who’s love and light for life overpower the evil and greed of human hearts. It’s clearly demonstrated in Finny’s tale who has always been loving and pure. He forgives his best friend and shows him that it’s never too late to change and open up his heart to the world.   Finny’s sincere character was proven when he said to Gene: â€Å"It was just some kind of blind impulse you had in the tree there . It wasn’t anything you really felt against me, it wasn’t some kind of hate you’ve felt all along. It wasn’t anything personal. When Finny dies, Gene is left to realize how his conceit killed his best friend. It’s a tough time for Gene but he later gives forgiveness to himself and   moves on with his life using a sadder yet wiser perspective. He even recalls his best friend in a heartbeaking way:   â€Å"During the time I was with him, Phineas created an atmosphere in which I continued now to live, a way of sizing up the world with erratic and entirely personal reservations, letting its rocklike facts sift through and be accepted only a little at a time, only as much as he could assimilate without a sense of chaos and loss. No one else I have ever met could do this†¦.When [others] began to feel that there was this overwhelmingly hostile thing in the world with them, then the simplicity and unity of their characters broke and they were not the same again.† (Knowles 194) A Separate Peace not only chronicles a tale of two best friends but it also has a historical context that lies beneath its story. It is known that the novel was first published in England in 1959, but it doesn’t actually mean that the time of the novel is 1959. The novel focuses on the early 1940s wherein United States had proclaimed its participation in World War II. Aside from the country’s participation, World War II brought out enormoue valor and patriotism in each citizen’s heart. Even though some of them are not actually engaged in combat, each citizen felt When A Separate Peace was first published in the United States in 1960, the Korean War had been over for approximately seven years. Also at that time, the country’s participation in Vietnam War had not yet heightened to greater proportions. The United States made it compulsary for men to enroll in the military particularly the draft which is the U.S.’s role in Vietnam in the early 1960s. A small protest happened to diminish the compulsory participation but in the end, the young antiwar protesters were forced to respond by burning their draft notices. It was also in 1960s where the youngest president of United States, John F. Kennedy, was elected. At the age of forty-three, he had defeated Vice President Richard M. Nixon. During Kenndy’s term, the population was hugely comprised of adolescents and by the time they have reached college, they greatly became a dominant part of American politics and culture. They have started to doubt and question the authority of their parents’ generation. In line with their scrutiny, they have also started to search their own meaning of identity which was also reflected in the novel through Gene’s search of his individuality. By the end of 1960s, A Separate Peace   already praised by a wide array of conservative critics. The novel was praised in various ways. Some critics find the book’s antiwar sentiments very moving, accurate and timely while some deeply admire the book’s moral lessons especially the part wherein it showed that a sin’s redemption is still possible no matter how great a sin can be. A Separate Peace is not only hailed for its moving historical contexts, but also because it emulates several valuable themes such as war, rivalry, guilt and friendship. On a certain level, the novel emulates the war topic for it concentrates the huge impact World War II has created on the male adolescents. The novel focuses on the dificulty the young men are facing with their decisions about the war. Most of them are in the verge of deciding whether to enlist themselves in the war. Some of them are even preoccupied with the thoughts of their tentative acceptance on their desired military branch. The Word War II caused great implications on Gene’s generations especially the fact that most of their young teachers are away to do war-related jobs. Thus, most of the teachers left to instruct them were men between the ages of fifty and seventy. Since a huge age discrepancy lies between them, the teachers cannot directly relate with the students’ mind. The students’ bond immediately intensified. It is also very evident that the existence of rivalry is very dominant in the novel. All the students in Devon do their best to fit in with the â€Å"society† their friends have created.   If not trying to fit in, some of them are doing implicit things to get even with their friends. It is well portrayed in Gene and Finny’s frienship wherein Gene does his best to exceed Finny. Guilt is also a very domineering theme in the novel. In the end, Gene realizes that he’s living in his self-contained world which is filled with hatred and disgust for others particulary his best friend Finny. Of the mentioned themes, friendship stands out most for it is the root of everything. It depicts that friendship doesn’t just curtain all the good things, but underneath the relationship lies hidden desires and envy. Gene’s experience with Finny depicts to the readers that harbouring false motives towards other people can lead to disastrous things. He also shows that it is impossible for an individual to create complete peace in his heart until he confronts the evil in his heart and let the light shine through it. He realizes that  Ã‚   â€Å"wars were not made by generations and their special stupidities, but that wars were made instead by something ignorant in the human heart.†Ã‚   It’s a compelling fact that Gene is able to acknowledge that the real enemy lies within himself. He admits that his false attitude is the cause of the corruption of his entire character . The novel ends with the portrayal that â€Å"separate peace† can only be achieved when an individual learns how to fight his personal evils. What’s good in this tale is that it clearly demonstrates that no matter how impure a human’s heart is, there’s still a chance for him to change and put things in its right places. Works Cited Bryant, Hallman Bell. A Separate Peace: The War Within. Twayne Publishers: Boston, 1990. Knowles, John. A Separate Peace. Bantam Books: New York, 1959. McDougal-Littell. â€Å"Author Spotlight: John Knowles.† Available online at: http://www.mcdougallittell.com/lit/guest/knowles/ How to cite An Indivisible Peace, Papers