Paper
Dostoevsky?s Crime and Punishment is a tale of poverty and suffering by all characters. Through suffering comes rationalization of decisions made and the circumstances of life. Philosophical theories develop through rationalization of the character.
Two main philosophical motifs arise through out Crime and Punishment. Existentialism and Nihilism are the two main philosophies represented. Raskolnikov, the main character, is involved with the text in which these philosophies are represented.
Although Existentialism and Nihilism and heavily represented by characters in the novel Dostoevsky?s personal belief were quite the opposite. Being an avid member of the Russian Orthorodox Church was Dostoevsky dedicated to religious mysticism. (Barna, 320) ?Dostoevsky himself was a Christian, to be sure, and for that matter also a rabid anti-Semite, anti-Catholic, and anti-Western Russian nationalist. We have no right whatsoever to attribute to him the opinions of all of his most interesting characters.?(Kaufmann, 14)
Representation of Dostoevsky?s opposition is most easily found in the last few chapters of the book. Raskolnikov the Existentialist/Nihilist is eventually punished for his crime. Raskolnikov failure is Dostoevsky way of dispelling the beliefs of Existentialism and Nihilism. If Dostoevsky true believed in the righteousness of Existentialism and Nihilism Raskolnikov would never have been punished or shown as a criminal failure.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language Existentialism is ?A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one?s acts.? These idea?s of the individual defines everything is a philosophy used throughout the novel when crimes and criminals are concerned.
In part three, chapter five at the police station a conversation arises between the police officer Porfiry and Raskolnikov concerning a topic discussed at Rasumihin (Raskolnikov?s friend) party. The discussion was concerning the Socialist doctrine, and centered around the belief that crime is a protest against the abnormality of the social organization. (251) This statement is in clear consensus with the dictionary definition of Existentialism.
However Raskolnikov is never clearly in agreement with this theory. Instead the conversation is turned to an article Raskolnikov wrote when he was a student. The article was the psychology of a criminal before and after the crime, but the point of interest lay in the extraordinary man theory. This theory is basically ?a suggestion that there are certain persons who can?that is, not precisely are able to, but have a perfect right to commit breaches of morality and crimes, and that the law is not for them.?(Porfiry, 254)
Raskolnikov?s extraordinary man theory is indirectly agreeing with existential beliefs. If existentialists actively promote the freedom of individuals and certain individuals have a perfect right to commit breaches of morality and crimes, then one freedom of individual is to commit breaches of morality and crimes.
Nihilism is the rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all precious theories of morality or religious belief. The direct definition of Nihilism is never represented in Crime and Punishment; rather the theories of famous Nihilist philosophers are firmly incorporated.
Friedrich Nietzsche and Georg Hegel are perhaps two philosophers most often associated with Nihilism. Hegel and Nietzsche are also the founding fathers of the Extraordinary Man theories. This ?superman? theory is very important to the novel because Raskolnikov uses the theory to justify and rationalize the crime.
For Raskolnikov all men are divided into two categories: ordinary and extraordinary. The ordinary man is inferior, a must live in submission and has no right to transgress the law because he is ordinary. However the extraordinary man ?has the right?that is not an official right, but an inner right to decide in his own conscience to overstep?certain obstacles, and only in case it is essential for the practical fulfillment of his idea (sometimes, perhaps, of benefit to the whole of humanity).? (Raskolnikov, 254)
Raskolnikov?s extraordinary man theory is a combination of Nietzsche and Hegel?s rationale. The Hegelian superman exists for noble purposes in the view that if the ends are noble then the means can be justified. The emphasis is always on the ends rather than the means. The Hegelian superman is one that stands above the ordinary man, but works for the benefit of all mankind.
Raskolnikov crime, the murder of the old pawnbroker is in alignment with this because it considered noble. The old pawnbroker is an evil person who is actually harming society by her vile and cynical grasp on the poor people who come to her for pawning. According to Hegel, any harmful segment of society should be removed. Therefore, Raskolnikov reasons that by murdering the old pawnbroker, he will be removing a harmful ?thing? from society. This justification is also reaffirmed in chapter five of part by unnamed student in the tavern ?Kill her, take her money and with the help of it devote oneself to the service to humanity and the good of all. What do you think, would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?? (Student, 67)
The Nietzschean superman is slightly different from the Hegelian superman in respect to motive. The Nietzschean superman does not exist for the benefit of society. Instead he exists for his own personal gratification. His aims are not prompted by any type of nobility. When Raskolnikov states the extraordinary has ??an inner right to decide in his own conscience to overstep?certain obstacles, and only in case it is essential for the practical fulfillment of his idea?? it demonstrates that his foremost important aim is self-gratification. The Nietzschean superman asserts his own will in order to gratify his own desires. This freedom by the individual to assert one?s will also ties back in with Existentialism stress on freedom of choice for the individual.
Svidrigailov is another example of the Nietzschean superman. He can rape a thirteen-year-old girl so as to satisfy his will, he can be the instrument causing the death of his wife or a servant, and he can pursue Dounia (Raskolnikov sister) because that is what he wants.
Dostoevsky?s Crime and punishment not only provided
Другие работы по теме:
Hate Crime Essay Research Paper Hate crimes
Hate Crime Essay, Research Paper Hate crimes should not be punished differently than other crimes. The actual crime should be punished, not the reasoning behind it. The idea of punishing crimes differently based on victims might make some people or groups feel that others are more protected or valued than they are.
Sociology By Jon M Shepard Essay Research
Paper As we begin a new millienium, it is important for us to decrease and control crime in America.To begin to do this, as our book Sociology by Jon M. Shepard states, we must recognize the extent to which crime occurs.
Hate Crimes Essay Research Paper What Hate
Hate Crimes Essay, Research Paper What Hate Crime Laws Can Do Hate crimes are on the rise all over the United States because there are so many different cultures, which do not get along. The majority of these crimes are occurring mostly in states where there are no hate crime laws or where the laws are not strict enough, which is why all states should have some type of law to prevent such crimes.
It Is Based On The Quote
‘If Human Beings Are Evil, Then How Essay, Research Paper This is my Essay. If human beings are evil, then they can easily appoint themselves as judges, and from their point of view, the decisions they make are moral. These judges try to make themselves look better, by lowering the criminal below their level.
Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper Capital PunishmentImagine
Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper Capital Punishment Imagine a man who commits a murder once, is given a fifteen year jail sentence and is returned to the streets where he kills again. He is imprisoned again only to be released. This could happen because one in every ten death row inmates has been convicted of murder at least once before.
Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper Capital PunishmentMy
Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper Capital Punishment My opinion on capital punishment is very shaky because of the unstable facts and controversy surrounding this topic. I personally, am caught somewhere in the middle of deciding on being for or against the death penalty. I am for the death penalty for several reasons: I think that we need to get the hardened criminals off the streets and out of our court and jail systems.
Capital Punishment 6 Essay Research Paper CAPITAL
Capital Punishment 6 Essay, Research Paper CAPITAL PUNISHMENTCapital Punishment or Life Imprisonment? I think that capital punishment should be use more often than just life imprisonment. Life imprisonment is just not working. The death penalty does have some cons but it has its share of pros too. Lets start with the pros.
My Pol Philso Essay Research Paper I
My Pol. Philso. Essay, Research Paper I have found using the four square technique of helping aide the decision of ones own personal political philosophy my political philosophy being one of a libertarian with a tendency to lean towards conservative. I used four economic issues and three different personal issues.
Confederation An Act Or A Pact Essay
, Research Paper Kenneth Pang 1/4/96 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Ever since the beginning of modern society, crime and punishment have been linked together. Depend on the seriousness of the crime, those who break the laws are punished accordingly. As the amount of homicide increased in the passed several years, people are demanding tougher punishments for more murder.
Capital Punishment And Torture Unconstitutional Or Junstice
? Essay, Research Paper Capital punishment and torture are often looked down on in today?s societies because they are viewed as cruel and unconstitutional, but perhaps they would help in more ways then we would like to admit. They can be beneficial in many ways such as encouragement to be truthful, encouragement to live by the laws, and as a source of punishment.
Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper Capital PunishmentWhat
Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper Capital Punishment What type of society kills its own people? The American culture?s morals have accepted the death penalty as a reasonable punishment. However, who gives us the power to determine when someone?s life should end. People who murder others should be punished and pay the price of their crime, but not killed.
Crime And Punishment And Othello Comparison And
Contrast Essay Essay, Research Paper Crime and Punishment and Othello: Comparison and Contrast Essay by: Aubrey Wood In both Crime and Punishment and Othello there is a theme of necessary
Killing Is Wrong In Every Aspect Essay
, Research Paper The issue of capital punishment is alive and very controversial in the United States and all over the world. The reason for this is that crime is very prevalent in society and our society is having difficulty determining the most effective deterrents and punishments for heinous crimes. Although the crime problem in the U.S. is inevitable, killing is not an appropriate punishment; it is not the answer for anything.
Effiecent Freeway Driving Essay Research Paper Hate
Effiecent Freeway Driving Essay, Research Paper Hate Crimes To what extent is a crime a hate crime? Aren t all crimes to some extent hate crimes? Should the consequences for a crime committed against a minority be more than that for one against a white person? The purpose for classifying a crime as a hate crime might be to raise awareness in the public to the intolerance against minorities but I believe the punishment should fit the crime and not the reason for the crime.
Pro Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper In
Pro Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper In the eighteenth century,England would punish by death for pickpocketing and petty theft. Ever since the 1650’s colonist could be put to death for denying the true god or cursing their parents advocates. Capital Punishment have clashed almost continuously in the forum of public opinion in state legislatures and most recently in courts.
Zero Tolerance Essay Research Paper Zero ToleranceTo
Zero Tolerance Essay, Research Paper Zero Tolerance To the best of my knowledge on the subject the zero tolerance rule is a very good rule, because there is no room for error on the part of the criminal justice systemand there is no room for a misleading excuse. So the zero tolerance policy is good. For example, say a person pulls a fire alarm just to get out of a class.
Against Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper Capital
Against Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper Capital PunishmentAgainst Ca Against capital punnisment In view of the ever-increasing violent crimes, most people think that the re-enforcement of the death penalty is a good way to reduce the crime rate. However, there is not many statistics may show this.
Prophet Essay Research Paper The Prophet
Prophet Essay, Research Paper The Prophet Period 4 Patrick Coleman In the prophet it does not tell you how to live, but it tells you how life works. I do not agree with everything that is said, but as a whole I like the message the book sends. I have taken my five favorite chapters, and broken them down for this report.
The Chamber Essay Research Paper A Question
The Chamber Essay, Research Paper A Question of Life or Death The novel The Chamber, by John Grisham, is an emotional account of a lawyer’s struggle to liberate his racist grandfather from death row. This attorney not only battles to save a life but skirmishes against of the most debated topics of modern society: capital punishment.
Handgun Essay Research Paper HandgunBecause the prison
Handgun Essay, Research Paper Handgun Because the prison population has doubled since 1984, it is really urgent for people to pay attention to the method of decreasing the crime rate. Basically, it is true that “locking people up is obviously not the answer to the crime problem. Training and educating people is one answer.” (Los Angeles Time, Joseph Mayfield) But training and educating people to lower the crime rate may only work under some conditions.
Fergie Jenkins Essay Research Paper FERGIE JENKINS
Fergie Jenkins Essay, Research Paper FERGIE JENKINS: WHAT IS JUSTICE? “Justice: Fairness. A state of affairs in which conduct or action is both fair and right, given the circumstances. In law, it more specifically refers to the paramount obligation to ensure that all persons are treated fairly.”
The Caning Punishment Issue Essay Research Paper
Comp/2nd 1/14/97 The Caning Punishment Issue Reintroducing corporeal punishment would lower the crime rate and give some justice to the victims. There should be a defined level to the punishment and to which crimes it should be dealt. Establishing such laws should also take in to account the growing crime rate and the need to solve this problem.
Crime And Punishment Essay Research Paper In
Crime And Punishment Essay, Research Paper In the novel Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, suffering is an important part of every character’s role. However, the message that Dostoevsky wants to present with the main character, Raskolnikov, is not one of the Christian ideas of deliverance through suffering.
Cesare Beccaria Essay Research Paper Cesare Beccaria
Cesare Beccaria Essay, Research Paper Cesare Beccaria is one of the most famous criminal justice theorists of all time. He lived from 1738 to 1794. He was the eldest son of an Aristocratic Family and was educated in a Jesuit school. His fascination with philosophy lead to him a bunch of friends who soon formed a group called the academy of fists.
The Death Sentence Essay Research Paper The
The Death Sentence Essay, Research Paper The Death Penalty Capital punishment is the legal infliction of the death penalty on persons convicted of a crime. Today, in modern law, the death penalty is corporal punishment in its most severe form. It is irrevocable: it ends the existence of those punished, instead of temporarily imprisoning them.
Capital Punishment 5 Essay Research Paper Capital
Capital Punishment 5 Essay, Research Paper Capital Punishment This is an argumentative essay on capital punishment. I will give you two sides. There are two parties who argue over its many points, including whether or not it is morally wrong. These two classes of people can be grouped together as the retentionists, or the proponents, and the abolitionists, or the opponents.
Why Philosophy Essay Research Paper Why PhilosophyAaron
Why Philosophy? Essay, Research Paper Why Philosophy? Aaron R. Nino Religion “Philosophy is simply his effort to avoid doing this in the dark,” says Robert Johann. He is referring to using his freedom to take his personal stand on everything and be responsible for the stand he takes. So what then is Philosophy? Is it to throw some light on the meaning of life as a whole, to give man some idea of what he is about.