Aaron Tanyhill | Rollins College (original) (raw)

Papers by Aaron Tanyhill

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, he tells the story of Nick Carraway and his relationsh... more In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, he tells the story of Nick Carraway and his relationships with the wealthy socialites of East and West Egg. The character Jay Gatsby as well as some of the other prominent characters exemplify one of the inherent tragedies that the American dream can produce. These characters proliferate the idea that success can be defined by monetary gains and material acquisition with the notion that one must pull oneself up by their own bootstraps through isolation and competition. Gatsby is the embodiment of this and has achieved this rags to riches dream. This paper focuses on Jay Gatsby in particular because in his quest to fulfill the American dream and accomplish his own goals, he projects a reality greater than himself.

In this paper, I will argue that it is the moral obligation to seek equality and liberty that dri... more In this paper, I will argue that it is the moral obligation to seek equality and liberty that drives international law. Through analysis and review of international legal perspectives, organizations and treaties, I will discuss how International law is created and shaped. I will then discuss the organs and treaties established that uphold civil liberties and maintains peace and security. International law begins with a situation that is similar to the state of nature in social contract theory; where people come together to form a society in order to mutually preserve their lives, liberties and estates. In international law nations come together to enact treaties and create organizations that will lead to mutual benefits. In a democratic institution, citizens have liberty while international legal institutions grant each nation sovereignty. In seeking peace and security, each nation is pursuing a similar goal and establishes laws that each nation must respect equally. As each nation is equal to one another, this equality extends to the rights of another nation's citizens. For example, if two parties are in a treaty together to protect each other’s nations, this requires they protect one another's citizens because the only way to attack a nation is through its people. War or acts of aggression will result in the violation of human rights to some degree; both partners in the treaty agree to protect one another from these acts for the benefit of the citizens. Each nation that is a member of an international organization aims to protect the human rights of their citizens equally, which means these nations can agree on laws that will prohibit human rights violations for all regardless of nationality. This entails the application of morality to international law.

Part 1 of this paper will first examine what international law is, by looking at the structures and actors that work within international law. In this section, I will then define the different perspectives and approaches that interpret what international law is and how it should work. This section will end with examination of HLA Hart’s question, is international law binding? Part 2 will look at how international institutions have united to maintain peace and security. It will look at the UN’s mission and similar treaties and organizations in the 1800’s that aimed to protect the stability and security of Europe. Next this section will look at the UN specifically and examine what organs and treaties have been established to ensure peace and security is maintained. The last part of this section will examine how human rights are established in international law.

The goal of this paper is to examine the relationship between terrorism and mass incarceration an... more The goal of this paper is to examine the relationship between terrorism and mass incarceration and the government responses to both. Internationally there are treaties against torture and discrimination, yet these acts are violated around the world. Torture is a practice used in investigations and carried out by federal government officials in crimes concerning the threat of terrorism to national security. The fact that the prison population is heavily concentrated by African American’s and the social control and brutality that results from over policing makes it is tough to separate the concept of prison and discrimination. In both of these acts by international standards human rights are being violated, but by America’s account it remains within the bounds of the Constitution. After WW2, The United States of America became a global superpower and played a significant role in Establishing the UN and NATO. The US also sits on the Security Council and makes sizable contributions to the annual United Nations budget.

Both the Convention against Torture and the Convention Against Racial Discrimination are in accordance with the UN’s principles of equal and inalienable human rights. This entitles everyone to freedom and justice. In the context of US Law, it is debated on whether the US should adhere to the provision in all UN treaties. The scholars that argue in favor believe that these treaties promote the values that already exist within US Law. Opponents argue that the norms created by these treaties can have negative affects on matters that are traditionally left to the State legislatures. 1 This paper will examine how The Unites State of America operates within this context internationally. Next it will examine legal perspectives on torture, the moral significance of terrorism and the US response of torture. Last this paper will look at the relationship between torture and mass incarceration, asking whether these institutions are necessary evils of society or if these acts that are institutionalized by the government, violate international conventions or international law. The paper will then explain, the industrial prison complex, mass incarceration and the notion of “the New Jim Crow” in context of crimes against humanity?

As citizens in the United States of America we are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of h... more As citizens in the United States of America we are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. During this individualistic pursuit, morality seems to be a secondary clause. The American dream encompasses the notion of working hard to secure private property for one’s own family. When one thinks of this dream we think about a big house with a white picket fence. We strive to earn the capital to support ourselves and our family. Rarely do we consider this in relationship to others and the American dream remains in the confines of the white picket fence. While our liberty depends on the mutual respect of others liberties, the dream is individualistic. The dream is to pull yourself up by your “bootstraps” but does not mention others and the equality that should be incorporated in this upward motion.
In this paper, I will argue that it is our moral obligation to seek equality and liberty. Through a review and analysis of other philosopher’s perspectives, defining the subjects of liberty, rights, equality, and morality. In a democracy, liberty entails certain rights that must be respected mutually by every citizen. These mutual rights establish laws, which every citizen must uphold equally. Morality is found in the application of this equality. My paper will end in morality and how it gives one the duty to uphold equality, the rights and the liberties of all.

The question of: how ought western liberal democracies to balance the problems an open society an... more The question of: how ought western liberal democracies to balance the problems an open society and terrorism? Can be answered by a moral approach to national security.A government can never fully prepare for terrorism and the measure of if the policy’s success or failure it’s policy is in the event of another terrorist attack. Therefore, there is no real measure if a nation over prepared only if they were underprepared. If you over prepare it is seen as the lesser of two evils, because while you may have raised taxes, restricted liberty and decreased spending in social programs in the absence of another terror attack the country has been kept ‘safe’. While the effects have caused unnecessary harm, the policy has successfully avoided more national harm. It has been said that the best way to prevent an attack from happening is with intelligence. This is why after terrorist attacks there are upgrades in the intelligence community, I would like to also apply this growth to the American people. By reinvesting in education and learning communities in America we will strengthen our democracy to respond better to terrorism. It is impossible to directly fight terrorism, only terrorist organizations. By restricting liberty and hostile action terrorist attacks and ideologies can move from one disenfranchised group to another. So approaching this problem with only military spending will not resolve conflict it will just create the illusion of safety and may lead to unnecessary harm.

In this paper, I will discuss Donald Trump’s campaign and his recent executive orders in the cont... more In this paper, I will discuss Donald Trump’s campaign and his recent executive orders in the context of the US Constitution and the principles America was founded on. The paper will first construct a historical analysis of the origins of the Constitution looking at the political philosophers that helped shape American ideology as well as law. Then, I will cross examine Trump’s claims and executive orders with the amendments he is in clear violation of and what current lawyers and judges are saying about his rhetoric and decisions. My argument is this, Donald Trump’s recent actions are unconstitutional, but it may not be until the US Constitution is read in this comparative context that one will understand how counter to fundamental American principles and ideas, Trump’s actions have been. The history of Donald Trump is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations. To prove this, let facts, be submitted to the candid world.

In Machiavelli’s works he discusses the history and downfalls of different governments, he offer... more In Machiavelli’s works he discusses the history and downfalls of different governments, he offers an early model of the social contract theory and he offers policy prescriptions oh the authority of power and also the liberty of people. Niccolo Machiavelli is most popular for writing “The Prince” this book is shorter than his more complete work “Discourses on Livy”. These two projects were almost written simultaneously (Machiavelli pausing Discourses to finish The Prince) and both were finished within a few years of each other with sometimes contradictory claims and themes. In both of these works he presents excellent theories on government and the individual, in this paper I will look at both of these works of literature in the context of Machiavelli’s life, analyzing his theories and presenting practical applications for his larger concepts.

John Locke (1632-1704) lived during a dynamic time in English history. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (17... more John Locke (1632-1704) lived during a dynamic time in English history. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) contributed philosophy to a burgeoning time in France’s history. During the 18th century, Enlightenment philosophers like Locke and Rousseau applied reason, philosophy and the scientific method to government and politics. John Locke’s The Second Treatise on Government was written to justify resistance to king Charles II, but was published as a defense of William's Revolution or The Glorious Revolution which is a pivotal moment in English History. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophies were popular among the Jacobin Club, a prominent political club during the French Revolution. Both of these philosophers have influential writings on the social contract theory. John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government contains some essential elements of how a government should work in respect to one’s natural rights but in a larger context, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s approach to government is more appealing in my view.

Hip Hop Hurray: The story of disenfranchisement, the story of a rose that grew from concrete. H... more Hip Hop Hurray: The story of disenfranchisement, the story of a rose that grew from concrete.

Hip Hop represents the disfranchisement of the African American community. This genre of music was a reaction to a lack of resources, attention, education and opportunity. In this paper I will point to two elements of hip hop where this is most present. This is in the inception of hip hop in the 1970s and in its rise in national popularity in the 1980s.

My goal is to implore how stoic ideology has been used as an agent for change for oppressed peopl... more My goal is to implore how stoic ideology has been used as an agent for change for oppressed people. This paper will conduct a cross-cultural analysis of Marcus Aurelius, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela to see the stoic qualities present in their leadership. This paper will examine stoic qualities in leadership, examine these qualities in the context of these historical figures and present a cross speech comparison of intersecting ideas, qualities and leadership practices.

This paper will first define justice in both the broad sense and the varying narrow senses, then ... more This paper will first define justice in both the broad sense and the varying narrow senses, then I will give you a broad timeline on how justice, the courts and their Christian influences have evolved over time. Next, I will provide in depth descriptions and definitions of what different scholars have said about retributive and restorative justice. Next I will discuss interpretations of justice in the Old and New Testaments. Then finally I will discuss the current criminal Justice system in America. The goal in this paper is to define and discuss justice in the bible and in the legal system and to articulate the room for reform in the manner in which we perceive justice so that we may actually achieve justice in United States of America.

Religion is the marriage of mind and body. Both the mind and the body can have contrasting purpos... more Religion is the marriage of mind and body. Both the mind and the body can have contrasting purposes. The mind can be used to explore virtue or engage vice. The body can be an instrument of faith that reflects God's love, or as a flawed participant in sin. I would also agree that philosophy is the marriage of the mind and body. My aim of this paper is to discuss the role of the body in the construction of religious practice, by first separating the differences between the religious body and the philosophical body. The difference in the teachings is that philosophy shapes the mind, giving it rules of virtuous ideas to guide the body, whereas religion gives rules for the body to practice to live virtuously in mind. Because of the diverse ideologies under the umbrellas of religion and philosophy, I will be limiting philosophies to Hellenistic culture and religion to those with that share in the father Abraham. These philosophies typically separate the body and soul into parts whereas in the religions of Abraham, the body, soul and spirit are regarded as one. I argue the body plays a crucial role in the construction of religious practice because the body acts as a microcosm in the macrocosm of society insofar as the body shapes religious practices; these religious practices establish cultural patterns.

Science and Art are often viewed as separate entities. There relationship is like that of the Mon... more Science and Art are often viewed as separate entities. There relationship is like that of the Montagues and the Capulets. They are viewed as rivals but are more alike than the general public believes. If an artist were told not to be like a scientist and a scientist not to be like an artist, like the Shakespearean play that would lead to a tragic end. Both science and art are creative activities. They both develop habits of truth to be used as frameworks for recreation. These truths lead to understanding and stimulate human progression.

A paper on the observation of what's apparent in nature and the science of what is actually h... more A paper on the observation of what's apparent in nature and the science of what is actually happening

Einstein had the ability to separate this tension between the apparent and the actual. He is method of studying the apparent, theorizing and experimenting to find the actual. His work in quantum theory, general relativity and cosmology, and the unified theory has expanded our universe. His legacy is his scientific achievements in theoretical and applied science and also the works, experiments and theories he has inspired.

Einstein is a freethinking, intellectual, His profound imagination and ability to reduce complex ... more Einstein is a freethinking, intellectual, His profound imagination and ability to reduce complex mental challenges to analogies or images led to the illumination of a new universe. I argue that in Einstein’s lifetime he had become the new Copernicus because like Copernicus his legacy led to conceptual revolutions in science.

Hip Hop Hurray: The story of disenfranchisement, the story of a rose that grew from concrete. H... more Hip Hop Hurray: The story of disenfranchisement, the story of a rose that grew from concrete.