Theories of Religion: Emile Durkheim and Max Weber

Theories of Religion: Emile Durkheim and Max Weber The topic I have chosen to discuss is religion, as theorised by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Religion can be recognised in every culture around the world. Therefore, sociologists examine it in order to understand why religion and the beliefs and practices associated with religion, are so significant and the position they play within society (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p610). Durkheim and Weber both carried out their work around the turn of the 19th century. Both were gripped by the religion and its role in society (Nisbet, 1975). However, the both studied religion form two very different perspectives, although both thought in evolutionary terms (Parsons, 1964, p xxvii). Durkheim holds a collectivist view of society, exploring it from the perspective that religion has a cohesive effect on people through sharing values, symbols and social norms (Macionis and Plummer, 2008, p611). Weber on the other hand, has a more individualist perspective. He focused on the sociology of religion, such as the relationship between religious ideas and commitments, with other sociological aspects, such as human behaviour in relation to economics Parsons, 1964, p xx). Durkheim was born in 1958 in France. His work, centred around social change and industrial society, however, he became focused on social and moral order and how it was achieved and maintained in society. In particular, the transition between traditional society and modern society, and how this influences how social structures and relationships are adapted and maintained (Dillon, 2010 p79). Durkheim was interested in providing a scientific basis for sociology and defining sociology as field of study which he discusses in The Rules of Sociological Method (Calhoun, et, al., 2007, p 135). During his lifetime, he published extensively. The Division of Labour, where he examined social cohesion within the modern industrialise society. Suicide discussed diminishing social bonds in modern society, and this influences patterns of suicide. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life examines how the social origins and function of religion and beliefs associated with it, and how they are reinforced b y rituals and ceremonies (Calhoun, 2007, p136). Durkheim, along with Marx and Weber, is now seen as an extremely significant classical theorist, and has had an influence across many areas, such as education, religion, and health (Calhoun, 2007, p 133). Durkheim wrote extensively in the area of religion. He recognised that religion was a social concept that needed to be explored in and of itself, as a primitive and simple level. He looked to define religion which he concluded was a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them (Durkheim, 1976, p47). This definition suggests that religion is collective within society and should be examined in this way. He identified the functions of religion in society. According to Durkheim, religion is a social cohesive. If people share a religion, the shared beliefs values and symbols, they are united by these, therefore it religion as a cohesive among these people. He suggests that as a result of this, religion underlies our moral and emotional links with others. (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p611). He claimed that religion does not conflict with science. It is not there to enhance our knowledge, instead it is there in order to provide a guide for the way we act and live (Durkheim, 1976, p416). The primary intention of religion is to influence the moral of life (Durkheim, 1976, p420). Fundamentally, the task of religion is preserving a normal, positive life (Durkheim, 1976, p29). Durkheim also claims that we organize life into the sacred and the profane, and neither can exist without the other (Durkheim, 1976, p308). The sacred is defined as anything that is extraordinary and instils a sense of reverence and sometimes fear (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p611). Another function of religion, according to Durkheim, is that religion provides a sense of purpose, meaning and comfort (Macionis and Plummer, 2008, p612). Durkheim suggests it strengthens a persons moral and feeing of guardian support. It allows people to rise out of themselves, which then helps mould their action and behaviour, which results in the collective cohesive affect on society. This, he says, is how the social institution of religion works, therefore it is society itself that is the source of the action guided by religion (Durkheim, 1976, p418). He proposes that the dream of an ideal society, an idealistic society that would eliminate evil and sufferings, suggest religion, as this is what religion aims for. This indicates that religion suggests the ideals of society, instead of explaining it (Durkheim, 1976, p420). Durkheim studied religion from a collectivist perspective. He recognised that society was becoming more individualist, however he believed that this collectivist society still existed but in another form. He believed that the new individualist forms of religion were simply another form of collectivist forms in society (Durkheim, 1976, p425). He claimed that religious beliefs were not the individual, but were common beliefs belonging to a group united by these beliefs (Durkheim, 1976, p43). Durkheim also studied the social phenomena of religion in relation to how it constrains social behaviour (Dillon, 2010, p118). His view was that the religious symbols and imagery are used by society to encourage conformity, and instil these into cultural norms. Religion is used in order to justify these cultural norms, for example, norms surrounding marriage and reproduction (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p612). Max Weber was born in Germany in 1964 to a Protestant family. Despite being a trained as a lawyer and historian, he became interested in the social sciences, in particular economics. His research was halted by a period of serious depression, however, most of his prominent work was carried out after his breakdown, such as The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Calhoun, et al., 2007, p206). Weber was particularly interested in the cultural and non-economic sources related to social action. He investigates the sources of social phenomena from a historical and cultural perspective and how they influenced the practices within social institutions. He was a moderate left supporter of German nationalism, and helped found the German Democratic Party, as well as playing a part in the Treaty of Versailles and the Weimar Constitution, before he died in 1920 (Dillon, 2010, pp117-118). Like Durkheim, Weber recognised that there is not a known society, that doesnt include something that can be classified as religion (Parson, 1964, p xxvii). Although he also thought in evolutionary terms, he was more engaged by systems of meaning, which can be interpreted (Parsons, 1964, xxvii). He studied the subjective meaning and views of religion, and its cultural and historical origins, as well as how these produce institutional practices (Dillon, 2010, p117). He investigated the religious and cultural beliefs that are at the source of religious and social structures (Dillon, 2010, p119). He believed that these beliefs and values are worthy of investigation as they are what shape social institutions (Dillon, 2010, p125). He believed that religion played a role of stereotyping within society, as it structures and preserves social groups and relationship and provides a social identity for groups. He maintained that religion interacted with other social and cultural aspects (Harrin gton, 2005, p67). Webers most prominent work, The Protestant ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, discussed the interaction between religion and economic aspects. Weber introduced the ideal type in order to measure and compare social phenomenon. They are used in the quest to explain different social relationship and actions (Dillon, 2010, p126). As regards religion, an ideal type is the distinctive characteristics of a religion. Weber discusses Protestantism in is ideal form, and how the characteristics of this religion affect everyday life (Dillon, 2010, p127). He examines how different religious traditions and their structures influence society, particularly in relation to the economy and capitalism

Social Commentary in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald :: free essay writer

The Great Gatsby:Â   Social Commentary On one level The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald comments on the careless gaiety and moral decadence of the period in which it was set. It contains innumerable references to the contemporary scene. The wild extravagance of Gatsby's parties, the shallowness and aimlessness of the guests and the hint of Gatsby's involvement in crime all identify the period and the American setting. But as a piece of social commentary The Great Gatsby also describes the failure of the American dream, from the point of view that American political ideals conflict with the actual social conditions that exist. For whereas American democracy is based on the idea of equality among people, the truth is that social discrimination still exists and the divisions among the classes cannot be overcome. Myrtle's attempt to break into the group to which the Buchanans belong is doomed to fail. Taking advantage of her vivacity, her lively nature, she seeks to escape from her own class. She enters into an affair wi th Tom and takes on his way of living. But she only becomes vulgar and corrupt like the rich. She scorns people from her own class and loses all sense of morality. And for all her social ambition, Myrtle never succeeds in her attempt to find a place for herself in Tom's class. When it comes to a crisis, the rich stand together against all outsiders. Myrtle's condition, of course, is a weaker reflection of Gatsby's more significant struggle. While Myrtle's desire springs from social ambition, Gatsby's is related more to his idealism, his faith in life's possibilities. Undoubtedly, his desire is also influenced by social considerations; Daisy, who is wealthy and beautiful, represents a way of life which is remote from Gatsby's and therefore more attractive because it is out of reach. However, social consciousness is not a basic cause. It merely directs and increases Gatsby's belief in life's possibilities. Like Myrtle, Gatsby struggles to fit himself into another social group, but his attempt is more urgent because his whole faith in life is involved in it. Failure, therefore, is more terrible for him. His whole career, his confidence in himself and in life is totally shattered when he fails to win Daisy. His death when it comes is almost insignificant, for, with the collapse of his dream, Gatsby is already spiritually dead. As social satire, The Great Gatsby is also a comment on moral decadence in modem American society.

Micro and macro theories in political science focus

INTRODUCTION Countries exist to interact with other nations and states in the international arena. Thus, no country or nation is an island unto itself. As a result of this, isolation from international activities becomes very impossible. In the course of interaction countries tries to gain advantage over other countries, and this has been the basis of conflict and disagreement. Sometimes, if this is not properly handled it will lead to war.Scholars from different academic disciplines have posited many causes of war. Thus, the great debate over why war occurs has been approached from different dimension. For the historians, scholars like A.J. P. Taylor famously described wars as being like traffic accidents. But this approach has been criticized in the view that some leaders of states make conscious decision in embarking in war and this is not accidental.   For the Psychologist, human beings, especially men are inherently violent.This violence displacement where a person transfers t heir grievances into bias and hatred against other ethnic groups, nations, or ideologies â€Å"(Wikibooks: 2005).   Other psychologists argue that the mental unbalanced state of men who rule and control a nation, combine with their human temperament has been the basis of the occurrence of war. â€Å"This school argues leaders that seek war such as Napoleon, Hitler, and Stalin were mentally abnormal; screening process, such as election, could prevent these types from coming to power, war would end†.   (ibid.).The Anthropologists see the occurrence of war as a fundamentally cultural, learnt by nurture rather than nature. The Sociologists have Plethora of perspective in seeing the occurrence of war. Some see war as the product of domestic conditions, with only the target of aggression being determined by international realities. Others that differ from the traditional approach argue that it is the decision of statesmen and the geopolitical situation that leads to war.   T he Economist argues war can be seen as an outgrowth of economic competition in a chaotic and competitive international system.Having looked at the diverse and divergent viewpoint from which these scholars from different discipline has posited as the cause of war, this write up tend to look at the political aspect of why war occurs. As a result of this, various theories in the political science field would be applied to enumerate the reason behind the occurrence of war.DEFINITION OF TERMS Political science has been described as a hospitable umbrella for many disciplines all connected somehow with the operations of government or people acting in relation to government.According to Alfred Cobban, as quoted in Oyediran (1998:3), Political Science is a devise invented by university teachers for avoiding that dangerous subject politics without achieving Sciences†.Thus, political science is that social science discipline that seek to study government and how politics that has to do w ith the use of power, rule and authority in any human relationship is being conducted.The study of political science, the normative and the positive approach is adopted while scholars, such as Plato and Aristotle sought to identify the characteristics of politics, their causes and effects, leaving aside moral judgements about their goodness or badness. Therefore, it is seen that modern political scientists adopt a positive theory to issues that pertain to the field of study, hence, †what ought to be†. (Robert Dahl cited by Gerring, 2005:2).THEORY: Theory is defined as abstraction from the real world in order to give explanation to phenomenon. Thus, theories give explanation to the relationship that exists between variables. Theories are tested hypotheses that are generally accepted it is used through known facts to give an explanation to the unknown.WAR: War can be defined as conflict that arises from disagreement, which result into military combat and the end results wh ich is destruction of lives and properties.War can be classified into civil wars and foreign wars. Civil wars, are those wars that occur within a nation or a state as a result of the emergence of factions that are loyal to an identified group. A typical example of civil war in contemporary time is the civil war in Liberia in the 1990s, between late Samuel Deo faction and Charles Taylor faction. Another typical example of civil war is the 1967 to 1970 civil war in Nigeria, between the Federal troop and the Biafra faction that seek to secede from the Nigeria Federation.Foreign war is war that involves combat between or among sovereign nation or states. Example of this is World War 1 and World War II.In recent times the war between Iraq and Kuwait, and the US Allied Forces in the 1990s.Another version of war in contemporary political world is the cold war that had existed after the world war associated with the bipolar bloc i.e. the eastern bloc and the western bloc. This cold war is u nlike the real combat war where physical and military combat is carried out, but it has to do with war in international arena, that pertains to foreign policies and international pacts and agreement, that tend to be contended for:This cold war has made many countries to support either of the two factions. But, some countries, like in Africa adopt a different stand, the Non Aligned Movement is pursued as the foreign policies in these black nation. The cold war suddenly collapse in 1989, this brought an end to the bipolar structure of the international system.POLITICAL THEORIES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF WAR Political theories on the emergence of state can be utilized to explain the occurrence of war. Here, the Hobbessian theory of state and the force theory are readily applicable to why nation engage in war.The Hobbissian theory postulated by Thomas Hobbes, explain the human state of existence in what he called the â€Å"state of nature†. According to him, â€Å"nature has made man so equal in faculties of the body and mind and though there be found one man sometimes manifestly stronger in body or of quicker mind than another is not considerable as that one man can claim to himself any benefit to which another may not possess as well as he† (Hobbes, 1946).The equality of man here means they tend to nurse the same aspirations and desires, ends and the same hope. But the uniformity of aspiration tend to be evoke problem since the resources e.g. power, political influence, is a scarce resource that can not go round every body. Thus, it become problematic when two persons desire the same thing, which they cannot both obtain, they are likely to become enemies and always will seek to destroy one another.In applying this scenario to sovereign states, the scarce resources that each state seeks to obtain for itself, this brings about competition and invariably lead to the emergence of war, if such competition gets to the extreme and the level of tolerance become s unbearable. According to Ighadola (2000: 12), â€Å"human competitiveness for status symbols are always characterized by fighting where this happens outside the preview of any settled and civilized state, the picture of the â€Å"state of nature† comes to the fore boldly†.The state of nature as stipulated by Thomas Hobbes, is the time when men lived without a common power to keep them in check; i.e. every man is a government and law unto himself, there is no formal contract to the establishment of state and government. In state of nature, war of every man against every man was the perceptual condition of human relations. Thus, man is brutal and exhibited a hostile tendency towards those around him. It is also argued that, â€Å"War, as Hobbes used the concept, did not necessarily denote actual fighting, rather it meant the disposition to fight† (ibid)Man in the state of nature did not engage in perpetual warfare, he was only perpetually inclined to fight to ac quire what he desired and to protect what he already possessed. The inclination in man to be aggressive in competition and fight is moderated by the fear of death. Thus, the disposition to fight to is further heightened by the absence of centralized authority. In the international political arena before the emergence of international organization like the United Nation, the broke out of World War I and the emergence of World War II, is as a result of absence of a strong centralized International authority. The League of Nations collapsed as a result of the Second World War. This led to the emergence of the United Nations; that is acting as a centralized authority in the international arena, in preventing the outbreak of conflicts among nations or states.Another angle of the Hobbessains theory sees Man’s selfishness and self- seeking nature ensures, without a superior restraining force, the condition of the state of nature that would remain permanent. This results in a threat to the condusive actualization of human potentials and insecurity. In applying this to the emergence of wars among nations, it is seen that the selfishness and self-seeking nature of some nation has prompted them into encroaching into the rightful possession of other nation. In order to defend their possession, these other nation would recourse to protect itself by engaging in war. Most times, this has been the base of war among nations.Thus, Hobbes has proffered a centralized authority that is imposed in one individual as a solution to avert this state of nature, so as to prevent the brutish and aggressive nature in man, and thus, reducing the outbreak of war.Critics have pointed out that Hobbes advocacy of absolute power puts a hole in his argument. The central authority or sovereign should operate the law made, fairly and equitably among the people not absolute authority in one man. Thus, central power is advocated that is democratic, in place of the sovereign ruler of Hobbes. Th is is because the sovereign ruler is taken from society and has its own selfish desire, which could lead to autocratic rule, i.e., he cannot be outside society and therefore cannot be above the law. (ibid:15).Another political theory that can be use to advocate for the emergence of war is the Marxist theory. Karl Marx theory concentrates both on political and economic perspective of the state.   In his view, the society is divided into two main classes, i.e. the bourgeoisie and the proletariats, and this has always been the driving force behind conflict in society and its attendant social change.Marxist theory of war argues that all war grows out of the class war. It sees wars as imperial ventures to enhance the power of the ruling class and divide the proletariat of the world by pitting them against each other for contrived ideals such as nationalism or religion. ( Wikibooks, 2005).Marx and Engels posited in The German ideology that with all the mischief’s contradictions a nd crisis inherent in the capitalist mode of production, the proletariat bears the entire burden without enjoying its advantages, they become isolated from society. Having been driven to the wall, they are forced into the most decided antagonism to the other class because an alienated man is a revolutionary man. (Marx, et al, 1977).Hence, Karl Marx see wars as a natural outgro9wth of the free market and class system, and will not disappear until a world revolution occurs. According to Ighodalo (2000:20), â€Å"the expectation of Marx is that the destruction of the capitalist system would lead to the end of class antagonism, since the basis of it property ownership would have been eliminated thereby creating a classless society where all give according to his/ her ability and receive according to his/ her needs.†Another theory of the evolution of state that can be applied to the reason why war occurs is the Force theory. This school of thought holds that the state is a creatio n of conquest and coercion of the weak by the strong. The state was seen as evil because it was a way of oppressing the poor. However, German writers of the 19th century, contended that force was an essential attribute of a state. (Oyediran, 1998:19). The   Force theory can really be adduce as a basis why war emerge between nation.Countries that are strong and have mighty military force had in the past annexed weak countries to themselves. They succeeded in doing this by embarking on war with them. In 1939, Finland’s decision to resist the invasions and annexation aggression of Soviet led to the Winter War. â€Å" Though cases of invasion and annexations that did not lead to a war abound; such as the U.S. led invasion of Haiti in 1994, the Nazi invasions of Austria and Czechoslovakia preceding the Second World War, and the annexation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union in 1940.CONCLUSION The different Political Theorist has directed their argument on the reason why wa r occurs, even though not in the same tone and direction, the fact that the selfish interest and self- seeking nature of man and government, has been identified as a major reason why war has been a recurrent factor in the international arena. Even internally, where civil war occurs within the boundary of a country this has retained the same causal factor. The fact is traceable down line immemorial of historical war among nations.Furthermore, the scarce resource, such as power has been a basis for the eruption of conflicts among nations, since these resource cannot go round, it tend to be conflictual.REFERENCESAkhakpe, Ighodalo, (2000), Leading Issues in Political Thought. Lagos: A- Triad Associates Publishers & Printers.Gerring, John (2005), A Normative Turn in Political Science? Boston University Department of Political Science.Hobbes, Thomas (1946), Leviathan Oxford: Basil Blackwill Ltd.  Oyediran, Oyeleye (1998), Introduction to Political Science. Lagos:——-Wikiboo ks (2005), â€Å" International relations: The Causes of War† https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/International_Relations:The_Causes_of_war. (3rd August, 2005)

Profile of George Washington Plunkitt, Politican

Profile of George Washington Plunkitt, Politican George Washington Plunkitt was a  Tammany Hall politician who wielded clout in New York City for decades. He amassed a fortune by engaging in various schemes which he always claimed had been honest graft. When collaborating  on an eccentric book about his career in 1905 he brazenly defended his long and complicated career in machine politics. And he suggested his own epitaph, which became famous:  He seen his opportunities and he took em.   During Plunkitts political career he held a variety of patronage jobs. He boasted of having held four government jobs in one year, which included a particularly prosperous stretch when he was paid for three jobs simultaneously. He also held elected office in the New York State assembly until his steady seat there was taken from him on a very violent primary election day in 1905. After Plunkitt died at the age of 82 on November 19,  1924, the New York Times published three substantial articles about him within four days. The newspaper essentially reminisced about the era when Plunkitt, generally seated on a bootblack stand in a courthouse lobby, dispensed political advice and handed out favors to loyal supporters. There have been skeptics who claimed that Plunkitt greatly exaggerated his own exploits and that his political career was not nearly as flamboyant as he later claimed. Yet theres no doubt he had extraordinary connections in the world of New York politics. And even Plunkitt exaggerated the details, the stories he told of political influence and how it worked was very close to the truth. Early Life The New York Times headline announcing Plunkitts death noted that he had been born on Nannys Goats Hill. That was a nostalgic reference to a hill that would eventually be within Central Park, near West 84th Street. When Plunkitt was born on November 17,  1842, the area was  essentially a shanty town. Irish immigrants lived in poverty, in ramshackle conditions in what was largely a wilderness far removed from the growing city farther south in Manhattan.   Growing up in a rapidly transforming city, Plunkitt  went to public school. In his teens, he worked as a butchers apprentice. His employer helped him start his own  business as a butcher at Washington Market in lower Manhattan (the sprawling market along the Hudson River was the future site of many office buildings including the World Trade Center). He later went into the construction business, and according to his obituary in the New York Times, Plunkitt built many of the docks on Manhattans Upper West Side. Political Career First elected to the New York State Assembly in 1868, he also served as an alderman in New York City. In 1883 he was elected to the New York State Senate. Plunkitt became a power broker within Tammany Hall, and for nearly 40 years was the undisputed boss of the 15th Assembly District, a heavily Irish bastion  on Manhattans West Side. His time in politics coincided with the era of Boss Tweed, and later Richard Croker. And even if Plunkitt  later exaggerated his own importance, theres no doubt  he had witnessed some remarkable times.   He was eventually defeated in a primary election in 1905 which was marked by violent eruptions at the polls. After that, he essentially retreated from day-to-day politics. Yet he still kept a public profile as a constant presence in government buildings in lower Manhattan, telling stories and regaling a circle of acquaintances. Even in retirement, Plunkitt would stay involved with Tammany Hall. Every four years he was appointed to make the travel arrangements as New York politicians traveled by train to the Democratic National Convention. Plunkitt was a fixture at the conventions and was deeply disappointed when ill health a few months before his death prevented him from attending the 1924 convention.   Plunkitts Fame In the late 1800s, Plunkitt became quite wealthy by habitually buying up land which he knew the city government would eventually need to buy for some purpose. He justified what he did as being honest graft. In Plunkitts view, knowing something was going to happen and capitalizing on it was not corrupt in any way. It was simply smart. And he openly bragged about it. Plunkitts openness about the tactics of machine politics became legendary. And in 1905 a newspaperman, William L. Riordon, published a book Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, which was essentially a series of monologues in which the old politician, often hilariously, expounded on his life and his theories of politics.  His lively accounts of how the Tammany machine operated may not have been well-documented, but they give a solid sense of what it must have been like it New York City politics in the late 1800s. He always steadfastly defended his own political style and the workings of Tammany Hall. As Plunkitt put it: So, you see, these fool critics don’t know what they’re talkin’ about when they criticize Tammany Hall, the most perfect political machine on earth. Sources George W. Plunkitt Dies At 82 Years, New York Times, 20 Nov. 1924, p 16. Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, New York Times, 20 Nov. 1924, p. 22. Plunkitt, Champion of Honest Graft, New York Times, 23 Nov. 1924, p. 177.

Iron Man 3 Movie

Iron Man 3 Movie Introduction Conventionally, a film bears a central message in its plot. Despite being medium of entertainment, embedded deep within a film’s plot is often a central idea or theme that the writer and the producer seek to convey. In this respect, moviemakers strive to depict virtually all aspects of life. In the year 2013, Hollywood produced a superhero film by the name Iron Man 3. This essay seeks to examine this film with a focus on the analysis of violence as a central theme within the movie.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Iron Man 3 Movie specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A synopsis of Iron Man 3 The movie Iron Man 3 is a creation of Shane Black who doubles as a writer and director. It features Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark as the main actor around whom all the action revolves. The film commences in the wake of the events of The Avengers in which Tony participated to save the New York City from the attac k of aliens (the Loki). Riddled with severe insomnia and posttraumatic stress, Tony spends his time building iron man suits (Iron Man 3). This new lifestyle begins to weigh him down, but before long, a dangerous terrorist, only identified as the Mandarin, wreaks havoc. The Mandarin strips Tony off everything; it kills his bodyguard, destroys his home, car, and kills his girlfriend (Pepper Potts). Consequently, Tony is left with only a badly damaged iron man suit with which to face the vicious enemy (Iron Man 3). With the help of Col. James Rhodes and Harley, a young boy, Tony solves the puzzle of the Mandarin just before he actualizes his worst threat. Analysis of Iron Man 3 The movie exudes violence right from the very beginning to its conclusion. The scenes are designed to embody a nature of violence that is often associated with terrorism in real life. The film commences in the wake of an alien invasion of the New York City. It takes the intervention Tony and his compatriots (The Avengers) to save the city. The idea of alien invasion already creates an image of violence even before the movie starts. The harrowing experiences that Tony goes through due to his New York experience are not gentle by any standard. They are violent experiences that render him sleepless. Clearly, the beginning of the movie sets the stage for the violent action witnessed all the way to the end of the movie. Violence in Iron Man 3 is perpetrated by everyone ranging from women, children, and men including Tony himself in the process of trying to rid the world of the villains. Pepper, Tony’s girlfriend, is shown violently killing a villain after which she exclaims, â€Å"that was really violent† (Iron Man 3). In fact, the writer of the movie seems to be fully aware of the violence that is embedded in the movie, and thus by incorporating such a line, he appears to be drawing the audience’s attention to the violent nature of the movie. Pitching Harley, a ten-year-ol d boy, as one of the main accomplices of Tony in the final conquest, is a clear indicator that violence as depicted in the movie is not limited to gender or age. He participates in the violent termination of the villains until they are ultimately defeated.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The portrayal of a young boy participating in violent acts as shown in this movie may elicit criticism from a large fraction of society because according to Yildiz, children are associated with innocence, purity, and gentleness (40). However, even in the real life, children have been reported to perpetrate morbid criminal acts. For instance, Yildiz notes that a case was reported in Britain in which two young boys, six years old and eight years old, took the hand of a five-year old before leading him to a secluded location where they murdered him in cold blood (40). All the theories and possible models that attempted to explain the incident fell short of giving a concrete reason to explain the occurrence of the bizarre incident. Shane’s depiction of violence is thus not extreme or out of the ordinary as many may think. It truly reflects where society is today because just like children, women who were traditionally perceived as the weak gender, have become vicious killers in real life. The movie, being a 2013 production, rightly captures what is actually going on in society. Shane adds an extra dimension to his depiction of violence. He attempts to make the violence extreme by picturing the mechanisms used in the killings as extremely dangerous. They do not only kill, but also vaporize the bodies of the victims to leave only eerie shadows (Iron Man 3). Besides the bombings such as that of the Chinese theater in which innocent tourists and other people are killed, â€Å"suicide† bombers in the movie actually explode after heating up from inside. The mo vie creates a morbid impression filled with violence and bloodshed. Tony himself goes through most of the movie with a blood stained face. The writer cum producer of the movie succeeds in capturing the ravages of violence with the accompanying emotional effect he intended. In terms of the emotional appeal, the movie succeeds in reaching out to the audience quite easily. Violence is an emotive issue and based on the levels of violence exhibited in the movie, it becomes apparent that the producer of the movie is quite aware of how to evoke emotion. He does it by glorifying violence in a manner that would cause someone watching the movie think that the life of the people in the movie depended on it. Starting with Tony, the trauma and sleeplessness and the destruction of his home and the bodyguard as well the near strangling of his girlfriend elicits sympathy for him. A person watching the movie cannot help but feel sympathetic for Tony especially when he has to face the vicious enemy i n an old iron-man prototype suit that is also partly damaged. Another instance when the movie significantly appeals to the audience emotionally occurs when the Mandarin captures the president from Air Force One successfully. Tony is in a position to save other people at the time, but not the president. Given the vicious nature of the Mandarin and his painful killing styles, one cannot help but feel sympathy for the president due to what he is likely going through. Such is the pathos of this film. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Iron Man 3 Movie specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Anyone watching the movie is in a position to link it successfully with the real life situations such as the Boston Marathon bombings and other terror attacks that have been witnessed in the US. The fact that the Mandarin is given Muslim or Arab like appearance, which is again not very clear, is a method that the producer uses to pass his mes sage. In real life, terrorism has been associated with Muslims, although sometimes such stereotypes are based on mere speculations. The producer of the movie is successful at causing the audience to make sense out of the events of the movie and link them with real life occurrences, which is logical. In the ethical sense, the author of the movie is in a position to depict the modern society correctly as one that is fast being derailed of ethical values. Like many other movies, good triumphs over evil in the end, thus giving the very important lesson that good will eventually triumphs over evil in every situation. However, the issue of concern is the channels that Shane chooses to use in dispensing the â€Å"good† in the movie. He uses a young boy as well as some women on both sides of the battle. In a sense, this aspect gives the impression of a society in which ethical values have gone to very low levels so that anyone can engage in violent acts as long as the result is justi fied. Conventionally, as espoused by almost all movies, the end justifies the means. The movie is also littered with scenes of sexual undertones that successfully depict what goes on in the modern society. In this manner, the producer of the movie clearly presents the movie’s ethos of to the audience. Conclusion The movie Iron Man 3 arguably glorifies violence all through. The villains perpetrate violence and the good people use violence to squash the villains. The movie seems to be advancing the argument that only violence can abate violence. In spite of its violent nature, the movie is widely acclaimed as being one of the best movies of its time. These acclamations are in order as Iron Man 3 carries with it invaluable lessons for a keen individual. The deeply embedded message, especially for this generation, is that technology is only good as long as the people using it are good, and the message is quite timely. Iron Man 3. Dir. Shane Black. New York: Marvel Studios. 2013. Film.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Yildiz, Murat. Terrorism and violence: Turkish case.  Turkish Journal of Police Studies 3.1 (n.d): 38-55. Print.

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