Kekes and Schwitzgebel on Evil

Introduction There are various definitions and conceptions of evil as brought out by Kekes and Schwitzgebel. One of the conceptions brought out in Kekes’ aork is the notion that any ideology that has an external affiliation, such as religion, is justifiable and can therefore not be considered as evil (12).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Kekes and Schwitzgebel on Evil specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Crusade In the example of the crusade, the main objective of the pope and other Christians is alleged to be eliminating the Cathers and the perfects. The Cathers are considered as dissent and despite the fact that they neither cause physical harm nor engage in any sinful act, they are still detested on the grounds that they make cruel utterances against Christianity. Based on the definition by Aquinas, which claims that such people deserve death, the Christians overlook the actual definition of evil and ironic ally engage in evil acts by persecuting the Cathers (Kekes 11). The concept that is presented by Kekes based on the crusade is that rationalism is influenced not by reason, but by ignorance and emotional drive. The pope and other Christian leaders take advantage of the emotional weakness of the Cathers to justify their extermination. Evil is therefore brought out as a misinterpretation of acts and is not founded on any moral, ethical, or logical grounds. The irony seen in this crusade is that the Cathers are attacked for a having a different interpretation of evil, with the attackers justifying all the grotesque acts perpetrated against them. When taken as a retaliation that safeguards the interest of a few people, any act, whether heinous or not, cannot be interpreted as evil. The pope takes advantage of his leadership position to corrupt the minds of people and to encourage them to work against the Cathers. French Revolution In the example of the French Revolution, evil is interpr eted as a word that is derived from reason (Kekes 29). In this revolution, the people find it worth to â€Å"clean† the country of all corrupt people with an aim of gaining political and economic freedom. To achieve this, any individual found involving in any corrupt or politically inappropriate deals is excommunicated through the most grotesque means. Evil is associated with corruption and it deviates from the changes that Robespierre talks about. All the individuals are expected to see the logic behind eliminating some few persons so that the country can remain free of any political anomalies.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Robespierre makes use of reason to corrupt the minds of the citizens on the true definition of evil. He declares that the persons who are opposed to the political revolution are evil and have to be persecuted. However, the acts that are perpetrated by Ro bespierre and his followers can ironically be interpreted as evil. The persecution processes are grotesque, given that they advocate for heinous acts against individuals considered as guilty, saying that they should be amputated, drowned while naked and sent to the gallows to the delight of the masses. Schwitzgebel’s Interpretation If Schwitzgebel was to address the same issues, there would be a different interpretation of evil. Schwitzgebel considers all rational acts are influenced by education and training (IDEA CETL 1). He believes that for rationalism to be achieved, all acts have to be analyzed based on reason and training. Individuals have to reason based on the right perspectives and if the resolutions made are rational, the act they do can be justified. Schwitzgebel would therefore approach the crusade based on the moral and ethical interpretations involved, and not faith or religious beliefs. On the idea of revolution, Schwitzgebel would address the issue based on t he rationality and the reason behind the exterminations. Based on the factual ideas presented by either group, the argument would probably be based on whether the acts are rational or not, and the inspiration behind such acts (IDEA CETL 1). However, the two interpretations are important in understanding evil based on reason, emotions and external affiliations such as religion and political parties. Works Cited IDEA CETL. â€Å"Thinking about how to think.† IDEACETL.com. University of Leeds., 2009. Web. Kekes, John. The Roots of Evil. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2007. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Kekes and Schwitzgebel on Evil specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on Kekes and Schwitzgebel on Evil was written and submitted by user Tripp Hodges to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Analytic and Sequential Learning

Analytic and Sequential Learning An analytic person likes to learn things step-by-step, or sequentially. Sound familiar? If so, look over these characteristics to find out if these traits hit home, as well. Then you may want to capitalize on the study recommendations and improve your study skills. Are You a Sequential Learner? An analytic or sequential learner may be more likely to respond to a problem with logic first, instead of emotion.If youre a sequential learner, you may feel the need to understand each part of an algebra equation.You may be good with time management, and you probably get to school on time.You tend to remember names.Your notes may be divided and labeled. You categorize things a lot.You plan ahead. Problems You may get hung up on details when reading. You have to understand something before you move on.You might get frustrated easily with people who dont understand things as quickly as you do. Analytic Style Study Tips Do you become frustrated when people assert opinions as facts? People who are very analytic learners might. Analytic learners like facts and they like learning things in sequential steps. They are also fortunate because many of their preferred methods are used in traditional teaching. Teachers also enjoy giving tests that favor analytic learners, like true and false or multiple choice exams. Since your learning style is compatible with traditional teaching styles and you enjoy order, your biggest problem is getting frustrated. An analytic learner may benefit from the following: Ask for clear rules. You need clarity. Without rules, you might feel lost.Dont get frustrated by opinions. Some students may offer opinions in class, especially the holistic learners who want to make comparisons! It is just their way of understanding, so dont let it bother you.Dont worry about not finishing a task. You may not want to move on to a new task if something (like a lack of supplies) interferes with your work. Try not to get hung up. Sometimes its okay to move on and re-visit a project later.Dont worry if things dont seem logical. We dont make the rules sometimes. If you come across a rule that doesnt make sense, dont let it bother you to distraction.Group your information. Analytic learners are good at categorizing information. Go ahead and place your information into categories. It will help you recall the information when you need it.Sit in the front of the class, to avoid distractions. If youre annoyed by rowdy or talkative students in the back of the class, try to sit where you wont notice them. Dont worry about big concepts right away - give yourself time. If youre reading a book or chapter and you dont seem to be getting the message, give it time. You may need to know all the details first, and then put them together.Take things step-by-step, but dont get hung up. If youre doing a math problem with an equation, dont get hung up if you dont understand a certain step. Take a leap of faith!Ask for a specific goal. Analytic learners may feel the need to understand the specific goal before they can get into a project. Go ahead and ask for clear goals if you need them. You may want to check out the characteristics of a global learner.You can also discover the characteristics of students who learn best by seeing, hearing, or experiencing.

Self-Concept Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Self-Concept - Personal Statement Example I, being a 47 years old lady, have also developed a depiction about my personal existence. I think the picture I have made up in my mind about myself matches good with what I am. This is because of the experiences in my life, whether sweet or sour. In this practical world every person faces problems and difficulties, and also happy moments. Ups and downs are such parts of life that could never be separated. If we don't face sorrows than we will not be able to get pleasure in happiness. These ups and downs have helped me to understand myself better. we are when we are alone and what we are in front of others. Also we behave differently when we are facing our family members and friends that are our closed ones, and when we are facing society or people with whom we are living together and enjoying life in communities. If I talk about myself when I am alone, that is I am not required to present myself in front of anyone I found myself as a thinker. I am an intellectual person and think about my surrounding activities, and what is going on in my life. This helps me to have an overview on my deeds. Almost every time my actions are planned in advance. I look at the positive and negative points of the action I am going to do, and based on that analysis I took forward my steps. I believe that if a person mindlessly performs his duty and does not thinks about his ambition in life, than his life would be unfruitful. I am a divorcee having a daughter and a grandson who is six weeks old. Now if I talk about what I am in front of my family and friends, I think I am a very friendly, outspoken and honest person. My intellectuality has grown in myself quality of judgment. I found myself very decisive and a good judge. I have developed a pretty logical outlook on matters which seems to be problematic to my family and I have come up with decisions that have helped them a lot. It's the result of my decisions that I have a great respect in my family. Now I will come on to how I am in front of society or people with whom we are formally associated. This includes cultural and economic part of my life along with what I have achieved and what I have did in my life. If I talk about my studies I have a pretty good background. I have an AS in Electrical Engineering from Dutchess Community College. When I was 13 I had a paper route, ant at the age of 16 I started working at K-Mart as a cashier. Because of my dedicated work I was soon promoted there to head cashier. I completed my graduation in the

Strategic Marketing Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Strategic Marketing - Dissertation Example Therefore, Surviving in hard times requires a strong determination and a positive attitude. But in today's fast and merciless marketplace, more is needed than a winner's attitude. The following chapter is where the dissertation starts explaining in brief a number of small business hard time strategies to help steer the chopping waters of commerce. 2.0 Strategies for SMEs to fight Economic Crisis 2.1 Cost cutting For small business, cost-cutting needs to be implemented with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. Cut too deep and your business will never recover. Cut too shallow and cash flow problems could force you to the back of the unemployment line. Look at percentages rather than dollars and cents. If your expenses are chewing up your profits, you need to take action. There are two ways to improve sagging profits: sell more or cut costs. However, if revenues and expenses grow at the same rate, selling more won't fix an anemic bottom line. "Mistake No. 1 is thinking that marketing is the best place to cut when businesses are looking to tighten their belts," says Ann Handley, chief content officer at Marketing Professionals. "But it's not the time to jettison marketing. If business is slow and you're reining in your plan to get your name out there, it means fewer leads, less business and, ultimately, less income." Exercise care and judgment in determining what and where to cut and by how much. I recently heard of companies getting rid of their marketing department, asking them to leave, but this is not the best solution, as marketing is the most important function in a business, without having to move your products and service, how is it possible to increase sales and profits. On the... For the small business, cost-cutting needs to be implemented with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Cut too shallow and cash flow problems could force you to the back of the unemployment line. Look at percentages rather than dollars and cents. If your expenses are chewing up your profits, you need to take action. There are two ways to improve sagging profits: sell more or cut costs. However, if revenues and expenses grow at the same rate, selling more won't fix an anemic bottom line. "Mistake No. 1 is thinking that marketing is the best place to cut when businesses are looking to tighten their belts," says Ann Handley, chief content officer at Marketing Professionals. "But it's not the time to jettison marketing. If the business is slow and you're reining in your plan to get your name out there, it means fewer leads, less business and, ultimately, less income." Exercise care and judgment in determining what and where to cut and by how much. I recently heard of companies getting rid of their marketing department, asking them to leave, but this is not the best solution, as marketing is the most important function in a business, without having to move your products and service, how is it possible to increase sales and profits. On the contrary, there are some easier ways that would help you eliminate costs. Over the years we have looked at hundreds of marketing programs, and honestly, state that nearly all of them have some kind of hole that either drains money directly or allows leads to be lost.

English paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

English paper - Essay Example It showed how only a few privileged people can control the entire financial resources in a country with a capitalist structure. The sharks and the lambs of the stock market have been given human shapes and the movie shows how they let their lives be controlled with the single passion of becoming richer by the hour, with greed being described as a virtue in the big bad world of a capitalist society. The movie also shows how inner conscience can assist a person from doing the right thing when confronted with moral decisions. The Wall Street is the location of the New York Stock exchange which is the world’s leading hub of business activity where stocks are bought and sold and is an enigma for the common man inciting fear and awe among the uninitiated. Common people fail to understand the intricacy of markets and the way big business operates. The movie entitled ‘Wall Street’ was therefore the best way to introduce the common man to the intricacies of the business wo rld. It shows how ambition and greed can make a person a mere pawn in the juggernaut known as the stock market. Personal life takes a toll when a person gets involved in the highly demanding and competitive environment leaving no room for human desires and pleasures. Every facet of human values acquires a financial angle.

Privatisation On Life Insurance Corporation Of India Economics Essay

Privatisation On Life Insurance Corporation Of India Economics Essay With the advent of new players in the field of Life insurance sector, the degree of competition has increased multifold. The private insurance companies are launching new innovative insurance plans for their survival and growth. At the same time, Life Insurance Corporation of India has upgraded their quality of service to retain, maintain and attract new business. An attempt has been made to study the impact of privatization on LIC. The Development Officers were contacted to know their observations about the impact of privatization on their life insurance business and their views as how their life insurance business has been influenced by the opening of the sector. LIC has made a lot of changes in its operation and latest technology is being used to serve the customer. The customer grievances are properly attended and all maturity claims are settled to the entire satisfaction of the policyholders. The privatization of the sector has brought lot of opportunities for all the players. Under such situation, fittest of the fit will survive and the rest will vanish over a period of time. In the year 2000, when the insurance sector was privatized, many companies entered into the insurance sector and as a result competition has increased multifold. Initially, most of the private life insurance companies spent huge amount of money on advertisement. The purpose of the advertisement was to inform the public about their existence and the importance of life insurance policies in human life. With the rise in the degree of competition among the life insurance companies in India, the companies realized the need of developing new life insurance policy plans which can satisfy the multi needs of policyholders and as a result, the concept of riders were introduced. New channels of distributions have been introduced which have been economical and effective in serving the public. NEED FOR THE STUDY With the privatization of the insurance sector, efforts have been made by the government to regulate the business of insurance through Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority ( IRDA). IRDA has formulated various guidelines to bring transparency in the working and make the system customer friendly. As a result, most of the companies are practicing Customer Relationship strategies to keep their customers delighted. Keeping in view such changes in the insurance sector, a need is felt to find out as what is the change in the attitude of general public before and after the Privatization. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This study is an attempt to find out the impact of privatization on Life Insurance Corporation of India. The basic purpose of conducting this study includes: To find out the difference in the attitude of general public before and after the Privatization. To analyse the LIC business procurement in terms of First Premium Income (FPI) over the last 4 years. To study the attitude of Development Officers towards impact of privatization on their insurance business RESEARCH METHODOLOGY A descriptive study on the General Public and Development Officers have been undertaken to find out the answers to the objectives of the study. The study has been conducted in the selected cities of Haryana viz. Ambala Cantt, Ambala City, Kurukshetra Panipat, Karnal, Yamuna Nagar, Panchkula and Jagadhari. A structured questionnaire has been framed with multiple answers and their views have been noted and analysed to draw important conclusions. TYPE OF DATA COLLECTED Both primary and secondary data has been used to study the impact of privatization on Life Insurance Corporation of India. Primary data has been collected from General Public and Development Officers through structured questionnaire where as secondary data has been collected from the IRDA journal(s) pertaining to the FPI of life Insurance Corporation of India over the last 4 years. SAMPLING TECHNIQUES Stratified random sampling technique has been used in the study. Out of the eight cities selected for the study, 50 respondents from general public, representing different stratas of the society have been included. Similarly, 35 Development Officers from each city have been chosen on snow ball sampling basis. HYPOTHESIS H o Privatisation of the Insurance Sector has adversely affected the working of LIC. H a Privatisation of the Insurance Sector has favourably affected the working of LIC Ho After the privatisation, whether your business as Development Officer has been adversely affected? H a After the privatisation, whether your business as Development Officer has been favorably affected? DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF LIC IN TERMS OF FIRST PREMIUM INCOME (FPI) Table 1.1: Comparative Analysis of Business Performance of LIC in terms of FPI Name of LIC ZONE with FPI IN 2006-2007 FPI IN 2007-2008 Growth Rate in %age 2007-2008 FPI IN 2008-2009 Growth Rate in%age 2008-2009 FPI IN 2009-2010 Growth rate in %age 2009-2010 North Zone 862124.66 808943.20 -6.17 637302.71 -21.22 767438.31 20.42 North Central 463995.25 481078.84 3.68 384078.36 -20.16 493495.89 28.49 Central Zone 251776.58 210294.93 -16.48 183249.12 -12.86 226104.41 23.39 East Central Zone 261215.49 296291.15 13.43 262577.04 -11.38 310326.43 18.18 Eastern Zone 342181.75 410185.77 19.87 391795.29 -4.48 526284.19 34.33 South Central 596867.00 581365.08 -2.60 448089.37 -22.92 532827.32 18.91 Southern Zone 586241.87 855150.87 45.87 453414.89 -46.98 553047.49 21.97 Western Zone 589755.23 737975.93 25.13 771614.08 4.56 886520.29 14.89 TOTAL FIGURE 3954157.83 4381285.77 10.80 3532120.86 -19.38 4296044.33 21.63 Table 1.1 clearly shows that there was increase and decrease in most of the zones of LIC except the Western zone which made a consistent increase in the business from 2006-2007 to 2009-2010. The performance of all the zones were better during the financial year 2009-2010 as all the Eight zones have shown a positive growth rate. The maximum business in terms of FPI from the Western Zone followed by North zone and Southern zone. Eastern zone made the maximum growth rate of 34.33 % during the financial year 2009-2010. QUESTION-1: A question was asked to the General public ( 50 IN EACH CITY) about their future intentions to buy any life insurance plan and which insurance company will they prefer Table1.2: Interest of the General Public to purchase insurance Respondents interested to insure LIC Other Companies City Ambala Cantt. Count 18 4 % within City 81.8% 18.2% Ambala City Count 13 3 % within City 81.3% 18.8% Kurukshetra Count 14 0 % within City 100.0% .0% Panipat Count 14 3 % within City 82.4% 17.6% Karnal Count 10 2 % within City 83.3% 16.7% Yamuna Nagar Count 9 3 % within City 75.0% 25.0% Panchkula Count 11 5 % within City 68.8% 31.3% Jagadhari Count 9 3 % within City 75.0% 25.0% Total Count 98 23 % within City 81.0% 19.0% Chi-Square Tests Value df Pearson Chi-Square 5.477a 7 Likelihood Ratio 7.866 7 Linear-by-Linear Association 2.124 1 N of Valid Cases 280 a. 8 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 1.63. 81% respondents like to get insured by having LIC policy, Chi square significance is .001, which suggests that data is significantly related. QUESTION-2: After the privatisation of the insurance sector, whether your business ( Development Officer) has been affected? Table 1.3: Effect of privatization on the business Business has increased or decreased Increase Stable City Ambala Cantt. Count 33 2 % within City 94.3% 5.7% Ambala City Count 31 4 % within City 88.6% 11.4% Kurukshetra Count 34 1 % within City 97.1% 2.9% Panipat Count 33 2 % within City 94.3% 5.7% Karnal Count 34 1 % within City 97.1% 2.9% Yamuna Nagar Count 33 2 % within City 94.3% 5.7% Panchkula Count 35 0 % within City 100.0% .0% Jagadhari Count 34 1 % within City 97.1% 2.9% Total Count 267 13 % within City 95.4% 4.6% Chi-Square Tests Value df Pearson Chi-Square 6.373a 7 Likelihood Ratio 7.084 7 Linear-by-Linear Association 2.392 1 N of Valid Cases 280 a. 8 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 1.63. From the above table it is clear that business of the LIC has increased (95.4%). Chi square significance is .003, which suggests that data is significantly related. QUESTION-3: Do you think that privatization of Insurance sector is a sign of growth for You as Development Officer and for LIC as a whole? Table1.4: Relationship between privatization and growth for LIC privatization of business sector is a sign of growth for LIC Yes No No Comments City Ambala Cantt. Count 33 2 0 % within City 94.3% 5.7% .0% Ambala City Count 32 1 2 % within City 91.4% 2.9% 5.7% Kurukshetra Count 29 2 4 % within City 82.9% 5.7% 11.4% Panipat Count 34 1 0 % within City 97.1% 2.9% .0% Karnal Count 34 0 1 % within City 97.1% .0% 2.9% Yamuna Nagar Count 33 2 0 % within City 94.3% 5.7% .0% Panchkula Count 35 0 0 % within City 100.0% .0% .0% Jagadhari Count 32 2 1 % within City 91.4% 5.7% 2.9% Total Count 262 10 8 % within City 93.6% 3.6% 2.9% Chi-Square Tests Value df Pearson Chi-Square 19.118a 14 Likelihood Ratio 21.221 14 Linear-by-Linear Association 1.386 1 N of Valid Cases 280 a. 16 cells (66.7%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 1.00. According to 93.6% respondents, privatization is a growth sign for LIC. Chi square significance is .002, which suggests that data is significantly related. From the above analysis it is seen that there is hardly any impact of privatization on the business of LIC. Hence hypothesis H0 is Rejected, which shows that the business of LIC has been affected by privatization but it has positive impact on the business of LIC, hence we accept the alternate Hypothesis.. FINDINGS On the basis of the study undertaken on General Public and Development Officers, some important observations are appended below Corporate Active Data Warehouse (CADW): LICs CADW is one of the largest life insurance customer database in the world. The project has enabled LIC to launch Customer focused campaign like Customer Contact Program and Global Club Customer Campaigns launched in the various A Class cities during the year 2009-2010. The major achievement has been to send a single notice for the premium falling due in the same month for the various policies of an individual policyholder. All these initiatives launched have made the brand of LIC more visible in the eyes of the policyholders and public in general. New channels for premium payment: More channels have been added to facilitate the renewal premium payment by the policyholders. Major addition is in the form of creating PREMIUM POINTS where policyholders can deposit the premium 24*7 and can get a final receipt from the office of the empowered LIC agents who are spread across the country. More than 5000 such empowered agents are authorized to provide this service to policyholders. Apart from this, 350 satellite offices have been opened in various cities to give the feel of physical presence of LIC. Enterprise Document Management System: LIC has implemented EDMS in its offices to digitize the customers an Office records. EDMS has been done to get the advantage in terms of Enabling the concept of anywhere-anytime service through electronic files. To make documents and files available to multiple users simultaneously. To eliminate the need to transfer paper records from one branch to another branch. Electronic Bill Presentation and Payment (EBPP): Premium can be paid through various banks like City Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Federal Bank, Corporation Bank, Axis Bank and other service providers-Bill Desk and Tech Process which cover almost all other banks throughout the country. Premium can be paid through credit card also. Premium can also be made through ATM card and EBPP. Premium can be deposited for the in force policies only and which are not with monthly or salary saving schemes. Customer Grievance Redressal Management: LIC has grievance redressal officers at Branch/Divisional/Zonal/Central office to redress the grievances of policyholders and for bringing transparency in the operations. IT enabled support system have been operationalised to reduce manual intervention and to minimize the grievances. For quick redressal of grievances, LIC has introduced a customer friendly Complaint Management System through customer portal where the policyholder can directly register any complaint/ grievance/quarry and track its status anytime without going anywhere. CONCLUSION The performance of LIC during the year 2006 to 2010 indicates that there has been tremendous amount of potential in the insurance business. It is hoped that the spark ignited by the leading insurance company shall be carried forward by all the players and they will generate phenomenal business and fulfills the social obligation to the society. With the privatization of the insurance sector, the degree of competition has increased and as a result, the service standard of insurance companies has improved beyond imagination. In the present set up of life insurance organisations, Development Officer is the most important functionary of the organisation. The major life insurance business is procured through agents who are supervised by their respective DOs. An agent is the representative of the company who has the maximum interaction with the General public and persuades the prospects to purchase insurance policy. The agents should be well trained so that the general public can be made aw are about the importance of the concept of life insurance. In the recent past, most of the agents of the life insurance companies are offered lucrative incentives so that the sales force can be always be set in high spirit. In India, insurance market is open, only fittest of the fit will survive.LIC is an old trusted brand, it has to launch new policy plans which can satisfy the multi needs of the public. At the same time, LIC has to train and develop its employees so that they can serve the customer with full commitment and dedication. In short, privatization has favorably affected the LIC organization which has resulted into the improvement in the overall operations of LIC.

Essay on the African American Dream in Song of Solomon -- Song Solomon

The African American Dream in Song of Solomon      Ã‚   Like most Americans, African Americans have developed variations of the American Dream. Many African Americans find that their dream differs from the traditional American dream in that there is no immediate success. Sometimes the dream consists of equality via liberty or literacy, while at other times it is a simple desire to know self through historical connection.    In Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, Milkman was literate and had many options for further education, if so desired. Milkman was apathetic toward education and work. In fact, he was not sure what he wanted from life. Initially, he thought the best thing for his life was to leave his family and home. In order to do so, he needed money. His father, Macon gives him the task of searching for a bag of gold in his Virginian hometown. Macon fought Pilate for a particular bag of gold as children, and Macon believes the gold remains in the original location as it was when they were young. Milkman wishes to locate the gold as means to accomplishing his goal to achieve financial independence.    While on this quest, Milkman discovers his true dream, to discover "who he really is" and his family heritage. Milkman's version of the African-American dream is one of uncovering the past, a past that has been covered and lost through slavery and post-abolition renaming. Where his grandfather and father choose to leave the past behind, Milkman chooses to retrace their steps.    Through Macon, Milkman has been fed numerous variations of history. Pilate, his aunt, continues much of the same distortion. He is unsure of history and reality. In listening to his father's story, we read of Milkman's feelings, "Deep... ...ng his dream. With no immediate success, as occurs in the traditional American dream, Milkman sought to work towards the goal with patience and determination. Once he acquired the dream or a part of that dream, he turned around and gave back to his people, family and friends, in an effort to help those around him. Milkman's story, describes the quest for the African American dream of equality, and in that, exercising his inalienable rights.    WORKS CITED De Arman, Charles. "Milkman as the Archetypal Hero." Obsidian: Black Literature in Review 6.3 (1980): 56-59. Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York: The Penguin Group, 1977. Peterson, Nancy J. Toni Morrison: Critical and Theoretical Approaches. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1997. Rice, Herbert William. Toni Morrison and the American Tradition: A Rhetorical Reading. New York: P. Lang, 1996.