We’ve read a nice chunk of Tocqueville from _Democracy in America_ on the American ‘personality,’ American culture, American social relations, and the promise and problems of American society as T. saw them 150 years ago. Using the readings, respond to… Read moreShort Essay prompt #1 (essays must be posted to blog by Wed., Sept. 4 at latest)
According to Tocqueville, man will forever keep improving to reach perfectibility and I can agree with that because one is not born perfect, and they must learn and correct themselves to be better. The difference Tocqueville explores is that in… Read moreAlexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America: “How Equality Suggests to the Americans the Indefinite Perfectibility of Man”
Tocqueville uses this chapter to explain how humans specifically are naturally inclined to improve on themselves to achieve perfectibility. However, he uses equality as a contemporary example of something that has shifted the ideals of perfectibility, as this is a… Read moreHOW EQUALITY SUGGESTS TO THE AMERICANS THE IDEA OF THE INDEFINITE PERFECTABILITY OF MAN
I found this reading by Tocqueville to be very interesting, especially since I have never read his work before. He writes about how humans improve, or at least attempt to. However, the aristocratic system gives people different ranks, and therefore… Read more“How Equality Suggests to the Americans the Indefinite Perfectibility of Man”
Tocqueville highlights in “Democracy in America” how humans are distinguished from “brutes” as they strive to improve and differentiate as well as heighten their social status. Although, he does emphasizes how humans beings born into a social class or category… Read moreSocial Status’ Affect on Human Growth