Unit 1 Philosophy Essay
Man is the measure of all things: of things which are, that they are, and of things which
are not, that they are not. Protagoras uses his predecessor's teachings as a foil for his own commitment to objective and transcendent realities and values that apply to us today in our culture. To look at the totality of our country, Protagoras' theory, "A man is a measure of all things," most closely reflects the United States today by making us think of the overall status of our country rather than something specific like the other two theories do, in particular how the United States gives aid to other countries.
According to the federal government, for the fiscal year 2012, "The United States remained
the world's largest bilateral donor, obligating approximately $48. 4 billion, $31. 2 billion in economic assistance, and $17. 2 billion in military assistance." The U. S. disbursed $33. 2 billion, $19 billion in economic assistance to 184 countries, and $14. 2 billion in military assistance to 142 countries. Out of the top six U. S. foreign aid recipients, five of them were from Muslim countries, and yet it seems the U. S. can't buy good press in the Middle East. This all relates back to the big picture of how the U. S. is considered the man in the quote as being the superpower and aiding other countries being the measure of all things.
Thrasymachus' quote of might makes right does not apply to the United States today
because it hones in on the specific things that block out what our country does as a whole. His quote of might makes right talks about how those who are stronger have more power, the laws are what society is based on, and a good citizen is right to follow them. He also talks about serving the interest of the stronger who rules at the cost of the subject who obey...
