The Virtues of Ambition by Joseph Epstein Research Paper

The Virtues of Ambition by Joseph Epstein - Research Paper Example He bases this  argument  towards viewing ambition as a  delightful  and supremely crucial aspect of both  society  and humanity. He argues in such a manner as to shun those that view  ambition  from a wrong point. Consequently he also argues out the need for control and  constraint  when it comes to ambitions such that they do not  turn  for the worst. According to Epstein, ambitions make a person what they are in  form  and character, in daily life. It is the  thing  that describes what a person is or will  become  that is different from the common humanity features. That through these ambitions one gets dreams and desires. These dreams and desires may not always be favored by courses of life, but this should not stop people from being ambitious (Mei & Dasgupta, 2007). The unpredictability and uncertainty in the outcomes of the future should not stop one from being  ambitious  in life. This is because through the possible  achievement  of such ambitions a person discovers themselves and gains their desires. He continues to  argue  that being  ambitious  is suitable for a  person  as it enables for the fulfillment of one’s dreams or the dreams of others. One can be  ambitious, to gain glory, love, distinction, wealth, and fight for the welfare of others, among other aspects (Mei & Dasgupta, 2007). ... Moreover, there is a strong link between  ambition  and  individualism  (Mei & Dasgupta, 2007). These are people that work for their own  achievement  disregarding those of others. This trend bears Jesuitical behavior where people think their personal achievements are beneficial to others. This aspect tends to downplay morals of the ambitious, as a result, brings questions to their achievements. These are such questions that  rise  crimes against humanity such as  greed  and corruption. Though this is sometimes true, it harms those that are  true  successful  of  ambition. Epstein argues that the negative view of  ambition  has raised a  trend  of hypocrisy amongst people towards the subject. This is through shunning away from  ambition  and the aspects that come with it such as  success. It is evident in the media the educated saying that they have given up on the idea of  ambition  while they are the products of  benefit  from  ambition  itself.  People do not own up to their dreams of success while others  form  a  state  in which such fruits of success seem to be  normally  available attributes to them.  Other people have developed a natural state of  distrust  of ambition, as a result, view ambition as an uncontrollable part of humanity. Some even go to the extent of blaming ambition for the misdeeds that  happen  in their life. He  further  argues that to shun  ambition  to guard against its adversities is to  restrain  its successes. Through ambition, people  desire  and such de sires  amplify  their hard work and  discipline  towards the  achievement  of such goals.