Charge of the Light Brigade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Charge of the Light Brigade - Essay Example Due to the foolishness of youth and the hope of a quick victory, each of us wanted to be a part of the battle that would change the course of this strange yet intense conflict. Sadly, as a youth is so often optimistic, the hopes and dreams of my fellow comrades and I were soon diminished as the war dragged on far longer than any of us ever expected it to. Yet, at last, we were informed by our officers that our very brigade would be making an offensive maneuver. Many of us thought that this opportunity was one that had slipped by for far too long and were eager to take place in such an activity. We were informed that the target was a fleeing artillery unit that we could harass and ultimately destroy as a means of improving our countrymen’s position on the field of conflict and seeking to leverage a thorough victory. However, before we set out on the charge, we realized that the position we were attacking was not dismantling and leaving but in fact heavily fortified and well pro visioned. As such, we had one of two choices. Either we could refuse the order and instruct our officers that they had made a fundamental error or we could shoulder our duty and perform it per the requirements that we had been trained. Naturally, as valorous soldiers that sought duty and honor before death, we chose the latter. Sadly, the results of this decision were ultimately terminal for many of the men within my brigade. Withering machine gun fire, constant artillery barrage, and small arms fire defined the charge itself. Even though our men reached the outer perimeters of the defenses towards which we had targeted, the force was so greatly reduced that the effectiveness of this attack was repelled almost immediately. Although many individuals who regard this battle consider this a valorous action, I must say that after having taken part in it, the valor of seeing such a slaughter is somewhat lost upon me. Moreover, the retreat itself was almost as deadly as the advance. The ar tillery, machine guns, and small arms of the Russians did not see their engagement until the point in which we were fully out of range and/or undercover of our own defenses. After the charge, officers, fellow soldiers, newspaper journalists, and individuals around the world held us as heroes. However, it is with a great deal of said that I did not specifically feel myself a hero. Rather, I felt that the men and I within the brigade who had engaged in active foolishness were little more than pawns within the hands of misinformed and rather uncaring officers on the field. It must be stated that even though I have this level of sadness and discussed with regards to the way in which this particular action was carried out, the patriotism that I have towards King and country remain undiminished (Cavendish 53). Instead of viewing this charge as a life altering way of thinking about my patriotic duty, I have instead realized that the military chain of command is oftentimes fundamentally fla wed. Rather than performing checks and ensuring that each and every man could be spared, the arrogance of complete and total control over the battlefield, by specific military commanders such as Maj. Gen. Lord Cardigan, allows such individuals to care little with respect to the trials, tribulations, and ultimate death that their soldiers might face in the field of conflict. Moreover, the officers that reported to Lord Cardigan were naturally fearful of questioning the tactics and providing

Philosophy and the Future Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Philosophy and the Future - Assignment Example The last theory that he put forward was that a person should accept the fact of absurdism and in this way, he would lead a better life. The reason behind this is that a person knows that life has no meaning and in that way, he would live his life to the fullest. Absurdism is one philosophy which actually denies a proper meaning to life. Many philosophers have argued against this. If absurdism is a belief that is universally accepted then it can be argued that the meaning of philosophy itself is nothing because since life has no purpose then why should one actually assess its outcome and search for a way of living. Not believing in life would actually mean not believing in one’s own existence. A logical explanation to the meaning of life is essential and it must be considered. The meaning of life is one thing that a person must analyze so that he understands his own existence. It is something that a person derives from learning and knowledge. Absurdism is actually an easy way out that a person discovers when he denies his search of life. Absurdism is actually living a life of self-denial. Meaning of life can be understood on the basis of religion as is accepted by many. It can also be based upon the principles of utilitarianism which i ndicates that the purpose of leading a normal life is dependant upon the principle of happiness which indicates that a person performs those acts which would bring about the maximum happiness. Religion and utilitarianism teach a person about his own existence, about the purpose of life and the creation of a happy and healthy world. Human beings are finite beings. Despite that many philosophers have put forward the theory about the existence of God who as explained is an infinite, Supreme Being. This means that human beings definitely have the power to consider and examine the infinite being.