Primo Levi's The Periodic Table: An Analysis

which make up all of life. They are based on the ancient alchemical systems and

"Boom! Pow! Sounds that are immediately followed by Ahh's and cheers. For most of us these sounds are all too familiar at annual 4th of July firework celebrations. However, what would a 4th of July celebration be without the glimmering colors of our nation. People all over our country are able to share in the excitement of fireworks partly due to the effects of one element. The glow of a child’s face from “Glow in the dark” paint is able to work - again- because of the effects of one element. However, the feelings of happiness and pleasure are not constricted to only the red glow of paints and flares. This amazing element is also able to bring pleasure and

The beginning of Book eight of the Nicomachean Ethics states that friendship is a “kind of virtue and it is also most necessary for living” (Book VIII, 1155a, 1-2). Friendships connect to all walks of life, with friends we can help young from making mistakes and assist the elderly in life through their delicate state they cannot do themselves. The most significant power friendship has is the ability to hold communities and how it’s closely connected to justice (Book VIII, 1155a, 20-26). Which is interesting because it seems that by human nature we strive for the sense of harmony in a community. We aim for happiness between community members and happiness as a whole. Aristotle later comments that a possession of many friends are one of the fine things of life and it is a splendid thing to obtain.

In his time, Aristotle wrote many works on different topics. In arguably one of his most popular works, Nicomachean Ethics, specifically in Book 8, he explores the virtue of friendship. He believes that there are three branches of friendship: that of utility (where two parties derive some benefit from each other), of pleasure (where two parties come together for the sake of pleasure received) and that of the good (where two parties of similar good virtues come together, admire one another for it and help each other strive for more goodness). The last of these types is of the highest form, with Aristotle describing it to be ‘perfect’. It is also naturally permanent unlike the other two, because these friends are not concerned about any other external factor outside of the other’s personality and virtues.

According to Aristotle 's views on friendships he believes that friendship is necessary to live a good life, inspires us to be virtuous, and is a kind of love. Aristotle also believes friendships help people predispose their character and keeps the youth away from errors. Additionally friendship gives support during weakness and helps people be generous and know when they need help. Aristotle views that there are three kinds of friendships, pleasure, utility, and perfect friendships. Pleasure friendships according to Aristotle are typically found in young people. Pleasure friendships are based on the person producing pleasure for the friend. Pleasure friendships tend to end once the person providing the pleasure stops. Utility friendships can be found in young or old people and is based on a person being useful to another. Utility friendships are fulfilling a person 's needs and is based on mutual use. Friendships based on utility typically end if the other person stops being useful. The third friendship is perfect friendship that is found through a state of perfected character. Perfect friendship is motivated by unselfishness and mutual self interest. Friendships that are perfect need to include people that are alike in character, virtue and social station/ equality. Perfect friendships according to Aristotle require time and familiarity. Another requisite is the mastery of self, the friends must know themselves before they know each other.

Various people refer to a friendship as a violin. The music may stop every now and then, but most importantly, the strings last forever. A friendship may have its ups and downs, but a true friendship should never perish. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men illustrates the importance of a close friendship, and the dependability that comes along with that relationship. Thomas Aquinas, an Italian philosophers, wisely said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than a true friendship” (Aquinas).

Why is friendship so important in the life of a human being? In the fictional novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck two men, George and Lennie are very close friends that travel together and have known eachother for a long time. They face multiple challenges, meet new people, and are involved in a plethora of chaotic situations, bringing up the question of friendship in many instances. Shown in many scenes of the book, The true significance of friendship is that it adds comfort and a sense of family to one's life.

Mao Zedong once said “The differences between friends cannot but reinforce their friendship.” A perfect example of this is George and Lennie’s friendship in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. George and Lennie have a unique friendship. The two are opposites, but they would do almost anything for one another. This distinctive friendship has many qualities that allow it to work.

It is true that friendship boosts up your happiness, increases your sense of belonging and purpose, and reduces stress. In the novel, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, a group of adolescents go through thick and thin together and always have each other’s backs as friends. They all support one another and are there when needed, so they are like a big group/gang of brothers. They discover that friendship is all that matters throughout the book because they support each other no matter what. Hinton presents the idea that friendship makes friends become non-biological siblings; in fact, the greasers would do anything to help each other out.

True friendship, according to Aristotle, is an external reflection of an individual’s internal good, which one must have in order to reach a eudaimonic state. He logically concludes one must be good and participate in good actions in order to reach the highest form of goodness. Therefore, he contends that every reasonable person “wishes for himself [or herself] what is good and what seems so, and does it (for it is the character of a good

“The Periodic Table” by Primo Levi suggests that the ignorance of reality held by the majority fabricates negligent perceptions that trigger isolation and hinders learning opportunities. These perceptions are easily formed, while the reality is forgotten. The ideology of Fascism “wants everyone to be the same and [Jews] are not” (Primo 34). They are the impurities that need to be cleansed from the earth by death or isolation. Levi accepts that, as a Jew, he is “the impurity” (35) in the Fascist community.

In his book The Element, Ken Robinson claims that you should never give up on what you love even with the circumstances given. He shows that in order to have luck in life or to be considered a lucky person you, have to have a positive attitude. Robinson also shows us that you need to have potential to look at situations differently. Furthermore, he tells us that you need to overcome challenges and never give up on what you love. Similarly, in her book Mindset, Carol Dweck claims that in order to be successful you have to believe that a simple mindset can change your behavior and beliefs. Dweck says that human skills can grown through effort when you challenge yourself. Having a growth mindset encourages learning and effort. Dweck also says

Further along, we learn that friendship cannot exist without certain goodness from people involved. This is apparent when in his explanation of friendship he states, “I am inclined to regard

In the book Aristotle and the Philosophy of Friendship, (based off the Nicomachean Ethics) the author, Pangle, informed the audience that Aristotle believe in three different types of friendships based off three different types of motives: Friendships of Utility, Friendships of Pleasure, and Perfect Friendship. He identifies these types of friendships as different types of sources of affection that are lovable as the good, the pleasant, and the useful. Before analyzing Aristotle three types of friendships we must first understand what he meant by friendship. During Aristotle’s rein friendship was commonly known as the love one person had for another. Philia, brotherly love, was essential

Aristotle highlighted the importance of friendship through various practices and concepts, such as utility and virtue. Virtuous practices were believed to enhance the friendship and encourage happiness among the participants (Kraut 64). Unfortunately, a friend whose behavior and practices are malevolent causes a rift in the practice of Aristotle’s principles. Therefore, to preserve the friendship and to protect one’s friend, one must do all that is possible to cease his or her friend’s actions.