The Virtues of Ambition by Joseph Epstein - Research Paper Example

The author argues in such a manner as to shun those that view ambition from the 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 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).

Though being ambitious is an admirable thing within a person, Epstein argues that it is not always easy to perceive it so especially for the less hearted. Ambition makes it hard to satisfy oneself especially as things are hard to accomplish and life may deal one a hard blow. Other people cannot handle it and sometimes it causes grief to those that are ambitious and also those that are not. 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 the 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 truly successful in 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 ideal 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 desires amplify their hard work and discipline towards the achievement of such goals. However, life would be easy without aspects of work, stress, demands, discouragements, and competition for achievement and success, and it would otherwise appear dull and tasteless (Mei & Dasgupta, 2007). In other words, life without challenges is not as captivating as it seems.

Throughout this article, ambition is described in both senses of being harmful and beneficial at the same time to different people. It has made me realize that ambition is what views it and life. As such, a person that views life from a point of view that it is a challenge and one as an unnecessary struggle would view ambition differently. I think it is through ambition that people are able to work every day and survive to continue the following days. Without ambition, there would be no continuity. It is my ambition that will make me succeed in whatever I decide to with my life. I might decide to venture into business, and the only thing that will keep me going strong will be my ambition because I know there will be many challenges ahead.