research paper concepts

I've realized that thinking of an awesome paper idea is going to be very challenging, especially with the subject matter of this class. Just going over the ideas that Dr. Ashe gave us, such as success and what our opinion of success is based on, influences on our lives, the definition of a virtuous concept, and doing/not doing something, I am having a hard time of thinking of something original. I think that I lead a comparable life to those of my peers.

I think all of us have an idea of "success" similar to one that includes graduating from college with greater opportunities than what we have encountered before. Although I'm sure many of our ideals include emotional stability on a happiness level, they probably all include a comfortable level of wealth. I'm sure many of us can sympathize with living paycheck-to-paycheck, or being supported by our parents, at least during one time or another in our lives. What I am getting to is the Protestant belief that success is associated with the accumulation of material wealth. This can be seen everyday in America, especially in a time of economic recession when bankruptcy and credit card debt reveal our infatuation with instant gratification. Even I look towards my father as a successful role model, but this is not only based on his happiness and personality, but also on the ground that he is financially successful. I think many people could associate being able to budget and manage money, even if it is very little, with an idea of success.

As far as influences and lessons in our lives, I think almost everyone has learned from their parents, teachers, peers, and the media. Not always in the same mix, but each has probably played an important role in everyone's lives. And the delicate balance can affect the person you become; less parents and more media are more likely to create a non-social personality; less teachers and more peers have a probability of leading to bad influences such as alcohol and drugs; and a positive balance of teachers and parents will probably have a greater effect on overall success. These are just vague generalizations, maybe even stereotypical, but everyone in America can probably associate with a few of these influences. Unless they didn't attend school or have a television in their homes, subject matter wouldn't flow as freely to them for a paper topic.

I am also of the opinion that the ideas about something you didn't do would tie into your "biggest regret" which could of course be expanded upon, but that and the definition of a "virtuous concept" are cliche paper topics that have already been done, time and again. I want to think of something more original and creative. Although, I could talk about the Western ideals versus the Eastern ideals: associating wealth with success as compared to love or kinship. I think I am getting closer...