The purpose of this study was to examine the moral imagination of Kurt Vonnegut and attempt to determine its philosophical basis. This topic was previously only mentioned briefly in the course of other studies, and no one had ever attempted to examine the scope of Vonnegut’s moral vision. This moral vision was examined within the categories of government, technology, violence, economics, and religion. It was concluded that Vonnegut’s vision is based upon the philosophy of humanism: Man is sacred and must be preserved. To this end, Vonnegut advocates a more democratic and selfless form of government, the deemphasis of technology, a more moral scientific responsibility, global pacifism, a socialist economic system, a new religion based on humanism which emphasizes love for all people, and, finally, a return to large extended families. Although Vonnegut acknowledges that this moral vision is unlikely to be instituted on a large enough scale to really change anything due to complexity of an absurd, mechanized, and dehumanized society, he believes it is the moral responsibility of every individual to attempt it. He concludes that the future of mankind depends upon a return to humanistic values.

Zugl.: Halle, University, Staatsexamensarbeit, 2007.

Thesis (M.A.)--Liberty University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis advisor: Gerald Easter / "Living in Truth in the Age of Automatization" is a discussion of dehumanization in the period of technological and bureaucratic supremacy. The article uses the writings of former Czech president Václav Havel and American novelist Kurt Vonnegut to argue that neither the automatization inherent within the Eastern Communist Model nor the mass consumer culture of the Western Capitalist Model are ideal, and to discuss the possibility of a third way, a way called "living in truth" which protects human dignity and the right of every man to pursue meaningful work in a society. / Thesis (MA) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Political Science.

<p>Vonnegut envisions a plutocratic America where the </p><p>aforementioned periphery has been made obsolete, where a corporate </p><p>oligarchy supersedes the presidency in authority. An example of </p><p>this structure is the absent father of the main character Paul </p><p>Proteus, George Proteus, who was before his death the National </p><p>Industrial, Commercial, Communications, Foodstuffs and Resources </p><p>Director, a position which might have been below the presidency at </p><p>that time , but the scales have tilted towards total domination by </p><p>those who fuel the economy, i.e. the corporations. The </p><p>‘unenlightened’ Shah, spiritual leader of Bratpuhr who is visiting </p><p>America to learn about the great American society, shakes his head </p><p>and calls it “Communism” (21), which it is, with the exception that </p><p>there is no Communist Party. In its place is the oligarchy of the </p><p>corporations which the government allows to prevent inefficiency.</p><p> I argue that the hegemonic masculinity, or the masculinity of the </p><p>patriarchy, provides both motivation and justification for the men </p><p>who are constructing the totalitarian state of Player Piano. I will </p><p>furthermore look at the effects, on both society and the </p><p>individual, of a hegemonic masculinity.</p>

Vonnegut envisions a plutocratic America where the aforementioned periphery has been made obsolete, where a corporate oligarchy supersedes the presidency in authority. An example of this structure is the absent father of the main character Paul Proteus, George Proteus, who was before his death the National Industrial, Commercial, Communications, Foodstuffs and Resources Director, a position which might have been below the presidency at that time , but the scales have tilted towards total domination by those who fuel the economy, i.e. the corporations. The ‘unenlightened’ Shah, spiritual leader of Bratpuhr who is visiting America to learn about the great American society, shakes his head and calls it “Communism” (21), which it is, with the exception that there is no Communist Party. In its place is the oligarchy of the corporations which the government allows to prevent inefficiency. I argue that the hegemonic masculinity, or the masculinity of the patriarchy, provides both motivation and justification for the men who are constructing the totalitarian state of Player Piano. I will furthermore look at the effects, on both society and the individual, of a hegemonic masculinity.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-137).

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Elaine B. Safer, Dept. of English. Includes bibliographical references.