Today, I listened to music, watched TV, and used the computer. I blinked at the brightness of my cell phone screen before I drifted off to sleep for a nap.
But all these things are just in a cave, as I learned today. The real stuff -- the light -- is outside, out in the real world. Most of us, especially in this day and age, are stuck in a cave. We live here and can't survive without it.
Caves are usually kind of scary anyways, right? They're dark and cold. Who'd want to stay in one?
Yet, most of us still want to stay.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Song
I'm so mortified about my song.
I must admit, though: writing my song wasn't hard for me at all. However, singing it in front of the class is what I dreaded. I'm sure it was like that for a lot of other people. I felt pretty confident before going up to perform, but once I was actually up there, it's a whole different story. My voice cracked what seemed like a million times and I couldn't control it because I was so nervous. It was my first time singing in front of anyone other than my mom and sister: it's definitely a different feeling. But once I was done, I still felt nervous! I guess it's because it's all the adrenaline left over...I felt like I was shaking or something. A part of me wishes that I could do it over again, because I feel like I did a pretty terrible job and that it was possible for me to improve. But another part of me doesn't, obviously, because I don't want to go through that embarrassment again...
I don't know, performing is just not my thing.
I must admit, though: writing my song wasn't hard for me at all. However, singing it in front of the class is what I dreaded. I'm sure it was like that for a lot of other people. I felt pretty confident before going up to perform, but once I was actually up there, it's a whole different story. My voice cracked what seemed like a million times and I couldn't control it because I was so nervous. It was my first time singing in front of anyone other than my mom and sister: it's definitely a different feeling. But once I was done, I still felt nervous! I guess it's because it's all the adrenaline left over...I felt like I was shaking or something. A part of me wishes that I could do it over again, because I feel like I did a pretty terrible job and that it was possible for me to improve. But another part of me doesn't, obviously, because I don't want to go through that embarrassment again...
I don't know, performing is just not my thing.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Brainwashing
This post actually relates to my last post, because I'm actually still talking about indoctrination. In the the book, The Republic, it was mentioned that people should be "dyed", or brainwashed so that they would forget about dangers like pleasure, pain, fear, and desire. But why are these things dangerous? It's because they're dangers to creating a just society, as Socrates mentioned. That's why, he thought, that people must be brainwashed so that they would leave these things behind.
You could say that this "brainwashing" would be a good thing!
These dangers tempt people, and therefore, they lose focus on the main goal: justice. Isn't that what Socrates is really looking for? He's looking to create a just society. But really, his ideal world is so out-there and far-fetched that it's pretty unrealistic, if you ask me.
You could say that this "brainwashing" would be a good thing!
These dangers tempt people, and therefore, they lose focus on the main goal: justice. Isn't that what Socrates is really looking for? He's looking to create a just society. But really, his ideal world is so out-there and far-fetched that it's pretty unrealistic, if you ask me.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Education
You could say that education is choosing to learn. But really, you can go through school without learning a thing.
Indoctrination
In The Republic, the idea of indoctrination is mentioned, as Socrates wanted all people to have the same education. This would have to start at the age of a child. That's where the Pledge of Allegiance comes in: we all learn the pledge when we're in preschool, right? And we learn it, usually without knowing what we're even saying. But that's indoctrination -- it's just kind of...set into our minds at a young age, and it becomes natural and automatic. We're building allegiance to the country, and when we're young, we're pretty much unaware of it. We remember it by heart, and then recite it almost everyday of the school year. The pledge is important, however. Without it, we'd be missing one thing: unity.
Monday, November 28, 2011
A Definite Answer?
As I read Book 1 of The Republic, I start to agree with Glaucon and Adeimantus in that people do right only for their benefit, but I am unsure about if this applies to justice. Each human has a different aptitude, and we keep with this skill. Socrates would agree with this, as it seems evident that he would say that each human has a certain function that can be used for a specific purpose. However, I am not so sure that Socrates would agree that people only do such things in the interest of themselves, because after all, he criticized Thrasymachus’s thought of self-interest, in which self-interest does not always come into play with one’s “functions”. I do not specifically believe that justice is just a matter of convenience, but I agree that it does factor into it. Justice, I believe, is more about truth and morals, which fall into a subjective category: justice is keeping with and following the morals of humans, but this is entirely what each of us thinks. Therefore, I do not think that there is a “correct” definition of justice, because so far, in our time, justice is only what we as humans believe is correct.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Justice
Is justice subjective?
I think so. Morals are subjective...justice, I think, is just respecting the fact that morals are relative. You could say that nothing is truly just or unjust. It's all what WE think. Like Jordan said, though, there's a bubble of objectivity in the bubble of subjectivity, because something could be objective in our minds, but that means it's still subjective. Hmm, that's kind of confusing, but if you think about it, it makes sense. However, the idea of relativism is dangerous, because that means that you could justify almost anything using subjectivity. It could become destructive. We could say that we have the right to do what we want, which, in some instances, might not be good.
Ah! But saying that something "isn't good" is subjective! So, I'm back to my first point...
I think so. Morals are subjective...justice, I think, is just respecting the fact that morals are relative. You could say that nothing is truly just or unjust. It's all what WE think. Like Jordan said, though, there's a bubble of objectivity in the bubble of subjectivity, because something could be objective in our minds, but that means it's still subjective. Hmm, that's kind of confusing, but if you think about it, it makes sense. However, the idea of relativism is dangerous, because that means that you could justify almost anything using subjectivity. It could become destructive. We could say that we have the right to do what we want, which, in some instances, might not be good.
Ah! But saying that something "isn't good" is subjective! So, I'm back to my first point...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
What's The Point?
Being in a philosophy class is something that's completely new to me. But is my grade a good indicator of what I've gotten out of the class? I mean, it could be, because it means that I've grasped what other philosophers in history have said: I, at least, can understand their thoughts. On the other hand, don't you think that it's not just the grade that matters? I believe that I'll know that I have gotten something out of the course when I start to implement these concepts into my daily life, especially when I do it without knowing. Why am I even in this class if I won't get anything out of it? What's the point? Well, when I start to develop my own ideas and thoughts based on the concepts that I learn about in class, I think it should become habitual. I should start thinking about things that I don't usually think about...but this should become normal. I should ask simple questions, but I should ask profound questions that trigger deeper thought. That's when I think that I have gotten at least something out of the class, something more important than a grade.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Marx
Hegel holds the philosophy of reality being the only reality of concepts. But does this actually tell us about the variety of the material part of reality: the one with problems about economic production or technology? Does it give us a grasp of the material side of the world? It doesn't adequately hold all of the mutability and contigency of the material side of reality.
By the way, mutability is change or alteration.
Contingency is dependence on the fulfillment of something.
Moreover, concepts should be practical, grounded in reality, and concrete. They shouldn't be abstract, like Hegel says. We have the philosophy to put into practice and change the world: we have to apply it. "Philosophers have so far only interpreted the world in various ways: the point, however, is to change it."
By the way, mutability is change or alteration.
Contingency is dependence on the fulfillment of something.
Moreover, concepts should be practical, grounded in reality, and concrete. They shouldn't be abstract, like Hegel says. We have the philosophy to put into practice and change the world: we have to apply it. "Philosophers have so far only interpreted the world in various ways: the point, however, is to change it."
Monday, November 7, 2011
Reflection
I actually really like Philosophy class.
Really! Sure, it seems like I'm completely uninvolved in the discussions during class. I just sit there, taking notes, but I'm just trying to absorb everything that we learn.
I know, I know, I rarely talk during these discussions. Actually, now that I think about it, I never talk.
But this class is such a great gateway to ideas that are so new to me. I've never, ever, had a class like this one. It's all so overwhelming! I just don't know how to respond to these kinds of ideas, mostly because I've never encountered them. I really don't know what to say. Anyways, these new concepts have probably passed me during my sixteen years, but I just have never acknowledged them. Maybe they've existed at the back of my mind, but I definitely never thougth about them to this depth.
I used to think about things like, "Wow...when I die, that's it. I'm never going to wake up. I'm going to be asleep forever." I could never grasp concepts like that.
I'm taking small steps, though. Like I said, I've never acknowledged thoughts as deep as the ones that I have to encounter now.
With this class, I can.
Really! Sure, it seems like I'm completely uninvolved in the discussions during class. I just sit there, taking notes, but I'm just trying to absorb everything that we learn.
I know, I know, I rarely talk during these discussions. Actually, now that I think about it, I never talk.
But this class is such a great gateway to ideas that are so new to me. I've never, ever, had a class like this one. It's all so overwhelming! I just don't know how to respond to these kinds of ideas, mostly because I've never encountered them. I really don't know what to say. Anyways, these new concepts have probably passed me during my sixteen years, but I just have never acknowledged them. Maybe they've existed at the back of my mind, but I definitely never thougth about them to this depth.
I used to think about things like, "Wow...when I die, that's it. I'm never going to wake up. I'm going to be asleep forever." I could never grasp concepts like that.
I'm taking small steps, though. Like I said, I've never acknowledged thoughts as deep as the ones that I have to encounter now.
With this class, I can.
A Hermit
Is it possible to be a hermit?
According to Hegel, I can't fully understand who I am if I remain alone by myself with only the objects of nature to attend to. I only gain a proper consciousness of myself when self-understanding is recognized and confirmed by others.
Just imagine being a hermit. A hermit, by definition, is any person living in seclusion. If you're living in seclusion, are you recognized by others? Maybe not, but you're still conscious...aren't you? Are you self-conscious? There's no "mutual recognition" going on, so it's debatable...
If a tree falls and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
According to Hegel, I can't fully understand who I am if I remain alone by myself with only the objects of nature to attend to. I only gain a proper consciousness of myself when self-understanding is recognized and confirmed by others.
Just imagine being a hermit. A hermit, by definition, is any person living in seclusion. If you're living in seclusion, are you recognized by others? Maybe not, but you're still conscious...aren't you? Are you self-conscious? There's no "mutual recognition" going on, so it's debatable...
If a tree falls and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
Alienation
The deepest form of alienation is alienation from your own family. Isn't that sad?
Alienation is actually different from isolation. It's "not being recognized": it's being estranged. If you're estranged from your family, then what are you? What do you have? That is what seems so sad to me.
We all have to choose a path to identity. Sure, I'm pretty young if I do say so myself (!), but I could say that I've still sort of chosen a path. Right now, I'm pretty much walking the path of replication. That is, replication of my parents. I've definitely embraced my parents' values, since they've raised me. But I think that since I've lived with the ideas of my parents my entire life, everything that they tell me is right just seems normal to me. Of course, I can't speak for other people my age. It just seems normal for me to listen to my mom all the time.
Like Hegel said, we're trapped in a state of uneasiness. Even if we choose to be free, we don't feel free. It's like what we talked about in class: I could choose not to go to school, but I'd have a certain guilt looming over me all day. In this way, I have freedom, but at the same time, I don't. Ah, but this goes back to the "path" that I'm on...I've replicated my mom's values, so I go to school anyways. It's a value she holds, too.
Alienation is actually different from isolation. It's "not being recognized": it's being estranged. If you're estranged from your family, then what are you? What do you have? That is what seems so sad to me.
We all have to choose a path to identity. Sure, I'm pretty young if I do say so myself (!), but I could say that I've still sort of chosen a path. Right now, I'm pretty much walking the path of replication. That is, replication of my parents. I've definitely embraced my parents' values, since they've raised me. But I think that since I've lived with the ideas of my parents my entire life, everything that they tell me is right just seems normal to me. Of course, I can't speak for other people my age. It just seems normal for me to listen to my mom all the time.
Like Hegel said, we're trapped in a state of uneasiness. Even if we choose to be free, we don't feel free. It's like what we talked about in class: I could choose not to go to school, but I'd have a certain guilt looming over me all day. In this way, I have freedom, but at the same time, I don't. Ah, but this goes back to the "path" that I'm on...I've replicated my mom's values, so I go to school anyways. It's a value she holds, too.
Being A Baby
Consciousness is the negation of general objects.
With mutual recognition comes self-consciousness.
So can you say that babies aren't actually conscious? After all, it could be said that they only become conscious after they touch someone else's hand. "Finding hands", as it's called, sort of marks the moment when a baby becomes conscious of himself or herself. Before that, however, they're in a state of pre-consciousness. After consciousness actually happens, the baby becomes aware that he or she is, indeed, a baby! At first, the baby doesn't even have a cause-and-effect relationship with objects.
Babies are just so interesting. There's a lot of unique characteristics that they have: for instance, one of the first things that they do is use their fingers to pinch. My mom actually told me that when I was younger, I'd be laying in my crib with my hands in the air, pinching something invisible (to her) with my fingers. But I had actually just learned to use my fingers, because for the first time, I used my fingers to pick up and eat Cheerios.
With mutual recognition comes self-consciousness.
So can you say that babies aren't actually conscious? After all, it could be said that they only become conscious after they touch someone else's hand. "Finding hands", as it's called, sort of marks the moment when a baby becomes conscious of himself or herself. Before that, however, they're in a state of pre-consciousness. After consciousness actually happens, the baby becomes aware that he or she is, indeed, a baby! At first, the baby doesn't even have a cause-and-effect relationship with objects.
Babies are just so interesting. There's a lot of unique characteristics that they have: for instance, one of the first things that they do is use their fingers to pinch. My mom actually told me that when I was younger, I'd be laying in my crib with my hands in the air, pinching something invisible (to her) with my fingers. But I had actually just learned to use my fingers, because for the first time, I used my fingers to pick up and eat Cheerios.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A Piece Of Paper
How is entire world contained on a single piece of white paper? A blank sheet of paper can be compared to the world, in that we, essentially, are able to do whatever we want to it. That's what the world is -- a blank canvas on which we can create something. Then, these white pages turn into pages that are "drawn on", and then turn into "heres" and "nows". We create the world. We create its events in history by drawing on the single piece of paper. The paper signifies us as humankind.
Monday, October 24, 2011
In A Digital World
It was said that games like World of Warcraft can give people a powerful life. Its element of fantasy and imagination is what makes people fully immersed. There's also that urge to connect with other people...this factors into why people can become so obsessed with these kinds of games. In fact, some people spend about ten hours a week playing World of Warcraft. Ten hours. I guess that's what people mean when they say that time flies by. It was said, additionally, that the game wasn't isolating the players, but rather giving them a new way to be "intimate". Intimate? Well, I suppose it could be called that, but I think that there's something more "intimate" about being face-to-face with someone, but that's just me.
In the past, technology has separated us, but apparently, it's bringing us back together now.
There's a growing market for research about how we behave in these virtual worlds. Now, if something just looks real and feels real, then the brain thinks it's real. 50% of kids will have believed what they saw in a computerized setting to be true. The military, additionaly, has been using technology to treat troops with post traumatic stress disorder. Now, pilots can even fly drones just from a base. Still, they have to think in character. There's a disconnect between being at war and at home. It's hard for the mind to comprehend.
Also, today I overheard a conversation that strangely paralleled what we he had watched in class. At the library, I just happened to hear two girls talking next to me...They were having a conversation about how much they hated having their AP Government textbooks online. One of them said that she'd rather have the book in front of her, because she didn't like reading on the computer. She mentioned that she wanted to highlight the text, so she found it more helpful to print out the pages and highlight them. The other girl said that her teacher mentioned that soon, most, if not all textbooks will be available online only. The first girl said that she'd print out all of the pages in the textbook if she needed to. Then, almost in unison, they both groaned.
In the past, technology has separated us, but apparently, it's bringing us back together now.
There's a growing market for research about how we behave in these virtual worlds. Now, if something just looks real and feels real, then the brain thinks it's real. 50% of kids will have believed what they saw in a computerized setting to be true. The military, additionaly, has been using technology to treat troops with post traumatic stress disorder. Now, pilots can even fly drones just from a base. Still, they have to think in character. There's a disconnect between being at war and at home. It's hard for the mind to comprehend.
Also, today I overheard a conversation that strangely paralleled what we he had watched in class. At the library, I just happened to hear two girls talking next to me...They were having a conversation about how much they hated having their AP Government textbooks online. One of them said that she'd rather have the book in front of her, because she didn't like reading on the computer. She mentioned that she wanted to highlight the text, so she found it more helpful to print out the pages and highlight them. The other girl said that her teacher mentioned that soon, most, if not all textbooks will be available online only. The first girl said that she'd print out all of the pages in the textbook if she needed to. Then, almost in unison, they both groaned.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Having Faith (10.18.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
Kierkegaard believed that there is beauty in every individual -- every person has anxiety and fears. Why would we need to overcome something that’s a part of humans, something so unavoidable when it comes to the human condition? We have a different kind of will, which is the will to make the leap of faith. Faith is something beyond our existence, and no one can truly understand it. We’ll never be able to understand it, but we have to try to live the act of faith. What’s more important: should we advance ourselves in an earthly or eternal existence?
Here is one of the definitions of UBERMENSCH: someone who recognizes his own weakness and fallibility but puts his faith in something greater than himself. This is what Abraham achieved when he sacrificed his son. He had the strength to put himself into the unknown.
Kierkegaard believed that there is beauty in every individual -- every person has anxiety and fears. Why would we need to overcome something that’s a part of humans, something so unavoidable when it comes to the human condition? We have a different kind of will, which is the will to make the leap of faith. Faith is something beyond our existence, and no one can truly understand it. We’ll never be able to understand it, but we have to try to live the act of faith. What’s more important: should we advance ourselves in an earthly or eternal existence?
Here is one of the definitions of UBERMENSCH: someone who recognizes his own weakness and fallibility but puts his faith in something greater than himself. This is what Abraham achieved when he sacrificed his son. He had the strength to put himself into the unknown.
Two Existentialists (10.13.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
In Kierkegaard’s view, the birth of existentialism is the “ever-present terror of existential dread”. It’s, essentially, the unavoidable death. He thought that life is meaningless in comparison to the size of the universe. To be alive means to be in a state of constant terror. Nietzsche, on the other hand, thought that you should satisfy your impulses and not live with paranoia, because that’s not living. You have to accept death and create your own life and values. You have the freedom to be whatever you want and to choose your own values.
Kierkegaard believed that rituals are getting in the way of faith. In this way, he criticized Christianity, as did Nietzsche. Also, he believed that the end goal is to get to the same state Abraham was in when he killed Isaac. He thought that morality is a stage, and stops people from achieving the true religious stage, whereas Nietzsche thought that morality hinders will to power.
Nietzsche thought that primal will is what makes you human -- it’s the will to live. We say that we need to live! He believed that this drive lasts forever. However, a possible argument against this is the question, “Is there a limitation to this will to live forever?” What about older people who might say that they are ready to die? It all depends on the individual and how he or she views life, in the end.
In Kierkegaard’s view, the birth of existentialism is the “ever-present terror of existential dread”. It’s, essentially, the unavoidable death. He thought that life is meaningless in comparison to the size of the universe. To be alive means to be in a state of constant terror. Nietzsche, on the other hand, thought that you should satisfy your impulses and not live with paranoia, because that’s not living. You have to accept death and create your own life and values. You have the freedom to be whatever you want and to choose your own values.
Kierkegaard believed that rituals are getting in the way of faith. In this way, he criticized Christianity, as did Nietzsche. Also, he believed that the end goal is to get to the same state Abraham was in when he killed Isaac. He thought that morality is a stage, and stops people from achieving the true religious stage, whereas Nietzsche thought that morality hinders will to power.
Nietzsche thought that primal will is what makes you human -- it’s the will to live. We say that we need to live! He believed that this drive lasts forever. However, a possible argument against this is the question, “Is there a limitation to this will to live forever?” What about older people who might say that they are ready to die? It all depends on the individual and how he or she views life, in the end.
Technology Today (10.4.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
I didn’t know that while reading, a brain isn’t very active, but rather focused. After all, too much stimulation isn’t always good for the brain. In this time and age, people are developing a lack of attentiveness. In fact, technology is contributing to this. Addiction to technology is possible. As a result of technological advances, brains are kept from having one linear thought: technology creates a distraction.
South Korea is a prime example of this. It’s characterized by internet cafes, where people stay all day and sometimes all night to play online games. As a matter of fact, some people have died during gaming due to a lack of water or food. Is it a disease or a phenomenon? We aren’t very sure, but we do know that it’s definitely an addiction. 90% of Korean children use the internet. One boy said that he spent 7 or 8 hours a day playing online games, and spent his weekends doing this. His grades dropped, and his mom felt more distanced from him. For cases like this, there are even “internet rescue schools”, where things like cell phones are taken away. Medical treatment is even offered at times, for eye strains or ear complications. At Korean elementary schools, students learn how to use the internet while also learning how to read.
It’s often said that kids need to be fluent in technology to be ready for the real world. Also, multitasking could be important for jobs. However, our basic skills have turned out to be worse today than they were in the past.
I didn’t know that while reading, a brain isn’t very active, but rather focused. After all, too much stimulation isn’t always good for the brain. In this time and age, people are developing a lack of attentiveness. In fact, technology is contributing to this. Addiction to technology is possible. As a result of technological advances, brains are kept from having one linear thought: technology creates a distraction.
South Korea is a prime example of this. It’s characterized by internet cafes, where people stay all day and sometimes all night to play online games. As a matter of fact, some people have died during gaming due to a lack of water or food. Is it a disease or a phenomenon? We aren’t very sure, but we do know that it’s definitely an addiction. 90% of Korean children use the internet. One boy said that he spent 7 or 8 hours a day playing online games, and spent his weekends doing this. His grades dropped, and his mom felt more distanced from him. For cases like this, there are even “internet rescue schools”, where things like cell phones are taken away. Medical treatment is even offered at times, for eye strains or ear complications. At Korean elementary schools, students learn how to use the internet while also learning how to read.
It’s often said that kids need to be fluent in technology to be ready for the real world. Also, multitasking could be important for jobs. However, our basic skills have turned out to be worse today than they were in the past.
Is He Really There? (9.30.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
I thought that that argument about if God exists or not was really interesting. The debate between Hume and Descartes definitely touched on that. The side that I argued for, Hume, believed that the existence of God is uncertain, because we must use our senses to determine that He does exist. He thought that reason can’t prove that anything exists. Reason, in turn, can only give us logical proof about our ideas. However, God’s existence can’t be logically proved. Additionally, we have no sensory proof that God exists, either. Hume believed that we only know what has come to us from our sensory experiences: that’s the only knowledge we have. He even questioned about how one could know if God has the attributes that some say he has without having sensory impressions of them.
I thought that that argument about if God exists or not was really interesting. The debate between Hume and Descartes definitely touched on that. The side that I argued for, Hume, believed that the existence of God is uncertain, because we must use our senses to determine that He does exist. He thought that reason can’t prove that anything exists. Reason, in turn, can only give us logical proof about our ideas. However, God’s existence can’t be logically proved. Additionally, we have no sensory proof that God exists, either. Hume believed that we only know what has come to us from our sensory experiences: that’s the only knowledge we have. He even questioned about how one could know if God has the attributes that some say he has without having sensory impressions of them.
Parmenides (9.26.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
If I were on the side of Parmenides, I would argue that no human actually changes -- although the way we act or the way we look may change throughout our lives, we are still the same person. In this way, nothing has actually changed. Even though a river continues to flow, it is still a river. Essentially, the matter of it remains permanent. It is the same with our bodies, too. We’re made of the same matter throughout time. Also, our identities remain permanent. I’ll always be Mora, even if I physically (or even mentally) change.
If I were on the side of Parmenides, I would argue that no human actually changes -- although the way we act or the way we look may change throughout our lives, we are still the same person. In this way, nothing has actually changed. Even though a river continues to flow, it is still a river. Essentially, the matter of it remains permanent. It is the same with our bodies, too. We’re made of the same matter throughout time. Also, our identities remain permanent. I’ll always be Mora, even if I physically (or even mentally) change.
Paranoid (9.22.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
One of the subjects that was discussed today was paranoia. I’m usually not a paranoid kind of person, but I do remember that a few years ago, I was paranoid about getting run over by a car while crossing the street to get to my house. This was after I saw someone else get hit by car as I was crossing the same street. Instead of calmly walking across the street each day, I’d do a sort of jog-run across, and I felt pretty awkward doing so. Additionally, during our discussion, “catastrophic thinking” was brought up. This is thinking about the worst that could possibly happen in a situation. Fear of the unknown was also an important aspect mentioned. One of the greatest fears is death, because death really is unknown to everyone.
Referring back to people’s experiences of paranoia, we talked about the similarities and differences between two philosophers, Descartes and Hume. Descartes would try to rationalize fear by questioning it, quantifying, and breaking it down. He thought that the thinking mechanism is most important. On the other hand, Hume believed that we should acknowledge the fear. Emotion controls rational function. We’re actually slaves of passion more than we are of reason. The instinct to survive, he thought, is actually most important.
Paranoia is one of the strongest feelings, and how you see the world is reflected by your fears.
One of the subjects that was discussed today was paranoia. I’m usually not a paranoid kind of person, but I do remember that a few years ago, I was paranoid about getting run over by a car while crossing the street to get to my house. This was after I saw someone else get hit by car as I was crossing the same street. Instead of calmly walking across the street each day, I’d do a sort of jog-run across, and I felt pretty awkward doing so. Additionally, during our discussion, “catastrophic thinking” was brought up. This is thinking about the worst that could possibly happen in a situation. Fear of the unknown was also an important aspect mentioned. One of the greatest fears is death, because death really is unknown to everyone.
Referring back to people’s experiences of paranoia, we talked about the similarities and differences between two philosophers, Descartes and Hume. Descartes would try to rationalize fear by questioning it, quantifying, and breaking it down. He thought that the thinking mechanism is most important. On the other hand, Hume believed that we should acknowledge the fear. Emotion controls rational function. We’re actually slaves of passion more than we are of reason. The instinct to survive, he thought, is actually most important.
Paranoia is one of the strongest feelings, and how you see the world is reflected by your fears.
Realizations (9.20.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
We sorted ourselves into smaller groups today, but continued to discuss “Sophie’s World.” At first, we weren’t even sure if Gaarder had actually even criticized philosophy at all in the book, but then we realized that he does seem to have stronger opinions about women’s rights -- he defended them. Furthermore, we discussed that the author makes the story lineal chronologically, but often referred back to other philosophers, which made his approach cyclical, too. The story became more confusing once we learned that Hilde “read” about Sophie in one day, while we thought that all of the events had taken place over a longer period of time. We thought that telling of the story in this fashion actually made it more brilliant.
We sorted ourselves into smaller groups today, but continued to discuss “Sophie’s World.” At first, we weren’t even sure if Gaarder had actually even criticized philosophy at all in the book, but then we realized that he does seem to have stronger opinions about women’s rights -- he defended them. Furthermore, we discussed that the author makes the story lineal chronologically, but often referred back to other philosophers, which made his approach cyclical, too. The story became more confusing once we learned that Hilde “read” about Sophie in one day, while we thought that all of the events had taken place over a longer period of time. We thought that telling of the story in this fashion actually made it more brilliant.
A Quiet Place (9.16.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
In class, we did an activity in which we had to “be quiet.” I sat in my desk, put my head down, and closed my eyes. At first, I had an abundance of thoughts running through my mind -- what was I going to do in Generals’ Period? What was for lunch? How much homework do I have? However, as a few more minutes passed, I wasn’t thinking about anything...all I could pretty much do was listen to my breathing. I felt like I was in the state in between being awake and being sleep -- sort of half-asleep. I didn’t realize the time going by at all: in fact, I thought it had only been around five or ten minutes, but not eighteen. I guess that, in a way, I did experience “quiet” for a while. It was only a matter of time.
In class, we did an activity in which we had to “be quiet.” I sat in my desk, put my head down, and closed my eyes. At first, I had an abundance of thoughts running through my mind -- what was I going to do in Generals’ Period? What was for lunch? How much homework do I have? However, as a few more minutes passed, I wasn’t thinking about anything...all I could pretty much do was listen to my breathing. I felt like I was in the state in between being awake and being sleep -- sort of half-asleep. I didn’t realize the time going by at all: in fact, I thought it had only been around five or ten minutes, but not eighteen. I guess that, in a way, I did experience “quiet” for a while. It was only a matter of time.
We're Still In Her World (9.15.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
A question concerning the topic of imagination was asked today, and Riley responded by saying that without imagination, it’s hard to be even human. He related the question to thought he often has about adults losing their sense of imagination as they grow older but kids having great imaginations. Elaine added that imagination can allow you to experience things you can’t actually experience (or can you?). Emma said that imagination can take a mind of its own. In fact, Sophie and Alberto still “existed” although Albert ceased writing about them. In this sense, imagination will always continue. Jordan mentioned that imagination could actually be more real than reality itself. Imagination is expandable and has no limits. Alex added that imagination is not as unreal as we think it is. As a matter of fact, imagination lives with us -- it’s parallel to our world.
Many of my classmates had thoughts about what they believed were annoying parts of “Sophie’s World.” Kevin said that Sophie’s reactions were pretty unbelievable -- it’s strange that she was more intrigued than scared by a stranger suspiciously contacting her. Her reactions are uncommon, especially in today’s world. It was mentioned that it was weird how Sophie was even interested in learning about philosophy in the first place -- had it been her, she would not have even considered it. Karen was confused by “the idea chicken” mentioned in the story, and had to keep re-reading the passage it was explained in. The idea of it was hard to grasp, which annoyed her.
Jordan said that philosophers say such bizarre things, and for this, they are remembered. Their thoughts were considered so outlandish, especially during the times when they had lived.
Jordan later continued, saying that the world is a perception of facts. Everyone has their own definition of a world -- no two people are exactly alike, so no two people’s perceptions of the world are exactly the same. Additionally, you create your own world essentially by choosing what you believe. Alex then realized that the title “Sophie’s World” refers to her perception of the world -- it really is “her world.” However, the world is just as it appears to us.
A question concerning the topic of imagination was asked today, and Riley responded by saying that without imagination, it’s hard to be even human. He related the question to thought he often has about adults losing their sense of imagination as they grow older but kids having great imaginations. Elaine added that imagination can allow you to experience things you can’t actually experience (or can you?). Emma said that imagination can take a mind of its own. In fact, Sophie and Alberto still “existed” although Albert ceased writing about them. In this sense, imagination will always continue. Jordan mentioned that imagination could actually be more real than reality itself. Imagination is expandable and has no limits. Alex added that imagination is not as unreal as we think it is. As a matter of fact, imagination lives with us -- it’s parallel to our world.
Many of my classmates had thoughts about what they believed were annoying parts of “Sophie’s World.” Kevin said that Sophie’s reactions were pretty unbelievable -- it’s strange that she was more intrigued than scared by a stranger suspiciously contacting her. Her reactions are uncommon, especially in today’s world. It was mentioned that it was weird how Sophie was even interested in learning about philosophy in the first place -- had it been her, she would not have even considered it. Karen was confused by “the idea chicken” mentioned in the story, and had to keep re-reading the passage it was explained in. The idea of it was hard to grasp, which annoyed her.
Jordan said that philosophers say such bizarre things, and for this, they are remembered. Their thoughts were considered so outlandish, especially during the times when they had lived.
Jordan later continued, saying that the world is a perception of facts. Everyone has their own definition of a world -- no two people are exactly alike, so no two people’s perceptions of the world are exactly the same. Additionally, you create your own world essentially by choosing what you believe. Alex then realized that the title “Sophie’s World” refers to her perception of the world -- it really is “her world.” However, the world is just as it appears to us.
Living In Sophie's World (9.13.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
Today, during class, we continued with our discussion about Sophie’s World. One question that was asked was, “How is it possible to have memories if you have no senses at all?” I thought about this, but I can’t seem to figure out how that could actually be possible, so I don’t know either. Karen asked if people without senses could dream, and some of the responses were that people who can’t see dream about things like colors or even sounds. Helen mentioned that as a child, one develops reactions to certain things, and what you see as a child affects what you see for the rest of your life. Emma added that when you’re a child, you absorb everything that you learn. For instance, in Sophie’s World, the father might have wanted Hilde to think about the bigger things in life at the age of 15 instead of trivialities.
Continuing the discussion about why Hilde’s father wanted her to learn about philosophy at the age of 15, Jasmine said that no one is too young or even dumb to think about life’s bigger lessons, because when you need to find your place when you’re young.
During the subject about why Hilde’s father wrote about Sophie for Hilde’s benefit, Kevin said that he might have written Sophie’s character so that Hilde could easily relate to her. They have so much in common, so Hilde could easily place herself in Sophie’s shoes and become closer with the lessons involved in the book.
Emma said that Sophie makes such a great character for Hilde’s book because she embraces the ideas that she learns, but she is also critical of them. This makes her a practical, but perfect model for Hilde. Later in the discussion, Emma also added that reality is an adventure, but illusion is real. What we perceive is real to us.
One of the final questions asked was if Alberto and Sophie are actually making any decisions. They think that they have free will, but they actually don’t. Perhaps we don’t have free will either, and are being controlled by something else...
Today, during class, we continued with our discussion about Sophie’s World. One question that was asked was, “How is it possible to have memories if you have no senses at all?” I thought about this, but I can’t seem to figure out how that could actually be possible, so I don’t know either. Karen asked if people without senses could dream, and some of the responses were that people who can’t see dream about things like colors or even sounds. Helen mentioned that as a child, one develops reactions to certain things, and what you see as a child affects what you see for the rest of your life. Emma added that when you’re a child, you absorb everything that you learn. For instance, in Sophie’s World, the father might have wanted Hilde to think about the bigger things in life at the age of 15 instead of trivialities.
Continuing the discussion about why Hilde’s father wanted her to learn about philosophy at the age of 15, Jasmine said that no one is too young or even dumb to think about life’s bigger lessons, because when you need to find your place when you’re young.
During the subject about why Hilde’s father wrote about Sophie for Hilde’s benefit, Kevin said that he might have written Sophie’s character so that Hilde could easily relate to her. They have so much in common, so Hilde could easily place herself in Sophie’s shoes and become closer with the lessons involved in the book.
Emma said that Sophie makes such a great character for Hilde’s book because she embraces the ideas that she learns, but she is also critical of them. This makes her a practical, but perfect model for Hilde. Later in the discussion, Emma also added that reality is an adventure, but illusion is real. What we perceive is real to us.
One of the final questions asked was if Alberto and Sophie are actually making any decisions. They think that they have free will, but they actually don’t. Perhaps we don’t have free will either, and are being controlled by something else...
First Post (9.12.11)
*This post was copied from my original blog on Google Docs*
Today, we did an activity in which we had to walk around outside blindfolded. In one situation, my partner was blindfolded first, and I had to lead her outside without saying a word to her. Obviously, this was quite difficult, especially when I had to lead her down a staircase or up a hill. However, what was more difficult was when I was blindfolded. In the beginning, she wasn’t allowed to speak to me either - the only way that she could lead me around was by holding my hand.
It seemed like as I was being led around while blindfolded, my hearing sense became stronger. For instance, as I crossed the street blindfolded, I noticed the sound of the cars to be louder. This might enforce the fact that one sense is taken away, the others seems to get stronger.
My metacognition was altered when my hands were suddenly dipped in water, too, because I wasn’t expecting it at all. In fact, it shocked me.
I found the activity to be an interesting way to learn about senses and metacognition, because I feel like I take my senses for granted most of the time. I don’t usually consider how useful they are, or how each of them affect one another. I enjoyed this experience!
Today, we did an activity in which we had to walk around outside blindfolded. In one situation, my partner was blindfolded first, and I had to lead her outside without saying a word to her. Obviously, this was quite difficult, especially when I had to lead her down a staircase or up a hill. However, what was more difficult was when I was blindfolded. In the beginning, she wasn’t allowed to speak to me either - the only way that she could lead me around was by holding my hand.
It seemed like as I was being led around while blindfolded, my hearing sense became stronger. For instance, as I crossed the street blindfolded, I noticed the sound of the cars to be louder. This might enforce the fact that one sense is taken away, the others seems to get stronger.
My metacognition was altered when my hands were suddenly dipped in water, too, because I wasn’t expecting it at all. In fact, it shocked me.
I found the activity to be an interesting way to learn about senses and metacognition, because I feel like I take my senses for granted most of the time. I don’t usually consider how useful they are, or how each of them affect one another. I enjoyed this experience!
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