During our discussion of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde we got onto the subject of personality and how time can affect a person. One of the views was that people are born with certain tendencies, and they generally follow those throughout life. My view is that people are constantly changing, whether it be in subtle ways or drastic ways. Another interesting idea that this novel brought to my attention is whether or not people can change themselves by belief alone.
In the book, both of these idea are presented. Since Hyde is the embodiment of of Jekyll's evil, it seems that the view of tendencies is supported. However it must be observed that some change in Jekyll had to have taken place, or else he would have tried the experiment sooner of been evil in his true form. Jekyll tries to convince himself that he enjoys the social aspects of his life more, but he belief does not prevent him from turning into Hyde.
I know that in my life I have been changed and I will continue to be changed. Through different experiences in life my views have switched. My approach towards relationships is now different because of my parents divorce, and I am no longer Catholic. These are some of the more prominent changes that I have noticed, and I know there will be many more.
I believe that as humans we are constantly changing, for better or for worse. It is impossible to predict these changes because there are too many conditions influencing them. Everyday events can affect people in adverse ways, possibly changing their character. Believing something so surely can also make a difference in a person. If someone is raised believing they are bad, there is not much to convince them otherwise. The effects of ourselves and the world around us are continually shaping us.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Conversation and it's Importance
While reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, I became interested in the dialogue between the characters. I found Lord Henry's whimsical and paradoxical conversations particularly interesting. When these characters talked to each other, they were participating in an enjoyable social activity, not the chore that some people make it seem like today.
Because of this I have become concerned with conversation today. With texting and Facebook, there is no longer that connection is established when talking face to face. Even though talking face to face still holds the vast majority, I feel that the short and stunted conversations people have take away from relationships. When talking to someone in person, it is easy to gauge their feelings from their responses and start to get a feel for the person. But when you talk to someone online, they may have a completely different personality.
In my life I have caught myself reading a text with a winky face and wondering, "Oh yikes, does she like me?" The emotions in texts are near impossible to pick up on. While when I have a conversation with someone in person, I can usually notice whatever feelings they are trying to convey.
The issue I am presenting is the slow decline of in depth conversations. Facebook is great, and texting is convenient, but it cannot hold up to real human interaction. Every thing that is worded badly or not thought out it is said it important because it is unique. Conversation becomes too tailored when it is solely through letters on a screen.
Because of this I have become concerned with conversation today. With texting and Facebook, there is no longer that connection is established when talking face to face. Even though talking face to face still holds the vast majority, I feel that the short and stunted conversations people have take away from relationships. When talking to someone in person, it is easy to gauge their feelings from their responses and start to get a feel for the person. But when you talk to someone online, they may have a completely different personality.
In my life I have caught myself reading a text with a winky face and wondering, "Oh yikes, does she like me?" The emotions in texts are near impossible to pick up on. While when I have a conversation with someone in person, I can usually notice whatever feelings they are trying to convey.
The issue I am presenting is the slow decline of in depth conversations. Facebook is great, and texting is convenient, but it cannot hold up to real human interaction. Every thing that is worded badly or not thought out it is said it important because it is unique. Conversation becomes too tailored when it is solely through letters on a screen.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A Nugget of Truth From Objectivism
It seems that our class, and I assume many other students, get a little hung up on Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. I believe that the interpretation of this view point is all based on context. People may not blame Jean Valjean for the self-serving act of stealing bread because other events seem to justify him, but put a nameless thug in a back alley stealing a purse and he is the subject hate. These two events by themselves are very similar, but it is people's previous knowledge and bias that allows them to choose which is right and which is wrong.
It is because of this that we supported a central theme in Objectivism, selfishness, when it was displayed in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Edna is driven to do things solely because they are what she wants, and it seems honorable because she needs to be her own person, away from her husband and away from Robert. If it was another woman who had made these choices, one who had not been the subject of the novella, it may be harder to justify her actions.
I think that with the promotion of selfishness in Objectivism and Edna's actions a lot can be learned and applied to my life. I walk through the day with people constantly asking things of me, whether it be subtle or obvious. It doesn't bother me, but I've learned that I have to do things for myself every now and again or else I would go insane. I think it is important for teens to remember this, especially with all the pressure of college applications.
To some people this may seem harsh or obscene, but think of it this way: If you go around pleasing everyone but yourself, then where has your identity gone? This isn't meant to say that it is bad to be philanthropic and joyful however. I am merely saying that it can be healthy and refreshing to be a little selfish every once in a while.
It is because of this that we supported a central theme in Objectivism, selfishness, when it was displayed in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Edna is driven to do things solely because they are what she wants, and it seems honorable because she needs to be her own person, away from her husband and away from Robert. If it was another woman who had made these choices, one who had not been the subject of the novella, it may be harder to justify her actions.
I think that with the promotion of selfishness in Objectivism and Edna's actions a lot can be learned and applied to my life. I walk through the day with people constantly asking things of me, whether it be subtle or obvious. It doesn't bother me, but I've learned that I have to do things for myself every now and again or else I would go insane. I think it is important for teens to remember this, especially with all the pressure of college applications.
To some people this may seem harsh or obscene, but think of it this way: If you go around pleasing everyone but yourself, then where has your identity gone? This isn't meant to say that it is bad to be philanthropic and joyful however. I am merely saying that it can be healthy and refreshing to be a little selfish every once in a while.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Analyzing Cultural Relativism
In this article the issue of the reliability and truth of the Cultural Relativism theory is brought into question. This theory states that there are moral differences in every society and that there are no common morals connecting these cultures. It goes on to say that because of this difference there can be no "right" or "wrong" relating two societies.
I think that the author of this article is right in his analysis Cultural Relativism. Although the theory has merit and applies to many situations, it does not apply to all. I found myself getting really angry at the author when I first started the article but as it went on I began to see his point. The are morals that pertain to all societies and although I do not agree with some of the specific examples given by the author, I feel that these common morals are expresses in some of their most plain forms. Empathy is such a moral that I believe applies to all societies, barring individuals who do not possess it. Being able to feel pain when seeing another's pain or understanding a feeling of something going wrong is applicable to all humans.
Cultural Relativism has presented itself in our Socratic Seminar on Things Fall Apart. We see Okonkwo's multiple marriages as wrong or odd, but it is important to bring it into the context of the novel. In the time period and location it was acceptable, and no matter how we see it, it isn't necessarily wrong. The extent to which Okonkwo abuses his wives, however is something that is universally wrong in both our culture, and the culture of the book when Okonkwo breaks the week of peace.
I can personally relate to this issue because I have noticed the generation clash on homosexuality. Some adults (though certainly not all) want to support homosexuality, but find it uncomfortable because it goes against how they were raised. In the current generation, more people are comfortable with this because they have grown up with it as an issue. In this way I think Cultural Relativism applies if we take each generation as a different culture. The separate views are not inherently wrong, they are just the product of an era. Which is in no way saying that those views cannot be changed.
I think that the author of this article is right in his analysis Cultural Relativism. Although the theory has merit and applies to many situations, it does not apply to all. I found myself getting really angry at the author when I first started the article but as it went on I began to see his point. The are morals that pertain to all societies and although I do not agree with some of the specific examples given by the author, I feel that these common morals are expresses in some of their most plain forms. Empathy is such a moral that I believe applies to all societies, barring individuals who do not possess it. Being able to feel pain when seeing another's pain or understanding a feeling of something going wrong is applicable to all humans.
Cultural Relativism has presented itself in our Socratic Seminar on Things Fall Apart. We see Okonkwo's multiple marriages as wrong or odd, but it is important to bring it into the context of the novel. In the time period and location it was acceptable, and no matter how we see it, it isn't necessarily wrong. The extent to which Okonkwo abuses his wives, however is something that is universally wrong in both our culture, and the culture of the book when Okonkwo breaks the week of peace.
I can personally relate to this issue because I have noticed the generation clash on homosexuality. Some adults (though certainly not all) want to support homosexuality, but find it uncomfortable because it goes against how they were raised. In the current generation, more people are comfortable with this because they have grown up with it as an issue. In this way I think Cultural Relativism applies if we take each generation as a different culture. The separate views are not inherently wrong, they are just the product of an era. Which is in no way saying that those views cannot be changed.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A take on Existentialism
In class we took a little bit of time to discuss the Existentialist theory, which I found to be very interesting, however it seems like a bit of an extreme. The belief that life has no set meaning is understandable, but I believe that we as individuals create that meaning for ourselves whatever we may believe. I would be interested to view some of the other "denominations" of Existentialism to see how they commonly view life. This difference in views also makes me wonder if the society we were raised in affects our readiness to subscribe to Existentialist beliefs.
In the play we are currently reading, Waiting for Godot, it is easy to see the sense of confusion in the characters. Although this sense of confusion is sometimes inward and not directed towards the world in general, it can represent the confusion that people feel when pondering existentialist issues. The scope of the questions raised is immense and cannot be answered by one man. In the play Oedipus the dominant theme of fate clearly contradicts Existentialist views. Life is a set path and cannot be changed as opposed to life having no meaning.
This way of thought appealed to me so much because religion and how it relates to life is something that I often think about. I see religion as something that was created to give the direct meaning to life that is clearly denied in the broadest form of Existentialism. Hearing about these theories is very interesting because it shows me that many other people contemplate the same things.
The Existentialist unit that we are doing right now is very interesting, but I feel at times that works of art representing this view are just like works puffed up by Ellsworth Toohey in The Fountainhead to appeal to the general public. It seems there is a fine line between supporting something with all you heart and following a movement because you know it will take you places.
In the play we are currently reading, Waiting for Godot, it is easy to see the sense of confusion in the characters. Although this sense of confusion is sometimes inward and not directed towards the world in general, it can represent the confusion that people feel when pondering existentialist issues. The scope of the questions raised is immense and cannot be answered by one man. In the play Oedipus the dominant theme of fate clearly contradicts Existentialist views. Life is a set path and cannot be changed as opposed to life having no meaning.
This way of thought appealed to me so much because religion and how it relates to life is something that I often think about. I see religion as something that was created to give the direct meaning to life that is clearly denied in the broadest form of Existentialism. Hearing about these theories is very interesting because it shows me that many other people contemplate the same things.
The Existentialist unit that we are doing right now is very interesting, but I feel at times that works of art representing this view are just like works puffed up by Ellsworth Toohey in The Fountainhead to appeal to the general public. It seems there is a fine line between supporting something with all you heart and following a movement because you know it will take you places.
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Implications of Fate
Fate is an interesting concept that brings a certain sense of helplessness with it. As exemplified by the activity we did on the board in class, people have varying opinions on the matter. Some people believe that whatever happens is for a greater purpose and there is no way of avoiding what was meant to happen. Others believe that each choice in life is a chain reaction leading to many other choices and outcomes. Many people also fall in between this spectrum of views.
I personally believe that in general every person can control their fate. If you have wanted to be something for all of your life and suddenly change that idea it is not because it was meant to be, but because you chose it to be. Humans are too unpredictable for there to be a governing force overseeing all of out actions.
An example from my life is that I chose to save this homework until Halloween. It was not meant to be that I procrastinate on my homework, and any resulting "fateful" experiences from this are only coincidence. Sometimes trying to find a greater meaning in things is looking too far into something that without the context of fate would be easy to understand.
This all means that I disagree with the point of view presented in Oedipus The King. The story serves to teach people that you can not escape your fate, while I firmly believe that there is no such thing as fate. It is interesting to think how this theme would have been essential in the time period it was made, but now it is contrary to modern views.
I personally believe that in general every person can control their fate. If you have wanted to be something for all of your life and suddenly change that idea it is not because it was meant to be, but because you chose it to be. Humans are too unpredictable for there to be a governing force overseeing all of out actions.
An example from my life is that I chose to save this homework until Halloween. It was not meant to be that I procrastinate on my homework, and any resulting "fateful" experiences from this are only coincidence. Sometimes trying to find a greater meaning in things is looking too far into something that without the context of fate would be easy to understand.
This all means that I disagree with the point of view presented in Oedipus The King. The story serves to teach people that you can not escape your fate, while I firmly believe that there is no such thing as fate. It is interesting to think how this theme would have been essential in the time period it was made, but now it is contrary to modern views.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Let's Call It, a Broad Outlook (Monthly Blog)
I truly believe that literature can mean something different for every person. You may hate a book, but that doesn't mean that another person can't find the impetus for their life in it. I had a friend who thought it was funny how people praised poems he whipped together in seconds as great works of art. The way I see it though, if that person wants to believe it is a great piece of art then let them think so! Everyone is there own person and everyone sees things differently, so why wouldn't we interpret literature differently? This isn't to say that there aren't some times when people can twist things to mean something horrible and violent, but in its most innocent form different interpretations of literature should be praised. These thoughts have been rambling throughout my head during our classes.
In our first month of class, the Socratic Seminars have been extremely interesting and I found something uniting about all of the pieces of literature we read: there is something that you can apply to how you live your life that will improve it for the better in each novel. Some of these things may be small, and only change you in the slightest of ways, but there is still that change whether you notice it or not. This is what I see in literature. These changes can arise independently from the main theme of the novel too, because all that matters is what the novel meant to you.
The main idea that I got from a novel was more of a reinforcement of previous beliefs. In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, Howard Roark follows what he loves, despite all the obstacles he faces. He is shunned by society and receives little work but he strives onward because he loves being an architect. In this manner, the book made me realize again that I don't want a job for money or appearances, I want it for how much I will enjoy it and I think that that is an important lesson for anyone who is questioning their future. Don't be a Peter Keating and base your life of other people's wants, focus of your own.
This relates directly to me because I have no clue what I want to do for a career. People suggest things, and throw all the possible careers they can at me, but The Fountainhead is a healthy reminder that I should follow what I want to do. This progressive view seems be becoming more common too, because liberal arts colleges now encourage students to go in undecided. They have realized that experiences in college help shape what you will want to do, so why waste time on an uncertain major? In a way, it all relates back to my view on interpretation of books. People can tell you what a book means, but what you see in it is what really matters. So as you read Hugo, or Rand, or Thoreau, or Dr. Suess, think about what it means and how it influences you, and maybe that will be your guide in life.
In our first month of class, the Socratic Seminars have been extremely interesting and I found something uniting about all of the pieces of literature we read: there is something that you can apply to how you live your life that will improve it for the better in each novel. Some of these things may be small, and only change you in the slightest of ways, but there is still that change whether you notice it or not. This is what I see in literature. These changes can arise independently from the main theme of the novel too, because all that matters is what the novel meant to you.
The main idea that I got from a novel was more of a reinforcement of previous beliefs. In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, Howard Roark follows what he loves, despite all the obstacles he faces. He is shunned by society and receives little work but he strives onward because he loves being an architect. In this manner, the book made me realize again that I don't want a job for money or appearances, I want it for how much I will enjoy it and I think that that is an important lesson for anyone who is questioning their future. Don't be a Peter Keating and base your life of other people's wants, focus of your own.
This relates directly to me because I have no clue what I want to do for a career. People suggest things, and throw all the possible careers they can at me, but The Fountainhead is a healthy reminder that I should follow what I want to do. This progressive view seems be becoming more common too, because liberal arts colleges now encourage students to go in undecided. They have realized that experiences in college help shape what you will want to do, so why waste time on an uncertain major? In a way, it all relates back to my view on interpretation of books. People can tell you what a book means, but what you see in it is what really matters. So as you read Hugo, or Rand, or Thoreau, or Dr. Suess, think about what it means and how it influences you, and maybe that will be your guide in life.
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