While reading Man's Search for Meaning, I came across an idea that truly sparked my interest. Frankl mentioned something of an inner life. He stated that these memories that one could never be stripped of help during times of distress.
When I first read this, I agreed completely. I loved this idea, but then I started to think more deeply about it. Although it may help people in their current situation, relying on the inner life is something nobody should do. The past is the past, but one's living condition relates to the now. If one leads their life to relying on past good-times, nothing can truly be done for the future.
The past is important, it builds the future and it's how people learn how to act in future situations. It also helps Frankl's act of logotherapy, because by thinking about what mark one has made, a meaning and purpose can be extracted out of that. This is why everyone can find a meaning: everyone has a past. Even if it might not be great, there will always be something (possibly stretched and exaggerated) that can be looked at as a meaning. This is where I come to doubt that anyone can find a meaning if they're not willing and yearning for one. Sure, there are those that have known their "calling" to the earth from birth, but there are also those that haven't had a positive, memorable experience that could give them such a credibility and meaning in life. There are also those that have experienced only positive experiences, leading them to find no meaning because they can't recognize something that they've helped to make better.
This idea leads to my thoughts on "suffering" (another important theme in Man's Search for Meaning). "Suffering", although it has a dictionary definition, is technically defined by each individual. One may think that they're "suffering" when the $400 boots that just came out are out of stock, while another may think they're "suffering" when they can't afford to put food on the table. I'm sure that anyone that compares these two situations can see who's "suffering more", but is are the situations the only dictators?
I think not. If one allows oneself to "suffer" because they can't get their favorite boots, and they allow that to bring them down, they've developed a truly weak threshold. This weak threshold will only hurt one in the future.
Frankl states that everyone will "suffer" at some point in their life and that it's their reaction that truly defines the individual. The reaction means everything. Because everything has to do with reaction and, on a deeper level, perception, the person that believes they're "suffering" because of the boots will ultimately suffer more. What, if such a high threshold of "suffering", will this person allow to make her happy? And to what extent can this person's happiness truly exist? Everything neutralizes, including spectrums. However far down one gets (on a fixed, general spectrum) is exactly how happy that same person can be.
Although one that cannot afford to put food on the table is suffering more physically, one that allows suffering over the boots will ultimately "suffer" more mentally.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
No Exit, No Worries
While reading "No Exit" I found myself thinking about what my hell would be like quite a few times. After a lot of thinking time, I came to the conclusion that my hell would consist of close-minded people that always thought they were right when, in reality, they had it all wrong. I would also hate to be in a room with people who eat annoyingly, don't clean up after themselves or those that are uncontrollably lazy. After I thought about everything I would hate to deal with for the rest of eternity (I came up with a lot), I thought about the whole message that Sarte was proposing to those who read his play. "Hell is-- other people" is only possible if one is not living a "pour soi" life. He represented every other existential lifestyle in "No Exit" (en soi (Estelle), commitment (Inez) and bad faith (Garcin)), and that's how/why they were in hell together. If one of those people were living the pour soi way, 1) they probably wouldn't be in hell in the first place, 2) there would be some way to defeat the purpose of hell. So basically, if one chooses to live the pour soi lifestyle, hell will never unintentionally enter their life. This is simply because these people have the ability to chose any life they want to live, and I couldn't see why anyone would choose a life where hell is a possibility.
This being said, living the pour soi life is much more complicated than Sarte proposes it to be. Some situations don't leave much leeway to how one responds to it. Of course there is always a choice, but there might not always be a GOOD choice. In the case of picking the lesser of two evils, one can lead a fairly miserable life. But, if one is truly living the pour soi way, technically nothing should be able to bother them. This is where I have a problem with the philosophy. I don't believe that people should be so lenient that absolutely nothing bothers them. It's unnatural. Pet peeves, as petty as most are, are defining characteristics. They represent what someone stands for, what someone enjoys and what someone dislikes. If absolutely nothing bothered someone, they'd be living the life! But I wouldn't consider them an individual. Some things in life will bother you, it's basically inevitable. And if it's actually come to the point where nothing can get under your skin, congrats, but maybe rethink your true core values.
This being said, living the pour soi life is much more complicated than Sarte proposes it to be. Some situations don't leave much leeway to how one responds to it. Of course there is always a choice, but there might not always be a GOOD choice. In the case of picking the lesser of two evils, one can lead a fairly miserable life. But, if one is truly living the pour soi way, technically nothing should be able to bother them. This is where I have a problem with the philosophy. I don't believe that people should be so lenient that absolutely nothing bothers them. It's unnatural. Pet peeves, as petty as most are, are defining characteristics. They represent what someone stands for, what someone enjoys and what someone dislikes. If absolutely nothing bothered someone, they'd be living the life! But I wouldn't consider them an individual. Some things in life will bother you, it's basically inevitable. And if it's actually come to the point where nothing can get under your skin, congrats, but maybe rethink your true core values.
Classroom Report
Who would have thought that a class that requires deep contemplation would become my favorite? Not me, that's for sure. When I first signed up for Philosophy, I had simply heard that it was a pretty decent class to take because good books were read and there weren't many tests. This was the class that I was planning on sitting through for days, weeks, months, quarters and semesters. As it turned out, that's not the case in the slightest. Although we're still early in the year, Philosophy has already helped elongate my understanding of intellect's ideas as well as my own.
This has been made possible by discussions in class about the books that we're reading, etc. Analyzing has always been a difficult process for me, and I've found that the way we go over it in class by learning some of the history of the philosophy before the ideas themselves has really helped with my analytical skills. The only aspect I would change in the class is the amount of people that regularly participate. I understand that it can be extremely difficult to speak one's mind in front of a class of 30 strangers, but that's one of the main points of philosophical thinking. The more opinions and ideas that I come in contact with, the more I find myself learning. I love having to think more about the issues discussed in class, I can't imagine how awesome it'd be if everyone contributed their thoughts as well.
This has been made possible by discussions in class about the books that we're reading, etc. Analyzing has always been a difficult process for me, and I've found that the way we go over it in class by learning some of the history of the philosophy before the ideas themselves has really helped with my analytical skills. The only aspect I would change in the class is the amount of people that regularly participate. I understand that it can be extremely difficult to speak one's mind in front of a class of 30 strangers, but that's one of the main points of philosophical thinking. The more opinions and ideas that I come in contact with, the more I find myself learning. I love having to think more about the issues discussed in class, I can't imagine how awesome it'd be if everyone contributed their thoughts as well.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Presidential decisions
Albert Camus and Voltaire are really not that different in their beliefs. Although one believes that there is no meaning in life (Camus) and the other believes that the meaning is to "cultivate one's garden", both believe that hard work is what everyone should focus on.
Because of this belief, if I had to pick the presidential candidate that each would vote for, I'd argue that it would be Mitt Romney.
Voltaire would vote for Romney because his main point is that he will create more jobs in America. This will lead to a higher employment rate, something that Voltaire holds high in importance. Romney also wants to decrease welfare benefits, something that many argue decrease people's initiative to work. Voltaire's views suggest that he would be totally in favor of this happening. A reason that Voltaire would not be in favor of Obama is the fact that a lot of his campaign is based on the idea of hope. Throughout "Candide", he satirized optimism and claimed that it was hyped up and not necessary to fulfilling a successful life. Voltaire believes in actions rather than hope and welfare, making it clear to me that he'd be pro-Romney.
Although I would say that Camus wouldn't waste his time voting for the next president of America, if he had to chose one candidate, he'd vote for Romney as well. Camus believes that nobody really matters in the long run, making me believe that he could care less about the state of welfare in America. He would also agree with the increased funding to military services, just as Voltaire would. Romney is supporting increased funds, Obama is not for them. Although I couldn't see Camus supporting either candidate, I believe that he is more compatible with Romney.
Because of this belief, if I had to pick the presidential candidate that each would vote for, I'd argue that it would be Mitt Romney.
Voltaire would vote for Romney because his main point is that he will create more jobs in America. This will lead to a higher employment rate, something that Voltaire holds high in importance. Romney also wants to decrease welfare benefits, something that many argue decrease people's initiative to work. Voltaire's views suggest that he would be totally in favor of this happening. A reason that Voltaire would not be in favor of Obama is the fact that a lot of his campaign is based on the idea of hope. Throughout "Candide", he satirized optimism and claimed that it was hyped up and not necessary to fulfilling a successful life. Voltaire believes in actions rather than hope and welfare, making it clear to me that he'd be pro-Romney.
Although I would say that Camus wouldn't waste his time voting for the next president of America, if he had to chose one candidate, he'd vote for Romney as well. Camus believes that nobody really matters in the long run, making me believe that he could care less about the state of welfare in America. He would also agree with the increased funding to military services, just as Voltaire would. Romney is supporting increased funds, Obama is not for them. Although I couldn't see Camus supporting either candidate, I believe that he is more compatible with Romney.
Friday, October 26, 2012
A stranger importance
Although Camus argues that there is no meaning in the actions of life, I would have to disagree. Everything that I do means something to me. It may not have an effect on the universe as a whole, but why does that really matter? As long as I'm satisfied with my actions and they have an importance to me, I'd say there's a meaning behind them.
One thing that I do that means a lot to me is learn. Just recently, I have developed a great desire to learn. I'm not sure if I am simply maturing or if its the fact that I am finally taking classes that actually interest me, but I now love to learn. It is meaningful to me because my interaction with people has now changed, and it will help me with my future plans.
My interactions with people are now based around learning from what they have to say. I realize that everyone has a different opinions on different topics of life, an I love listening to those different opinions. Although I do not agree with many opinions I come across and I also have my own core values, I still like to expose myself to different ways if thinking. This has helped me strengthen my relationships with many people and will help me continue to learn about the world in a broad sense.
I also have future plans I becoming a pediatrician. I realize that there is a lot of schooling that comes along with this goal, and because I've opened up to learning, the experience will be a positive one. I cannot wait to learn all about humans and then use that information to help others. Just thinking about it makes me giddy.
Because learning has and will continue to help me throughout my life, it means a whole lot to me. Relevance to ones life equals meaning. I agree with Camus on the fact that we, as humans, will probably contribute nothing to the universe by ourselves, but I believe that meaning still exists. Meaning is one of the most subjective terms though. This is because it differs between every person you chat with, as it should. Nobody leads the same life, making it inevitable that different things will hold a different importance in different people's lives.
One thing that I do that means a lot to me is learn. Just recently, I have developed a great desire to learn. I'm not sure if I am simply maturing or if its the fact that I am finally taking classes that actually interest me, but I now love to learn. It is meaningful to me because my interaction with people has now changed, and it will help me with my future plans.
My interactions with people are now based around learning from what they have to say. I realize that everyone has a different opinions on different topics of life, an I love listening to those different opinions. Although I do not agree with many opinions I come across and I also have my own core values, I still like to expose myself to different ways if thinking. This has helped me strengthen my relationships with many people and will help me continue to learn about the world in a broad sense.
I also have future plans I becoming a pediatrician. I realize that there is a lot of schooling that comes along with this goal, and because I've opened up to learning, the experience will be a positive one. I cannot wait to learn all about humans and then use that information to help others. Just thinking about it makes me giddy.
Because learning has and will continue to help me throughout my life, it means a whole lot to me. Relevance to ones life equals meaning. I agree with Camus on the fact that we, as humans, will probably contribute nothing to the universe by ourselves, but I believe that meaning still exists. Meaning is one of the most subjective terms though. This is because it differs between every person you chat with, as it should. Nobody leads the same life, making it inevitable that different things will hold a different importance in different people's lives.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Candide's crimes
Candide's first crime (loving Cunegonde) had an extremely unfair punishment. Why should someone have to face exile from the "best of all worlds" simply because they fell in love? That will never make sense to me.
Even though it was an unfair punishment, it helped Candide grow as a person and experience places and people that he never would have if he wasn't exiled. Another reason that Candide should not be upset that he got exiled is because if he wasn't, he probably would have been slaughtered along with the rest of the residents of the castle.
All in all, Candide's punishment for loving someone of higher class than he was extremely not qualified, but it all worked out in the end, so there's really nothing to complain about.
Even though it was an unfair punishment, it helped Candide grow as a person and experience places and people that he never would have if he wasn't exiled. Another reason that Candide should not be upset that he got exiled is because if he wasn't, he probably would have been slaughtered along with the rest of the residents of the castle.
All in all, Candide's punishment for loving someone of higher class than he was extremely not qualified, but it all worked out in the end, so there's really nothing to complain about.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
How do I know what I know?
Many people have come to many different conclusions about life: what is right, what is wrong, what is success. Sure, I've thought about those things, but my main focus has been on why things happen the way they do.
For starters, why was I born into the family I was born into? Well, it's because I needed the culture to be brought to me, and I needed to be surrounded by it too. Both of my parents are musicians, so it was inevitable that I'd be introduced to music and other art forms. these things have altered my life forever, but art, family and how art has impacted me is not what this post is about. This post is about why everything happens for a reason.
Some may say I'm only searching for a comfort level; I would disagree with them, to an extent. I wouldn't disagree fully because a certain comfort level is established, but I would disagree because that's not what I'm searching for. In fact, I wasn't searching for anything when this realization fell upon me. I was actually extremely upset that I had missed my bus and would in turn not get to class on time (I still worried freshman year).
I used to take the Kimball-82 to the Belmont Blue Line everyday to get to school. I had already woken up late so my schedule was all off. After I washed my face and brushed my teeth, I sprinted for the bus. Getting there a millisecond too late was the second bad start to my day, and I let it show. I was angry, upset and annoyed at every aspect of life. I couldn't understand why the bus driver couldn't wait the extra 10 seconds to let me on the bus, but I soon would.
After waiting for another bus, I was still enraged. As we approached the Belmont Blue Line stop, I see a surplus of city vehicles outside of the station. The platform is underground, so I couldn't see what had happened, if anything. After paying my fare, I see police and paramedics surrounding a person. I soon after found out that this was a man that was hit by the train as it passed; he got off the last Kimball-82 bus.
After waiting for the train to clear up, I realized how lucky I was that I didn't have to witness that horrific event. My anger disappeared and turned into gratitude. I realized that it wasn't that bad that I missed that first bus, because then I would have witnessed a traumatizing event. This is just one experience that I have analyzed, but there have been many more instances that have led me to believe that everything happens for a reason.
For starters, why was I born into the family I was born into? Well, it's because I needed the culture to be brought to me, and I needed to be surrounded by it too. Both of my parents are musicians, so it was inevitable that I'd be introduced to music and other art forms. these things have altered my life forever, but art, family and how art has impacted me is not what this post is about. This post is about why everything happens for a reason.
Some may say I'm only searching for a comfort level; I would disagree with them, to an extent. I wouldn't disagree fully because a certain comfort level is established, but I would disagree because that's not what I'm searching for. In fact, I wasn't searching for anything when this realization fell upon me. I was actually extremely upset that I had missed my bus and would in turn not get to class on time (I still worried freshman year).
I used to take the Kimball-82 to the Belmont Blue Line everyday to get to school. I had already woken up late so my schedule was all off. After I washed my face and brushed my teeth, I sprinted for the bus. Getting there a millisecond too late was the second bad start to my day, and I let it show. I was angry, upset and annoyed at every aspect of life. I couldn't understand why the bus driver couldn't wait the extra 10 seconds to let me on the bus, but I soon would.
After waiting for another bus, I was still enraged. As we approached the Belmont Blue Line stop, I see a surplus of city vehicles outside of the station. The platform is underground, so I couldn't see what had happened, if anything. After paying my fare, I see police and paramedics surrounding a person. I soon after found out that this was a man that was hit by the train as it passed; he got off the last Kimball-82 bus.
After waiting for the train to clear up, I realized how lucky I was that I didn't have to witness that horrific event. My anger disappeared and turned into gratitude. I realized that it wasn't that bad that I missed that first bus, because then I would have witnessed a traumatizing event. This is just one experience that I have analyzed, but there have been many more instances that have led me to believe that everything happens for a reason.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Gadfly>unexamined life
Do I think an unexamined life is not worth living? Well of course I do, but that's because I've experienced something more than that already. I have already begun to examine my life and make my own decisions. Of course, there are still things that I believe for no reason other than my parents telling me, but I believe that's subconsciously embedded in me.
Even though I would not want to live an unexamined life, I could see how someone currently in that situation would still consider their life "worthy". It is very possible that they're still having fun, livin' it up. Life is probably easier for them too; sometimes thinking about deep, intricate ideologies about society and people, is hard work. Sometimes it can be negative, but I believe that it's always worth it. An examined life is enlightening. New ideas about the world are introduced and the mind is stimulated. These are reasons that I enjoy learning more about life; more about how to look at life. An unexamined life doesn't realize the options offered by the world. That's why I wouldn't be able to live so shallowly.
Many unexamined people walk around as if they know how the world works and what's best for everyone. This is most likely not true, and if it is, they did not come up with these ideas on their own. Somebody planted them in their mind, meaning that that person is not original. Personally, I couldn't live an unoriginal life. I wouldn't see the excitement in it, but somebody that hasn't been introduced to as many things as I may be extremely stimulated by acting like everyone else. There are some people out there that don't know any better than what they're living right now, and they can still be perfectly content with their life.
Unexamined people are also necessary to society. The enlightened ones need people to learn from, and they need people to teach. Even if these unexamined people don't have their own opinions, they still believe in something, and they probably want to announce their beliefs to the world. If everyone can keep an open mind, these ideas will still have some effect on the examined one, and they will be introduced to yet another new concept. So even though I wouldn't want to live the unexamined life, I don't not believe that it's not worth living.
"Social gadfly, a person who upsets the status quo"
Even though many people want to upset the status quo, there are few people out there that can back up their reasoning to do so. Lupe Fiasco, however, is not one of those people. Many people may say that his music is simply a social commentary, I would have to agree. But his music touches on so many social issues that are so relevant to today's society, such as advertisement control and poverty stricken cities. He also touches on issues such as the choice to vote and freedom. Lupe is very against voting because he doesn't support the government system as a whole. His opinions are voiced through his music ans constantly over his twitter. I would consider Lupe Fiasco a gadfly because many people don't have the guts to speak against the American system like he does. He also doesn't care if people don't agree with him, his opinions will still be voiced.
Even though I would not want to live an unexamined life, I could see how someone currently in that situation would still consider their life "worthy". It is very possible that they're still having fun, livin' it up. Life is probably easier for them too; sometimes thinking about deep, intricate ideologies about society and people, is hard work. Sometimes it can be negative, but I believe that it's always worth it. An examined life is enlightening. New ideas about the world are introduced and the mind is stimulated. These are reasons that I enjoy learning more about life; more about how to look at life. An unexamined life doesn't realize the options offered by the world. That's why I wouldn't be able to live so shallowly.
Many unexamined people walk around as if they know how the world works and what's best for everyone. This is most likely not true, and if it is, they did not come up with these ideas on their own. Somebody planted them in their mind, meaning that that person is not original. Personally, I couldn't live an unoriginal life. I wouldn't see the excitement in it, but somebody that hasn't been introduced to as many things as I may be extremely stimulated by acting like everyone else. There are some people out there that don't know any better than what they're living right now, and they can still be perfectly content with their life.
Unexamined people are also necessary to society. The enlightened ones need people to learn from, and they need people to teach. Even if these unexamined people don't have their own opinions, they still believe in something, and they probably want to announce their beliefs to the world. If everyone can keep an open mind, these ideas will still have some effect on the examined one, and they will be introduced to yet another new concept. So even though I wouldn't want to live the unexamined life, I don't not believe that it's not worth living.
"Social gadfly, a person who upsets the status quo"
Even though many people want to upset the status quo, there are few people out there that can back up their reasoning to do so. Lupe Fiasco, however, is not one of those people. Many people may say that his music is simply a social commentary, I would have to agree. But his music touches on so many social issues that are so relevant to today's society, such as advertisement control and poverty stricken cities. He also touches on issues such as the choice to vote and freedom. Lupe is very against voting because he doesn't support the government system as a whole. His opinions are voiced through his music ans constantly over his twitter. I would consider Lupe Fiasco a gadfly because many people don't have the guts to speak against the American system like he does. He also doesn't care if people don't agree with him, his opinions will still be voiced.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Eulogy
The life of Thyra Sandstrom was defined by many social, physical, academic, and artistic elements. She was raised by two musicians, so the arts were inevitably a huge part of her life. Ever since she was a young child, she attended every concert she possibly could. Her father took her to museums up until the day she passed, and she loved every minute of it. When Thyra was in fifth grade, she was admitted into the Chicago Symphony Youth Percussion Program. In this Program, she was expected to practice at least two hours a day. Two years into the program, the group asked her to choose between playing music or playing sports. Thyra, being the athlete that she was, chose to continue with basketball, track, football and soccer and took a break from playing music. That was until she played the electric bass for the school plays of 2007, and 2009.
Years went by, but Thyra continued playing soccer and basketball, and playing the bass. In the spring of 2012, Thyra was asked to fill in for the bassist of the Harrison Ivaz Band for one of the greatest music festivals ever: Lollapolooza. As she described it, performing at Lollapolooza on both Friday and Saturday was one of the greatest things to ever happen to her. Although she has never lived a fruitful financial life, the arts sure made up for it.
Socially, Thyra had always had lots of friends. She loved riding her bike everywhere she could just to be with them. Many friends were made at her schools that she had attended. These included Wonder Montessori Pre-School, Stone Elementary for kindergarten, Alexander G. Bell Elementary for 1-8 grade and Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. She had always been in an accelerated academic program, and her dream was to continue her studies at the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor to eventually become a pediatrician.
Another contributor to how Thyra lived her everyday life was her spirituality and youth retreats she attended. These retreats enlightened her to meditation and prayer and changed the way she looked at the universe as a whole. She was never the most religious person, but spirituality played a huge role in her life. She believed that emitting positive energy into the universe would ultimately bring positive outside elements to her. Through this belief and many other experiences, Thyra also came to believe that everything happens for a reason. This mindset had helped her deal with all things that went awry in her life, and had made her a strong person.
Thyra led a successful life full of open-mindedness and an urge to learn. It's a shame to see her go. :(
Years went by, but Thyra continued playing soccer and basketball, and playing the bass. In the spring of 2012, Thyra was asked to fill in for the bassist of the Harrison Ivaz Band for one of the greatest music festivals ever: Lollapolooza. As she described it, performing at Lollapolooza on both Friday and Saturday was one of the greatest things to ever happen to her. Although she has never lived a fruitful financial life, the arts sure made up for it.
Socially, Thyra had always had lots of friends. She loved riding her bike everywhere she could just to be with them. Many friends were made at her schools that she had attended. These included Wonder Montessori Pre-School, Stone Elementary for kindergarten, Alexander G. Bell Elementary for 1-8 grade and Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. She had always been in an accelerated academic program, and her dream was to continue her studies at the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor to eventually become a pediatrician.
Another contributor to how Thyra lived her everyday life was her spirituality and youth retreats she attended. These retreats enlightened her to meditation and prayer and changed the way she looked at the universe as a whole. She was never the most religious person, but spirituality played a huge role in her life. She believed that emitting positive energy into the universe would ultimately bring positive outside elements to her. Through this belief and many other experiences, Thyra also came to believe that everything happens for a reason. This mindset had helped her deal with all things that went awry in her life, and had made her a strong person.
Thyra led a successful life full of open-mindedness and an urge to learn. It's a shame to see her go. :(
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