Aristotle-LH 2; FL 3-4; HWT Sections 1-3. Remember, Section #12 is meeting in Honors 106 (across from the Student Center, adjacent to the Rec Center) at 2:40 Tuesday. Try to arrive early if you can, seating may be limited.
LH
1. What point was Aristotle making when he wrote of swallows and summer? Do you agree?
2. What philosophical difference between Plato and Aristotle is implied by The School of Athens? Whose side are you on, Plato's or Aristotle's?
3. What is eudaimonia, and how can we increase our chances of achieving it, and in relation only to what? Do you think you've achieved it?
4. What reliance is completely against the spirit of Aristotle's research? Are there any authorities you always defer to? Why or why not?
FL
5. What did Sir Walter Raleigh help invent (other than cigarettes) that contributed to "Fantasyland" as we know it today? Was he a "stupid git," as the Beatles song says?
6. What was western civilization's first great ad campaign? Does advertising and the constant attempt to sell things to people have a negative impact on life in the USA?
7. What did Sir Francis Bacon say about human opinion and superstition? Do you ever attempt to overcome your own confirmation bias?
8. Which early settlers are typically ignored in the mythic American origin story? Also: what about the early "settlers" who were brought here against their wills and enslaved?
9. What had mostly ended in Europe, but not America, by the 1620s, and what did the Puritans think would happen "any minute now"? Why do you think people keep making this mistake?
HWT
10. What is pratyaksa in classic Indian philosophy, and how does the Upanishads say to seek it?
11. There is widespread belief in India that the practice of yoga can lead to what? Do you think it can?
12. What is metanoetics, in Japanese philosophy?
13. What does ineffable mean? Is it possible, though paradoxical, to use words to indicate something you can't put into words?
14. Unlike the west, religion in Japan is typically not about what? And what is it about to you?
Aristotle was taught by Plato, and was the founder of the peripatetic school.
ReplyDeleteAristotle came after Socrates and Plato but was very different from them. He was more concerned with the world around him and how he could achieve happiness. He believed in human nature and that the best way to achieve happiness was to live a life of reason rather than doing something to feel a fleeting emotion. (Laney #11)
ReplyDeleteLH Q/A
ReplyDelete1. Aristotle believes that few moments of content do not equal true happiness. He argues children are not happy as they have only experienced a small portion of happy moments compared to the older generations. I agree with half of this statement. Happiness is overall a feeling of content with one’s own life, but I don’t believe age has much to do with it. Older people may experience very few moments of happiness, leading unfortunate lives including their childhood, but most children have known happiness for most of their lives. Percentage wise, this evens out the two groups, and the children still have the rest of their lives to experience more happiness.
2. Although Aristotle was a student of Plato, they very much differ in how they philosophize. While Plato had an extravagant series of thoughts, they were limited to his own knowledge and senses. Aristotle was passionate about exploring the world with all of his senses. I lean more towards Aristotle’s ideas of philosophy, that we must go beyond our own mind and indulge in what experiences the world has to offer and observe how and what people absorb from those same experiences.
3. To my understanding, I believe this word is loosely grouped with one’s reputation and what mark you leave on the world. In the example of a sick child of a parent who has passed away, the way you are now perceived is a tragedy in that child’s life. By this definition, I couldn’t have achieved this as I haven’t lived my full life.
4. Relying on someone else’s authority was both against Aristotle’s research and the spirit of philosophy itself. I'd say I usually default to listening to my parents, as a lot of my own personality and way of thinking matches with theirs, but I like to think if I disagree with them I can forge my own path.
Aaron Petty #7
ReplyDeleteLH
1. He was trying to make the point that even though a few enjoyable moments may occur that doesn't mean you've experieced true happiness. I agree with Aristotle on this.
2. The School of Athens implies that Aristotle wanted to use the natural world around him to find the answers to difficult questions while Plato entirely relied upon his theory of forms for inspiration. Personally, I agree with Aristotle because the world is evidence of certain phenomena. Theories don't prove anything. You can theorize about something all you want, but if science proves it wrong then there's no recourse.
3. Eudaimonia means success in greek. According to Aristotle, we can achieve success by practicing our virtues. I think only the most special people have completely achived success by their virutes like Aristotle describes.
4. The idea that people use truth by authority to make their reasonings. In philosophical matters, I try to create my own ideas and thoughts. Relying on someone else to tell you what to think is dangerously ignorant.
HTW
1. Pratyaksa means all immediate apprehension along with sensory, either spiritual or intellectual. The Upanisads say you must seek it by meditating.
2. In India, people believe yoga can lead to regaining calm and control over oneself which allows them to see things as they really are. Yoga is practiced for the purification of the soul. Personally, I can't verfify if yoga can do this, but who am I to say that they are wrong in this presumption.
3. Metanoetics is giving up on the possibility of knowing one's own reason through one's actions.
4. Ineffable is when something is so great, one can't put it into words. Yes, because the word ineffable itself is a paradoxical as its a word that describes not being able to out something into words.
5. Religion in Japa isn't about being right, or figuring out all the answers to the universe. In Japan, they believe you must let go of the illusion that enlightenment can be achieved by oneself and instead you must give yourself up to the higher power. I believe true faith is in fact about trusting in someone higher than yourself. Otherwise how can we actually be shown what is true (in a spiritual sense).
Leah Knight #12
ReplyDeleteLH
4. The reliance of an authority figure's words being spoken with 100% truth is a common misconception and against Aristotle's research. A few authorities that come to mind is God and our parents. There used to be a time where I trusted in their truth, but now I question almost all information I encounter.
HWT
1. Pratyaksa is a valid sense of knowing gained through perception. The Upanishads claim that Pratyaksa is found through a seeing deeper than normal sight and say you must meditate to understand the true meaning.
2.The practice of yoga in India can lead to the stillness of life and allows you to unlock insight. I believe this is true, I use meditation and yoga to help me think of solutions to difficult situations or in general to figure out my life.
3. Baggini says metanoetics "is giving up on knowing through one's own efforts, one's own reason" on page 23.
Simone Dobelbower #7
ReplyDeleteLH 1-4
1) Aristotle’s point about summer and swallows was that one small event does not mean something larger is present. While I mostly agree with Aristotle on this point, there are some exceptions that exist.
2) The biggest philosophical difference between Aristotle and Plato was in regards to the Theory of Forms. Aristotle rejected this idea of Plato’s. I more agree with Aristotle than Plato on this.
3) Eudaimonia is happiness from the perspective of overall success and achievement. One can increase their chances of achieving Eudaimonia by developing your character to feel the right emotions to grow and flourish.
4) Authoritative reliance is the opposite of Aristotle’s teachings, yet was the approach to his work throughout much of history. I don’t look at any authoritative figures this way, or at least I think I don’t, at least. I try to do my own research to determine if something is true, altered, or false.
Hi Simone! I love your take on this. What exceptions do you believe exists to question #1?
DeleteMona Ikbariah #7
ReplyDeleteLH-
1- Aristotle point was that even though a good thing happened doesn’t mean that what will come will also be good it also doesn’t mean that you have actually experienced true happiness. I actually agree with Aristotle.
2- The main difference between Plato and Aristotle is that Plato's philosophy was more theoretical and conceptual, while Aristotle was more experimental in nature. I side with Aristotle because in order to understand something you have to examine it.
3- Eudaimonia means flourishing and being successful. We can increase our eudaimonia by becoming better people.
4- Relying on someone's else's authority is completely against the spirit of Aristotle's Research.
LH:
ReplyDelete1. Aristotle’s point was that it takes more than just a few moments of “pleasure” to add up to true happiness. He believed true happiness required a longer life as he argued that children can’t experience happiness. I agree but also disagree with this. I believe children can experience happiness since they don’t understand all of the bad of the world just yet, whereas adults can experience happiness from certain situations. I only disagree about happiness being determined by longer life because of things such as aging, death, and simply the different struggles that come with being an adult.
2. Basically Aristotle believed we needed to live through our senses. I think I fall more in line with this than of Plato’s.
3. - I took it as it is basically your character and how your character is perceived, even after you’re gone. Aristotle even went as far as to say that to achieve it you have to “develop the right kind of character”. Which can also be tied into how someone grew up, and what habits someone has developed as they aged. So as the writing says, achieving it falls almost into just whether you have good luck or not. I definitely don’t think I have achieved it, seeing as though im still young and it follows into even who you are perceived as even after death.
Chloe Rush #7
ReplyDeleteHWT-
1. Pratyaska means perception and some are gifted with it, others take herbal medications or perform incantations. Usually, it is achieved by spiritual exercises.
2. In India it is believed that the practice of yoga can lead to supernatural powers. Personally, I do not believe it can.
3. The word ineffable means unsayable or something that you cannot put into words. Yes, even though it is paradoxical I do believe words can be used to describe something you can't put into words.
HWT:
ReplyDelete1. Pratyaska in India is perception. To reach this deep level of perception and wisdom meditation is used.
2. Yoga is used in India to purify the soul. Personally I haven’t tried yoga but I have always heard of people using it and it working positively in their lives.
3. Metanoetics in Japanese philosophy is the idea of accepting the limit to our reason and language. The idea is to “feel and not conceptualize.”
4. Ineffable is the inability to describe something with our language. Certain feelings and emotions are indescribable with the words in our language. I do think we can describe these ideas with words we do have, but cannot actually get across exactly what it was we are trying to describe.
5. Religion in Japan isn’t about declaring belief in something like it usually is in the west. Most things having to do with religion in Japan are done in silence.
Laney #11
DeleteCole #7
ReplyDelete1. Aristotle was trying to make the point that children couldn't be happy because of their short life and only those who had lived long lives could be happy. I don't think that's true because kids don't know the terrible truth of the world that it is an unforgiving place while adults especially in the time of Aristotle.
2. Aristotle trusted his senses while Plato thought of the world as a pale comparison of the perfect world in the theory of forms. I agree with Aristotle because he sees the world as it is with his senses instead of the perfect world Plato sees.
3. Eudaimonia is the idea of being happy from your success. You increase your success by developing yourself with the correct emotions that will help you grow and flourish.
4. The reliance on other authorities was against Aristotle's teachings. When it comes to school or work I always refer to either a teacher or a co-worker that has been working longer than I have for that kind of stuff while me day to day life I live by my own authority.
Section 7
ReplyDeleteLH: 1. Aristotles point was simply mere signals and moments of warm air does not make a summer, just as one or few moments of happiness does not equal a satisfied life. I do agree that this thought process is true for most people, however there are most definitely a select few who may be able to find full happiness from a few moments of excitement, and I also believe the opposite to be true. 2. While Plato sees the answers to these questions as far and inhumanly achievable, Aristotle believes that the answers he and many other humans seek are right there for the taking and observing. I agree with Aristotle, there are so many people in this world with so many different points of view, as well as infinite knowledge on infinite topics. 3. Eudaimonia means flourishing and success, and we can increase chances of achieving this by "watering our own flower" and not neglecting it. We can do this by making smart decisions based on not only primary wants, but subconscious and smarter decisions that we know will help our happiness. While I don't think I have yet achieved it, I believe I have began taking the right steps towards it. 4. The "fault" of Aristotle was that he was seen as so intelligent and trustworthy, that for hundreds of years after his death people believed everything he had theorized and written to be true. Because of this, his true research was in fact delayed these hundreds of years because he wanted those after him to keep digging. I often stop digging once I see more than 2 sources claim the subject I am researching to be true or untrue, but I am never truly observant of the sources.
Heidi Engle #7
ReplyDeleteLH
1. Aristotle was saying that having a few fleeting moments of pleasure from time to time doesn't equate to true happiness. He believed that one must consistently pursue happiness. I do agree with this. Having experiences that you enjoy and thing that you like can create a temporary feeling of happiness, but an overall deeper joy takes more. However, I don't necessarily agree with how he believed people should pursue this happiness.
2. Plato took a more theoretical approach to philosophy while Aristotle's was much more tangible. I would definitely side more with Aristotle. I don't believe that you can gain as much wisdom as Plato wanted by just imagining everything. I think personal, physical experience is a necessary component when it comes to gaining wisdom.
3. Eudaimonia was the word Aristotle used to describe our abilities or chances of gaining true happiness. Eudaimonia can be increased by "developing the right kind of character." I would assume that I have not achieved it according to Aristotle.
4. Believing that something is true simply because it was said by a figure of authority is against Aristotle's research. I do look to trusted authority figures for guidance when I need it, but I am not afraid to question them. I think it's important to understand why I believe what I believe and why I make the choices I do. I also like to try to understand why those around me believe the things that they do. (including authority figures) So, while I believe that guidance and wisdom from others is important, I also believe that I need to form my own opinions.
What do you think Aristotle would say about the current culture? Do you think he would agree with this age of knowledge at our fingertips? Do you think he would trust the Internet?
DeleteAristotle is definitely a philosopher I enjoy reading about. He is one of my favorites. His meaning behind the swallow and summer is that just because one thing happens, does not mean it is true, or it is fact. It could have simply been a coincidence. However, if something is repeatedly happening, then it is more than a mere coincidence.
ReplyDeleteI know too many people who are told something and they automatically believe it to be true. They don't question anything, and it infuriates me. I have always been someone who asks questions and does my own research before formulating my OWN opinion. Aristotle would not be happy with how people immediately took everything he said as fact, he would have gathered them ask questions and formulate their own belief.
LH:
ReplyDelete1. From my perspective Aristotle was trying to say that one experience of something does not define it entirely, I agree with his thoughts due to the fact that you honestly can't really understand something by only hearing, feeling or seeing it only once. Overtime you able to understand what it means to truly experience something, thus he proceeds to say children haven't felt happiness before posed to someone who has lived a long life. Yet, it is hard to say someone can't experience something like happiness at a young age, we look back at memories we believed to be happiness.
2.The philosophical difference was based on the Theory of Forms, Plato would have rather think of form of something abstractly while Aristotle believed to understand a topic you need to examine a particular example physically. I side with Aristotle mainly because there is a difference between imagining how a cats fur to feel like and knowing how it feels like due to physical examination.
3. Eudaimonia is described as " flourishing " or " success" . I wouldn't consider it a state you achieve yet a certain level of feeling positively , essentially watering your own plant, doing things that in comparison make us feel like we are flourishing. He says it well " Good patterns of behavior are virtues, bad ones are vices"(12).
#11
ReplyDelete1. Aristotle's point that he is trying to get across, by using swallows and summer as an illustration, is that short and brief moments of happiness does not constitute true happiness. True happiness calls for an extended amount of time for it to culminate. I do agree in the sense that an ultimate or "true" happiness can only come to fruition by an extended amount of time in which we spend establishing a virtuous kind of character. However, I also think that fleeting moments of joy can enable a sort of happiness.
10. Pratyaksa was thought to be a "sense perception" and the only way to seek it, the Upanishads thought, was by meditation.
14. In Japan, religion is less about beliefs or changing peoples beliefs about the world. When I was younger, my perception of religion was surrounded by a core set of beliefs about the world and other-worldly planes. You had to believe certain things. That was it. Now I see it more as a way of living.
Jacob Cuva #7
ReplyDeleteRegarding what Aristotle proposed about the swallow and summer, it seems he was stating that a single indication that something larger is at play/in place is not concrete evidence that it is so. I certainly agree with this granted that each instance is looked at on a case-by-case basis. For instance, an anecdote alone does not provide much evidence outside of the individual to which it took place. That said, statistically significant data is essentially just a large enough number of anecdotes in any given sample size. One does not equal two, but one plus one more does.
Although the text connected the swallow metaphor, I couldn't help but interpret the point on a larger more fundamental belief about the world from a scientific point of view.
2. throughout The School of Athens, the main difference between Aristotle and Plato's philosophy was the meaning and motivation behind their thinking. Plato looked at his life and society through a more positive and utopian view. While Aristotle focused on a more logical and scientific approach.
ReplyDelete- Sophia WIlliams section 7
LH
ReplyDelete1. The meaning of Aristotle's words is that true happiness is not defined by momentary joy; much like, a singular swallow's return does not indicate that the season had really changed to summer. In short, the sign of a beginning does not indicate it has occurred.
2. Plato's beliefs were highly rooted in the idea of forms (the ideal thought) while Aristotle rather believed that to understand the intricacies of an object one must experience it in a real world situation.
3. As used by Aristotle eudaimonia is described as the condition of human flourishing or the outcome of a life well lived. In order to increase our chances of achieving eudaimonia in relation to society we can look to improve our character and become better persons, because by doing so we make it more likely that we will make the right choices.
4. One's reliance on the thoughts of others and the orders of authority is against the beliefs of Aristotle.
FL
5. Sir Walter Raleigh helped to invent the campaign behind exploration of the new world and propagated the myth of a an English Utopia setting the stage for the fantastical American we have today. While I do believe that Raleigh was a git I dont know if I would call him stupid, while his beliefs were mislead the means by which he convinced other were unmistakingly intelligent (he used the preconceived notions of others so they would do as he wished them to).
6. Western civilization's first great ad campaign was one of grandeur with the purpose to convince enough people to colonize America. Constant advertising causes a materialistic mentality and attributes success in life to the size of someone's wallet which I believe to have a negative impact on life especially now as we have perpetual access to peek into the lavish lives of others which many will never attain.
7. Bacon claimed that human opinion fervently looks for ;means to reinforce whilst ignoring or rejecting all information contrary to it which happens to be the reason for superstitious beliefs growing to have a hold over people. I attempt to overcome my confirmation bias, but I don't really know if this is not really something that can be overcome. You can only ever attempt to overcome the biases that you perceive to be biased, but our perception is an ever biased version of reality so you can never really know.
8. In the American origin story the settlers of Jamestown and slaves are typically disregarded as unimportant.
9. When the settlers of the New World were arriving, belief in the belief in end time prophecies had faded, but this was not the case in the growing population of puritans settling the New World who believed in each prophecy made by Cotton Mather. Although he would be wrong each instance this would not wane the belief of his followers.
Chris Barnes #12
ReplyDelete1. The theory Aristotle had about happiness was that true happiness could not be achieved through a series of small moments. He applied this theory in swallows and summer by saying that a single swallow being present does not represent the presence of summer. I don't agree with this ideology. I believe small moments of happiness can and will add up to a life well-lived.
2. The clear philosophical difference between Plato and Aristotle in relation to The School of Athens lies in their apparent approaches to philosophy. Plato had an approach similar to the "wise man on the mountain" concept discussed in class, while Aristotle seemed to want to gather hard facts and base his philosophical work off of these facts.
3. Eudaimonia is a sort of inherent sense of success in one's life. Rather than a baseline happiness, edudaimonia seems to be more about the compounding efforts one makes, the world around them and how they impact it. Aristotle believed that to increase one's eudaimonia, one must "Develop the right kind of character." Aristotle also believed that one's eduaimonia can be affected by outside sources, including the world left behind after death. I personally do not believe that I have achieved eudaimonia, and I don't think anyone truly can. Eudaimonia is an idealistic belief that we should all strive for, continuing to better ourselves and our character.
4. The blind reliance on authority figures is completely against the spirit of Aristotle's research. I do not defer to any one authority figure completely, at least not intentionally. It could be argued that although I think for myself, and tend to question the information simply handed to me, I am fully reliant on those in power. By this, I mean those pulling the strings and making the decisions which impact not only my state, city or country, but the entire world.
LH
ReplyDelete1. What point was Aristotle making when he wrote of swallows and summer? Do you agree?
He was making the point that it takes more than just a few moments of pleasure to have true happiness. I do agree with this because true happiness is more than just a few moments of pleasure. You can feel good for a moment and but not be experiencing true happiness.
2. What philosophical difference between Plato and Aristotle is implied by The School of Athens? Whose side are you on, Plato's or Aristotle's?
It is implied that Plato was content with philosophizing from afar, while Aristotle wanted to really see and experience what he was philosophizing. I’m on Aristotle’s side. I feel like in order to really question something, you need to be able to see and experience it. That is what will help you have a good enough understanding to philosophize it.
3. What is eudaimonia, and how can we increase our chances of achieving it, and in relation only to what? Do you think you've achieved it?
Eudaimonia is the true happiness that we can achieve. We can increase out chances of achieving it by having the right emotions at the right time. I do not think I have achieved it yet.
4. What reliance is completely against the spirit of Aristotle's research? Are there any authorities you always defer to? Why or why not?
Relying on someone else’s authority is against the spirit of Aristotle’s research. I defer to some authorities when it comes to legal things. However, I do not like deferring to authorities when it comes to things such as morals. I like to decide things like that on my own.
Emily Seeto Section #12
ReplyDeleteLH
1. What point was Aristotle making when he wrote of swallows and summer? Do you agree?
Aristotle says that it takes a few good moments to have happiness. I think this is true because sometimes having a small memory or spending time with someone can count as a small moment. It can uplift your mood
2. What philosophical difference between Plato and Aristotle is implied by The School of Athens? Whose side are you on, Plato's or Aristotle's?
Plato: Was more of someone who would philosophize in ideal forms
Aristotle: To see and understand what to philosophize
I agree with Aristotle because I often want to experience something before making my own judgment on something. It allows me to have a better understanding of what it is I'm getting into
3. What is eudaimonia, and how can we increase our chances of achieving it, and in relation only to what? Do you think you've achieved it?
Eudaimonia is a life well lived, being very happy. I sometimes feel that I've achieved it, but in most cases I'm not so sure.
4. What reliance is completely against the spirit of Aristotle's research? Are there any authorities you always defer to? Why or why not?
to always question authority and argue that it's right to think for myself rather than being handed a bit of information and believing it.
John Wright #12
ReplyDeleteLH
1: Happiness is not derived from a momentary reprieve of sadness but is cultivated over a lifetime of choices reflective of your true virtue. Aristotle looks at happiness like a marathon, instead of a sprint. It is not a day-to-day feeling or emotion and is instead how one is able to look back and reflect on the choices they have made throughout their life and see the impact of their life. I do agree with this viewpoint because it forces us to see the forest instead of the trees surrounding us and allows us to have bad days. Aristotle's view reminds us that one day does not make or break our happiness.
2: Plato dealt in more metaphysical ideas about forms of the world around us and thought that most concepts could not be conceived by a majority of the population. In contrast, Aristotle believed that the answers were out in the world around us, and people only needed the thirst for knowledge to find them. I find myself agreeing with Aristotle, however like Plato I believe that some ideas cannot be experienced and only dwell in the minds of people who can conceptualize them.
3: Living a successful life that flourishes and grows similar to a healthy plant. To achieve this Aristotle thought that we needed to live a life according to our virtues, or our purpose in life. It also included living a life that would leave a positive lasting impact on the world in comparison to the world around us. I have made many mistakes in my life, and I have done my best to attempt to “right my wrongs” if you will. I have given up things I love for people I did not, and I have hurt people unintentionally that did not deserve it. However, as I said, I try to live every day for myself and for the people that matter most in my life now. So, while I may not have achieved eudaimonia in the purest form, I do think I am on the right path to achieve it later in my life.
4: Truth by authority. Aristotle had been right so many times that many stopped questioning him and merely took him at his word without thinking any further of the topic. I used to defer to a handful of authority figures in my life such as parents and other people older and wiser than myself. However, the older I got the more I realized that everyone had the ability to be wrong or mistaken. Now I find myself being more of a skeptic in most cases, or at least asking myself and others questions about the information I am receiving before accepting it as true or plausible.
Ariana Arenas section #11
ReplyDeleteLH
1. What point was Aristotle making when he wrote of swallows and summer? Do you agree?
- His intention when writing swallows and summer was that a moment in bliss did not equal true happiness.
2. What philosophical difference between Plato and Aristotle is implied by The School of Athens? Whose side are you on, Plato's or Aristotle's?
- The main difference between both men was that Plato relied on his theories versus Aristotle, who did not pay heed to them and was more experimental with his beliefs . I leaning more towards Aristotle.
3. What is eudaimonia, and how can we increase our chances of achieving it, and in relation only to what? Do you think you've achieved it?
- Eudaimonia means happiness and from reading what Aristotle has to say over it I believe you can achieve it when you have a purpose and reach it. As of now I don't think I achieved it .
4. What reliance is completely against the spirit of Aristotle's research? Are there any authorities you always defer to? Why or why not?
- Truth by authority was against Aristotle's research. I tend to defer towards my parents but that is slowly stopping the more I age.