Questions pertaining to the assigned reading will normally be posted prior to each class.Always share your thoughts in the comments space below the post (at least three comments per class, so you can shade the whole diamond on the scorecard and receive full participation credit each time). Give yourself a base on the scorecard for every question you posted a response to before class. (You can also respond to your own questions(s) or your classmates' posted comments. Respond not merely with the authors' textual statements but also with your own thoughts & reflections.) 25 exam questions will pertain to the required texts. Additional bonus questions pertaining to the recommended texts will also appear.
Remember to share your thoughts on Laughing Without an Accent...
LHP
1. What kind of conversation was a success, for Socrates, and what did he mean by wisdom?
- "Philosopher" means what? Philosophy was what, in ancient Athens? (Introduction)
- What did Camus say is the one truly serious philosophical problem? Do you agree?
- What did Marcus Aurelius need, at dawn, to remind himself of? (And ask me about his morning mantra, which I daily remind myself of. UPDATE: Turns out it wasn't Marcus, but a 19th century American named Elbert Hubbard, whose morning mantra* has been falsely attributed to the Stoic emperor.)
- What was the first question young Needleman experienced? Have you experienced it? Do you think it is a good question? How do you answer it?
- What kinds of questions most interested Socrates?
- The Socratic dialogues consisted of what kinds of conversations? Do you enjoy participating in such conversations?
- What did Socrates say about the unexamined life? What corollaries does Weiner propose? Do you think Socrates was wrong?
SOCRATES: Ought we to enquire into the truth of this, Euthyphro, or simply to accept the mere statement on our own authority and that of others? What do you say?
EUTHYPHRO: We should enquire; and I believe that the statement will stand the test of enquiry.
SOCRATES: We shall know better, my good friend, in a little while. The point which I should first wish to understand is whether the pious or holy is beloved by the gods because it is holy, or holy because it is beloved of the gods.
EUTHYPHRO: I do not understand your meaning, Socrates.
SOCRATES: I will endeavour to explain...
...Having thus brought his subject to a conclusion, Socrates proposes to bathe himself, in order not to trouble others to wash his dead body. Crito thereupon asks if he has any commands to give, and especially how he would be buried, to which he, with his usual cheerfulness, makes answer, "Just as you please, if only you can catch me;" and then, smiling, he reminds them that after death he shall be no longer with them, and begs the others of the party to be sureties to Crito for his absence from the body, as they had been before bound for his presence before his judges.
After he had bathed, and taken leave of his children and the women of his family the officer of the Eleven comes in to intimate to him that it is now time to drink the poison. Crito urges a little delay, as the sun had not yet set; but Socrates refuses to make himself ridiculous by showing such a fondness for life. The man who is to administer the poison is therefore sent for; and on his holding out the cup, Socrates, neither trembling nor changing color or countenance at all, but, as he was wont, looking steadfastly at the man, asked if he might make a libation to any one; and being told that no more poison than enough had been mixed, he simply prayed that his departure from this to another world might be happy, and then drank off the poison, readily and calmly. His friends, who had hitherto with difficulty restrained themselves, could no longer control the outward expressions of grief, to which Socrates said, "What are you doing, my friends? I, for this reason, chiefly, sent away the women, that they might not commit any folly of this kind; for I have heard that it is right to die with good omens. Be quiet, therefore, and bear up."
When he had walked about for a while his legs began to grow heavy, so he lay down on his back; and his body, from the feet upward, gradually grew cold and stiff. His last words were, "Crito, we owe a cock to Æsculapius; pay it, therefore, and do not neglect it."
"This," concludes Phædo, "was the end of our friend—a man, as we may say, the best of all his time, that we have known, and, moreover, the most wise and just." Phaedo
Phaedo audio...
*"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." -Elbert Hubbard, probably... and not Marcus Aurelius, though the Internet seems to think otherwise. Don't confuse him with looney L. Ron...
- What's one of the great unexplained wonders of human history?
- Do you agree that we cannot understand ourselves if we do not understand others?
- What was Descartes's "still pertinent" conclusion?
- Why did the Buddha think speculation about ultimate reality was fruitless?
- What aspects of western thought have most influenced global philosophy?
- What do Africans not have, according to Kwame Appiah?
I should have said Yes! The word is meliorism (closely related, in my philosophy as in WJ's, to possibility):
"...there are unhappy men who think the salvation of the world impossible. Theirs is the doctrine known as pessimism.
Optimism in turn would be the doctrine that thinks the world's salvation inevitable.
Midway between the two there stands what may be called the doctrine of meliorism, tho it has hitherto figured less as a doctrine than as an attitude in human affairs. Optimism has always been the regnant DOCTRINE in european philosophy. Pessimism was only recently introduced by Schopenhauer and counts few systematic defenders as yet. Meliorism treats salvation as neither inevitable nor impossible. It treats it as a possibility, which becomes more and more of a probability the more numerous the actual conditions of salvation become.
It is clear that pragmatism must incline towards meliorism..." Pragmatism by William James
H#3
ReplyDeleteLHP
1- A conversation spent well with Socrates, if you asked him, would confuse the other party and make them think about how they didn't understand anything. This brings the idea of philosophy into perfect context when first diving into the topic. Why would you intentionally be confused? Well, the whole purpose of desiring to know more is to be confused and deeply search for your answer. Thus, you receive philosophy.
Weiner
2- Camus calls the only philosophical problem whether to live life or not. I do not think this is the only problem that could determine one's philosophy, but I do know that if you subscribe to stoicism, you would know that life is meant to be lived, and you need to let go of the things you cannot control. Those thoughts could make answering that question easier and more likely to be a resounding "YES."
Weiner
7- I suppose my first thought was the common phrase 'ignorance is bliss.' If the unexamined life is not worth living, how can we explain the idea of boredom? When we are bored, it almost feels like there is nothing to do or learn. We remedy boredom by doing something non-ordinary. Thus, I agree that an over-examined life is not worth living. What am I to do if I know every facet of every nook of my life? I cannot live if my life is just information I already know. However, If true ignorance leads to bliss, why are we bored? If boredom comes from ignorance, not just the ignorance you insult someone with, but intentional ignorance, it leads us back to a complicated question: what is the meaning of life? There would be no life at all. We have no desire to answer that question either if we choose ignorance, so what makes life worth living? Life becomes worth living when we have a situation of slightly uncomfortable questioning. We need to stimulate our brains just enough to engage them, but not enough to burn out. To me, the meaning of life can be encompassed by the word subjective. Every situation is an adaptation of what we already know. A decision to become a stepping stone for another.
I don't understand people who say they get bored. I haven't been bored at least since I learned to read. Then came baseball, which I always enjoyed playing, watching, AND reading about. And dogs, my favorite walking companions. The world is so rich with content, and our time here is so brief. How dare we be bored?!
Delete"Every situation is an adaptation of what we already know." I don't quite see how that relates to subjectivity. And I think in my 67+ years I've encountered countless situations that I knew nothing about, that came to me as complete novelties.
H#3
ReplyDeleteLHP:1 Socrates said that his inner voice told him to question everything. However I do not believe this inner voice to be literal because I instead believe that Socrates questioned everything out of duty to ensure that life was experienced to its fullest through critical thinking.
Weiner:1 Philosopher literally means lover of wisdom, thus philosophers are seeking wisdom as much as they can. To The Athenians of antiquity Philosophy was a way to improve oneself by applying the wisdom they pursued into their lives.
Weiner:5 Socrates enjoyed the questions that lead to more questions that left people confused and led to even more questions, thus continuing a conversation that many would find infuriating since Socrates always wanted to show that people do not know nearly as much as they claimed to. His questions humbled people in the hopes of leading people to improve themselves by thinking about the questions throughly.
Delete#H02
ReplyDeleteLHP-1
After reading the text, I feel that Socrates is pictured as someone who believes in conversation. He feels that excellent communication promotes self-awareness and deeper understanding, especially if the conversation questions one's own ideas, thoughts, and predictions.
He believes in questioning everything and not accepting anything just for the sake of doing it. For him, wisdom means understanding one's own skills/knowledge, constantly acquiring new experiences, and growing every day as a human.
LHP-3
Here, I totally agree with Socrates!
By inner voice, he simply meant the approving inner conscience that prevents every human from doing the wrong thing. He believed that this inner voice (or his own inner good spirit) helped him achieve his goals by disallowing him to do bad things.
"Inner voice" is just how each person interprets it in a different context. Some might feel it to be intuition rather than an auditory experience. Others might feel it is moral and ethical guidance. It really depends on how people interpret it.
But I feel that the "Inner Voice" is not a literal one. It's all about the inner conscience or deeper instinct that adds meaning and purpose to our lives by helping us figure out what is good for us.
Maheswari Ramesh (Maahi)
#H02
ReplyDeleteWeiner-1
The term Socrates is derived from the Greek words "Philo," which means love, and "Sophia," which means wisdom. Hence, a philosopher is someone who loves wisdom.
In the ancient Athens principle, philosophy means more than discipline. It actually meant a way of life. Simple acts like questioning the world and its existence, questioning life, trying to get deeper into human existence and survival, and seeking divine wisdom fall into the philosophy category.
Socrates encouraged people to think beyond the box! He urged people to get out of their comfort zones, engage in public speeches, dialogues, and debates, and critically think about everything to reflect on and self-judge their own thoughts.
Weiner-4
The first question that Jacob Needle experienced was, "Why is there something rather than nothing?"
This question actually puzzles other philosophers, and it indeed touches on the very natural basics of existence.
I have experienced it many times in my life. There are times when I suddenly (out of nowhere) sit to think about weird stuff like why the universe was created, who created it, why humans exist, what our purpose is, and so on. I never really cared about finding deeper answers to these questions. But each time I don't take questions seriously and just leave them in mystery, I get silent answers from the universe. I always feel that something from the universe whispers something into my heart, and I get a ray of hope and optimism from nowhere.
This is, of course, an excellent question!
Maheswari Ramesh (Maahi)
#H02
ReplyDeleteHWT-1
One of the greatest unexplained wonders in human history is the repeated emergence of text philosophy in three distinct regions, namely, India, China, and Ancient Greece at the same time. For instance, the Upanishads led to Hindu philosophy, which explores the secrets of the universe and exploring the self. The Chinese saw a rise in Daoism that focused on governance and reality. In Greece, philosophers were developing ideas such as ethics and logic. It is quite interesting because three of these regions developed a unique philosophical tradition without influencing one another. This nature simply highlights that humans are curious creatures, and they share a bonded curiosity and push to make sense of the world transcending cultural boundaries.
FL-3
Anderson tries to explore how American history and the current state are shaped by individualism, love for fantasy, and religious zeal. He feels that people tend to blur/merge the line between reality and fantasy. This is portrayed in American culture, movements, and figures throughout history.
By the term "Fantasyland," he means that people have been influenced by fantasy and reality and incorporate it into their everyday lives, from entertainment to politics. This has led to a "post-factual era" where conspiracy and misinformation are predominant.
He tries to trace this phenomenon 500 years back to understand why America is the way it is today.
Maheswari Ramesh (Maahi)
And sadly, it's not just America that's fallen prey to fantasy-belief. Misinformation and disregard for evidence and rational thinking has become rampant globally, expedited by the speed with which falsehood travels on the internet. But we can't blame it just on modern communications, it's AT LEAST a 500 year phenomenon. More, actually. Some wit--probably not Mark Twain, but a good imitator--said it pithily: “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.”
Delete#H03
ReplyDeleteLHP
3-Socrates' inner voice told him to keep questioning everything. When discussing if the term "inner voice" is literal, that is when things get tricky. We as a collective have an inner voice, one that some may call a conscious. Our inner voice can influence us to keep moving in the face of hardship, or it can tell us to slow down when danger seems ahead. To say that an inner voice is literal, though, is not truly correct. There is no extra voice in our head that commands us. Rather, it is an extension of ourselves that helps us make decisions.
Weiner
3-To quote the book, "I have to go to work-as a human being." Eric Weiner states that the act of staying in bed is a selfish one. Sure, it is easy to stay in the warmth of a bed, to stay far away from the cold of the outside world. But to stay there is to remain by one's self, and to reject everything that wide world could offer us. Getting out of bed is hard, but if we remind ourselves that we must go to work as a human being-not as anything else in particular-then we might just be able to remove our covers.
7-Socrates states that the unexamined life is not worth living. In other words, if you do not know what you live for, then why live? What purpose does your life have if you do not know? The two corollaries that Weiner offers are as follows: The examined life that does not produce practical results is not worth living, and the unexamined life may not be worth living, but neither is the over examined one. The first point supports what I said earlier, but it is the second point that fascinates me. Obsessing over what purpose your life has is not living your life, rather it is the act of creating a purpose over the sake of having one. Both points leave us to examine our lives not under a microscope, but with healthy introspection. Hopefully through that, we can find out if our lives are worth living.
Oh it is Braden Clapper by the way
DeleteHey Braden, it's Hunter. I really like what you said about the inner voice. When reading Socrates Express, it says that Socrates had an inner voice he called his daemon. Do you think that was the less morally sound side of his mind? I was just interested to hear your point of view.
Delete#H02
ReplyDeleteLHP
1 - A successful conversation for Socrates was often seen as a frustrating or belittling conversation for those on the receiving end of his seemingly endless onslaught of questions. Socrates would ask questions, many of which would confuse the recipient and reveal that they truly do not know the nature of their existence. A general, unable to explain what courage is when prompted comes to mind as an example in this case.
2 - Plato's cave story is connected to his Theory of Forms. While I do believe that it is easy for many people to be "stuck in a cave" and be content with life as they see it in front of them, it is also my personal belief that anyone can also choose to "escape" the cave if they begin to question the nature of what is presented in front of them.
Indeed. Every cave has an entry that is also an exit. But you have to want to use it.
DeleteHey Bryant! I love that you mentioned that people can "escape" the cave. I was more so thinking about how people could start to question the shadows in the cave and how having the ability to think about what's outside of the cave. Do you think that ability is almost equivalent to actually "escaping"?
Delete#H02
ReplyDeleteWeiner
2 - Albert Camus believes that the question of whether life is worth living or not is the one true philosophical problem. While I do agree that yes, it is an important philosophical question, I cannot fully agree with the statement that it is the ONLY serious philosophical problem. I do agree with Weiner that life can often pose other very important questions at us once we have grappled with Camus's question of suicide and determined to continue living.
3 - Marcus Aurelius often reminded himself that remaining in bed all day is a truly selfish act, that he has an inner duty (not an outer obligation) to being the Emperor of Rome and to make a difference for himself and other people. "At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: 'I have to go to work--as a human being.'"
5 - Socrates preferred "what" or "why" questions to "how" questions such as "how to live a more meaningful life" or "how to better understand myself". The reason for this preference is because Socrates believed that these "how" questions would encourage discourse among the people he interacted with on a daily basis. On a personal note, I agree with Socrates that "how" questions are quite enjoyable, as it encourages a continuous discussion and can allow yourself or others to gain new insight on whatever subject is being discussed.
I also like the "How" questions, it makes the answer "deeper" I guess I could say. It makes you wonder more.
Delete#H1 Kayla Lee
ReplyDeleteLHP2-The theory Plato’s cave story is connected to is the theory of forms, which illustrates the difference between reality and perception of it. I do believe that humans are stuck in caves of all sorts in this way. It is comforting to us to know what we know and know it is true, even when maybe it isn’t. I believe this relates in the way we view politics. Many people consume what they agree with entirely or primarily, because it is what they believe and it causes conflict to see things from a different perspective.
LHP3-Socrates’ inner voice told him to keep questioning everything. I believe that this could be literal, as I know many people do have inner monologues, but as someone who doesn’t, it could also just be his expression of what his deepest self wants and what his heart believes, voiced out as a calling by his inner voice that is, in reality, just his conscious thoughts.
Weiner7-Socrates says that the unexamined life is a life that is not worth living. Weiner proposes 2 corollaries to Socrates’ stance. The life examined must show results of being worth living for this to be true, and there is a balance that is needed between overexamined and unexamined life. I agree that perhaps Socrates is wrong. It is vital to be introspective and take inventory of where you are and everything important like that, but it is also incredibly detrimental to spend so much of your time and being absorbed by your own being.
Amen to that! As I always tell students who say they're terribly worried about being judged negatively by their peers, Eleanor Roosevelt got it right: "You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you just realized how seldom they do."
DeleteLHP-2
ReplyDeletePlato's story of the cave is connected with what is now known as Plato's Theory of Forms. I believe some humans are stuck in an allegorical cave. Perhaps, it is a prison of their own making? One dominant example of humans being held as prisoners of their own choice can be easily traced back to technology. Look around and one can see most humans glued to their smartphones, computers, tablets, or other electronic devices for a great portion of their day. Sadly, many people do not get out and enjoy nature or experience great adventures because they are too busy looking down at a screen.
Weiner
5- Because Socrates craved conversation, he found "How" questions to be the most interesting. "How" questions helped Socrates become a greater thinker because they further enriched and improved his learning. In talking with others, Socrates discovered how to converse with himself and as a result, he better understood himself.
7-Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." One of the corollaries Weiner proposed to Socrates's examined life is "The examined life that doesn't produce practical results isn't worth living." Weiner also offered as a second corollary, " The unexamined life may not be worth living, but neither is the overexamined one." I think Socrates's statement about "an unexamined life is not worth living" is very strong and harsh way of going about life. I find Weiner's second corollary is easier to digest because when we overexamine our lives, we struggle to acknowledge our happiness. I have found that stuff does not make me happy, nor is my happiness focused on how others make me feel. I believe happiness is dependent on personal reflection.
Before pocket-sized screens became so ubiquitous, I used to think the perfect contemporary version of Plato's Cave was the modern sports bar: all those guys (mostly), belly up to the bar, staring intently staight ahead and shadows (screens) on the wall as if those games were the ultimate reality of the universe.
DeleteI also find Weiner's second corollary an easier and (dare I say) even a more complete version of Socrates's original statement about an unexamined life. I believe that under-examination would lead to an ultimately less fulfilling life and I agree that an over-examined life would turn out to feel miserable, as one may neglect their own current happiness while in constant pursuit of more.
DeleteH01
DeleteI think that the second corollary is interesting because there are different ways of trying to understand it. You could hypothesize that the over-examined life is not worth living because life in general is not worth living, and therefore over-examining it will cause you to find out about its worthlessness. Or, instead, you could believe that the over-examination itself is what causes the problems in life which make it no longer worth living.
Weiner Intro 1-2
ReplyDeletePlatos caves story - I found Platos cave story quite intriguing. After reading your discussion question I looked up what theory Platos cave story related to and its the Theory of Forms. It is true so many people today are stuck living in their own world never taking a step back to see things from a different perspective. In his story he used actual chains and its funny nowadays the world has so much opportunity we really aren't chained at all but people still fall for this trap and remain stuck watching "shadows".
#H02
ReplyDeleteLHP - 2. Plato’s story of the cave is connected to his Theory of Forms. The Theory of Forms is the idea that there are three groups of people. One group being the philosophers, (at the top) who he thought should be in charge and have all political power, while the second group (below them) would be the soldiers who defended the country, and the very last group being the workers. He believed that with this ranked system, everyone would be in perfect balance with each other. I think that some people are naturally stuck in their “cave” in one way or another. Some people are willing to “break free from [their] chains and turn towards the fire” while others are unwilling to expand their viewpoints and would happily stay in their own “cave.”
LHP - 3. Socrates explained that he had an inner voice that told him to “keep questioning everything” and he just couldn’t betray it. In this context, I don’t think an “inner voice” is literal. I think it is more of a reference to, as some would call it, a “moral compass.”
Weiner - 2. Camus claimed that the one truly philosophical problem was suicide. I agree because it is a very interesting topic to discuss. It brings up the idea of what the true meaning of life and living is, and introduces a whole plethora of related questions that coincide with it.
#H02
ReplyDeleteLHP
2: The cave that Plato describes comes to become the Plato's Theory of Forms. I think the title for this theory is quite interesting because when thinking about a form you think of a physical shape or object. However, the word "form" in this title intertwines with the idea that there is a mental form one must obtain and search for, since nothing is truly finished and absolute until life has ceases. However, when talking about the people in the cave, I do truly do think that there are people that stay sedentary in a cave, but they secretly enjoy it. In the other piece we are reading, "The Socrates Express" by Eric Weiner, he mentions that philosophy and the search for it is hard, but one has to be willing to find it. People, generally, like to think in first person and selfishly, rather than a big picture view. Thus, there being the people who like to watch the shadows in the cave because its comfortable to them, and they are to selfish to break from their, mental, chains to find better.
Weiner
1: Philosopher means lover of wisdom and all the pursuit to wisdom. Philosophy was held to a high standard in ancient Athens; in this book, Weiner emphasizes multiple times that people took the word of philosophy as if it was God. However, many saw philosophy as therapy and self transformation. In ancient times, Philosophy was everything. It was self reflective poetry, food for the soul, and the guide to living a fulfilled life. It was everything to the Greeks.
4: The first question young Needleman experienced was from his young friend, Elias. Elias questioned the creator of God, and if God is this mass creator, who created him? Personally, I have experienced these types of questions myself. Being raised non-religious for most of my life, stepping into a sphere of religion in the Bible Belt is almost a punch in the gut. Now being introduced into religion, it is okay to ask. I think the concept of creation is truly too large for the human mind to comprehend, thus promoting one to wonder. When I read this, I felt a sense of comfort because it's normal to wonder, ponder, and question because we truly don't know why we are here and the components of creation.
#H01
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. For Socrates, a successful conversation was made when he left the other person confused or lost about the topic discussed. For him, wisdom was not intricate knowledge of a skill or subject, but understanding the nature of human existence- what humans are meant for. And so, Socrates questioned everything and brought those questions to others. This seems to be his method of sharing philosophy with others.
2. Plato’s anecdote about the cave is related to his [Plato’s] Theory of Forms. I do believe that most humans are, in terms of the anecdote, “stuck in a cave” by certain circumstances, whether it be education, upbringing, personal beliefs etc. However, I also feel that most humans can free themselves if they choose, and most choose not to. This may be due to fear of judgment or change.
Weiner
1. A philosopher is a “lover of wisdom,” someone that looks past what they know and asks questions that there are practically no answers to. Interestingly, philosophy was viewed as a form of therapy, but not similar to most modern therapeutic practices. Philosophy was difficult, forcing people to delve into subjects that may make them uncomfortable or challenged. Philosophy, then and now, can still serve as a form of therapy because of this; being challenged can lead to personal growth, assisting people with life’s obstacles.
(LHP, Question #3)
ReplyDelete1. Socrates' inner voice told him to question everything, a piece of advice that he followed passionately. He refused to betray it, even if meant his own death. I think this voice is literal in the sense that Socrates really did experience it, and wasn't employing it as a cryptic anecdote or fabrication. In fact, his repeated mention of the voice (or "daemon") seems almost out of place when paired against his reputation as a wise and stoic thinker. Obviously, I cannot know for sure what Socrates' experience was like, but I find it unlikely that he was describing the sensation of a 'real' auditory source speaking to him. I imagine it more like a particularly loud stream of thought, strong conviction, or 'gut feeling.'
(Weiner, Question #3)
2. Marcus Aurelius reminds himself of many things at dawn, the most potent of which being the realization that lazing about under the comfortable covers of bed is an inherently selfish act, and that he must "...go to work--as a human being." I really enjoy all of Aurelius' meditations, this one included. Of course, Weiner does a lot of work humanizing the Roman emperor, but I think there's something inherently endearing and instantly relatable about his struggle to get out of bed. Marcus Aurelius, despite living around 1800 years ago, writes of experiences and difficulties that are identical to ones we experience every day. There's a pervasive sense of self-deprecation with a touch of existential overthinking that makes his affirmations feel particularly modern, which becomes extremely odd to think about when you consider that he was one of the most powerful and celebrated people in his time.
(Weiner, Question #5)
3. Socrates was most interested in the 'how' questions, in contrast with most philosophers before his time, who asked questions of 'what' and 'why.' This strikes me as a particularly pragmatic methodology of questioning, although I think that branch of philosophy wasn't really formalized until much later. Socrates' lack of interest in epistemological inquiry is interesting to me, especially when compared to the mainstream thought of his time which tended to seek answers to arguably unknowable facets of reality.
Forgot to add, I am in section #H03. Sorry!
Delete#HO1
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. Socrates didn't believe in writing down any of his thoughts, he simply just wanted to have a conversation with you and challenge if you truly knew what you were talking about. He called it a success if you left that conversation confused but wanting to wonder more. Socrates believed wisdom was based on asking questions and understanding the true nature of our existence.
2. Platos Cave story is connected to his Theory of Forms. I do think some humans are stuck in a cave. Some humans are fine with knowledge, fine with just seeing what's in front of them. Some may fear the wisdom they will have for asking the how questions.
3. Socrates inner voice would "steer him away from conversations/ situations" . Socrates seems like an interesting man, so I would not put it past him to have an actual inner voice telling him things but it could just be his subconscious steering him away out of fear.
WEINER
1. A philosopher means "lover of wisdom". It is a way of thinking, asking the how questions. It was a form of therapy, but not the nice kind. It makes you wonder about all things going on in the universe. It is meant to challenge you, it describes the world as what it could be.
H2
ReplyDeleteLHP 1- When Socrates had conversations his main goal was often to push people to the limits of what they thought they knew and go beyond that. This was what he though conversation was for to expand the perspective of one or both parties. Unfortunately, not all of Athens appreciated what he was doing and he was thought of as a pest. In the book it says he even described himself as a gadfly.
Weiner 2- Camus believes that the only philosophical question is whether or not life is worth living and while I acknowledge the importance of the question saying it is the only thing worth questioning philosophically downplays the importance of other vital aspects of life. If you never thought about why you think a certain way or why you should react to certain situations in certain ways then you aren't really using your gift as a human to analyze yourself and your actions.
Weiner 7- Socrates states, "An unexamined life is a life not worth living." Weimer rebuts this with two very similar statements. The first being that an examined life that doesn't produce practical results isn't worth living either and that by finding meaning in life you live a happy life. His second statement is that an unexamined is not worth living but neither is an overexamined life. I don't really agree with Socrates on his initial statement as human life is invaluable even without meaning or examination, but I understand how a life without wonder could lead to an unfulfilling life.
H01
ReplyDeleteLHP 2:
Plato's story is connected to the theory of Forms. I think that Plato is correct about his view of humans only being able to grasp a "shadow" of reality. In fact, one could argue that, if there is anything at all that humans don't know, then they do not in fact have the full picture of the world. I find it reasonable to disagree, however, with the idea that philosophers see the world as it really is. This sounds to me like it could be a case of survivorship bias.
Weiner 2:
Camus said that the only true philosophical problem is whether or not life is worth living (Weiner 6). I would disagree with this simply because the great importance of this question does not diminish the importance of any other question. For example: What is it exactly that makes life worth living? If life is not worth living, what must one do about it?
Weiner 7:
Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living." The first corollary drawn by Weiner is that an unexamined life is not worth living if it "doesn't produce practical results" (35). The second is that the overexamined life is also not worth living (Weiner 36). Whether or not Socrates was wrong might depend, in my opinion, on what exactly is meant by "examined." If Socrates meant to say that we must dissect our choices, circumstances, and thoughts philosophically in a manner similar to the Socratic Dialogues, then I would have to disagree. One reason is that there is a certain arbitrary quality to that statement. How "examined" is "examined" enough? Surely people examine things about their lives at least every once in a while, even if they are not philosophically inclined. Must one question everything to the same degree that Socrates did? If so, why?
Weiner, Eric. THE SOCRATES EXPRESS: IN SEARCH OF LIFE LESSONS FROM DEAD PHILOSOPHERS. Avid Reader Press, 2020.
H01
ReplyDeleteLHP 2. Plato's cave allegory is connected with his Theory of Forms, which in all honesty, took me several read throughs and a long think to comprehend. To my understanding, Plato believed that the true version of any specific thing is the abstract idea of that thing, not the real version you would encounter in life. A circle is never a perfect circle but you can imagine it anyway. The way we view life is influenced by our beliefs and backgrounds, so nothing we see is actually, truly what it is. I believe in that first part, that we are influenced by our experiences and what we hold true, but I disagree that that means everything we see is a false version. I don't know if I could say there is a "true" version of anything. The circle example is oversimplified and does not apply to complicated concepts. I also think that it's incredibly hubristic of him to believe that only philosphers like him could see the "truth" and should have complete authority. It's just another version of the divine right of kings, that certain people are given the right to have power because of something inherent about them.
LHP 3. Socrates said his inner voice always demanded he ask questions of everything. I don't think it was a literal voice, any more so than I believe that the conscious can be condensed down to a nagging few words in the back of our minds when we do something against our morals. Some people are inclined more towards questioning and some are content to never question, and I believe that is both a result of our inherent personalities and how we were raised. He must have had very indulgent parents or been the most stubborn child who ever lived. I also think it was a privilege for him to still have that inner voice for as long as he lived. If he had been a woman or a person of color always asking questions, they would not have been put to death at 70. I wonder how well his wife thought of him, to have lived a life of the joy of being an annoyance.
FL 2. Andersen wrote that half of Americans are "absolutely certain" that heaven exists and is ruled over by an actual being called God. I'm not religious and wasn't raised religious, so I see this fantastical conviction as incredibly misguided. These religious zealots that make up more than fifty per cent of our country treat belief as certainty, and use it as an excuse to act in horrible ways. Science is one of the most concrete agreements about how the world works, and even then, we use words like "Theory" to describe concepts because we can never be one hundred per cent certain about anything. It's quite simply a blissful comfort to believe so righteously in a place called heaven, because any other truth is terrifying for them. They want to believe each people is special and important in the "grand cosmos" and gets treated as such, and that is a delusion.
A quarter of Americans believe vaccines cause autism too. This fact almost makes me too angry to think critically about. The word "deluded" kept coming to mind as I read the beginning of this book, because it's one of the most all encompassing for this line of thinking. The same vein as flat-earthers, or climate change deniers, or people who believe the world is only six thousand years old. These people prefer pretty lies and cozy comforts that never challege or create hardship. They sacrifice the betterment of society for their crazed imaginations. People die without vaccines. The choice to not get vaccinated affects so many more people than just the one doing the choosing, and they seem unconcerned. Selfishness is lauded in this country as a synonym for independence, and I don't know how we're going to come back from this.
Honestly thank you for the way you answered LHP2 the explanation in the book was hard for me to understand, haha. I also agree that Plato is very egocentric in claiming only philosophers could see the truth and the 'fire'.
Delete#H3
ReplyDeleteLHP
#1: To Socrates, a successful conversation was one in which everyone realized how little they actually knew. He took great pleasure in engaging others in conversations that revealed the limitations of their understanding and encouraged them to question the assumptions upon which they built their lives. For Socrates, a successful discussion was one in which everyone realized the extent of their knowledge. He enjoyed challenging people's understanding and questioning the foundations of their lives.
Weiner
#1: The term "philosophy" comes from the Greek words "Philo," meaning love, and "Sophia," meaning wisdom. In ancient Athens, philosophy was seen as a form of therapy and way of life. It was a way to enrich oneself.
#5: Socrates had a preference for "how" questions such as "how to live a more meaningful life" or "how to understand myself better." He believed that these types of questions would stimulate conversations with the people he engaged with on a daily basis. Socrates found "how" questions to be instrumental in enhancing his learning and enriching his thoughts. Through conversations with others, Socrates learned how to engage in introspection, leading to a deeper understanding of himself.
#H1
ReplyDeleteLHP-2
Plato's story of the cave was connected to his Theory of Forms which was the idea that if we want to study and understand anything here on earth we must look at the form rather than our own witness or preconceived notion. This is because our own senses can easily lead us astray. The shadows from the fire are not the actual fire regardless of how clearly one can see right in front of himself. In some sense I believe we all can never fully escape the cave because of how limited our knowledge and understanding is on Earth. We also all face the difficulty of truly turning from the shadows on the walls because they are much easier to stare at then a bright fire behind us, and many people choose this path because it is comfortable, normal, and easy.
Weiner 2-
Camus proposed the most important question one can ask about life. Is it worth living ? I concur that this is the one truly serious philosophical question. I have struggled with this question years prior to now, but this one simple question is the pivoting factor of truly living. Without a purpose or reason for our life it is truly meaningless, and I would argue not worth living. We as humanity must answer this question within our daily lives to have an innate purpose. If we do not answer this question we are merely chemical reactions going about life.
Weiner 5-What kinds of questions most interested Socrates?
Socrates was most interested in meaningful and deep conversations. These were serious questions into uncharted waters of peoples souls. He was no stranger to sparking conflict or questioning concepts that should have been obvious. What can we apply to our life by understanding the kind of questions Socrates asked?
H02:
ReplyDeleteLHP #1
Socrates was a strange man, to say the least. Going around the marketplace and badgering people with seemingly senseless questions is a hobby that would most likely be frowned upon today. However, these questions brought forth something that Socrates considered tremendously important: revelations. In his conversation with Euthydemus, for instance, he asks him if being deceitful is predicated upon being immoral. Euthydemus seems confident that it is. Socrates- ecstatic to find a flaw in his logic -poses that stealing a knife from a suicidal person would be deceitful yet moral. Euthydemus is confused but agrees, leaving with a newfound understanding of the relationship between morality and deceit. Socrates gave him wisdom. Not just knowledge of the world around him, but comprehension of it. To Socrates, knowing is not enough; understanding is.
Weiner #1
In literal terms, a philosopher is a “lover of wisdom”. “Phil” meaning love and “soph” meaning wisdom. True philosophers don’t rely on factoids and entertainment (as some modern ones do); they push forth ideas that make us wonder and- ultimately –philosophize to ourselves. Unlike today, ancient Greece treated philosophy as a form of therapy. According to Weiner in his introduction, “Philosophy was self-transformation. Philosophy was therapy. Medicine for the soul.” Opening yourself up to the possibilities of the world can be immensely beneficial to the mind. We don’t always have it “correct”.
FL #2
According to Andersen, Half of the US is absolutely certain that Heaven is real and ruled by a personal God. To me, Christianity is a perfectly acceptable religion that helps a lot of the people I know find peace, happiness, or even great understanding. You must admit, however, that putting your complete faith into something that you cannot be one hundred percent sure about and shutting every other possibility down isn’t a little bit close-minded. At least entertaining other ideologies is something that can benefit a person greatly. Even more upsetting is the fact that a quarter of Americans believes that vaccines cause autism. Having a severely autistic sibling, this statistic brings me immense disappointment. The fact that, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, such a conspiracy can perpetuate in this era of knowledge is downright insulting to the countless people who suffer from such afflictions. The prevalence of such unproven beliefs speaks to the tumultuous amount of synthesized information we surround ourselves with. When so much of our lives are predicated upon questionable data and beliefs, what is the truth anymore?
#H2
ReplyDeleteLHP 2: What theory is Plato's story of the cave connected with? Do you think some or all humans are naturally, in some allegorical sense, stuck in a cave?
- Plato's Theory of Forms is connected directly to Plato's story in the cave, in which Plato creates an analogy of societies interactions with philosophers in his era. Plato argues that his unphilosophical society is viewing the world as shadows in his fictitious cave while philosophers were the ones with knowledge of the reality of the world. I personally views Plato's world view as a bit narcissistic, as he assumes his philosophical approach is one that increases the value of his perspective in society. However, I do agree with his point that our perspective of reality is one based on such little knowledge that we are "looking at shadows on a wall" in a sense. Philosophy is a way of learning what you truly believe and why you believe it, which can help one better understand their environment if they know themselves; but I don't necessarily agree that being a philosopher in itself gives one the perspective that is "beyond the shadow".
Weiner 2: What did Camus say is the one truly serious philosophical problem? Do you agree?
- Camus argued that the only true philosophical issue one should wrestle with is whether they should kill themselves or not. In a Godless worldview I would agree, without created innate purpose the truth of reality is that there is none. The meaning of life is to do whatever one feels gives it meaning, which can be anything and is entirely subjective. In a worldview which incorporates God, life has innate purpose and meaning. There is a goal and an achievement laid before every human being and individuals are given an innate purpose which transcends their own pleasures and search for meaning.
Weiner 4: What was the first question young Needleman experienced? Have you experienced it? Do you think it is a good question? How do you answer it?
- Needleman's first question was "Who created God?" which is an incredibly interesting philosophical question that seemingly throws a wrench into the identity of the creator of the universe. It is a question I think everyone at some point in their lives asks themselves, and is one that I struggled with during high school when I had seriously doubted and even momentarily dropped my faith. I find this question to be an interesting one as it is rooted in a keen observation of reality, which is that, at some point, everything that exists must be created from something. This observation is a universal truth that applies to almost everything within reality; however, it is not necessarily a truth that can be applied to God with certainty, considering that God transcends the concept of reality as its creator. In order for time to be linear and for our universe to exist an origin is required. If an infinite amount of time existed prior to the current moment, than this moment would never arrive and a paradox would be created. For us to be living linearly in the moment that we currently are both time, space, and matter must all come into existence at the same moment, at the same time for the clock to officially begin ticking. For me, a perfect explanation for this sounds exactly like Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth". If the very concept of creation, time, and reality all derive from the existence of God, then God does not require such things for his existence to hold true.
H#2
ReplyDeleteLHP #1 - Socrates often had conversations in which he asked so many questions to the point where it left the people he talked with confused. This was usually his goal and he considered it to be a success when the person he had a conversation with left feeling like they didn't really know much. He also considered wisdom to be how much one can know about our reality.
LHP #3 - Socrates said that his inner voice told him to always keep questioning. I think this inner voice was literal in the sense that he had a voice in his head which was constantly asking questions to himself and wanting to learn similar to how today we think to ourselves. I feel like Socrates and earlier philosophers realized how important our ability to think and ask questions is and really started taking advantage of it by exposing everyone to the feeling of questioning their normality in life.
Weiner #1 - Philosophy originates back to Greece and means the love of wisdom. Philosophy was an important part of Greek culture and was a practical part of life that was studied, appreciated, and used to help people lead more meaningful lives.
Weiner #2 - Camus believed that deciding whether it's worth living or not was the one serious philosophical question. I disagree with this statement. While that question is an extremely important question and everyone comes to ask themselves that question multiple times throughout their lives, I feel like there are so many other serious questions that come up throughout life that are equally important.
Hey Gino! I agree with the idea that Socrates' inner voice was literal. When you are constantly thinking you hear that little voice in your head. I feel that the voice in his head was loud and persistent and that's why he acted the way he did. To others he was annoying but truly he had his own gadfly racing around his head.
Delete#H01
ReplyDeleteLHP 1 – A successful conversation for Socrates was one that left the other person confused about their own knowledge. I agree with this idea. I feel like one should always question what they know because there’s always a different point of view. I always feel as if everyone's opinion is right if they have some type of reasoning behind it. There are endless possibilities to what’s right and wrong in our world which means as much as you think someone may be wrong, they could also be right. Socrates felt that wisdom was understanding the nature of our existence.
LHP 2 – Plato's story of the cave demonstrates how many of us only process what we can see and use our senses to construct reality. I think that all humans start off with the cave mentality until they start asking questions and thinking about what’s past our senses. This is something I think about all the time. There are so many unexplained things in our world, some of which our brains simply cannot process. I wonder what creates that border between what we can sense and what we cannot, but we still know is there.
LHP 2 continued - I forgot to mention the theory his story of the caves is connected to. It is connected to the Theory of Forms
DeleteH3
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2. Plato's story of the cave is connected to the Theory of Forms, which poses that the observable reality is a mask for a deeper, true reality. The "Form" of something is conceptual and incorporeal, more abstract than the conclusions we draw about something based on what our senses alone perceive. I don't think that anyone is really "stuck" in the proverbial cave. The way I see it, people stick themselves in the cave. I think that most people have the ability to turn and see the "true form" of things but consciously do not out of fear of what they may see or the implications it may have. Sometimes, it's more comfortable to face away from the fire so it warms your back. I'm admittedly guilty of this, like I think that most - if not all - people are at one point or another. It's very human to crave comfort and ease over a fabled "truth."
3. Socrates's inner voice prompted him to never stop asking questions. It told him that a life without inquiry, nuance, and wonder was not worth living and that it would be better to die than to stop asking "why." While reading The Socrates Express - and later in doing my own research - I found that Socrates's inner voice was actually somewhat literal. At least, it was characterized. Apparently, Socrates claimed to hear a voice that he called a "divine sign" or "daimonion." While this "divine sign" might not have been an actual, audible voice, Socrates seemed to have faith in it. It's similar to a "gut feeling" or "sixth sense." While not truly, physically perceivable, it's still there and still means something.
Weiner
6. Socratic dialogues are characterized by nearly unending conversation. His ceaseless questioning prompted thought from countless angles. A Socratic dialogue continues to ask "why," "how," or "what is" almost ad nauseam; however, the often pesky, persistent pondering is meant to provoke deeper thought and challenge one's logic. Each question is a new opportunity to see from a different perspective or even change one's mind. Many found Socrates rude or annoying because of how many questions he asked, but in asking so many, he sought to not only explore his own logic and develop his own reasoning but to challenge and enrich that of others. I think I enjoy these kinds of conversations. I do like to ponder, for sure, and exploring the nuance of a topic can be deeply engaging. Unfortunately, because I'm something of a baby, I'm prone to fits of frustration if I feel like questions become too pointed. Sometimes it feels less like a mutual effort or greater understanding and more like and intellectual dual, which one loses if they can't provide a flawless answer to each question. It depends on the topic. Sometimes it's fun to be challenged, and sometimes it's flustering. I'd like to be better about it because I know these types of conversations are most productive, but for now, I still struggle with my natural, naive emotions.
H#01 | John Pardue
ReplyDeleteLHP2): "What theory is Plato's story of the cave connected with? Do you think some or all humans are naturally, in some allegorical sense, stuck in a cave?"
Plato's cave is connected to his theory of forms. In that, he thought that one couldn't look at individual examples but the form / abstract concept as a whole. In the cave looking at instances of a perceived reality hides the truth. The philosophers who were able to turn from the cave wall and see out into the true world are depicted as unshackled from the cave. Personally, I think everyone is stuck in their own cave. It takes not only the wisdom to be able to know beyond what you can see but also curiosity and bravery to challenge your own perception and be prepared to confront a vast scope of possibilities good or bad.
A cave as a metaphor can mean a lot of things but I think for most it would be complacency. A slow comfortable trap leading many to never realize their potential, never to push beyond the status quo because they don't have to, so why should they?
An excerpt from Weiner's Chapter Two that stands out is this quote about what kind of question was taken seriously by Socrates from page 27, "A serious question carries risk, like striking a match in a dark room. You don't know what you'll find when the room illuminates-- monsters or miracles-- but you strike the match anyway."
LHP3): "What did Socrates say his inner voice told him? Do you think "inner voice" is literal?"
Socrates told people that his inner voice told him to keep asking questions. He called it his daemon. I would argue that this phenomenon would be considered an inner monologue or his stream of consciousness. I think framing it as a voice was a way of handling an abstract concept.
Weiner 3): "What did Marcus Aurelius need, at dawn, to remind himself of?" Marcus Aurelius needed to remind himself of his duties, to his people and to his nation. To get up and live. This was an interesting chapter as someone who tends to sleep later than intended no matter what I do, it is interesting and somewhat comforting to know one of the most powerful people in the entirety of history also tended to sleep in.
#H01
ReplyDeleteLHP 1) For Socrates, conversations that challenged the limitations on what people truly understood and that altered the foundation of which others built their realities on to realize that they knew little to nothing about what they thought they knew, were classified as successful conversations. Socrates liked to question what others considered obvious, and although very "gadfly" him, this way of conversation allowed for those who conversed with Socrates to truly get to know themselves better. Sometimes we think we know the obvious, but in reality we only know the surface level, so it is important to question the obvious we "know" so well. Socrates did not base wisdom on knowing many facts or skills, but rather having an "understanding of the true nature of our existence, including the limits of what we can know."
Weiner 1) "Philosopher" means "lover of wisdom." Philosophy in ancient Athens was a way of life for many and used to make sense of the worlds mysteries. They used philosophy to describe the world as it is but also what "it could be." The possibilities were and are endless.
Weiner 5) Socrates wasn't mainly interested in the "what" or "why" questions, but questions that conjured up conversation were the most fascinating to him. He was interested in "how" questions. Socrates thought that the "what" or "why" questions were "in the end, unimportant." To a certain extent, I agree. I think all questions are important, but questions that create conversation and focus on the "how", often lead to better understanding of oneself and lead to ways we can better ourselves. I think it is important to focus on self-improvement like Socrates does, always striving for the next piece of wisdom.
#H1- Amelie Oakes
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Q. To Socrates he felt his conversations with strangers on the street were a success if he had managed to challenge their natural inclinations of right and wrong, or moral and immoral. None of his questions were asked in singularity, he continued every question with another part making it more challenging. Frcing the subject of his interrogation to face their own assumptions and expectations. This was the success Socrates aimed for, just confusing the other party. The idea of wisdom to Socrates (after his friends visit to the oracle) was not about having skills or even having knowledge. Wisdom was just being able to challenge ideas and think in hypotheticals.
Q3. I think the little voice of Socrates was literal but being a separate entity that spoke to him but just another facet of his mind, thinking and processing. In the Wiener reading he mentions that while on trial Socrates says the voice would stray him from current tasks but not encourage him to act in anyway. Which makes me think its just part of his mental process, in the same way while doing a mundane task you might realize an issue that pulls your full attention towards it.
Wiener
Q1. The definition of philosopher is just lover of wisdom. That’s probably the only part of philosophy that most people can agree upon. The practice of philosophy in ancient Athens was also the act of self-transformation, learning about yourself through questioning and wondering. Wiener says that philosophy is therapy. It is about enhancing life, even through uncomfortable conversations.
Q4. As a girl who grew up in the southern Anglican church, I absolutely thought about how God existed, and if he was the one who created the world, then who created him? Of course, when I asked this question, I got on of two answers, either: God was always there no one created him, or God created Himself, He wanted to exist so He did. And of course to a 3-year-old child neither of those answers made any sense. The universe cannot have always existed but something that doesn’t exist can’t make itself, so I was left pondering and honestly never really stopped thinking about it, I let it be an unknown. After all what comfort does any religion offer if there is no mystery, a god isn’t magical or mystical if all about them is known.
#H03 - Quinny VanDerSlik
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Socrates in his final moments before drinking poison told his student that his inner voice told him to constantly question everything and to keep doing so. He would not go against what his inner voice told him to do. I believe that some people believe when they talk in their mind, hear their own thoughts, one could call that their inner voice. Others might call their unconscious thoughts that come forward at times their inner voice, however, it is hard to say if someone actually has a true inner voice. I do believe that he had an inner voice so to say, but just that it was his true beliefs and thoughts coming forward unconsciously so he stays true to himself even in death.
Weiner 3-
Marcus Aurelius would tell himself at dawn that he had work he needed to get to, that it had to be as a human, his exact words are, “I have to go to work–as a human being.” Waking up is described as a duty to be done, not an obligation, therefore he must move and be productive for it is Aurelius’s duty to wake up and get out of bed. What I find interesting about the Bed Question was how at the end of the chapter, Eric Weiner stated that it was not one to be asked just once. How many times must one person ask it compared to another? To some the answer is many times, others a few, and finally just once. There are many factors to that question too, was the day before long, is today a free day or is it another day or work? Context matters to the question, but Aurelius has the right idea, sometimes it is a duty to get out of bed, that little reminder can help even on a free day.
Weiner 4-
The first question Needleman experienced was “‘Who created God?’” and he was posed this question by his best friend, Elias. I have not experienced this question, mainly due to how I am atheist, while I might have thought of the question I have not actively experienced it. The question itself is an interesting one, it pulls many people in even if they do not believe in a singular higher power, the question is still open to all. I have no true answer to it, there are many ways one could answer it, one thought that comes to mind is that he brought himself into existence, he created himself.
Another question I was interested in answering besides the main three I choose, was Weiner 2, mostly as it seems more controversial and sensitive to answer with my own opinion.
DeleteWeiner 2-
Camus says the the one philosophical problem that really is serious, is suicide. The topic of suicide has always been a sensitive and tender topic, some people prefer to ignore, downplay, pretend it is not as big of a problem, or push it away. Other people linger on it, they see how much harm it can cause people, even if they are just discussing it. Due to the range of emotions one can get from just the word, reading or speaking it, I feel that shows how serious and heavy the problem is. However, I do not fully agree with suicide being the ONLY truly serious philosophical problem, but I can say it is one.
FL 2-
DeleteHalf of Americans are “absolutely certain” about Heaven existing. To be specific they are certain that the Heaven they believe in is ruled by a god, specifically God, a man. On the other hand a quarter of Americans believe that vaccines lead to people being diagnosed with autism, alongside other beliefs. Some are that Donald Trump was the winner of the 2016 general election popular vote, or that the previous president was/is an Antichrist and others believe witches to be real.
We were on the same page about Socrates' inner voice. I believe it was his heart telling him to remain true to himself despite the ridicule he received.
DeleteAndrew Griffith(#3)-
ReplyDeleteLHP 2- The cave represents people's perception of reality. Humans tend to interpret what they see as definitive reality. As Socrates said, if a person chained in a cave can only see the shadows from objects Infront of a fire. The prisoner will perceive these shadows as actual beings/objects. What Socrates was trying to prove by the story is that there is more to perception then visually observing something. It takes thought to accurately observe something. I would say many if not all people are "stuck in a cave." People perceive reality in many different ways. Neither is right or wrong however, some perceptions can clash. People are all in "their own little world" as some would say. We all have biases and different experiences that change how we react and perceive things.
Andrew Griffith (#3)
ReplyDeleteWeiner-1 "Philosopher" derives from a Greek word that means "Lover of Wisdom."
LHP 3-Socretes inner voices told him to constantly question everything. He probably didn't mean a literal voice; however, it came from an accumulation of his emotions and thoughts in his final moments. He lived his life constantly questioning everything. He built his legacy on that one idea.
#H2 Annlee Head
ReplyDeleteLHP #1 - A conversation full of questions was a success for Socrates, being able to confuse the person he’s speaking with and probe them for more knowledge while debating with them. Wisdom to Socrates was “not-knowing” the answers to questions or how to do things, thus he could ask the people around him and spark debates amongst them.
Weiner #4 - The first question that young Needleman experienced was “Who created God?” I haven’t experienced the question myself, but it is one that immediately probes for deep thought and careful consideration of your answer versus the answer that someone else wants to hear. I personally wouldn’t be able to answer it on the spot, I would need to “live with it” for a while before deciding what my answer would be.
Section H02
ReplyDeleteLHP Q1: The type of conversation that was considered a success for Socrates is essentially the type of conversation I imagine all philosophers would consider a success. The idea of a conversation's value being based on how thought provoking it is for both parties seems to be a base value for what philosophy has been built on. In Socrates case specifically, he wanted the other individual to leave the conversation with so much confusion and curiosity that they develop a need to pursue these new perspectives and thoughts. He viewed wisdom as something to be constantly challenged; this means asking the more deep rooted questions and exploring all sorts of avenues when looking for answers. In my opinion, this is the mindset that everyone should take on as it allows our world to positively progress rather than remaining in a place of ignorance and close mindedness.
LHP Q3: Socrates inner voice encouraged him to keep asking questions which is ultimately his conscience from my perspective. My reasoning for this is because we all have this inner monologue that provokes actions and certain thoughts, so it is more believable to assume that's all it was for socrates. We are all born with various desires to get out of life and for him it appears to be that great hunt for answers. However there is the side of a more spiritual or godlike guide that could have literally been that inner voice. Due to my own beliefs that is more difficult for me to believe, but that does not by any means disqualify it as a possibility.
Weiner Q1: The literal definition of philosophy is translated to "love of wisdom" and therefore is an individual who has a hunger to pursue true wisdom. An interesting contrast is presented in the introduction where Weiner presents what philosophy was and what it is now. During the time period of Athens and Socrates, philosophy was the core of how they were to live; indulging in all the "whys" and "hows" of life was something that opened up all of the possibilities of life. Then we look at the modern view of philosophy where it is rarely mentioned in the K-12 education system and often times we shy away from asking questions that disrupt the norms around us. Reading this introduction has already altered my perspective of what philosophy means and it is not at all what the majority of society views it as.
Gavin Cooley H2
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. For Socrates, a conversation that left the people realizing "how little they knew" was considered a successful and worthy endeavor. I like the approach that he took to help others see the flaws in their thinking. He didn't try to instill in others a new belief system, instead he just made them question their current one. To him, wisdom was understanding the true nature of human existence, which meant questioning everything so that he may one day find out what that true nature is.
3. His inner voice told him to always question everything. The voice is not real in a literal since; it was simply his brain. Still, it was his brain that would not be satisfied with less than all the knowledge the world has to offer. Thus he always questioned and sought out more answers and more knowledge.
Weiner
2. Camus believes that the question of "is life worth living or not" is the only important philosophical question. While there are other philosophical questions that can be asked, I lie on the side of Camus and his viewpoint. If it were not worth living, why would one keep on living a life that is deemed not worth the effort? All other questions are only available if the answer to Camus' question that life is worth living, and thus questioning.
Section #H3, John Owens
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Q2: Platos story about people being trapped in a cave is meant to be an allegory that express his "theory of forms" thinking. His thinking is that people are limited by their immediate physical sense that only allow them to find truth in what they can physically perceive in front of them. I partially agree with his idea of people being "trapped" in a cave since it just means peoples view of the world is being limited to only what they can see, or understand, immediately in front of them and they are, forcefully, prevented from finding the source of that projection and what exists beyond the cave. I think it's interesting to ask how much of that restriction is imposed by human factors, like social or religious norms and expectations. As opposed to how much of it is imposed by peoples limited ability to experience and understand reality itself, that also makes me questions if modern technology and science, which has expanded our thinking and understand of the world far beyond anything Plato could have imagined, limits the significance of his allegory.
Weiner
Q1: The most straightforward meaning of philosophy in English is "lover of wisdom" which for ancient Athenians meant someone who actively pursued knowledge and wisdom for the sake of wanting to learn. To ancient philosophers, philosophy was meant to be a nearly spiritual way of life, like a road map that a person should base their life around since it was believed that by asking questions and of both the world and ones self was the best way to achieve a fulfilling life.
Q5: The questions that most interested socrates were those that challenged peoples pre-assumed assumptions of the world by forcing them to clarify and expand on their meaning. Weiner explained that Socrates focus would based around what people in general assume to be the simplest issues. Like what makes someone a "good" father, or what makes a "father."
Evan Clark
ReplyDelete#H02
LHP 1. For Socrates, a successful conversation was one that ended in those participating realizing how little they actually knew. He would often establish a premise that would initially seem agreeable only to use situational dilemmas to disprove what was originally agreed upon. This, in turn leading those to question what they assumed they knew. A Socratic definition of wisdom is understanding the nature of existence and grasping the limitations of what we can know. The text mentions civilians being skilled in what they do (Carpenters and Soldiers) but failing to be truly wise. I believe one of the most intelligent actions is the self-realization that there is so much knowledge and truth to be discovered.
LHP 2. Plato's illustration of the cave is connected with the theory of forms. It explains the difference between mere appearance and reality. The metaphoric people who are tied up in the cave are seeing the shadow of images reflected by the fire behind them, they are mistaking these shadows for real objects, whereas in reality they are being deceived by the shadow. The illustration describes the one breaking free, seeing the outside world and understanding the reality of the fire/shadows as a philosopher. I believe there is truth in the allegory. A plethora of people go about their life purely based on the illusion of what is in front of them, never questioning the reality of the bigger picture (seeking the outside world), it is easy and mindless to only see what is in front of your eyes. One of the quotes from LHP relating to this was that this type of existence is "okay for cattle, not humans".
Weiner 1. The term "philosopher" translates to "lover of wisdom" In ancient Athens, the practice was used as an attempt the make sense of the world surrounding them but also used in a transformative sense to better the mind as well as the individual as a whole
Section: H03
ReplyDeleteLHP Q1: Philosophy is the love of wisdom. It is to be in love with the unknown mysteries of the world. The great thinker Socrates was undoubtably in love with what he did not know. He asked the question that allow you to sit and ponder. His extraordinary mind created questions that required no real solution just wonder. Socrates had conversation with many men in power as well as those with no power such as the women and the children. He had one goal to conclude every conversation with such confusion and disorder for the other conversationalist. A successful conversation for Socrates questioned our existence it questioned our natural state. The questions Socrates would examine took what was known as truth and ripped it completely open left to question if the statement was ever truly factual.
LHP Q3: Socrates while on trial exclaimed, he had a voice in his head. The voice sounds more of a moral compass, a guide of protection against his own action exclaiming to himself to stop before it's too late. I suspect this statement to be literal. For decades we have portrayed this same situation on the screens. This being the classic angel vs devil on each shoulder. One being the moral compass or guardian angel and the other being the devil convincing you the bad decision is worth the risk. In my personal experience I completely align with what Socrates is saying. The voice in his head is also in mine. The voice declaring me away from danger and out of harm's way. However, in today's society we have modernized the term impulsive. People describe the other voice as their reason to make impulsive decisions. This voice has never resonated with me however I am aware others have heard it. So why do select people have one, both, or neither in their head?
Weiner Q1: Philosopher is simply defined as "lover of wisdom." Socrates was the one to make Philosophy at such for front today. However, there were a few before his time in ancient Athens. Although, these thinkers were just a bit different. The thinkers from ancient Athens questioned divine power rather than human nature. Those philosophers asked questions straight to God since he is the only one who could provide those answers.
DeleteH2#
ReplyDeleteSocrates believed a truly good and successful conversation showed how little you knew, even on your most confident topics, because no matter what we knew to be true, it was always at least slightly influenced or obscured by appearances. He then stayed true to his gadfly policy; he delivered small, sharp, and often painful blows to people's ingrained beliefs, careers, and philosophies but never intended to truly harm someone. But this poking and prodding of the psyche often brought to light what most tried to suppress: the dismaying truth that, despite studying, you could never reach a true, complete, or all-encompassing understanding of a topic. There would always be a missing piece in the puzzle. However, Socrates believed wisdom came from the search for the truths of reality hidden behind appearances; a fundamental essence, something that could be explained, could be assessed. This could in turn provide relief and explanation to the question of purpose, the question of belonging, and the true nature of life if someone could just reach it. This goal and aspiration to understand the intricacies of reality he believed was the path to true wisdom.
LHP question 2
The theory behind Plato’s cave example is known as the theory of forms, which states that the truth of reality, or even reality itself, lies beyond the appearances and experiences of the physical world, but rather within the intricacies and contemplations of the mind. I do believe everyone, even at least periodically, is stuck in the metaphorical cave as no matter how much we train our brains, they are still biological and thus use involuntary shortcuts and heuristic techniques and eventually are betrayed by their senses. These shortcuts are the whole reason illusions exist so we as humans are unable to fully trust our senses and the physical world and must carefully look inward and analyze the conflicts in our thoughts to reach an accurate or in-depth conclusion and decisions.
FL 2. The census data found that over 50% of people believed with absolute certainty that the government was and had been hiding evidence of aliens and extraterrestrial life and that around 1/4 believed that vaccines caused autism this documented trend is extremely concerning as the trust in verifiable evidence dwindles. Where I stand on the matter is that although I believe in collecting empirical evidence before making an assertion or claim I do hold conflicting beliefs in specific governmental conspiracies and this makes me realize how easy and how possible it is for an otherwise rational person to behave or believe irrationally.
This was me sorry
DeleteSection H02:
ReplyDelete1. Socrates believes that any good conversation comes from being able to have a mutual understanding. There is no real solution because there are so many other ways to solve issues, there is no necessary right or wrong when it comes to being wise.
2. He believed you are wise if you are able to relate to the topic that is being presented and that you have a mutual understanding of the environment at hand. The theory of forms. To have a conceptual circle can help you to have a larger power of understanding the meaning and form of life and its events. Be able to relate to the "perfect" symbol.
3. His inner voice told him to question everything don't ever settle on one path or one train of thought. His voice doesn't tell him what to do but which path to take.
H2#, Alan Hernandez
ReplyDeleteLHP1 - Socrates was a weird man who talked too much and stood out of the crowd for both his ugly looks and his brilliance. The type of conversation that would be a success for Socrates were the ones that left people confused and questioning the assumptions they carried their lives with. It is bizarre that he took pleasure in shaking peoples perception of reality, while claiming that he knew so little. It is admirable to have such an open mind, searching for wisdom in the rationality of what people perceive as normal, while having little knowledge in fields such as carpentry, masonry, etc. He never knew the answers to the questions he posed, and he was trying to show that both sides of the conversation know equal amounts of a topic.
LHP2 - Plato's story of the cave is connected with the Theory of Forms. He says that to gain an understanding of a topic, one must focus on the form, or general outline, of that topic rather than looking for certain examples of it. I do think that humans are naturally stuck in a metaphorical cave as Plato mentions. The people who are content with looking at the shadows in the cave's wall represent people who are completely fine with their own worldviews. This applies to people today, as they refuse to leave their "cave" to keep their content, unknowing to how closed their mindset is.
LHP3 - Socrates had an inner voice that told him to question everything, and to never stop the pursuit of wisdom. I do not think his inner voice is literal, and that it was the way he was.
I totally agree with you about people having their own caves today. People will hold themselves back from their full potential and remain in these caves whether it be out of fear or out of unbelief.
DeleteH3
ReplyDeleteWeiner Q2: Camus refers to suicide as being the only truly serious philosophical problem. While I don't necessarily agree with the literal meaning of the question, I do understand and agree with what he meant by it. I think what he means is that suicide is the foremost philosophical problem. All other questions can come after deciding whether life is or is not worth living.
LHP Q2: Plato's allegory of the cave is connected to his Theory of Forms, which posits that there is an ideal form of every object and concept, and people are born with a vague sense of what this "ideal form" is. (ex. there are many breeds of dogs, but we recognize them all as dogs, because we recognize the form of a dog). I think Plato was right in a sense about some people being stuck in a cave. It is especially true that some people will not like looking at the sun, and will choose to go back into the cave where it is comfortable for them. Many people live in ignorance, and choose to continue living in ignorance, even when they are faced with logical deconstruction of their belief system.
Weiner Q4: The first question Needleman experienced was "Who created God?". I wouldn't say I've experienced this specific question, but definitely some adjacent to it. I think this question is fine, but to be honest there are a lot more compelling options to choose from when talking about God, like why would he send people to hell or whether or not we have free will if God is omniscient. It's difficult to answer this question in a meaningful way, because you either have to take the position that God is eternal and self-existent, or that there is another, higher God who created him, but if you go down that path you have to either keep going like that infinitely, or at some point take the position that one of these gods is self-existent, in which case the answer is basically the same.
This is Bobby Goodroe
Delete#H1 - Zoe Kuhn
ReplyDeleteLHP - 1
The kind of conversation that was a success for Socrates was the type of conversation where you question everything. Socrates wanted to ask more questions not to have all of them answered but to have them understood. His many conversations with his neighbors and peers were not to make them feel inferior or small-minded but to make them understand his way of thinking and his philosophy. Furthermore, through this constant questioning of society, morals, social norms, etc, this also showed how he sought to gain more wisdom. Socrates thought that wisdom wasn't this practice of skills or diligently learning information but rather understanding the way of the world and he believed that if we can understand the way of the world and the meaning of life, then that is wisdom.
LHP - 2
Plato’s Theory of Forms is connected to his story of the cave and how people who think they understand their reality and have a sense of it are not completely right. I agree with Plato’s theory and its connection to the story of the cave. I think all humans are naturally “stuck in a cave”, meaning if, from the beginning of our life, we grow up with this one way of thinking that is our “reality”, but don’t seek out or question the outside world and its diversity of thinking, then are we really growing up at all? I think the more we seek out and the more we question things, the more we learn and eventually “get out of the cave”.
LHP - 3
Socrates said his inner voice had told him to never stop questioning everything and continue to do so. Personally, I do believe his “inner voice” is literal, I believe it was his internal monologue that kept him thinking and questioning the way he did. His natural curiosity and his love for philosophy kept his internal monologue always operating and I believe that it is only right that he refused to abandon his questioning. After all, his inner voice is what led him to think about the things he did and gain great wisdom from it, leaving an everlasting impact on Athens that lives on today.
HO2
ReplyDeleteLHP 2 - Part 1: Plato’s story of the cave is connected with his theory of forms. In the theory of forms, Plato asserts that the world that we’re looking at is just a shadow of the item’s true form.
Part2: Humans are often stuck in a cave, allegorically speaking, whenever they struggle to comprehend what’s going on around them.
LHP 3- Socrates’ inner voice told him to question everything, though I don’t think we’re talking about a real voice. More likely than not, Socrates’ curiosity (in the from of questions) was talking to him.
Weiner 1- Philosopher means lover of wisdom (which, by definition, means I've always been a philosopher). Philosophy in ancient Athens was a means for people to use as a way to help them figure out how to live the good life.
1. A successful conversation for Socrates was one were he left the person to whom he was speaking to in disbelief in themselves and what they thought they knew. What he meant by wisdom was to know that which you do not know and to question everything.
ReplyDelete2. It is connected to his theory of forms, and how no matter what you tell people, that some will be stuck in their own perception and will be unable to see otherwise. I think that there are lots of people currently like this, and that they stay stuck to the wall in the cave unable to think for themselves.
#H1
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. For Socrates, he succeeded most in face-to-face conversations. He did not like writing because he preferred to speak to someone directly. His preference came from the ability to adapt to the conversation and understand the person he was speaking directly to. To Socrates, wisdom was not knowing facts or how to do something, but understanding the true nature of our existence.
2. The story of the cave is connected to Plato's Theory of Forms. I think all people in some way are stuck in a cave. Humans all have their own personal struggles and setbacks and I believe that these things create caves in our lives that hold us back from seeing the true ability within ourselves.
3. Socrates' inner voice told him to "keep questioning everything". Although I don't think his inner voice was a literal voice in his head, I think it was his heart's motivation to continue being who he was and to never back down on what he believes.
#H3
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. A successful conversation in Socrates’ eyes was a conversation left with more questions than what they initially had, to make the person wonder and be more curious. This was his purpose in what he meant by wisdom, a wise person doesn’t know everything so to be wise you have to wonder, that’s why he wanted to make the people he came across think.
2. Plato’s story is connected to theory of Forms. I don’t think humans are naturally stuck in a cave because of how kids act. Most kids, at least the ones I used to be around for tutoring, when I was that age, and kids I helped during the summer, they are all love to ask questions and are naturally curious. Because of this they want to learn and with the right resources that is more than possible.
3. He said that his inner voice told him to go and question everything. I personally thing that the inner voice is not literal in the sense that you physically hear the words, however I think it does exist figuratively, and for most people. It’s kind of like your intuition, something that makes you want to go and physically do something, like a mental push.
Weiner
1. Philosopher means lover of wisdom and in Ancient Athens philosophy was something that meant more than discipline. To think and go through your life in a constant state of questioning. This was a person who truly wanted to be wise, as they went out knowing nothing, wanting to learn everything.