A collaborative search for wisdom, at Middle Tennessee State University and beyond... "The pluralistic form takes for me a stronger hold on reality than any other philosophy I know of, being essentially a social philosophy, a philosophy of 'co'"-William James
Monday, October 31, 2011
Calendar note for #H1
Here's my proposal for making up that class date, if you can: attend the regularly-scheduled meeting of the Philosophy Club on Nov. 17 (5 PM, JUB 304). Contact its president (and your classmate) Ryan Parrow for details.
Group 005, Section 001 (Honors)
1) What kind of value did James say ideas needed in order to be useful?
A) High value
B) Cash value
C) New value
(Answer: B.)
2) Factual question: True or false?... Both Postmodernism and New Age philosophies have lost the search for truth, and by so doing they simply accept the flow of ideas that spreads across the globe.
(Answer: True.)
3) Factual question: True or false? Gnositicism has elements of spirituality and mysticism in it.
(Answer: True.)
4) Factual:
What era followed Hypatia's death?
1) The Industrial Revolution
2) The Renaissance
3) The Medieval Period
4) The Dark Ages
5) The Enlightenment
6) A period of secular philosophy
7) None of the above
(Answer: 4.)
5) Factual question: What is Averroes known as?
A) The prophet
B) The commentator
C) The physicist
D) Great Thinker
E) The translator
F) The Neoplatonist
G) The nudist
I) The religious philosopher
(Answer: B)
6) Factual question: What was Nicholas forced to do?
A) Drink poison
B) Admit to the Catholic Church that his philosophy was sacrilegious, and repent
C) Burn his writings
D) He was forced into exile.
(Answer: C)
7) A) He said that the planets circle the sun in ellipses
B) He said that the planets circle the sun in perfect circles, contradictory to the prior notion that everything in the universe circled the Earth instead
C) He developed a more accurate, yearly calendar that was based on the motions of the Sun and Earth
D) He said that the planets circle around the sun.
E) Copernicus was the first to introduce the concept that the universe was held in together by gravity.
(Answer: D.)
Midterm Report- The Philosopohy of Vampires
10/31/11
Midterm Report-The Philosophy of Vampires
When I was trying to decide what to do for my midterm report topic I came at a loss, then I noticed the due date was Halloween, and I thought what a better topic to cover than one of the holiday’s scariest, yet most beloved of all the monsters, Vampires. Vampires as we know have been a very hot topic in the last couple of years. From Anne Rice to Twilight people just can’t get enough. The big question, however, is why people seem to be so amused with them, and what got it all started. I am going to examine this philosophy of vampires in 4 parts: In the beginning: The Origin of Vampires, The Fear, The Phenom: A comparison between the favorites of today, and my conclusion along with some interesting sources to check up on if desired.
In The Beginning: The Origin of Vampires
The stories of Vampires have been told for not only the past couple of years but for centuries. But are they real, or simply a figment of our imaginations? It is thought to be a legend or a horror movie icon, but that doesn’t exactly explain why several different societies have stories of them. What do they mean to society, are they something to fear or do they secretly hold great admiration and meaning to us? The stories have surfaced in many different areas, but where do they come from? Did the first story of the Vampire first come from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula? The book was published in 1897 and was filled with sex, fear and bloodlust. Dracula was a repulsive monster, yet he was irresistible to the fairer sex. He may be the most well known vampire account we have, but he is not the first. Sure he started the general guidelines of no garlic, steak through the heart, allergic to sunlight and silver concept, but he was not the first vampire story. In fact, Bram Stoker may have been influenced by a real life monster, Vlad Dracula from 16th century Romania. Dracul means devil in Romania, and he was known to impale people as a form of punishment so they could die slowly and painfully. However, much to tourist’s dismay that visits Transylvania, there is no recorded account of Vlad Dracula having vampire tendencies. Another vicious real life human monster was Elizabeth Bathery, who was said to slaughter virgins and bathe in their blood; supposedly to keep her young and beautiful, but was there an ulterior motive? Or was the reason of wanting to be kept young and beautiful reason enough? Vampires are often documented as creatures beautiful beyond words, and always appearing young. No matter what, stories of vampires have both terrified and mesmerized us.
The Fear
Leading to first intense fear, people were known to dig up late family members and notice instead of a skeleton there was a bloated corpse with blood around the mouth. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, people were often victims of plague. Back then plague was more medically confounding than it is today, they had no explanation or reasoning behind their loved ones dying away the way they were. After their loved ones would die from this plague, the remaining family members would experience, supposedly, being haunted by the deceased. The family would then exhume the body, and either cut out the heart or drive a stake through it, as per the legend of how to kill the immortal. The only sickness that could remotely explain it was tuberculosis or consumption. It would even appear that a vampire was forming. The infected would have labored breathing, would stop eating and waste away to nothing, and be coughing up blood. The infection literally would suck the life out of the person infected. The real fear was that the dead family members coming back would infect their other family members with the plague that was so unknown to them at the time. It could only be assumed that if the family members were coming back, there was only one explanation, they had to be still alive. Another scary observation once the body was exhumed was not only the bloated corpse but other tale tale signs, such as growing finger nails and hair growth. This is a terrifying thought, unless you are familiar with decomposition of the human body. The apparent growth if the skin and hair could be easily explained by the drawing back of skin as the body is decomposing; the bloating of the corpse can be explained as gas forming in the body as decomposition is taking place; the blood forming around the mouth is simply blood and other bodily fluids being expelled from the body as this is taking place. Sometimes there would even be audible sounds emitting from the deceased and visible movement, another terrifying observation, which fortunately science can explain. The movement of the body could be explained by the emitting of the gases causing the corpse to bloat, and the sounds are a result of that as well. Another fear was that often when the body had been exhumed and the ritual began as they drove a stake through their loved ones heart, the body would admit a shriek almost as if the body had been awakened and was crying out in pain. This being probably the most terrifying observation of all, if it weren’t due to all those troublesome gases again being released from the dead body.
The visitations may not be able to be explained as well. Perhaps it is a dream, or a ghost, or just a hallucination resulting from intense grief at the loss of a beloved family member; and although it may be clear that those deaths resulting from consumption and the exhumed corpse exhibiting signs of life can be explained by science, there is still more stemming from the stories that baffles scientists and religious figures alike. For instance, the fact that several different cultures both in main stream society and non mainstreamers have accounts, very similar in comparison, of a vampire figure; these stories are being passed around from culture to culture that speak different languages and have different customs, yet they all have accounts and fears of the very same monster. Maybe all the stories stemmed from the same need to explain sickness, or psychosis. Or maybe it all comes from Bram Stoker’s adaptation of the real life monster Count Dracula, being translated in several different languages around the world. However, no matter what the reason, we still question today out of phenom or history whether this vampire truly exists and is actually walking among us. This is a thought that both terrifies and excites us tremendously.
The Phenom: A comparison between the favorites of today
Bram Stoker’s account of the vampire has not only induced fear on a mass scale, but also inspired other authors to create their own form of the popular monster. Vampires have caused widespread fear true, however it has also intrigued generation after generation, and also ensued a mass following in the process. My assumption behind the philosophy behind this is perhaps stemming from Stoker’s account that not only was Dracula a repulsive and terrifying monster, but that he also had some very powerfully attractive and mystical qualities as well. Dracula was filled with not just death and bloodlust, but a very different kind of lust as well. The lust of the unknown, of the dangerous and the forbidden, that fills the pages of the infamous tale of Dracula, is what gets us so infatuated with vampires. From 1897- present vampires and the sultry atmosphere they create has occupied every corner almost of our minds. Not only has the possibility of these creatures being among us gotten everyone all hot and bothered in real life, but in books and movies and TV as well. Therefore, I have created a pop-culture comparion of vampire media to explain the way of thinking of these long standing horror celebrities.
True Blood
Inviting all the traditional vampire lore in as well as creating her own spin on things, Charlaine Harris has created a deliciously sexy world. In her account the vampire is the same one we know and love; the silver allergic-dangerous-provacative-coffin sleeping-sex and blood hungry creatures of the night, howver there are a few key differences between her vampire and the version from Dracula. First, garlic is only a mild irritant, it wont keep them away from you. Second they are allergic to silver, but wearing a silver chain around your neck isn’t always the best form of protection either, these vamps will take it where they can get it and there are several more juicy ateries than that in the neck. Third, they can be seen in mirrors and pictures, Holy water is just water to them, crucifixes do them no harm (unless it’s a silver one or wooden and used in the form of a stake), and they can walk in a church no problem. Many of them just as in famous tales of the vampire will take on a human lover and feed of them. For the main character of Charlaine Harris’s series, the Sookie Stackhouse novels, the appeal of vampires comes from the fact that Sookie is a telepath, and since vampires are dead and emit no brain waves, she cannot hear their thoughts, and after a lifetime of noise a little peace and quiet is much desired. Isabella Swan’s appeal in the Twilight Saga, and the vampires in it, however, are vastly different.
Twilight
Stephanie Meyer took a very different spin on the vampire when she wrote the famous series, instead of focusing on the demon within she appealed to the good side of the monster. Her vampires can go out during the daytime but not in sunlight, not because of an allergy but because their granite skin sparkles in the sun like a thousand tiny diamonds and people would still know they are different. Unlike Harris’s vamps who are “out of the coffin” so to speak, Meyer’s are not quite as open and still very secretive. They mainstream and try to fit into society, because they don’t want to live as monsters. They drink only of animal blood and one bite could turn you into one of them, unless their bloodlust turns fatal. They don’t have fangs visible but their teeth are like the sharpest knives and can cut through anything like hot butter. Isabella or Bella, falls in love with the loaner of the coven to the point where she cannot live without him and eventually marries into and becomes of them. My question is this; despite being very different versions of the same monster is this…. Which would be most terrifying? The vampire we know the most? Or the unknown that can come out in the daytime and hunt whenever they so choose, and can come into the home of a mortal without and invitation?
As I leave you with this question, I also leave you with a few interesting sources if you wish to learn more and where I got the information for this essay.
Sources
Charlaine Harris, Dead Until Dark, ISBN 978-0-441-01699-0, available at most books stores and online(Book Series)
The Twilight Saga, by Stephanie Meyer, available at most books stores and online(Book Series)
National Geographic’s: Is It Real? Vampires, As seen on National geographic(DvD) available For DVD rental at Linebaugh Public Library
Essay Topic Sam (17)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Paper topic (16)
Book Review of Successful Intelligence and its relation to Philosophy
Matthew Williams
Friday, October 28, 2011
Exam review questions
For extra credit you can prepare an answer to the discussion question of your choice in advance and bring it with you to turn in with your exam, OR write your answer in class. I'll suggest an extra credit question.
Thanks and kudos to #16's Rapheal Dabney for creating a study site, check it out: http://tehgol.com/cophilosophy/pages/
Following last night's incredible Game #6 I'm in the mood to do a small gratuitous kindness, so... essays in #16 & #17 are now due Wednesday, and in #H1 Thursday.
P.S. Following the Cards' World Series WIN, I'm declaring a semi-holiday on Monday and Tuesday. We will do our exams, and regroup, but not much else. Presentations and discussion of JMH will resume on Wednesday.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Copernicus (16) Group 5
Discussion question:
Do you believe heliocentric theory shows evidence for a prime mover or a god?-Is our solar system appear to be intelligently designed? Or is it seem more spontenous, more in favor of other theories (big bang theory,ect.)
Do you believe their are other life forms out there in the universe?
What model of the solar system did Copernicus propose?
A. Geocentric
B. Heliocentric
C. Theocentric
D. Galicentric
Section 001, Group 5
Factual: What was the major scientific contribution that Copernicus brought to cosmology?
A) He said that the planets circle the sun in ellipses
B) He said that the planets circle the sun in perfect circles, contradictory to the prior notion that everything in the universe circled the Earth instead
C) He developed a more accurate, yearly calendar that was based on the motions of the Sun and Earth
D) He said that the planets circle around the sun.
E) Copernicus was the first to introduce the concept that the universe was held in together by gravity.
Discussion: In what ways did Copernicus pave the way for more scientific observations, such as those made by Galileo and Isaac Newton?
(Ps. Did you know that Galileo NEVER dropped objects from the top of the Tower of Pisa? This is a very popular misconception. As an aside, Cinderella's slipper was never glass... it was made of fur. Cool, eh?)
Copernicus Sect 1 Group 5 Questions
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Questions for Group 1, Section 1
Factual:
Q: What does "satori" mean?
A: Awakening/ A state of sudden spiritual enlightenment
Discussion:
"Great Doubt, Great Awakening." That almost seems contradictory. Thoughts?
And...
"We eat, excrete, sleep, and get up;
This is our world
All we have to do beyond that
Is to die."
What are your thoughts on this poem by Ikkyu Sojun? Is it depressing or uplifting?
Group 4 (Allie, Asiyah, Hannah, Katie) Sec-1
School of Zen group 1 sec 17
The two main schools of Zen were
a. Lin-chi and Moa Zeh Dong
b. T'sao-tung and Chi-chi
c. Lin-chi and T'sao-tung
discussion
How accurate do you think Ikkyu Sojun's claim that enlightenment entailed an awareness of the pleasures of life is in describing the process of being enlightened?
Class 17 Group 5 Mickey Wells
gruop 5 (17)
answer: false, On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres was the name of his book
How did Corernicus learn how to predict the path of the planet through our sky?
H1 exam postponed
Group 3 Section 17: Pomponazzi & Machiavelli
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
4(16) Ockham
Group 2 01
The factual question that I formulated for the test Thursday over the Zohar. The question is, who wrote the Zohar?
The answer is Moses de Leon
The discussion question I formulated is why do you think that the Zohar was eventually accepted and adopted by the Jewish community?
Section 16, Group 1
Factual: Was Maimonides Christian, Jewish, or Muslim?
Discussion: Do we make and follow laws as an organization/control system for our own human needs, or to please some higher power?
Next
W 26 H 264-285. Zen, Renaissance & Reformation, Pomponazzi & Macchiavelli, “School of Athens,” Copernicus
Section 1 Group 1 Questions For Test
Q: What theory did Darwin and Wallace propose?
A: Evolution
Q: Who was John Stuart Mills' dad?
A: James Mill
Q: What was the philosophy in which the maximization of personal happiness would be the ultimate end?
A: Utilitarianism
Q: Bertrant Russell produced what piece of work with his partner Alfred Whitehead?
A: Principia Mathematica
Q: Who were Wittgenstein's two biggest influences?
A: Schopenhauer and Nietzche
Q: "Apirkoros" is a generic term used by Modern Jews to refer to what?
A: Atheists.
Q: When the Arabs came into contact with Greek science and philosophy a new breed of Muslim dedicated to an ideal they called the _______?
A: Falsafah
Q: The Falsafah movement used what philosophy to interpret the koran?
A: Greek Philosophy
Q: Which dynasty brought the Muslim world its first golden age?
A: The Abbasid dynasty
Q: Maimonides was run out of Spain by a _________ sect for being _________.
A. Jewish, Muslim
B. Christian, Jewish
C. Muslim, Christian
D. Muslim, Jewish
Q: What Jewish mystical movement took off in response to Maimonides and other Jewish rationalist philosophers?
A: Cabala
Q: Which of these famous works was not written by Maimonides?
A. Guide for the Perplexed
B. Fountain of Life
C. Mishneh Torah
Nicholas of Autrecourt (16) Group 5
Do you believe that we cannot truly no anything?
-Can you be skeptical about all claims that knowledge makes?
Is there any true knowledge?
The pope ordered Nicholas of Autrecourt's ________
a. Death, by hanging
b. Books to be burned
c. deportation
d. renewel of Christian vowels
B
Copernicus
Going off of Platos equation as the sun being the ultimate good, Copernicus concluded the that the sun was a more logical center of our solar system. Contrary to popular belief and many religious belief that the Earth was in fact the center.
Discussion question: Do you believe heliocentric theory shows evidence for a prime mover or a god?
-Is our solar system appear to be intelligently designed? Or is it seem more spontenous, more in favor of other theories (big bang theory,ect.)
Do you believe their are other life forms out there in the universe?
Section 1 Group 1 Questions
- A quote from Doubt: "People need religion for political and emotional reasons; for ideas our best options are reason, meditation, and resignation. Maimonides saw 'the mass of the religious people' as 'the multitude who observe the commandments, but are ignorant.'"
Monday, October 24, 2011
Group 2 (03)
True or False: Ibn-al-Rawandi was a doubter who devoted himself to the community's well-being and grew famous for his generosity, intelligence, and skill.
The answer is "False"
As stated, there was not enough discussion time to produce a discussion question so I invite every member to post and discuss their own. My discussion question is as follows:
Why do you think that there is no agreement as to the nature of Rawandi's heresy in the Muslim community?
Y U NO? (2-16) The Zohar!
Answer: Moses de Leon
Debate Question: Hecht says on page 247 of 'Doubt' "...according to the Zohar each individual, going through his or her lawful obligations, was mystically fixing the world." Do you, then, need to be a part of a specific religion?
Luther and I agree that no, we do not. We already consider ourselves lawful/moral/just/etc. We also don't consider ourselves a part of any organized religion. I certainly see no need in some archaic traditions and texts to tell me how to be a good person if I already do so. It seems to me that this is just a way to follow tradition without needing an explanation. I'm cool with that, but it's not my cup of tea :) What do you guys think?
Questions for Group 1, Section 1
Here are my questions for tomorrow's class:
Factual:
1. Maimonides was run out of Spain by a _________ sect for being _________.
A. Jewish, Muslim
B. Christian, Jewish
C. Muslim, Christian
D. Muslim, Jewish
Discussion:
Sometimes, I like to get a feel of people's opinions on certain quotes from the book or thoughts mentioned and then formulate a question around that. These are two things I found in my reading that I thought were of interest:
-The more you negate God's attributes, the closer you'll get to him.
-"People need religion for political and emotional reasons..."
Revised presentations, #H1
2. Amanda: Sex in the City & Philosophy
3. Jackie: Dr. Who & Philosophy
4 Tim: ???
5. Nick: ???
6. Kristin: God & suffering
Exam #2 clarification
So, we'll review in #H1 tomorrow and #16-17 Wednesday. Post all your questions, please.
Group #4 - Section 017
Presentations, 16-17
#16:
1. Derrick: Job & the Ubermensch
2. Lauren H.: Children's literature & philosophy
3. Shavangi: Bhagavad Gita & philosophy
#17:
1. Hicham, William, Teresa, Matt, Zach, Jacob: Atheism and Islamic & Hebrew Philosophy (conclusion)
2. Tracey, Ren, Joel: House & Philosophy
3. Ally: Philosophy and "Greek" (sorority) life
Group 05, Section 001 (New Format)
(All group members were present.)
Topic 1: Averroes (For last Thursday's class - 10/20/11)
Averroes was a Middle Eastern philosopher who tried to bring back philosophy into western culture. Following al-Ghazzali, his counterpart who argued that civilization should bring an end to all philosophy, Averroes argued that all people who are capable of reasoning should try to understand philosophy and that outlawing philosophy would be "like a man who prevents a thirsty person from drinking cool, fresh water until he dies of thirst, because some people have choked to death on it." Not only is Averroes arguing to the preservation of philosophy and logical thinking, he is also stating that people should beware the traps and snares of logical reasoning (which I am currently learning how to do in my "Elementary Logic and Critical Thinking Class.") Averroes also claimed that things can be reasoned from demonstrative study, which is close to allegorical and metaphorical justifications of explaining the world around us. Demonstrative study can change with the times.
His writings were significant in the fact that he always had a comment to say whenever he translated Arabic texts in Latin. For example, for each of Aristotle's ideas, Averroes also inserted his own opinion, and he was not afraid to disagree with the ancient philosophers, either. It came to the point that Aristotle became known as "The Philosopher" and Averroes as "The Commentator." Averroes said that philosophy did not clash with the Koran, and that God (contradictory to Aristotle's theory) at least knew us in some sense.
Factual question: What is Averroes known as?
A) The prophet
B) The commentator
C) The physicist
D) Great Thinker
E) The translator
F) The Neoplatonist
G) The nudist
I) The religious philosopher
(Answer: B)
Discussion topic: Do you agree with Averroes that demonstrative studies change with the times?
Topic 2: Nicholas (For today's class - 10/25/11)
Nicholas of Autrecourt was one of his "period's other great Christian thinkers." He was one of the few medieval philosophers to push back into the range of the ancient skeptics. He said that "we can never be certain if two rational notions are causally related, no matter how well they seem to link." Cause and effect, then, are uncertain things. (This puzzles me a little, especially since in my "Elementary Logic and Critical Thinking Class," we are studying valid argument forms in which the conclusion must follow if the premises are true. Here's a common argument form that many of us are familiar with: If A, then B. A, so B. Basically, what Nicholas would try to say, it would seem, is that we could not derive B from A, even if A is true --- and therefore, according to logic courses --- means that B would have to follow.) It came to the point that he doubted even the existence of the physical body. He questioned, therefore, that we cannot determine the existence of a God when we cannot even prove our own existence. He is known as the "medieval skeptic."
Factual question: What was Nicholas forced to do?
A) Drink poison
B) Admit to the Catholic Church that his philosophy was sacrilegious, and repent
C) Burn his writings
D) He was forced into exile.
(Answer: C)
Discussion question: Why was there such as influx of skepticism again in Nicholas's period?
class 17 group 5 Mickey Wells
Questions for Maimonides 1(17)
1. TRUE or FALSE: The Mishneh Torah was a code of Jewish law intended to guide Jews on how to behave within ONLY religious context?
2. Maimonides dismissed the "accidental" creation of the universe idea for
a. Aristotle's already demonstrated creation theory
b. Plato's creation story
c. a more logic and concrete causation than" accidental" creation
Discussion
Is it acceptable for Maimonides to essentially write away doubt for his deeply rooted belief in Aristotle's findings?
Group 5 (17)
Do you agree with Nicholas of Autrecourt vindication of cause and effect: we can never be certain if two rational notions are casually related, no matter how well they seem to link.
Factual
Why is Nicholas often called the "Medieval Skeptic"?
Nicholas was often called the sole medieval skeptic because he was known for developing skepticism to extreme logical conclusions.
5-17 questions
(Outline) Reality within Reality TV
Outline
Reality within “Reality TV”
· Objective: To present information about reality and TV through comparison of philosophy and its great philosophers.
· Caleb (Basketball Wives of LA) compares Buddhism to the element of drama which was attained by seven women’s selfish actions.
· Tara (Jersey Shore) compares the element of drama (within reality TV) to the Greek philosophers’ “drama” and how it creates a superior and inferior world.
· Ian (Teen Mom) compares the rare true reality of the show to Freud’s subconscious philosophy.
Rebekah Schott
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Philosphazers! Section 16 Group 1
Religions tend to benefit the bourgeoisie class, so it is often their duty to indoctrinate the youth into taking immense pride in their religion. This results in the closing off and intolerance towards other religions and belief systems.
Zach Pigg - Group 4-17 Oct. 24th Questions
Factual: Ockham rejected which well known philosophers "proof" of god?
A. Confucious
B. Socrates
C. Aristotle
D. Plato
Discussion: Ockham's most famous question was "How much can reason know faith?", his particular answer was "Not at All". Do you believe reason can know faith?
Philosoraptors (2:40)
First off: the scholastics. They were the result of rationalism vs. mysticism in the Christian faith. They got a hold of some Aristotle writings and had their noses in the books ever since. Mostly they studied systems of logic in language based on Latin. They didn't really apply their new found knowledge to anything, they just studied the theories and observations.
Sec. 17 Scholastics
Summary: Philosophy and Horror
"Reality" in Teen Mom Summary
Saturday, October 22, 2011
summary of project : reality tv and phhilosophy
4(16) Al-Ghazzali
Next
M 24/T 25 H 239-263. Maimonides, The Zohar, Scholastics, Ockham, Nicholas. Midterm report presentations begin.
But, as previously announced in class, midterm report essays from non-presenters are not due on the 24th/25th. They're due in #H1 on the 27th, and in #16 & #17 on the 31st (the next exam dates).
We'll also review for the exam. If your group hasn't yet posted all its questions please do so before class begins.
Here's the order of presentation. We'll plan to do two presentations per class, but if you're "on deck" or "in the hole" please be ready, in case those ahead of you in this schedule fall sick or mute.
Presenters, when it's your turn please give me a brief written bullet-point summary of the main points of your talk.
#H1:
1. Asiyah, Hannah, Allie, Katie: Harry Potter & Philosophy
2. Amanda: Sex in the City & Philosophy
3. Jackie: Dr. Who & Philosophy
4. Lacey: Detective fiction & Philosophy
5 Tim: ???
6. Nick: ???
7. Kristin: God & suffering (& Philosophy?)
#16:
1. Rebekah: Arguments for the existence of God
2. Maranda: Philosophy of horror
3. Matt: Founding Fathers & philosophy
4. Derrick: Job & the Ubermensch
5. Alex: the first philosophers
6. Duke: Thoreau & the wild
7. Lauren H.: Children's literature & philosophy
8. Lauren B.: Philosophy of music
9. Rachel B.: Hip-Hop & Philosophy
10. Shavangi: Bhagavad Gita & philosophy
#17:
1. Ian, Tara, Caleb: Reality & "reality TV"
2. Hicham, William, Teresa, Matt, Zach, Jacob: Atheism and Islamic & Hebrew Philosophy
3. Tracey, Ren, Joel: House & Philosophy
4. Alejandro: House & Philosophy
5. Joe: Hip-hop, rock, & philosophy
6. Robert: Facebook and Philosophy
7. Ally: Philosophy and "Greek" (sorority) life
3-17
Friday, October 21, 2011
Summary of my group project: Reality Shows and Philosophy
Basketball Wives is a reality show that follows about 7 women in L.A., California who are married or have been married to a current or former NBA player. Surprisingly most of the women are either former girlfriends, ex-wives, or have never been married to an NBA player. As with most reality shows of today Basketball Wives must have an element of drama to the show. However upon watching the show it can be concluded that the drama is throughout the show in abundance, every preview is about whom will “backstab” who, or which “wife” is going to fight the next one. With so much animosity, deceit, and selfishness, I figured what better philosophy to contrast this distasteful show with than Buddhism. In ancient India the Buddha was very concerned with the suffering he saw going on in his land; he was so concerned that he came up with a noble way of living that would combat this suffering. This self transformation was, at its foundation, known as the four noble truths, and the way to liberation known as the Eightfold Path of Buddhism. The Buddhist believed that much of suffering and problems came from our selfish cravings and everything that went along with selfish cravings; selfish ambition, vanity, etc. they believed that this eightfold path could assist in eliminating the selfishness and lead one on the path to Nirvana. So how does this tie in with reality shows, particularly Basketball Wives? Well as I said earlier the show has a large element of drama, and just like suffering the drama was brought about by selfish actions. These women slander each other with gossip and hurtful words towards one another, while Buddhists believe that right speech (one of the eightfold paths of Buddhism) is a way to liberation, or in this case a drama-free lifestyle. Some other guidelines in the Eightfold Path are right seeing, right thinking, right action, right living, etc. all of these clearly contrary to most of the aspects in the show. This philosophy can be compared to numerous popular reality shows; Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, The Real World etc. many of which have the reoccurring theme of misplaced drama. I say misplaced because I honestly believe that the drama is planned out, scripted, and not reality at all, but placed in the shows just for propaganda, to gain ratings. Therefore, according to Buddhism the show is NOT beneficial to society or a “suffering”-free, liberating life.