Up@dawn 2.0

Monday, February 3, 2014

Philosoraptor

Philosoraptor 2-3-14


We discussed getting our group report together,  and talked about our different ideas of pop culture. We also broke up the readings into different parts among the members of the group.

Post and add your input on different ideas towards the readings and pop culture!

Here is a link to open court.
http://www.opencourtbooks.com



10 comments:

  1. Aristotle True Happiness: Aristotle Asked how should we live? He said to seek happiness. He looked at happiness in a different way, not as having parties, celebrating holidays, or just spending time with friends and family. But, he said it's eudaimonia or flourishing humans or state of being. Aristotle considered it as more objective than moments of bliss or how you feel.

    FQ: What can we do to increase our chance of eudaimonia? p12. Aristotle's answer 'Develop the right kind of character.'

    FQ: Aristotle was not just a philosopher but also fascinated by what? p10 zoology, astronomy, history, politics, and drama.

    DQ: What do you consider being happy?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_s7bEP762c

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    Replies
    1. Aristotle's view of happiness was almost nothing like what I considered happiness when I began the reading. The idea of eudaimonia was so foreign to me and it really made me reconsider what I considered happiness in my own life.

      In response to your discussion question, I think I've come to terms that my view of happiness is that happiness is a satisfaction and anticipation for life. It's not so much about the little moments that bring us temporary happiness (such as watching our favorite movie, or going out with friends), but rather true happiness is being in a state of longing for what life has to offer as well as a overall feeling of fulfillment from the life you've already lived.

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  2. Zachary VanDusen11:49 AM CST

    LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdHp0FmEr78

    This is a little humorous link to the death of Socrates. Check it out if you're a Steve Martin fan!

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  3. I came to really admire Aristotle from the readings. Especially in Little History. Little History really explains the differences in the way Aristotle thought about things from the ways in which his teacher, Plato thought about things. Whereas Plato thought in abstracts (going back to his Theory of Forms), Aristotle was all about exploring with his senses and drawing conclusions from the details of life around him. He was very keen on incorporating ideas on politics, astronomy, biology, among other things into his ideas on philosophy. I think that makes his ideas a bit easier to grasp, especially for the common person. Also, his ideas on human nature and character are interesting. I really liked the example they used in Little History about the trait of bravery. A cowardly solider would freeze up when he is needed. A reckless individual would surge headfirst into danger without any fear at all. A brave soldier would still feel fear, but would take the most appropriate course of action despite the fear. I definitely sync up more with Aristotle's views than on Plato's or Socrates'.

    DQ: What do you think of Aristotle's claim that children can't experience true happiness because they haven't lived a full life?

    Also, I thought the reading in America the Philosophical was really interesting this week. Especially about the philosophical counseling. I've had a long history of going to therapy, psychologists, and psychiatrists, and never would I have ever thought to go a different route for my own personal issues. Especially to a philosopher. Though after reading about how they use philosophy to help people, I suppose it does make sense.

    DQ: Do you think philosophers are credible counselors? What kinds of issues do you think philosophers would be best suited in addressing? Would you ever consider going to one for help?

    Link: Here's a link I found that really explained Aristotle's eudaimonia for me. It's kind of long, but if you're having any trouble really grasping the idea, this should totally clear things up.
    http://bethcherryman.com/essays/what-is-eudaimonia-for-aristotle/

    FQ: Who pioneered philosophical counseling? - Gerd Achenbach (AP 29)

    FQ: Professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University who authored On Race and Philosophy. - Lucius Outlaw (AP 33)

    FQ: What was the name of the school set up by Aristotle in Athens? - The Lyceum (LH 10)

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    1. I think children can experience true happiness. All minds develop differently and at different stages in life. What is a full life? Some peoples full life is just 20, 15, or even 5. It's not what we consider a full life, but it's their full life and in that time I believe they can experience true happiness even if they live beyond that. Like I said all minds develop differently. If a child can be a serial killer and have no remorse, or in 1st grade reading on a 10th grade level why not experience true happiness as a child. It is possible. The mind is a wonderful thing and who knows what each mind holds unless they speak of their thoughts.

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    2. Zachary VanDusen9:38 PM CST

      Comment: I was shocked by the statement he made about children not being able to experience happiness. When you think of kids, you seem to always associate them with happy. However, if you were to think about it, it kinda makes sense that they hadn't truly experienced it. Perhaps to experience happiness you must first experience what its like to be unhappy. If the first and only emotion you felt was happiness and nothing else, how would you know that emotion was happiness? You would have nothing to compare/relate it to. I don't know if that's what he was getting at or not but it's something that i began to think about.

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  4. Zachary VanDusen9:42 PM CST

    FQ: What is 'truth by authority' and which philosopher was associated with the term?

    DQ: Do you agree with the balance of virtues the Golden Mean claims?

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  5. This is a summary post focusing on Philosophy Bites Back; Terrance Irwin on Aristotle's Ethics

    - Aristotle was probably the first to name a subject "ethika" - the study of character
    - The best way build virtues (which make up character)
    - Humane Nature was made up of irrational and rational, physical and mental aspects
    - Fulfillment of your nature was described as eudaimonia
    - you will not be able to achieve eudaimon without being able to balance your rational and irrational parts in each virtue
    I will give the example from the book: bravery is a virtue, but brave people still experience fear. Their irrational part (fear) is always with them, but balanced by the rational side, by not letting it take over. The irrational side balances the rational side in turn, because fear let's us know to be careful.
    - Aristotle believed doing good for others was not in conflict with doing good for yourself, but that they are one in the same (even people you do not know).
    - He thought the road to happiness could be taught, and the public institutions should pursue teaching citizens virtues. This is a communitarian approach.

    FQ: What is the Doctrine of Mean?
    (The harmony, or balance between non-rational and rational impulses under the guideance of reason)

    FQ: Who were two major philosophers from the 19th Century that were strongly influenced by Aristotle? (Hegel and Marx)

    DQ: Do you think by helping others pursue their interests, we are ultimately helping ourselves pursue our own interests? Terrence Irwin seems to think this is mostly "wishful thinking" on Aristotle's part, but I think it has some merit. If we help others we will ultimately find fulfillment, which is the closest I can see to "eudaimonia".

    Here is the link to listen to this podcast: http://cdn3.libsyn.com/philosophybites/Terence_Irwin.mp3?nvb=20090404201312&nva=20090405202312&t=0441c58b116f44d77c771

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  6. Aaron Caveny1:35 PM CST

    I agree with the above comments. Children can definitely experience true happiness. I believe happiness is reached differently for different people. I think happiness can either be small as in your favorite team winning a game or big with getting your dream job. For kids, their happiness could be getting a new toy on Christmas. And I think that can definitely pure happiness even if they haven't experienced all of life's different scenarios.

    DQ: What is a "full life" and how do you know when you've lived one?

    FQ: Who developed and tought Aristotle? -Plato

    Link: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n3_jEk8-Mdc

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  7. Summary of America The Philosophical

    - Marinoff argues that philosophical counseling can be a better substitute than medication for some people: Plato, not Prozac!
    - Psychologists and Psychiatrists react critically to a Marinoff's claims and dismiss people who value the "treatment" of a philosopher over "real" treatment; Miller even goes as far as saying that "any doctor who sends a patient to a philosopher deserves to lose his license" (AP, page 30).
    - Marinoff defends his original stance by saying that the psychiatrist community is blinded by hubris and claims that certain people can benefit more from a philosopher, "therapy for the sane," while some can benefit more from medication.
    - Transition to the topic of whether African American is a viable study in comparison to traditional philosophy.
    - Facts about African American teachers of philosophy: only 100+ out of the thousands of university teachers of philosophy are black; not so long before, only one black woman, Adrian Piper, was tenured full professor (AP, page 34).

    FQ: In which famous Renaissance painting by Raphael is there a depiction of Plato pointing upwards to the world of the Forms and Aristotle reaching out for the world in front of him? - "The School of Athens" (LH, page 10)

    FQ: What does the word ethika literally mean? - The study of character (PB, page 21)

    DQ: Do you prefer philosophizing "from your armchair" like Plato, or do you feel the need to "explore the reality we experience through the senses" as Aristotle? (LH, page 10,11). In other words, do you examine things literally or in terms of abstractions?

    FQ: Who wrote Treatise on the Art of Philosophizing Soberly and Accurately as well as Inaugural Dissertation on the Rights of Blacks in Europe? - Anton Wilhelm Amo (AP, page 34)

    DQ: Do you think it is the state's responsibility to teach people how to live a good life in addition to providing people with the means to acquire skills that will help them function in the economy? (PB, page 26). Do you even think people can be taught to live a good life?

    DQ: Do you think philosophical counseling could be a pragmatic substitute for prescriptions and anti-depressants? Is the critical reaction to philosophical counseling by the psychiatrist community one of simply hubris or are they justified in their jabs against it?

    Link: BATMAN and philosophy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAyybTKJXlQ

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