Anthony Hutchings
4/26/16
Philosophy
Dr. Oliver
History
History is
a very important to mankind. By keeping a record of weather patterns allowed
early man to notice patterns and cycles in the world, and weather. Early
mankind was able to recognize that after a while it would get cold, and that it
would eventually get warmer again. They were able to recognize that the leaves
would die, and that animals would go into hibernation. I will be doing my
report over the first discussion question from April seventh.
History was
very important to Hegel. History and philosophy were one and the same for him.
Hegel would definitely argue that knowing history is important. Hegel believed “that
in his own lifetime a crucial stage in history had been reached”. Hegel would
definitely argue that knowing one’s personal history to be a must. Hegel believed
that everything is leading to an unavoidable ending. Hegel believed that “history
was like a long bit of paper folded up on itself.”
Hegel believed that we could not understand what is on the paper until it has been unfolded. Hegel also believed that there was a structure to the way the paper was unfolded. “For Hegel reality is moving constantly moving towards its goal of understanding itself”. I believe that Hegel would not believe that not learning from your past would cause you to repeat it. Hegel believed that we are all moving forwards so I believe that he would say that what happens will happen because the reality is moving to understand itself. I believe Hegel would want people to learn their history so that we can see the change that is taking place, and have a better understanding of where reality is moving. Hegel believed that we are moving forward and gaining more freedom as we do. I believe that Hegel would say that history has taught us that we are equal.
Hegel believed that we could not understand what is on the paper until it has been unfolded. Hegel also believed that there was a structure to the way the paper was unfolded. “For Hegel reality is moving constantly moving towards its goal of understanding itself”. I believe that Hegel would not believe that not learning from your past would cause you to repeat it. Hegel believed that we are all moving forwards so I believe that he would say that what happens will happen because the reality is moving to understand itself. I believe Hegel would want people to learn their history so that we can see the change that is taking place, and have a better understanding of where reality is moving. Hegel believed that we are moving forward and gaining more freedom as we do. I believe that Hegel would say that history has taught us that we are equal.
Karl Marx
had a very similar view of history as Hegel. Karl Marx also had a very broad
view of the way things were unfolding in the world. Karl Marx believed that the
history of mankind could best be summarized as a class struggle. Karl Marx
would defiantly believe learning the past would be important. Karl Marx most
likely believed in the spirt of history seeing as how he and Hegel had such
similar thoughts on the way things work.
So I couldn't figure out how to post a blog. I'm just going to leave this here instead.
ReplyDeleteAlexis Patrykus
Section #4
Life’s Decisions and Sacrifice
Soren Kierkegaard lived an interesting, agonizing life who was all too familiar with sacrifice. He had to make a choice as to whether or not he would be married. He loved a girl named Regine Olsen, but was afraid that he would be too gloomy and religious for her. In the end, he sacrificed his happiness for not only what he thought would make Regine happier, but also, he put his religion above himself. Because of this difficult personal decision, he wrote a book called Either/Or. In the book, he raises an intriguing thought about decision making: One has to choose a life of pleasure and chase after beauty or a life based on conventional moral rules. One choice leads a life of happiness but perhaps illogical at times. The other choice might be more tragic but rational.
A great example of this conundrum that was used is from the Old Testament of the Bible. Abraham was told by God to kill his only son. Now of course Abraham would never want to do that because he loved his son. That would be a gravely unfortunate sacrifice, let alone a morally wrong choice. Abraham knew that, but because of his intense faith in God, he ties up Isaac and goes in for the kill. Right as he was about to cut him an angel stops Abraham. The moral of the story is that God wants us to trust Him and obey Him. If we do, God will meet our needs; or in this case, you will not have to kill your only son. Abraham is seen as admirable because of this illogical faith. He was willing to ignore ethics for his religion. As the book A Little History of Philosophy states, “There is no higher card in the pack, and so human ethics are no longer relevant. Yet the person who abandons ethics in favor of faith makes an agonizing decision, risking everything, not knowing what will happen; not knowing for sure that the message is truly from God.”
In these cases, the man sacrifices what he loves for his religion. Kierkegaard did not just merely believe in God. His philosophy was that one must fully commit to God and take the leap of faith into the unknown, even if it means going against conventional ideas of what one should do. But, doing so, is this rational? Ultimately the bottom line is what the highest calling is. To each person it is different. Some would say that being a good person is the highest duty. So naturally that person would tend to follow conventional moral values. Some people are religious and put God first. Doing that calls for some illogical moves when looking at it from a logical or ethical perspective. Kierkegaard never married, showing that throughout his life he kept choosing religion over his own happiness. Abraham had a better outcome: he obeyed God and did not have to actually sacrifice his son.
I believe History to be incredibly important. Studying the past gives us insight to the future and I like that Hegel intertwined philosophy with history. People forget they can question history and I'm excited to see what you think about Hegel's philosophy.
ReplyDelete"I believe that Hegel would not believe that not learning from your past would cause you to repeat it." You kinda lost me with all those "nots"... George Santayana said those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it. Is there any reason to think Hegel would disagree? Perhaps because of his commitment to dialectical necessity, or something? Or because he thought we can't really learn from history before "twilight"?
ReplyDelete