RECAP
Last time I touched on what the alchemist book was about and that it revolves around the idea of a personal legend. If you can recall, the alchemist follows a Shepard around in pursuit of a treasure which we are led to believe is his personal calling. But I never was able to pinpoint a certain philosophy term to the philosophy that was in the Alchemist, so I decided to do some research and I was able to connect the philosophy of the alchemist to Fatalism.
WHAT IS FATALISM
Fatalism - the attitude of mind which accepts whatever happens as having been bound or decreed to happen. 
- We see that in the Alchemist where the Shepard is submitted to whatever comes by him and follows “the universe” and its signs having faith to find his destiny or personal legend.
- Most philosophers do not believe in fatalism and see it as a confusion of the mind. However, there is still some debate among philosophers surrounding logical fatalism in Aristotle book, De Interpretatione.
TYPES OF FATALSIM
- Logical fatalism- Aristotle talks about it, is the view that the view that no acts are free because before they were performed it was already true that they would be performed. The example he gives in his book is the story of the sea battle. Someone simplified it by saying “If I clap my hands at noon today. Necessarily, if I clap my hands at noon today, then it was true in 1000 A.D. that I would clap my hands at noon today.” Another supporter of logical fatalism is Richard Taylor.
- Theological fatalism- the view that no acts are free because before they were performed God already knew that they would be performed. The Alchemist is more closely related to theological or a spiritual fatalism where we see the king trying to convince the shepherd that dreams serve as the primary means by which people can get in touch with the mystical force.
- Disagreement with Fatalism - Dan Dennet who says that “freedom is compatible with determinism so long as we do not confuse that with foolish fatalism.”
QUIZ QUESTIONS
- What is fatalism?
- What are the different types of fatalism?
- Who are supporters of logical fatalism?
- Who is in disagreement with fatalism?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Do you agree with either fatalism or do you even agree with fatalism in general?
- Are we in control of all that happens around us or are some things destined to happen?
Once again, you've delivered a well-organized and captivating presentation, Mehraeil! Building on your previous report by exploring ideas about determinism and fatalism was a really cool move. Your summary of The Alchemist was a helpful refresher and clearly established the idea purpose or destiny, as represented in the book, for us. Your breakdown of fatalism into its logical and theological versions was good. It helped to show just how complex this subject is. I think many of us are still trying to wrap our minds around the fundamental difference between fatalism and determinism. How is either of these outlooks compatible with free will. Both seem to involve predetermined outcomes. We'll talk a bit about this on Thursday in the Contemporary Issues conversation, but I tend to lean more toward seeing fatalism as involving the interference of external (usually supernatural) forces that control our actions and outcomes. Determinism assumes that everything has a cause, including human choices and actions, but it doesn't necessary assume the intervention of the above forces. It was interesting to hear that you liked the book less this time. Is that because you understand more the fatalism that's at the heart of the book? (And thanks for telling us how the story ends!) Great job, Mehraeil!
ReplyDeleteAs my bumper sticker says: even fatalists look both ways before crossing the street. That's funny, but in a way profound too: it's in our nature to presume responsibility for our choices, and to expect to meet their consequences. So... Bill is one brave domino.
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