"It is hard to believe that even a good man would stop himself from stealing and doing all kinds of other bad things, if he knew he would never get caught."
Fear does keep people in check, but that makes society sound scary. It's not so much fear as the norm. It is the norm to obey the laws and do everything you can to stay clean, which puts doing bad things out of your mind. It's just not relevant enough to think about doing.
Add an invisibility ring to this equation and you would, of course, start small. Maybe steal your Tim's coffee if you didn't have the change and were in a hurry. Minor inconveniences would be resolved. And then one day, if you saw someone doing something terrible to the one you love, you may just kill them. But it would take a long time, and, assuming you didn't share the knowledge of the ring with people, "Hey, honey! You won't believe this!" the alienation would be a slow process. But then again, people are more inclined to take personal risks for those they love. People with families can't truly alienate themselves from society.
One, single, lonely man (or woman) with no money, family, and a nasty case of psoriasis would be your likely candidate to turn lethal. I like the "what if" of the origin of evil, because there is no sudden change, it's a slow process that brings circumstances to play that are normally just impossible.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Great city
"A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one."
~Aristotle
I believe that this quote clearly defines the difference between a city such as Athens and one such as Persepolis. Greek was a relatively small city, but made more technical, philosophical, medical, and societal advances than all of the Persian empire. Persepolis was a city of crushed people, working as slaves to one ruler. Without freedom, people are unable to achieve their true glory and greatness, and when an entire civilization is crushed, it is a great waste of life. I believe that this waste of life makes Alexander's mass killings not only acceptable, but necessary and good.
~Aristotle
I believe that this quote clearly defines the difference between a city such as Athens and one such as Persepolis. Greek was a relatively small city, but made more technical, philosophical, medical, and societal advances than all of the Persian empire. Persepolis was a city of crushed people, working as slaves to one ruler. Without freedom, people are unable to achieve their true glory and greatness, and when an entire civilization is crushed, it is a great waste of life. I believe that this waste of life makes Alexander's mass killings not only acceptable, but necessary and good.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wealth vs. Glory
"And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose? My life might have been passed in ease and luxury; but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path. Oh, that some encouraging voice would answer in the affirmative! My courage and my resolution is firm; but my hopes fluctuate, and my spirits are often depressed."-Frankenstein, p17, par.3
Plato's View of Love
"lovers are brave soldiers, as they seek to prove themselves before each other or to rescue each other from danger." - Plato, The Ancient Mediterranean World, Page 92
People are meant to be with each other because of the fact that they truly care for one another. Plato says he condemned love based mainly on sexual desire but praised its moral, intellectual, and spiritual aspects. Although he thought this way, sex is a component of love that isn't a bad thing. Love itself though shouldn't be solely based on sex.
People are meant to be with each other because of the fact that they truly care for one another. Plato says he condemned love based mainly on sexual desire but praised its moral, intellectual, and spiritual aspects. Although he thought this way, sex is a component of love that isn't a bad thing. Love itself though shouldn't be solely based on sex.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
"Give me some light"
I thought about Claudius's quote from Hamlet, how he wanted to see the light, when he was overcome by his guilt. In the case of Hamlet, however, the "light" is a very dark thing, and some type of distraction from it would be the light Claudius was referring to.
What I thought of is the metaphor for light as smarts -- someone who is bright vs. someone who is dim. Just an interesting thought to tie intelligence into the truth concept, because both Hamlet and Claudius were what we would call bright -- conversational wizards. There exists a contrast between they and the rest of the cast, for example, Polonius, who is dim, and would have a hard time seeing the light.
What I thought of is the metaphor for light as smarts -- someone who is bright vs. someone who is dim. Just an interesting thought to tie intelligence into the truth concept, because both Hamlet and Claudius were what we would call bright -- conversational wizards. There exists a contrast between they and the rest of the cast, for example, Polonius, who is dim, and would have a hard time seeing the light.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
State of mind
"...for nothing contributes so much to tranquillise the mind as a steady purpose--a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye."
Robert Walton in Frankenstein, Letter 1.
Mary Shelley
I picked this quote because I was reading the book so steadily; not very involved in the reading, until this quote caught my eye. I agree with this quote.
Slowly working at something you know will eventually be great because of all your time and effort really is tranquillising (tranquilising? I always thought there was only one "L"). I've been working on a painting since the beginning of December, and I experience the same tranquillity every time I work on it.
Robert Walton in Frankenstein, Letter 1.
Mary Shelley
I picked this quote because I was reading the book so steadily; not very involved in the reading, until this quote caught my eye. I agree with this quote.
Slowly working at something you know will eventually be great because of all your time and effort really is tranquillising (tranquilising? I always thought there was only one "L"). I've been working on a painting since the beginning of December, and I experience the same tranquillity every time I work on it.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Wisest Don't Have to Know the Most
"Wisdom begins in wonder" - Socrates
This quote is 100% true. Yes, we can all know hard facts and can reproduce them, but the people who marvel and interpret life itself are the wisest.
This quote is 100% true. Yes, we can all know hard facts and can reproduce them, but the people who marvel and interpret life itself are the wisest.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Model Forensic Speech
"I have said enough in answer to the charge of Meletus: any elaborate defence is unnecessary; but as I was saying before, I certainly have many enemies, and this is what will be my destruction if I am destroyed; of that I am certain; - not Meletus, nor yet Anytus, but the envy and detraction of the world, which has been the death of many good men, and will probably be the death of many more; there is no danger of my being the last of them. "
Socrates does not attempt to seduce or confuse his audience. He instead tries to give them the facts as clearly and concisely as possible, so that they may decide how to treat him based upon their own morals and values, as opposed to their emotions.
Socrates was a surprisingly humble man. He was much wiser than many of the greatest people of his time, yet he still knew that he knew nothing at all. He constantly sought after the true essence of things, rather than just accepting something that was less than perfect and true.
He knows that he is a good man but he also knows that he does not matter that much. there will be many more good men to come.
Socrates does not attempt to seduce or confuse his audience. He instead tries to give them the facts as clearly and concisely as possible, so that they may decide how to treat him based upon their own morals and values, as opposed to their emotions.
Socrates was a surprisingly humble man. He was much wiser than many of the greatest people of his time, yet he still knew that he knew nothing at all. He constantly sought after the true essence of things, rather than just accepting something that was less than perfect and true.
He knows that he is a good man but he also knows that he does not matter that much. there will be many more good men to come.
Reflection of the Human Life
Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world: but the time will soon come when, I trust we shall put them off in putting off our corruptible bodies; when debasement and sin will fall from us with this cumbrous frame of flesh, and only the spark of the spirit will remain, - the impalpable principle of life and though, pure as when it left the Creator to inspire the creature: whence it came it will return; perhaps again to be communicated to some being higher than man - perhaps to pass through gradations of glory, from the pale human soul to brighten to the seraph!
-Helen Burns, Jane Eyre, p70
-Helen Burns, Jane Eyre, p70
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Importance of Humans
"Man is the measure of all things." - Protagoras, The Ancient Mediterranean World
Humans are like all other species on the earth except for the fact that we can express our feelings in multiple ways through the use of our highly specialized brains. Yes, we can compare ourselves to animals, but the difference is huge. Similarly to what Mr.Johnston said, nothing on the earth is like a human being. We are too different and we have the capacity to not only excel, but to destroy ourselves as well. We are life forms that can do almost impossible things because we are so specialized.
Humans are like all other species on the earth except for the fact that we can express our feelings in multiple ways through the use of our highly specialized brains. Yes, we can compare ourselves to animals, but the difference is huge. Similarly to what Mr.Johnston said, nothing on the earth is like a human being. We are too different and we have the capacity to not only excel, but to destroy ourselves as well. We are life forms that can do almost impossible things because we are so specialized.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Spartan (Wo)men
"Spartan women were famous (or notorious) for having more freedom than the women of other cities. Ancient sources record with amazement that girls recieved an education similar to that of boys, emphasizing physical training and dancing, and even exercised naked like boys...Unlike women at Athens, many Spartan women owned land. "
Sparta was a culture far ahead of its time in countless ways, from its military and social tactics to the role of women in their society. Women were very much the equals of men in Sparta. Spartan men realized that there were many things at which women excelled and could do most things almost as well as the men. women were even allowed to live independantly of men, and often, when the men were in the barracks, they would have to live by themselves, taking care of the houses and children.
Sparta was a culture far ahead of its time in countless ways, from its military and social tactics to the role of women in their society. Women were very much the equals of men in Sparta. Spartan men realized that there were many things at which women excelled and could do most things almost as well as the men. women were even allowed to live independantly of men, and often, when the men were in the barracks, they would have to live by themselves, taking care of the houses and children.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Our technology has exceeded our humanity..
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity"
Albert Einstein
Einstein wrote this quote more than 60 years ago, and it is kind of funny that he already tought that our technology has exceeded our humanity. I wonder what he would say if he saw our world now..
Albert Einstein
Einstein wrote this quote more than 60 years ago, and it is kind of funny that he already tought that our technology has exceeded our humanity. I wonder what he would say if he saw our world now..
Identification
'I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every of craft - my fame has reached the skies. Sunny Ithaca is my home.'
The Odyssey, Book 9
Odysseus finally know who he is, he recognizes his identity and decides to fight to accomplish his nostos
The Odyssey, Book 9
Odysseus finally know who he is, he recognizes his identity and decides to fight to accomplish his nostos
Beauty
Why, even a deathless god who came upon that place would gaze in wonder, heart entranced with pleasure. Hermes the guide, the mighty giant killer, stood there, spellbound...But one he'd had his fill marveling at it all he briskly entered the deep vaulted cavern.
The Odyssey, Book 5
The Odyssey, Book 5
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Transition
"So great Odysseus buried himself in leaves and Athena showered sleep upon his eyes ... sleep in a swift wave delivering him from all his pains and labours, blessed sleep that sealed his eyes at last."
(Book V, Line 543-547)
Dream in the epic is very important because it represets transitions in the hero's journey. We see how Odyseeus arrives to the "real world" after all of the effort to get out of the mythological world. He rests and the next day when he wakes up he will be in a more civilized realm without all the unhuman magic surrounded him. This is very important because it means he is a step closer to the ultimate civilized place, that is his beloved Ithaca.
(Book V, Line 543-547)
Dream in the epic is very important because it represets transitions in the hero's journey. We see how Odyseeus arrives to the "real world" after all of the effort to get out of the mythological world. He rests and the next day when he wakes up he will be in a more civilized realm without all the unhuman magic surrounded him. This is very important because it means he is a step closer to the ultimate civilized place, that is his beloved Ithaca.
"Stop, old man!" Eurymachus, Polybus' son, rose up to take him on. "Go home and babble your omens to your children-
save them from some catastrophe coming soon. I'm a better hand than you at reading portents. Flocks of bird go fluttering under the sun's rays, not all are fraught with meaning. Odysseus? He's dead now, far from home-
would to god that you'd died with him too. We'd have escaped your droning prophecies then and the way you've loosed the dogs of this boy's anger-
your eyes peeled for a house-gift he might give you.
Here's my prophecy, bound to come to pass.
If you, you old codger, wise as the ages,
talk him around, incite the boy to riot,
he'll be the first to suffer, let me tell you.
And you, old man, we'll clap some fine on you
you'll weep to pay, a fine to crush your spirit!"
(Book II, line 198-215)
This is a perfect example of the behavior of the suitors, they are everything except heroic. They take all the goods from the king's house and they also are not civilized. When the old man is warning them with a prophecy that he got from the Gods, the suitors simply ignored what he had to say and treat him badly. An old man in the classical world is viewed as full of wisdom and more if he is a prophet. We see not only that the suitors are unjustce (no Dike), they also don't respect their elders resulting in chaos. I consider them as hubris as well, because they are mocking the prophecies that ultimately comes from the gods, so if they mock the gods they think they are supperior to them.
From Boy to Man
" And Athena lavished a marvelous splendor on the prince so the people all gazed in wonder as he came forward, the elders making way as he took his father's seat"
(Book II, line 12-14)
For me this part of the epic is very important because is when the boy is showing signs that he is going to become the man that we are all expecting to see. Telemachus needs to take action against the suitors but he still does not know how. I think the conversation with Athena is a Catalyst for him to understand that the next step is leaving Ithaca in order to become a man and come back again as a hero and inherit the Kleos from his father. When he takes his father's seat in the council of Ithaca and he is the one who calls the meating, we can say that he is taking charge as the prince and future king. We can also say that although he does try he is not ready yet because after he explains his concerns to the council he starts to cry, letting us know in a way that he is not ready yet and that he needs to undergo the rite of passage.
(Book II, line 12-14)
For me this part of the epic is very important because is when the boy is showing signs that he is going to become the man that we are all expecting to see. Telemachus needs to take action against the suitors but he still does not know how. I think the conversation with Athena is a Catalyst for him to understand that the next step is leaving Ithaca in order to become a man and come back again as a hero and inherit the Kleos from his father. When he takes his father's seat in the council of Ithaca and he is the one who calls the meating, we can say that he is taking charge as the prince and future king. We can also say that although he does try he is not ready yet because after he explains his concerns to the council he starts to cry, letting us know in a way that he is not ready yet and that he needs to undergo the rite of passage.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Forge Your Own Destiny
Imminent Destruction
"Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth,
our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.
So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees,
he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years.
But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times,
bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart.
Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth,
turn as the days turn . . ."
This quote is a reference to what has happened to Odysseus. He feels himself to be completely under the power of the gods every whim, a feeling particularly common in the Greek psyche. It also shows a difference between how he accepts the burden and struggles through, hoping for better times, where many people would give up and wallow in their self pity and emotion, something that Odysseus rarely allows himself to do.
The quote is also a foreshadowing of what will happen to the suitors. They have a false sense of power, that will soon be torn from them, damning them to suffering and being forgotten.
It emphasizes also the power that the gods have. i feel that the childish emotional behaviour of the gods was a key part of why people were so god-fearing. They were not purely rational logical beings and so they have to tread carefully, apeasing the gods at every step along the way.
reference to what happened to odysseus
foreshadowing of what will happen to the suitors
our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.
So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees,
he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years.
But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times,
bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart.
Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth,
turn as the days turn . . ."
This quote is a reference to what has happened to Odysseus. He feels himself to be completely under the power of the gods every whim, a feeling particularly common in the Greek psyche. It also shows a difference between how he accepts the burden and struggles through, hoping for better times, where many people would give up and wallow in their self pity and emotion, something that Odysseus rarely allows himself to do.
The quote is also a foreshadowing of what will happen to the suitors. They have a false sense of power, that will soon be torn from them, damning them to suffering and being forgotten.
It emphasizes also the power that the gods have. i feel that the childish emotional behaviour of the gods was a key part of why people were so god-fearing. They were not purely rational logical beings and so they have to tread carefully, apeasing the gods at every step along the way.
reference to what happened to odysseus
foreshadowing of what will happen to the suitors
Beauty
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
-Audrey Hepburn
Beauty, its nothing we've known, its a state of mind, a state of being. Beauty does in truth lie within the beholder. Beauty can be both harmful and harmless but if we look into the deeper meaning the way Audrey Hepburn put it doesn't matter what the person looks like its how they use it and that's beauty.
-Audrey Hepburn
Beauty, its nothing we've known, its a state of mind, a state of being. Beauty does in truth lie within the beholder. Beauty can be both harmful and harmless but if we look into the deeper meaning the way Audrey Hepburn put it doesn't matter what the person looks like its how they use it and that's beauty.
Biding his time
"Wild reckless taunts- and just as he passed Odysseus the idiot lurched out with a heel and kicked his hip but he couldn't knock the begger off the path he stood his ground so staunchly. Odysseus was otrn should he wheel with his staff and beat thte scoundrel senseless, or houst him up by the midriff, split his skull on the rocks? he steeled himself instead, his mind in full control."
book 17. line 255-260
In order for Odysseus to controll the element of surprise he must hold himself back and take whatever punishment he recieves. For if he were to lash out at the goatherd he would have to face the suitors and they would surly not stand for a lowly begger killing a servent who provided them their meat. Now is not the time for himself to confront the suitors and reveal himself so he must hold his ground. However he still has his pride and does not allow himself to show any sign that the goatherds harsh taunts and attack had any affect on him.
book 17. line 255-260
In order for Odysseus to controll the element of surprise he must hold himself back and take whatever punishment he recieves. For if he were to lash out at the goatherd he would have to face the suitors and they would surly not stand for a lowly begger killing a servent who provided them their meat. Now is not the time for himself to confront the suitors and reveal himself so he must hold his ground. However he still has his pride and does not allow himself to show any sign that the goatherds harsh taunts and attack had any affect on him.
PEACE!
"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one." -John Lennon
We all are dreamers, but we don't have to just dream for peace. Of course world peace is hard to achieve but everyone can make a difference and a little goes along way. When I think of myself i don't know what I'm doing in my society to help achieve this I cant start with the world but I can start within my city. I need to start something as we all do. It has almost been 30 years of the death of John Lennon and its sad to know he didn't achieve his pursuit of peace but the thought of it will be persevered and together we will work for it.
We all are dreamers, but we don't have to just dream for peace. Of course world peace is hard to achieve but everyone can make a difference and a little goes along way. When I think of myself i don't know what I'm doing in my society to help achieve this I cant start with the world but I can start within my city. I need to start something as we all do. It has almost been 30 years of the death of John Lennon and its sad to know he didn't achieve his pursuit of peace but the thought of it will be persevered and together we will work for it.
The path of suffering
Athene: I will tell you all the troubles you are ... destined to suffer in your well-wrought house; but you must, of necessity, endure all, and tell no one out of all the men and the women that you have come back from your wanderings, but you must endure much grief in silence, standing and facing men in their violence.
The message is to undergo suffering because it cant be avoided. Odysseus will just be delaying time until he can deliver some serious payback!
The message is to undergo suffering because it cant be avoided. Odysseus will just be delaying time until he can deliver some serious payback!
starvation
Eurylochos, in Odysseus’s tale: Listen to what I say, my ... companions, though you are suffering evils. All deaths are detestable for wretched mortals, but hunger is the sorriest way to die and encounter fate. Come then, let us cut out the best of Helios’ cattle, and sacrifice them to the immortals who hold wide heaven, and if we ever come back to Ithaka, land of our fathers, presently we will build a rich temple to the Sun God Helios Hyperion, and store it with dedications, many and good. But if, in anger over his high-horned cattle, he wishes to wreck our ship, and the rest of the gods stand by him, I would far rather gulp the waves and lose my life in them once for all, than be pinched to death on this desolate island.
Eurylochos considers starvation the worst death of all and prefers to commit a crime against the gods than suffer this fate. Which until now hasnt been mentioned, however because food is so important to the Greeks it isnt surprising
Eurylochos considers starvation the worst death of all and prefers to commit a crime against the gods than suffer this fate. Which until now hasnt been mentioned, however because food is so important to the Greeks it isnt surprising
Justice
"It is true that the young men with their ... black ship are lying in wait for him to kill him before he reaches his country; but I think this will not happen, but that sooner the earth will cover some one of those suitors, who now are eating away your substance."
-Athena
Athene reminds us that the suitors deserve death not only for violating the laws of hospitality, but for plotting to kill Telemachus and to marry Penelope.
-Athena
Athene reminds us that the suitors deserve death not only for violating the laws of hospitality, but for plotting to kill Telemachus and to marry Penelope.
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