Free Will - The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.
Iago: “'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our
gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” (1.3 361-3).
Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will.
Othello: “Yet ‘tis the plague of great ones … ‘tis destiny unshunnable, like
death” (3.3 313-16).
Iago is talking about free will in his quote. Iago believes that people can be manipulated, but in the end it is the persons final choice in his decision. No outside forces can change your decision. At the end of the day it is that persons choice.Someone can try and make you change your mind, but it still becomes your choice when the time comes. Free will is affected by many outside forces, but the external forces cannot make the decision for you that can only be you.
Othello's quote is the definition of determinism. He believes your fate is decided even before you were born and everything you do after is because it was already determined before you did it. You cannot change your fate. Othello knows that death is predetermined also and you can't escape it cause when your time comes its over. God already has a plan that we don't know, but everything we do is our fate and we cannot change it. Our lives aren't in our hands.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Journal #8
5. To be great is to be misunderstood.
Emerson is saying that if you want to be someone recognized you need to do something that no one has thought of and would think of doing. To be great, you need to do something out of the ordinary that an onlooker would think was different. However, being different should be your goal rather than normal. If you would like to accomplish great feats, you will need to think outside the box which will cause you to be misunderstood. If everyone goes through life the same way, no one will be different. But, if you are not afraid to put yourself out there and be fearless of what people think then you will be great.
13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
In this aphorism Emerson is saying that you should always try new things. Your whole life you should not focus on just one experience, but rather try many new things and you will have a better life. If you keep trying new things you will find new experiences you might like a lot better which will make you a happier person. Every experience you try will make you a better person and make your life that much better. If you live your life doing one thing you might be living a boring life, but if you expand your horizons and experiment you can change your life.
14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Emerson is saying that you must be nice and kind to people if you want people to like you. No one wants to be friends with someone who is mean and negative. If you are a friend, you will be nice, kind and supportive to get friends and to keep your friends. If you apply the Golden Rule to this-“Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you”- it makes sense. If you do not one someone being mean to you or treating you badly, then do not treat them with disrespect and in return you will have friends.
Emerson is saying that if you want to be someone recognized you need to do something that no one has thought of and would think of doing. To be great, you need to do something out of the ordinary that an onlooker would think was different. However, being different should be your goal rather than normal. If you would like to accomplish great feats, you will need to think outside the box which will cause you to be misunderstood. If everyone goes through life the same way, no one will be different. But, if you are not afraid to put yourself out there and be fearless of what people think then you will be great.
13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
In this aphorism Emerson is saying that you should always try new things. Your whole life you should not focus on just one experience, but rather try many new things and you will have a better life. If you keep trying new things you will find new experiences you might like a lot better which will make you a happier person. Every experience you try will make you a better person and make your life that much better. If you live your life doing one thing you might be living a boring life, but if you expand your horizons and experiment you can change your life.
14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Emerson is saying that you must be nice and kind to people if you want people to like you. No one wants to be friends with someone who is mean and negative. If you are a friend, you will be nice, kind and supportive to get friends and to keep your friends. If you apply the Golden Rule to this-“Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you”- it makes sense. If you do not one someone being mean to you or treating you badly, then do not treat them with disrespect and in return you will have friends.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Journal #7
Journal Assignment #7
William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” (p.151) and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (p.181)
Read the selections and write a detailed response to the following:
1. Compare/contrast the different views of nature that are being presented in the poems. Refer to the list of classical and romantic characteristics and provide specific examples from the poems to support your analysis.
The Waterfowl and The Raven were both very different poems with little to compare. Both did have a type of bird in the story, but different birds that gave you various feelings. However, both birds did give you ideas to think about.
The Waterfowl makes you feel calm and optimistic. The narrator helps you to reflect on your life and where your life should or could be heading. Because the setting was at dusk, it created a lighter atmosphere. The Waterfowl causes the narrator to think of his life and how God fits into it. In the end, there is conclusion where as in The Raven you’re still a bit confused. The Raven creates a dark, menacing feeling that does not make you feel happy. The setting is at midnight or in other words the ‘witching hour’. Edgar Allen Poe creates an emotional story of his long lost love Lenore that he rhymes with ‘nevermore’. He wishes to be with her again and he envisions her. He mourns in his room for Lenore instead of being outside in nature like the narrator in the Waterfowl is.
These two poems are similar, but have many more differences. They each share a different reaction of a man when a bird visits them. The Waterfowl brings a happy response from God, but The Raven brings a sad, emotional response to the narrator.
William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” (p.151) and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (p.181)
Read the selections and write a detailed response to the following:
1. Compare/contrast the different views of nature that are being presented in the poems. Refer to the list of classical and romantic characteristics and provide specific examples from the poems to support your analysis.
The Waterfowl and The Raven were both very different poems with little to compare. Both did have a type of bird in the story, but different birds that gave you various feelings. However, both birds did give you ideas to think about.
The Waterfowl makes you feel calm and optimistic. The narrator helps you to reflect on your life and where your life should or could be heading. Because the setting was at dusk, it created a lighter atmosphere. The Waterfowl causes the narrator to think of his life and how God fits into it. In the end, there is conclusion where as in The Raven you’re still a bit confused. The Raven creates a dark, menacing feeling that does not make you feel happy. The setting is at midnight or in other words the ‘witching hour’. Edgar Allen Poe creates an emotional story of his long lost love Lenore that he rhymes with ‘nevermore’. He wishes to be with her again and he envisions her. He mourns in his room for Lenore instead of being outside in nature like the narrator in the Waterfowl is.
These two poems are similar, but have many more differences. They each share a different reaction of a man when a bird visits them. The Waterfowl brings a happy response from God, but The Raven brings a sad, emotional response to the narrator.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Journal #6
Journal #6
From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)
Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.
1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?
In Franklin’s plan he wrote down a list of virtues he thought were the most important. There were 13 of them. He wrote them down in a little book and made a chart. Each week he would work on one virtue and try not to break it. If he did he would mark it in his book. He was working toward keeping his book free of marks, so that he would therefore be perfect. Franklin thought these virtues would make him perfect, but in truth it did not. He realized that perfect people are not well liked and that no one can be perfect. Even though he did not reach his goal, Franklin knew and felt like he was a better person.
2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?
Yes, I do think his plan would improve me as a person. There are a couple of the virtues that I do not necessarily work hard on to stop or improve. Some I know I should practice, but I get lazy. If I followed these virtues, it is true that they would make me a better person. My top five virtues would be Order, Sincerity, Justice, Cleanliness, and Resolution.
From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)
Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.
1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?
In Franklin’s plan he wrote down a list of virtues he thought were the most important. There were 13 of them. He wrote them down in a little book and made a chart. Each week he would work on one virtue and try not to break it. If he did he would mark it in his book. He was working toward keeping his book free of marks, so that he would therefore be perfect. Franklin thought these virtues would make him perfect, but in truth it did not. He realized that perfect people are not well liked and that no one can be perfect. Even though he did not reach his goal, Franklin knew and felt like he was a better person.
2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?
Yes, I do think his plan would improve me as a person. There are a couple of the virtues that I do not necessarily work hard on to stop or improve. Some I know I should practice, but I get lazy. If I followed these virtues, it is true that they would make me a better person. My top five virtues would be Order, Sincerity, Justice, Cleanliness, and Resolution.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Journal #5
Journal #5 – from Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” (p.95-6)
1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.
#1 Argument: We need to stand up against Britain and conquer tyranny. It’s hard to conquer, but the harder it is, the greater it is when it happens. Everything in life comes with struggle.
Appeal: Emotional – it’s based on trying to get people to focus on emotions rather than logical reasoning
Effective Counterargument: Since Britain is sovereign over them, so they have the right to get taxed.
Logical – There is not a good chance that America would not win.
Logical Fallacy: Non-sequiter – compares taxing to slavery
Aphorisms – he had many short statements about life, and uses an aphoristic writing style.
#2 Argument: Thomas Paine’s secret opinion is that God Almighty won’t let military force destroy people who have tried so hard to avoid way by every method that wisdom could have invented.
Appeal: Ethical- bases his argument on his religion and the emotions of God. We are morally right, so God is going to support us.
Effective Counterargument: The British king also gets his power from God, so saying that God protects Americans is contradicting to saying that God is giving Britain the military power to destroy the Americans when he is only going to save them.
Logical- God doesn’t chose sides.
Logical Fallacies: Ad Hominem – Paine attacks the King of Britain personally, calling him a common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker
Begging the Question – why would God help the British, if he is not going to let the Americans lose to the British forces? The British think that God is on their side.
#3 Argument: American is not happy unless it’s clear from Britain. We’re fighting now so our children will be free. The war is inevitable, so we should fight now.
Appeal: Logical – it’s going to happen sooner or later
Ethical (emotional) – makes it seem like the man is a bad parent, emotional because children are being used. It’s saying “this is what we should do for our children”
Effective Counterargument: just because you go to war for your child doesn’t mean it will work out well. You could die, or some other disaster.
Logical Fallacies: False Dichotomy – not talking about any sort of options between the two extremes.
Begging the question – assumption they are going to win.
#4 Argument: It’s better to fight defensively offensively. It’s okay to fight back. Calls the king a thief. We should fight because the king has trampled on our rights, as if a thief came into our house and destroyed.
Appeal: Ethical ?
Effective Counterargument: the king has the power and rights to do these things, unlike a king so the comparison is faulty analogy. The colony technically belongs to the king.
Logical Fallacies: Argument by analogy – not using much reasoning
2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?
I think that the strongest argument was the one where it states that it is better to fight on the defensive. If someone attacks you it is alright to attack them back as long as you don’t initiate it. The argument about the kids was probably the weaker argument. It has a lot of holes in it that should be patched up to fit a better argument.
1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.
#1 Argument: We need to stand up against Britain and conquer tyranny. It’s hard to conquer, but the harder it is, the greater it is when it happens. Everything in life comes with struggle.
Appeal: Emotional – it’s based on trying to get people to focus on emotions rather than logical reasoning
Effective Counterargument: Since Britain is sovereign over them, so they have the right to get taxed.
Logical – There is not a good chance that America would not win.
Logical Fallacy: Non-sequiter – compares taxing to slavery
Aphorisms – he had many short statements about life, and uses an aphoristic writing style.
#2 Argument: Thomas Paine’s secret opinion is that God Almighty won’t let military force destroy people who have tried so hard to avoid way by every method that wisdom could have invented.
Appeal: Ethical- bases his argument on his religion and the emotions of God. We are morally right, so God is going to support us.
Effective Counterargument: The British king also gets his power from God, so saying that God protects Americans is contradicting to saying that God is giving Britain the military power to destroy the Americans when he is only going to save them.
Logical- God doesn’t chose sides.
Logical Fallacies: Ad Hominem – Paine attacks the King of Britain personally, calling him a common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker
Begging the Question – why would God help the British, if he is not going to let the Americans lose to the British forces? The British think that God is on their side.
#3 Argument: American is not happy unless it’s clear from Britain. We’re fighting now so our children will be free. The war is inevitable, so we should fight now.
Appeal: Logical – it’s going to happen sooner or later
Ethical (emotional) – makes it seem like the man is a bad parent, emotional because children are being used. It’s saying “this is what we should do for our children”
Effective Counterargument: just because you go to war for your child doesn’t mean it will work out well. You could die, or some other disaster.
Logical Fallacies: False Dichotomy – not talking about any sort of options between the two extremes.
Begging the question – assumption they are going to win.
#4 Argument: It’s better to fight defensively offensively. It’s okay to fight back. Calls the king a thief. We should fight because the king has trampled on our rights, as if a thief came into our house and destroyed.
Appeal: Ethical ?
Effective Counterargument: the king has the power and rights to do these things, unlike a king so the comparison is faulty analogy. The colony technically belongs to the king.
Logical Fallacies: Argument by analogy – not using much reasoning
2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?
I think that the strongest argument was the one where it states that it is better to fight on the defensive. If someone attacks you it is alright to attack them back as long as you don’t initiate it. The argument about the kids was probably the weaker argument. It has a lot of holes in it that should be patched up to fit a better argument.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Journal #4
Descriptive Writing Assignment
Using Ann Hodgman’s essay as a model, write a detailed description of a recent meal that you ate. Your focus should be on describing as many aspects of your food as you can.
Important Elements: Concrete/Abstract Images
Multi-Sensory Images Simile, Metaphor, Analogy
Dominant Impression
When I see brownies my mind leaps into a new world of joy and happiness that nothing else could compare. Brownies have the perfect square bodies cut perfectly by their maker. Their brown, flaky top layer looks delicious atop the fresh, darker layer below. Once you bite into a rich warm chocolate brownie, your life will be changed forever. There is no crunching just a delicate heaven for your taste buds. Fresh out of the oven, the brownies melt on your tongue and you float away on a cloud of chewy chocolateness chewing slowly to savor the taste. Once they are gone you wish to reach across the plate to grab another deliciously smooth brownie. Entering your mouth the chocolaty goodness makes you the happiest person in the world. The flaky top might leave remains your lips, but no worries you can save it for later.
Journal #3
“No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch” – Ann Hodgman
(The Norton Sampler p.77)
Read the selection and write a one paragraph response to the following questions.
1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.
1. “I gagged my way through can after can of stinky, white-flecked mush and bag after bag of stinky, fat-drenched nuggets.”
2. “A lumpy, frightening, bloody, stringy horror is a sign of high quality---lots of meat.”
3. “Rather, it looked--- and felt---like a single long, extruded piece of redness that had been chopped into segments and formed into a patty.”
2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?
Hodgman’s purpose was to allow us to gain insight on every day food that our dogs eat. Our dogs eat a variety of food that we just buy without even knowing what is in it or even if tastes good. We just listen to the advertisements and buy what sounds good. But really, dogs don’t really discriminate upon foods it seems. Any type of human food you give them they gobble up and everything dog food they do the same. I think Hodgman’s message is on the false advertising dog food companies seem to do. ‘Oh your dog needs the best liver and the best meat’, but the meat they use is not even real meat.
(The Norton Sampler p.77)
Read the selection and write a one paragraph response to the following questions.
1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.
1. “I gagged my way through can after can of stinky, white-flecked mush and bag after bag of stinky, fat-drenched nuggets.”
2. “A lumpy, frightening, bloody, stringy horror is a sign of high quality---lots of meat.”
3. “Rather, it looked--- and felt---like a single long, extruded piece of redness that had been chopped into segments and formed into a patty.”
2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?
Hodgman’s purpose was to allow us to gain insight on every day food that our dogs eat. Our dogs eat a variety of food that we just buy without even knowing what is in it or even if tastes good. We just listen to the advertisements and buy what sounds good. But really, dogs don’t really discriminate upon foods it seems. Any type of human food you give them they gobble up and everything dog food they do the same. I think Hodgman’s message is on the false advertising dog food companies seem to do. ‘Oh your dog needs the best liver and the best meat’, but the meat they use is not even real meat.
Journal #2
Journal 2 - Annie Dillard – “The Death of a Moth,” from Holy the
Firm
1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?
The different moths are the different approaches to life. The moths in the bathroom are dead and empty, but the moths in the fire are still burning and alive. These moths are still burning to live with passion, but the ones in the bathroom are the ones who are not motivated.
2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?
If the students wanted to be writers, then they need to be dedicated and put their lives into it. She talks about the courage of being a writer and how you write when it seems like you do not have anything to write about. ‘You can’t be anything else. You must go at life with your broadax.’ Attack your life head on and be the one that goes all the way.
3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?
The fire is a symbol of the desire to learn and to achieve. The fire always burns, so you need the burning desire to be successful and give all you have.
4. Address how each of the following quotes connect to Dillard’s overall point.
a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
-Jack London
b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats
c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”
-Franz Kafka
These quotes go with the story because they are each saying you shouldn’t waste your life away. You need to go out and work hard and not be a bystander. The desire to learn is needed and to not waste your time.
Firm
1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?
The different moths are the different approaches to life. The moths in the bathroom are dead and empty, but the moths in the fire are still burning and alive. These moths are still burning to live with passion, but the ones in the bathroom are the ones who are not motivated.
2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?
If the students wanted to be writers, then they need to be dedicated and put their lives into it. She talks about the courage of being a writer and how you write when it seems like you do not have anything to write about. ‘You can’t be anything else. You must go at life with your broadax.’ Attack your life head on and be the one that goes all the way.
3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?
The fire is a symbol of the desire to learn and to achieve. The fire always burns, so you need the burning desire to be successful and give all you have.
4. Address how each of the following quotes connect to Dillard’s overall point.
a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
-Jack London
b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats
c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”
-Franz Kafka
These quotes go with the story because they are each saying you shouldn’t waste your life away. You need to go out and work hard and not be a bystander. The desire to learn is needed and to not waste your time.
Journal #1
Narrative Story
I hated working at this horrid place. The manager was a slimy, angry man and the food was not even that great. Truckers were the only men that sauntered in to demand food and hit on the other young waiter. I could not wait to get out of this small town and to serve fancier things than yesterday’s hot dog and French fries. Since it was Christmas time, the nicer of the truck drivers would tip more and I could add it to my savings. I needed about a three hundred more dollars to have enough money to finally leave. My big dream since I was a little girl was to work in a five star restaurant and serve celebrities like Marilyn Monroe.
Two weeks had passed and I was finally packing my bags, kissing my parents and two brothers good bye, and off to my new life. My long awaited dream was finally going to come true in about two hours. The rain poured down outside and created large puddles along the street. I walked with my family to the bus stop, kissed them one last time and jumped up the steps. I walked down the long aisle to an empty seat next to a handsome gentleman. He smiled at me and introduced himself as Channing. I smiled and thought to myself, “New York is going to be life changing.” The time flew by and we had finally reached New York and I did not look back once.
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