Metacognition: A tribute to Aristotle

For this project, I decided to organize files on my laptop. This is already something I do semi-regularly, or when I do not have enough memory left. Not having enough RAM capacity always makes me feel anxious and as if there is a weight on my shoulders. I also feel regret, for not organizing files while saving them, but instead just sending them into the vast unknown. However, as I get into the groove of organizing, deleting, and moving files, this weight diminishes, and I start to feel productive. After the work is complete, I am just glad that the task is over and I don't have to go on worrying about it any more or have it hanging over my head. 

My mind feels less cluttered and open. I feel as if I can think more clearly as well.

After the project, I know that I need to organize my files better at regular intervals, instead of just letting it all accumulate until the breaking point. Organization is key: if your life is organized, then your mind will follow.

Carry It Forward: Descartes in Sophie's World

Descartes had many valid points and of course some not so valid, as does every philosopher. First of all, Descartes and Socrates were both convinced that certain knowledge can only be acquired through reason. I agree with both of them since through reason, you can decide what is right, wrong, truth, or opinion. Again like Socrates, Descartes would not accept that he knew nothing. He claimed that we can only accept anything as being true if we can clearly and distinctly perceive it. This makes sense since this laptop I am using exists; I can see it, feel it, and obviously use it. Descartes started off by doubting everything, so that he can work his theories out from scratch, from a completely blank slate. Therefore, the fact that he doubted everything was the only thing he was certain of. This is where his theory gets complex, and lost me. However, I was brought back in by the expression, "I think therefore I am." This is something you and I have heard numerous times, I'm sure.

Descartes's next point I'd like to bring up is that there exists a perfect entity. He claimed that there would not be a perfect entity if it didn't exist and we would not possess the idea of a perfect entity if it didn't exist. God is very present in this theory, since God is that perfect entity, since no human being is perfect. By this, Descartes must believe that God exists, which I do not agree with however.

Philosophy is very complicated and each person has a right to their own opinions, some people are just more inclined to share them.

An Inconvenient Truth: Men As "Breadwinners"

This theory has been around for all of time, beginning with the story of Adam and Eve; Eve was created with Adam's rib, therefore he is more powerful. 

The issue of sexism rubs me the wrong way, and it should have that effect on everyone. Being told that men are superior since childhood pollutes the mind and therefore, children grow up believing that it is true. Little girls are supposed to wear frilly clothes and do "girly" things like arts and crafts, take ballet, and be soft-spoken. They see their mothers, most of the time, stay at home and tend to household chores while their fathers work to support them.

Even on television, this the common view: a mother stays home with the children while daddy goes out and makes a living. Women and girls alike are taught that they need to play Susie homemaker, so to speak. Shouldn't everyone be allowed to go out and make a living for themselves?

This is getting to be more common in modern day, however. Young females are going to college and working before settling down and starting a family. Even when they do, most are still working, sending kids to daycare centers and daytime babysitters. 

Growing up with a single mother who always had to work to support us, I can see how doing so makes for a strong, independent woman. I can't help but appreciate and look up to her.

Best of Today: Class discussion on Wednesday 11/3/10

The best and only thing we did in class Wednesday was discuss Sophie's World and why Gaarder juxtaposes two stories, much like Marianne Wiggins did in The Shadow Catcher.

I had a difficult time understanding this book and its purpose, but I started to realize how important philosophy can be during the discusison in class. Philosophers ask the questions that i am too afraid to ask myself, and even though they may not know an answer, it is better to at least have tried to arrive at one. 

I am a philosopher in the sense that I know that I do not know everything, and therefore do not brag about being all-knowing. Socrates felt the same, and he was in turn the wisest man in Athens. Sophie also realizes this about herself, which makes me relate to her character. 

The discussions in class, but specifically this one from Wednesday, make me think about many things. If someone brings up a really good point, I can't help but think "Wow." Certain comments also stick with me, and can carry over into different classes or discussions I have outside of school.