It Matters: The "Adjacent Possible"

For a couple of weeks now, we have been discussing the adjacent possible. My understanding of the term is all events which have come before the present that help add to the importance or meaning. We began learning of the adjacent possible as far as Sophie's World. Each philosopher used the ideas which came before them, so on and so on. Sophie eventually puts together all of the different pieces and forms her own philosophy, thus utilizing the adjacent possible. This concept also applies to what we have learned in second semester,  beginning with Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." He quoted many people who have influenced him and his ideals while locked in the cell. Without them, he would not have articulated his points so well or efficiently.

In current events, the adjacent possible applies to the protest situation in Egypt. Citizens decided to no longer put up with their government and that enough was enough. Using the adjacent possible of the protests in Tunisia, Egyptians felt it was time to take action. Tunisia also must have been influenced by another event which prompted them to act out. An example of the adjacent possible put to use is http://english.aljazeera.net/ which currently has live feeds of what is happening in Egypt. 

Without the adjacent possible, computers would be here and neither would any modern inventions. It goes back in time forever and influenced each event in history. The adjacent possible serves as an example and without it, what would we have to live by?

Metacognition: First Semester in Humanities

Before signing up for Humanities, I heard that it was a good class but also bad. Good because of the creativity that is used and allowed, but bad because of certain personal experiences people have had. The class was tough in the beginning and I remember thinking: "When can I be creative? When can I flourish the most and be myself?" Of course, I thought that there would be no essays and that the class would be all fun and games. However, what english class does not have to write essays? As the semester rolled on, I began to enjoy the class more because there were so many different elements and projects. The semester was broken up into two quarters, and each quarter had a different theme. This worked out very well since it provided a chance to think in a new way. Some people are mroe creative and some like guidance.   During the end of the second quarter, my thinking began to be constant. I began to think philosophically, even outside of the classroom. This impressed and shocked me, to say the least. What I could possibly do better is to be more open-minded about othr students' viewpoints and opinions.


At times, the course was very difficult and time consuming but now I see the purpose and am glad that i took this class.

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.

iMedia: George Carlin's Modern Man

George Carlin's comedy, not just this one video, can teach us many things. His cynical attitude shows what is wrong with society and he tells it like it is and is never afraid to hold back. His genuine honesty has gained him a very loyal following, even after his death a little over two years ago.

I first was introduced to Carlin's comedy around the time of his death, strangely enough, by an old friend. At the time, I didn't understand how important this man was to popular culture and how many comedians he has inspired. However, as I got older, I understood the magic of his words and how true he is as a person and comedian; how he can take a serious issue and make a joke about it without being over-the-top.

Carlin can be seen as quite controversial, with monologues such as "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." For the time of 1972, he was very inappropriate. He knocked down barriers and was something no one at the time was familiar with.There are no words that I can say to do this man justice, except to say that he has inspired me and my personality today. He is a realist, which taught me to be the same. The world is not perfect, and he knew it.

In this specific video, Carlin states what a "modern man" is. How superficial "he" is and how this type of person is not real at all. He examined and critiqued what is wrong with this modern culture and used his wonderful wit to exploit it. For this and many other things do I admire him.