In the very beginning of the book Candide, Candide gets kicked off of the grounds where Cunegonde and her family lives. He was kicked off of the grounds because he was seen kissing Cunegonde from behind the curtains and I believe other minor sexual explorations may have occurred.
In today’s standards, I believe that the harsh measurements that the family of Cunegonde went to in order to punish Candide would be very much so over the top. Nowadays kids only get a talking to. They get away with a very small tap on the hand in some cases. It seems that this leads to many of the issues that society has today with behavior issues among children and teens which did not seem as present in the old days. In this case, in today’s society, more than just a tap on the hand is required, although it is not so serious as to kick someone off of your grounds. I believe that a stern talking to, for BOTH of the participants, would be in order letting them understand that kissing is aloud and all, but the sexual behaviors should be saved until they are older and married.
In the standards of those days, I believe they went about the issue just as any household, or important household, would have. In those day and ages, some minor things were taken to be very important and in many cases, one could have lost their life over such an issue or been banished from some Kingdom.
All in all, I feel that the punishments that Candide received did NOT suit his crime. But, in the end, he was pretty lucky for being kicked off of their grounds seeing as he would have more than likely been killed in the attacks on their family.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Modern SocraPHILL
In my opinion, Dr. Phil would be considered a modern day Socrates. I like Dr. Phil, not only because he has the same first name as me, but also because on his show, although he does it in a sort of mean way at times, he helps individuals better their lives through better decision making. There is no person that I believe is as good as Socrates himself, but people can still influence others in a similar way. Socrates was a master at his craft, that would also explain why he has a method named after himself. He would use this method to question people and basically cause them to trip over their own thoughts and beliefs when they could no longer sufficiently support them.
Dr. Phil does things in a similar way, but it seems to be more frank. He doesn’t exactly question people as much or let them find out for themselves that they’re wrong. He personally tells them that they are wrong and he tells them why they are wrong. I feel that his approach is a lot harsher than Socrates’. In the end, both have about the same effects, with the person (victim) being interrogated and now having a more open mind.
Both of these characters help others to realize their flaws and gives them the opportunity to change themselves. The difference in my opinion is that Socrates is even wiser than Dr. Phil is. I believe that Dr. Phil also is a bit mean at times when he talks to people using his method, while Socrates is just, calm and collective while he waits to pounce and catch his prey. In the end, the biggest thing is that they both get fair results that help people to change there minds in a positive way.
Dr. Phil does things in a similar way, but it seems to be more frank. He doesn’t exactly question people as much or let them find out for themselves that they’re wrong. He personally tells them that they are wrong and he tells them why they are wrong. I feel that his approach is a lot harsher than Socrates’. In the end, both have about the same effects, with the person (victim) being interrogated and now having a more open mind.
Both of these characters help others to realize their flaws and gives them the opportunity to change themselves. The difference in my opinion is that Socrates is even wiser than Dr. Phil is. I believe that Dr. Phil also is a bit mean at times when he talks to people using his method, while Socrates is just, calm and collective while he waits to pounce and catch his prey. In the end, the biggest thing is that they both get fair results that help people to change there minds in a positive way.
Friday, September 17, 2010
The UNexamined life...is not worth LIVING...?
So the great philosopher, Socrates, made a statement that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” As we have found out, this a very debatable topic. The arguments are vast, but I’m going to try to put things in the view that I see them, in hopes that everyone will understand.
Unexamined life…not worth living. What does all of this mean? Basically he felt that those that did not question life and things in their lives, might as well not be living that life because they are not getting all that they can from it. If one doesn’t examine their life, then they are not fully aware of their own life in my opinion. They aren’t aware of the things that life has to offer for them, they aren’t aware of the things that life has already given them, and basically can’t fully appreciate life for what it is.
I totally agree with Socrates, I mean…everyone should since the guy is like…famous. I feel that it is important to question those important things in life that need to be questioned. How does one know what is important enough to question? Well, I believe that is mainly up to that person. Everyone has to decide, on their own, what is worth questioning and what is a waste of time to question and examine. It makes just as much sense to examine useless things as it does to not examine things in one’s life, for both are a complete waste of life.
So basically, if one doesn’t examine things in their life, they have no reason to live. By examining ones life, they can gain loads of knowledge and insights into others and there selves mainly. By examining one’s self, one can acquire a “double consciousness.” This double consciousness is simply the ability to understand one’s life from their own view, and to understand it from other’s view, which is often a stereotypical view. By gaining this double consciousness, one can get a second sight of life. Now having this second life, they have successfully examined that part of their life, but once this is gained, there is still more to examine.
How much more does one have to examine afterwards? I for one, am not sure if anyone knows.
Unexamined life…not worth living. What does all of this mean? Basically he felt that those that did not question life and things in their lives, might as well not be living that life because they are not getting all that they can from it. If one doesn’t examine their life, then they are not fully aware of their own life in my opinion. They aren’t aware of the things that life has to offer for them, they aren’t aware of the things that life has already given them, and basically can’t fully appreciate life for what it is.
I totally agree with Socrates, I mean…everyone should since the guy is like…famous. I feel that it is important to question those important things in life that need to be questioned. How does one know what is important enough to question? Well, I believe that is mainly up to that person. Everyone has to decide, on their own, what is worth questioning and what is a waste of time to question and examine. It makes just as much sense to examine useless things as it does to not examine things in one’s life, for both are a complete waste of life.
So basically, if one doesn’t examine things in their life, they have no reason to live. By examining ones life, they can gain loads of knowledge and insights into others and there selves mainly. By examining one’s self, one can acquire a “double consciousness.” This double consciousness is simply the ability to understand one’s life from their own view, and to understand it from other’s view, which is often a stereotypical view. By gaining this double consciousness, one can get a second sight of life. Now having this second life, they have successfully examined that part of their life, but once this is gained, there is still more to examine.
How much more does one have to examine afterwards? I for one, am not sure if anyone knows.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Eulogy
Phil Banks Jr. was named after his father of course. He tried to be as unique as he could without offending anyone or feeling too awkward. He didn't like to do things the same way as everyone else, he'd prefer to do it his own way, but he compromised at times. One of his best qualities was how much he cared about people. He tried as best as he could to take the time to listen to his friends and others that weren't quite friends and help them out in any way possible.
In his younger years, he attended two different grade schools. The first school he attended was named Paul Revere, and once in second grade, he attended Isabelle O’Keeffe, where he was put into the gifted class in third grade. His teacher felt he displayed a load of knowledge, but that he was a bit bored with the class and that he was a bit lazy more than likely. Most teachers end up feeling the same way about him to this day.
He tried to do his best although when he did, it was in an untimely matter. He hoped to be able to help others do their best as well through encouragement. Over his high school years, his character grew and he went through some very significant changes. He went from a younger, more immature teen to a more professional, well rounded, mature young man. All of the opportunities that he was given and took advantage of over the past few years helped shape him into that being.
Each summer he was given an opportunity to travel to some very amazing places. The summer after his freshman year he traveled to Colorado for a national youth gathering with his church that really opened his eyes to things outside of Chicago (aka…places where people are much nicer). The next summer he was able to visit Costa Rica on a mission trip with his church. Their mission was to fellowship and create a bond between their home church and the home church of Limon, Costa Rica and to help a few surrounding churches start Vacation Bible School classes. He really enjoyed the experience and it was very eye opening as well to see how another culture, that was a bit more poor than ours, lived. This year he was blessed to be able to go on a college tour and see some very historic places. This opened his eyes to the importance and beauty of history.
He loved community service if it dealt with actually helping someone in need of help. He hoped to work for a company (PwC or any similar company) in the future that have wonderful leadership and community service opportunities. His ultimate goal on earth was to be as helpful as he possibly could be in his remaining years. He has was a true inspiration to all teens.
In his younger years, he attended two different grade schools. The first school he attended was named Paul Revere, and once in second grade, he attended Isabelle O’Keeffe, where he was put into the gifted class in third grade. His teacher felt he displayed a load of knowledge, but that he was a bit bored with the class and that he was a bit lazy more than likely. Most teachers end up feeling the same way about him to this day.
He tried to do his best although when he did, it was in an untimely matter. He hoped to be able to help others do their best as well through encouragement. Over his high school years, his character grew and he went through some very significant changes. He went from a younger, more immature teen to a more professional, well rounded, mature young man. All of the opportunities that he was given and took advantage of over the past few years helped shape him into that being.
Each summer he was given an opportunity to travel to some very amazing places. The summer after his freshman year he traveled to Colorado for a national youth gathering with his church that really opened his eyes to things outside of Chicago (aka…places where people are much nicer). The next summer he was able to visit Costa Rica on a mission trip with his church. Their mission was to fellowship and create a bond between their home church and the home church of Limon, Costa Rica and to help a few surrounding churches start Vacation Bible School classes. He really enjoyed the experience and it was very eye opening as well to see how another culture, that was a bit more poor than ours, lived. This year he was blessed to be able to go on a college tour and see some very historic places. This opened his eyes to the importance and beauty of history.
He loved community service if it dealt with actually helping someone in need of help. He hoped to work for a company (PwC or any similar company) in the future that have wonderful leadership and community service opportunities. His ultimate goal on earth was to be as helpful as he possibly could be in his remaining years. He has was a true inspiration to all teens.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)