For my final entry I wish to discuss the whole of what we have covered, in no particular order or not even necessarily all of them.
In this class we have gone from the ends of the earth to the ends of the mind. We began by discussing the possibility of what if we were actually not a part of a true reality. It began in the cave, the cave where the reality seen before us could be but shadows upon the wall. A world where the items we think are what they are, are not actually what they are. For example a vase could be what we think is a vase but actually the shadow of something else entirely. We will only find the truth by going out into the light.
Next we had discussed the concept of the mind. Was the mind real? Is the mind a separate being from that of the body? Am I the mind? Is the mind me? These were all brought to question during this section of understanding. The concept of the possibility of the mind being able to float off into space, that it might not actually be a part of a body at all. Or even that this could all be but a dream. Then it was also brought up that if it were a dream why can I not control gravity? It would be indeed my gravity to control. Maybe I do not want it to go the direction it currently does.
A next topic we discussed was indeed my favorite: the idea of robots walking among us. The concept that there could be another highly intelligent life on this planet besides hum… The concept that there could be a more intelligent life on this planet is astonishing. The idea that your very neighbor could be a robot is thrilling. But the question must come, what if they exist? How do we treat them? This answer is, unfortunately, already answered by history. The human race would become scared. It would lash out against this magnificent gift of the universe, and destroy it. The fact that we only just recently got rights for our own species speaks for itself.
Another topic we discussed was that of animal sentience. Mallory showed us in class the gorilla known as Koko. This gorilla was able to communicate with humans in a language we were able to understand. She was also able to teach this to other gorillas. This was not just some retelling of words she already knew, she was able to create completely new ideas on sentences when she didn’t have one already taught to her. This brought up the idea that our arrogance is blinding us, yet again, to the realization that we are not alone on this planet. We must open our eyes to see the brilliance of intelligence around us.
There were many more I could go on talking about but I believe that I would not do them the justice they need. I have briefly spoken about my favorite topics above. I believe that this course has given me a new understanding into life, and the unknown. I can say that this has been one of my favorite classes I have ever taken; it has even sparked a desire to pursue this field even farther down the rabbit’s hole. Until next time, and may we hope that there is a next time, I bid thee, my readers, farewell.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
One topic that was brought up in class recently was that of Plato’s ideal society. In this society there is no such aspect as a class system; everyone has the original potential to be of greatness. First allow me to explain that Plato does not at all believe that this type of society could exist. Although he knows that it would work, he also knows that it would never happen.
The first part about this is that of how power would be distributed. In his ideal society the masses would be divided into two groups: the workers and the guardians. (Please note that the workers don’t get a cool name to go with their position and standing, but the other part of society was given the name of the guardians). The guardians’ class was then divided once more into the rulers and the warriors. The rulers and warriors would both be of higher standing than the working class, but the rulers would also be higher than that of the warriors.
In the society the rulers would not be given any property but would be tasked with the responsibility of all property. They would be only those considered to be elite in comparison to all others. The rulers themselves would be even more superior to that of the warriors. Although let us not get this wrong the warriors would be quite powerful indeed. They would be educated more than the workers, and they would be trained for physical combat. The rulers would be there and more. They would be those considered worthy of being a strong warrior, but they would also be even more educated than that.
The working class would be those deemed best fit for not being a warrior. Basically it would be a pass/fail system in life, and the failures were placed in the common. These workers were able to own land though. They were able to own their own businesses even still. In all the life of a commoner was not a bad one. You were able to marry, in comparison to the guardians’ class that was forbidden from such an action.
In this society the goal was for everyone to be happy. The rulers every whim was available, while the workers were granted property and love. Between the two they created a cycled balance that in turn created a utopia.
How was it fair though? It was fair In the fact that when one is born they are taken away from their parents and placed into a collective. They are then raised as a collective by the collective of patrons. They are tested along the way, and they are then found to the either a worker or guardian. This placing is designed so that once placed you are both the most fitted person for the job, and the most happy in it.
I believe this system has both its flaws and its value. For one the way the society is unbiased is something that is both unheard of and highly needed. An example of a flaw in this system would be that people do not get to choose where they are assigned. Either was this could be bad or good, but neither is for certain because we will never see this system in practice.
The first part about this is that of how power would be distributed. In his ideal society the masses would be divided into two groups: the workers and the guardians. (Please note that the workers don’t get a cool name to go with their position and standing, but the other part of society was given the name of the guardians). The guardians’ class was then divided once more into the rulers and the warriors. The rulers and warriors would both be of higher standing than the working class, but the rulers would also be higher than that of the warriors.
In the society the rulers would not be given any property but would be tasked with the responsibility of all property. They would be only those considered to be elite in comparison to all others. The rulers themselves would be even more superior to that of the warriors. Although let us not get this wrong the warriors would be quite powerful indeed. They would be educated more than the workers, and they would be trained for physical combat. The rulers would be there and more. They would be those considered worthy of being a strong warrior, but they would also be even more educated than that.
The working class would be those deemed best fit for not being a warrior. Basically it would be a pass/fail system in life, and the failures were placed in the common. These workers were able to own land though. They were able to own their own businesses even still. In all the life of a commoner was not a bad one. You were able to marry, in comparison to the guardians’ class that was forbidden from such an action.
In this society the goal was for everyone to be happy. The rulers every whim was available, while the workers were granted property and love. Between the two they created a cycled balance that in turn created a utopia.
How was it fair though? It was fair In the fact that when one is born they are taken away from their parents and placed into a collective. They are then raised as a collective by the collective of patrons. They are tested along the way, and they are then found to the either a worker or guardian. This placing is designed so that once placed you are both the most fitted person for the job, and the most happy in it.
I believe this system has both its flaws and its value. For one the way the society is unbiased is something that is both unheard of and highly needed. An example of a flaw in this system would be that people do not get to choose where they are assigned. Either was this could be bad or good, but neither is for certain because we will never see this system in practice.
Recently we have been reviewing different presentations by several different people on several different topics. One of these topics was specifically about the art of meditation. Our presenter, Hilary, led us into a topic which caused us to have to research for the class the benefits of meditation. In my research I found several different answers to this question, but I decided to go with the one regarding the increase in knowledge. A study done by a university shows that the use of meditation can actually increase a person’s brain power. By meditating the person is essentially exercising the brains muscle. By doing this the person is able to think more clearly on certain topics of interest. It has also shown that a person who does this is able to remember things much easier. Aside from the research that I did in regards to this topic other aspects of meditation were brought up.
One of these aspects that was brought up was that of reaching the enlightenment. This has been a major goal throughout history to achieve a higher state of awareness. Many cultures believe that this can be achieved through the art of meditation. In one of the recent presentations we were shown a story about a man who gave up everything in his life to exist simply in the art of finding himself. He meditated for several long years in complete solitary, but eventually was rises to a state of wise man. This man existed nearly his entire life in meditation. He removed himself from the world so much that in his death the only item to his name was a sofa that was practically forced upon him. This man made a huge impact upon the world, by simply not doing just that. It is also all due to meditation.
The art of meditation can be anything. It can be riding a bike, reading a book, sitting in silence, or even jumping out of a plane. The only thing that must remain the same is: is it meditating to you?
Later in this class Hilary led us in a group meditation. She began us by telling us to shut our eyes. She then moved on to tell us to relax our bodies and let the energy flow into the floor. Next she told us to breathe slowly and deeply. She then had us count our breathing. She had placed us in a state of trance. When the meditation was finally finished she informed us that this was indeed her first time to lead a group in such an activity. Although that may be true, I believe she did an outstanding job as our instructor.
Now I am in search of my meditation. The type of meditation that brings me centering in life. For some people it could be sitting alone in a monastery, for another it could be running a mile, for another it could be a round of golf. As for myself when the right activity comes I will be ready and waiting.
One of these aspects that was brought up was that of reaching the enlightenment. This has been a major goal throughout history to achieve a higher state of awareness. Many cultures believe that this can be achieved through the art of meditation. In one of the recent presentations we were shown a story about a man who gave up everything in his life to exist simply in the art of finding himself. He meditated for several long years in complete solitary, but eventually was rises to a state of wise man. This man existed nearly his entire life in meditation. He removed himself from the world so much that in his death the only item to his name was a sofa that was practically forced upon him. This man made a huge impact upon the world, by simply not doing just that. It is also all due to meditation.
The art of meditation can be anything. It can be riding a bike, reading a book, sitting in silence, or even jumping out of a plane. The only thing that must remain the same is: is it meditating to you?
Later in this class Hilary led us in a group meditation. She began us by telling us to shut our eyes. She then moved on to tell us to relax our bodies and let the energy flow into the floor. Next she told us to breathe slowly and deeply. She then had us count our breathing. She had placed us in a state of trance. When the meditation was finally finished she informed us that this was indeed her first time to lead a group in such an activity. Although that may be true, I believe she did an outstanding job as our instructor.
Now I am in search of my meditation. The type of meditation that brings me centering in life. For some people it could be sitting alone in a monastery, for another it could be running a mile, for another it could be a round of golf. As for myself when the right activity comes I will be ready and waiting.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)