Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism

Blog Prompt 22: Anguish and Despair in existentialism

According to Sartre’s meaning of anguish, “when a man commits himself to anything, fully realizing that he is not only choosing what he will be, but is thereby at the same time a legislator deciding for the whole of mankind- in such a moment a man cannot escape from the responsibility of complete and profound responsibility” (Sartre, 4). This statement best describes Sartre’s intended definition of anguish. He explains that man is fully responsible for his actions and cannot escape from the responsibility of those actions that he has chose. He gives an example of the story of Abraham from the Christian bible. In the biblical story of Abraham, an angel appears before Abraham and commands Abraham to sacrifice his son. The angel insists that the sacrifice of Abraham’s son is of God’s will. Sartre explains that “but anyone in such a case would wonder, first, whether it indeed was an angel  and secondly, whether I am really Abraham. Where are the proofs?…. If an angel appears to me, where is the proof that it is an angel? or if I hear voices, who can prove that they proceed from heaven and not from hell, or from my own subconscious or some pathological condition? Who can prove that they are really addressed to me?” (Sartre, 4) This statement depicts the conditions upon which Sartre formulated his concept of anguish. Any individual who commits himself or herself to any action should accept full responsibility for one’s actions and man is condemned to be free of personal choice. A personal example that fits Sartre’s concept of anguish is when a child comes into the world, all of the beliefs and perceptions are passed down and taught to us by our parents. Therefore, later in life when we begin to make our own decisions, we are most likely making choices based off of what our parents would want, or based off of there perceptions or limitations. Do we then have free will? Or are we simply conforming to what our parents and others expect of us?

When it comes to the concept of despair, Sartre explains that “the meaning of this expression is extremely simple. It merely means that we limit ourselves to a reliance upon that which  is within our wills, or within the sum of our probabilities which render our actions feasible. Whenever one wills anything, there are always these elements of probability” (Sartre,6). Though the limitations that an individual places on himself or herself, they are acting in self -deception by confining their own despair and placing limitations on one’s actions. This signifies that one can realize that man is truly human (humanism) through the liberation of limitations imposed on personal choice. Sartre depicts the concept of Existentialism as optimistic and states that “what man needs is to find himself again and to understand that nothing can save him from himself, not even a valid proof of the existence of God. In this sense, existentialism is optimistic. It is a doctrine of action, and it is only by self-deception, by confining their own despair with ours that Christians can describe us as without hope” (Sartre, 12).

(word count total: 534 words)

David Hume on Determinism

Blog Prompt 20: “The Obviousness of the Truth of Determinism”

According to some philosophers, one of the consequences of the argument against free will is that we are not responsible for our actions. David Hume agrees with the foundations of this argument and finds the argument to be valid in reasoning. David Hume states that “it is universally allowed that matter, in all its operations, is actuated by a necessary force, and that every natural effect is so precisely determined by the energy of its cause that no other effect, in such particular circumstances, could possibly have resulted from it.” (Hume,1) This statement is a clear depiction of Hume’s beliefs on determinism. Similar to the argument of other philosophers, Hume also believes that our individual actions are the result from natural forces of “cause and effect” and that ultimately there is no individual free will. He asserts that all actions are ultimately determined by the laws of nature.

Furthermore, Hume explains that “our idea, therefore, of necessity and causation arises entirely from the uniformity observable in the operations of nature, where similar objects are constantly conjoined together, and the mind is determined by custom to infer the one from the appearance of the other.”(Hume, 2) This statement explains how objects and events are joined together in nature and are not disconnected but rather connected to one another. Therefore for every action, there is an equal or greater reaction. The natural law of cause and effect determines the outcome of an individual choice. Since the outcome of our choice is determined by the action or cause that previously came before it, there ultimately is no individual free will. All individual choices and actions are the result or effect of the previous cause.  Therefore, the lack of individual free will leads to a lack of accountability in one’s actions.

Hume states that, “It may only, perhaps, be pretended that the mind can perceive, in the operations of matter, some farther connection between the cause and effect; and connection that has no place in voluntary actions of intelligent beings. Now whether it be so or not, can only appear upon examination and it is incumbent on these philosophers to make good their assertion, by defining or describing that necessity, and pointing it out to us in the operations of material causes” ( Hume, 4). This statement explains that the mind acts in terms of cause and effect and that every action we take is the result or effect of the cause or the action that came before it. For example, when i am getting ready for school in the morning, I always check the weather first so I know what to expect. The outfit that I choose is based off of the weather. Do I then have complete free will on what outfit I wear if the outfit selected (the effect)  is determined by the current weather? (the cause)  The connection between cause and effect is not a voluntary action and are determined by the natural laws of nature. Since the outcome of the choice is not a voluntary action, then ultimately an individual does not have free will.

(Total Word Count: 526 words)

Film Screening: Memento

~Blog Prompt 17: Memento

In the movie Memento, the main character Leonard relies on various notes, photographs and his tattoos to inform and remind him of previous life events. He refers to these notes, photographs and tattoos as his “mirrors” used to remind him of who he is/was before his memory loss. I do agree with Leonard’s statement that we all need and use mirrors to remind us who we are. Although our mirrors may not be the same as Leonard’s, we still have mirrors that reflect our image and meaning back to the world. The “mirrors” and meaning is different from person to person and this makes most information unreliable.

In the film Memento, Leonard relies heavily on the information on his tattoos, photos or notes. This leads to him creating a false illusion of the truth based off of his individual perception. He cannot remember events or information longer than 15 minutes which causes numerous people to take advantage of his situation.The only proof that Leonard has that an event takes place is if he is able to photograph and record notes about the event before he forgets. However if he cannot record the event fast enough , then it fades quickly from his mind and it is as if the event never happened. We see this scenario demonstrated when Natalie and Leonard get into an argument which leads to Leonard punching Natalie. Knowing that Leonard would fail to recall the argument, Natalie manipulated Leonard into believing that Dodd was responsible for hitting her not Leonard. This was just one of many scenarios demonstrated in the film where Leonard’s mental condition was taken advantage of. By relying on his “mirrors” as truth, Leonard has become delusional to the truth and ends up creating his own truth to fit his version of the truth. A personal example of how I use mirrors to determine the “truth” around me is that at my home there are lots of pictures of my family and tons of books that reflect my truth or perception about the world. There are not any pictures of family members that I don’t get along with in my home and most of my books are spiritual and metaphysical. If I am only surrounding myself with my version of the truth to remind myself “who I am”, is this then no different then Leonard relying on his tattoos, photos, and notes to depict his version of the truth?

Leonard’s view of self fits in accordance with Hume’s theory of self identity. Hume believes that identity is a “habit” that we possess and Leonard’s reliance upon his “mirrors” has become his habit and source of personal identity. Without the notes, tattoos and photographs to remind him then he would have no meaning or explanation for his past life events and who he is? His “mirrors” are the only connection he has to his idea of self. Hume would consider that a view of self that relies heavily on mirrors is just as reliable as believing in a character of a fictional story. Towards the end of the movie, Teddy reveals to Leonard that he has already killed the man responsible for raping his wife, but that Leonard fails to remember the incident. Teddy also reveals to Leonard that it was his wife that had diabetes and that the story of “Sammy” was an illusion and a way that Leonard conditioned himself to believe his own version of the truth. This was one of the most confusing parts of the entire movie. Was Teddy telling Leonard the truth, or was he further manipulating him due to his memory condition? One of the last comments that Leonard makes in the end of the film (which in actuality is the beginning of the story), is that if he makes his own version of the truth and is ultimately just looking for another “John G” to catch, he then states that Teddy can be his new case and new “John G” to hunt. This leads to Leonard tracking Teddy down and eventually killing him. It appears that in this story, Leonard makes up his own truth based on what he wants to believe and based upon the information that he conditions himself to believe, whether truthful or an illusion. Truth is based off of the facts he tells himself and ultimately his version of the truth is an illusion and mis-construed.

(Total Word Count: 739 words)

Storytelling Animal

Blog Prompt 18: McIntyre reading in relation to personnel identity

When it comes to the topic of identity, McIntyre believes that that the concept of human identity and the self is similar to that of characters portrayed in a fictional narrative. Concepts of identity are mainly derived from relationships we have with others and memories formed through these relationships. According to McIntyre, “We live out our lives both individually and in our relationships with each other, in the light of certain conceptions of a possible shared future, a future in which certain possibilities beckon us forward and others repel us, some seem already foreclosed and others perhaps inevitable.” (McIntrye,334) This statement brilliantly demonstrates the concept that the ideas formed through our relationships with others, are what forms our perception of personal identity. This aspect of a person is what leads to what McIntyre portrays as an identity similar to a character or subject in a fictional narrative.

The stories we identify with, formed mainly through our relationship with others, is what leads to a construed sensed of self. McIntyre states that “We enter human society, that is, with one or more imputed characters- roles into which we have been drafted and we have to learn what they are in order to be able to understand how others respond to us and how our responses to them are apt to be construed” (McIntyre, 333). Our roles are determined and strongly influenced by our relationships with others. We play the role of a child, mother, sister or mother, student, husband or wife and multiple other roles throughout the course of a single day. For example, I have numerous roles that I play throughout the day. I am a full-time student, health and fitness coach, aerial silk circus performer, a sister, a daughter and a girlfriend. Depending on what environment I am in determines my role or sense of identity. Our sense of identity is constantly changing through the interactions and roles determined by the relationship we have with others in our daily lives. This constant changing in roles is why McIntyre strongly believed that the concept of self was no different than that of a character depicted in a fictional narrative.

Furthermore, McIntyre explains that, “a central thesis then begins to emerge: man in his actions and his practice, as well as in his fictions, essentially a story-telling animal. He is not essentially, but becomes through his history, a teller of stories that aspire too truth. But the key question to men is not about their own authorship: I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ if i can answer the prior question ‘of what story or stories do I find myself apart of’, we enter society that is with one or more imputed characters” (McIntyre, 333- 334). This statement clearly depicts how how man is a collection of stories that he tells. The collection of stories becomes his sense of identity and change based off of our personal interactions with others. This constant changing of personal perception is no different than fictional characters depicted in a narrative.

(Total Word Count: 519 words)

Personal Identity

Blog Prompt 16: Hume, of Personal Identity

According to Hume, he believes that the concept of self is an illusion. When it comes to the concept of self identity, Hume contributes our sense of identity to memory. Memory is an association of two main principles of association: resemblance and causation. Hume states “concerning resemblance, the memory not only discovers the identity, but also contributes to its production, by producing the relation of resemblance among the perceptions, concerning causation, the memory does not so much produce as discover personal identity, by shewing us the relation of cause and effect among our different perceptions. ” ( Hume, 326) Hume believes that the concept of self is mostly derived from the concept of memory and without memory there would be no impressions or concept of self. Furthermore, Hume explains that “identity depends upon the relation of ideas, and these relations produce identity, by means of that easy transition may diminish by insensible degrees, we have no just standard by which we can decide any dispute concerning the time when they acquire or lose a title to the name of the identity” (Hume, 328).  The statement clearly explains how identity is connected to our perceptions and relationship to our ideas. Since our ideas ore always constantly changing,  our perception of our self and sense of identity is also changing and shifting according to the present ideas. Therefore, as a result of this constant shifting of perceptions, Hume believes that the concept of the self is an illusion when it comes to the concept of self- identity. The memory of an individual is not fully accurate nor reliable which leads to a false concept of self.

Hume compares memory and the mind to a theater where several perceptions of our self make their appearance. Memory is an observation of many experiences and identity depends on the relation of the ideas in the mind. I do find Hume’s argument to be rather convincing. The identity of the self is constantly changing depending on what is stored in one’s memory and based off of experience. As with the telephone game example which shows how memory normally change over time. The study notes how, “when you think back to an event that happened to you long ago- say your first day of school- you actually may be recalling information that you retrieved about at some later time, not the original event.” (Paul 3). This statement explains how most memories that are recalled are recalled in fragments or can be fragments of memories combined with others. The memories that we recall about events are never really the full truth and are more of an illusion derived from the concept of our memories.

(Total Word Count: 450 words)

The Art of Dance

Blog Prompt 12: Example of Art according to Tolstoys definition

Art can be a means of expression in various ways. However, according to Tolstoy, “the presence in various degrees of art has three conditions- individuality, clearness and sincerity -decides the merit of a work of art as art, apart from subject matter.”(Tolstoy, #38). A great example of art, according to Tolstoy’s definition, can be found in a variety of dancers in performance theater. As an aerial dance performer personally, whenever we create a story line, we use our emotions to fuel the movement. The dancers movement in combination of the music played transmits the implied emotional feeling to the audience. “The more individual the feeling transmitted the more strongly does it act on the receiver, the more individual that state of soul into which he is transferred, the more pleasure does the receiver obtain, and therefore the more readily and strongly does he join in it.” (Tolstoy, #31). The emotion and feelings felt by the audience creates union and builds a genuine connection between the performers and the audience. The stronger the feeling transmitted the more genuine is the connection felt between performer and audience.

Tolstoy explains that “every work of art causes the receiver to enter into a certain kind of relationship both with him who produced, or is producing the art, and with all those who simultaneously receive the same artistic expression”. (Tolstoy, #2). In the short film “Save My Soul”, the performers do an amazing job at generating a certain emotion through movement, sound and their individual artistic expression. As a dancer myself, I understand that sounds (music), costumes, props (landscape), make-up and movement all play a critical role in creating the desired emotion to be felt by the audience. As performers, we strive to portray our emotion and passion through movement to captivate the audience. The short film posted below is an excellent example of artistic expression and brilliantly displays the three conditions of various degrees of art described by Tolstoy. The performers in the film establish not only individuality, but also creates clarity and sincerity  throughout each scene during the act when performing. Not only are the artists evoking emotional feelings through movement, but the the costumes/ make-up and sounds (music) also shifts in accordance with the implied felt emotion. Tolstoy explains that, “To evoke in oneself a feeling one has experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors sounds, or forms expressed as words, so as to transmit that feeling that others may experience the same feeling- this is an activity of art.” (Tolstoy, #10).

In my opinion, I do believe that the short film “Save My Soul” does qualify as art as defined by Tolstoy. Not only do all of the performers evoke an emotional connection with the audience through the use of movement and sound, but all the various degrees of art are clearly portrayed in this short film. Art can be expressed through multiple outlets and the performers in the short film creatively portray stories and spark an emotional connection through the use of artistic dance expression. According to Tolstoy, “the activity of art is based on the fact that a man receiving through his sense of hearing or sight another man’s expression of feeling, is capable of experiencing the emotion which moved the man who expressed it.” (Tolstoy, #4)

(Word count:562)

 

Aristotle’s Poetics

Blog prompt 10: Example that fits Aristotle’s definition of tragedy

     In Aristotle’s Poetics, he states that “A perfect tragedy, should as we have seen, be arranged not on the simple, but on the complex plan. It should, moreover, imitate actions which excite pity or fear, this being the distinctive mark of tragic imitation”. (Aristotle, part XIV) According to Aristotle, the purpose of a “hero” in a tragedy was to evoke sad emotions within the audience related to fear or pity. The hero or main character of the story has a tragic flaw that results in the “downfall” of the character and creates a tragic ending. There are many examples displayed  in media which presents the elements of a tragedy described by Aristotle.

       One example of a tragedy that fits Aristotle’s definition of a tragic “hero” is presented in the story of “Romeo and Juliet”, by William Shakespeare. Romeo is a man who is of very high social standing and falls in love with a young girl, named Juliet. Unfortunately, the families of the two lovers are enemies and hold a lot of animosity against one another. Regardless of the feud and extreme hate residing between the two families, Romeo and Juliet decide to marry. Violence between the two families continues and eventually leads to Romeo’s banishment. After the banishment of Romeo, Juliet seeks advice from priest who advises her to take a sleeping potion. Upon drinking the potion, Romeo finds her and assumes she is dead and then proceeds to “take his own life”. Romeo kills himself as Juliet awakes and upon finding Romeo dead, she then proceeds to kill herself. Tragic stories usually include a protagonist that endures in suffering and this results in the audience feeling pity for the character of the story.

     The plot of the play contains all six elements described in Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy (plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle). Aristotle describes a tragedy as “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions”( Aristotle, part VI). The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is an excellent example of a poetic tragedy, because it clearly includes all the important components of a tragedy according to Aristotle’s theory. The plot of the story centers around the theme of love and sacrifice.     (word count:420)

“The Allegory of the Cave”

Blog Prompt 6: Plato, “The Allegory of the Cave”

        In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners have been held captive since birth and they are unable to perceive life outside of the cave. The darkness and shadows cast in the cave became the “reality” for the prisoners. Eventually one of the prisoners is able to break free from being held captive. Upon entering the light of the outside world, he perceived that most of the physical objects were an illusion and the shadows were reality.  This is illustrated brilliantly by Plato when he states “and if also one should point out to him each of the passing  objects and constrain him by questions to say what it is, do you not think that he would be at a loss and that he would regard what he formerly saw as more real than the things now pointed out to him?”(Plato, 3) Upon returning to the cave, the prisoner was laughed at and mocked by the other prisoners for no longer being able to see the shadows. He was deemed “blind” and at this point, the prisoner questioned reality. For what was originally deemed as illusion now becomes reality, and reality an illusion.

       There is a direct parallel between the prisoners in Plato’s cave and the spectators in a cinema. When spectators view a movie, they often will compare/contrast the details of the movie to “real life” and many people desire his or her life to be just like the see in the movies.  Often people can get so emotionally involved and attached with the scenario or to a character of the movie, that they forget that the movies and the characters are fictional.

It is also possible and very likely, in my opinion, that many people also mistake this physical world for reality. Much like the prisoner in the cave, or spectators in a cinema; it is easy for one to assume that reality is based only on one’s own personal experience and disregard other’s experience as “blind” or simply an illusion. However,  Plato suggests that “a sensible man would remember that there are two distinct disturbances of the eyes arising from two causes, according as the shift is from light to darkness or from darkness to light, and believing that the same thing happens to the soul too”(Plato, 4). This statement illustrates that perception and reality is often measured and limited by one’s ability to perceive the “light” or “darkness” in any situation.   (Word Count: 413)

“The Ethics of Belief”

Blog Prompt 4: William Clifford: “The Ethics of Belief, Section 1- The Duty of Inquiry”

Clifford’s argument presented in standard form:

1. All beliefs influence action in some way, or another.
2. Actions based on unjustified beliefs either cause harm directly, or they promote credulity, which results in broad social ills.
3. Therefore, it is always wrong to hold unjustified beliefs.

In the article, “the Ethics of Belief“, William Clifford argues that it is ethically wrong for an individual to make any assumptions or believe in anything without having sufficient evidence to support that belief. For he states that “the question of right or wrong has to do with the origin of his belief, not the matter of it, not what it was, but how he got it; not whether it turned out to be true or false, but whether he had a right to believe on such evidence as was before him”(Clifford, 1-2).  He suggests that not only should all beliefs include some sufficient evidence in support of his or her claim, but that it is ethically wrong or “sinful” for one to have belief with no such evidence laid out before them. He demonstrates this brilliantly through illustrating a few examples that include different situations, both of which fail to provide sufficient evidence in support of the belief in question. In the example of the ship captain, the captain failed to provide evidence for the soundness of his ship. This belief ultimately led to the death of innocent men. The next example of the island, the inhabitants of the island wrongfully accused the professors of  religion about the use of the doctrines. These accusation is what Clifford describes as leading to “sincere convictions, instead of being honestly earned by patient inquiring, are stolen by listening to the voice of prejudice and passion”(Clifford, 2).

In reference to Clifford’s argument, I do believe that he is right based upon the examples and evidence provided. His reasoning through the examples illustrated are not only sound, but are valid in reasoning to conclude his expressed belief. He explains that “in the two supposed cases which have been considered, it has been judged wrong to believe on insufficient evidence, or to nourish belief by suppressing doubts and avoiding investigation”(Clifford, 4). Clifford is aware of the tendency for an individual to state the belief in an idea without further investigation and supplying sufficient evidence. Furthermore, he demonstrates how following this way of thought leads to judgement and false information that ultimately is invalid in reasoning.                        (Word Count: 415)

Philosophical Term and Methods & Arguments

Blog Prompt #2: Examples of arguments

-Example of a valid argument with a false conclusion:

1. Birds are kept as pets.
2. Anything kept as a pet is a cat.
3. Therefore birds are cats.

–Example of a valid argument with a true conclusion:

1. All students enjoy playing sports.
2. Some students are athletes.
3. Therefore, some athletes enjoy sports.

–Example of sound argument:

1. All fruits have seeds.
2. An avocado has a seed.
3. Therefore, avocados are fruits.

–Example of inductive argument:

1. Sarah is a ballerina.
2. All ballerinas weigh less than 120 lbs.
3. Therefore, Sarah weighs less than 120 lbs.

(Word Count: 93)