Slinger Tries to Save the World

            As I was googleing a connection to make to the book for my connection I decided to instead on taking some advice that had come to me in a discussion in class today. I clicked on my news tab on my toolbar and it said that there were 1,652 new articles. Of them I search philosophy and believe it or not an article popped up about Peter Singer. I read it and found it to be very interesting. The Australian philosopher explains an idea that I am now very interested in. His explained, in more words, that all of the people in the world could be saved by money or services we could help them with. And to be abrupt about it, all of us buying another house or car for the summer are essentially murderers. He uses a very powerful extended metaphor to help explain his theory. He explains that one wouldn’t walk by a toddler drowning in a pond, so why should we ignore the people and children who are suffering in other countries? Just because they are not dying right in front of our faces? As a result he is proposing a  progressive tax system that would “force” people to pledge between 1% and 2% of their total income to a NGO’s of their choice. I think that in a perfect world this would be a great idea and help many people in the best ways possible though to get something like this passed and approved is much easier said than done. 

O Pablo.

"It was not you, grave death, raptor or iron plumage,

that the drab tenant of such lodgings carried

mixes with his gobbled rations under hollow skin-

rather: a trodden tendril of old rope,

the atom of courage that gave way

or some harsh dew never distilled to sweat.

This could not be reborn, a particle

of death without a requiem,

bare bone or fading church bell dying from within."

-Pablo Neruda

In honor Hispanic Perspectives we are learning about a very famous Chilean poet named Pablo Neruda. In this poem that he wrote (which is part of a book titled “The Heights of Macchu Picchu) he explains people being made up of atoms and also being reborn. Democritus was one of the first philosophers to talk about this type of thinking, in which everything is made up of very tiny particles, the he decided to call atoms. He made a point to discuss how everything is made of up these “atoms” and that each substance is merely a re-combination of the same type of particles. This is what Neruda is trying to say in this excerpt as well. Neruda as explains in an extended metaphor not to be afraid of death. This reasoning connects to the Epicureans belief of not worrying about death because of how much pleasure there is in the world and not to worry about something that cannot be controlled. Even though Nerudas poems are difficult to understand they do have a deeper meaning that can relate to many reality-like, and ethical problems that are present in philosophy. 

Reflection #3

There are many possibilities about what the real missing piece is of this Sophie’s World puzzle, if you will. With all of the information that has been directly and indirectly given to us through the context of the book, I have come to one conclusion. Though, even with my theory there are still some questions in which I cannot explain. I believe that Hilde’s father is in some kind of alternate universe. This is the only way in which he would be able to so all of the so call “magic” that just seems like an incredible coincidence to Sophie.  For example the money, red scarf, the golden cross necklace and also all of the postcard are all evidence of this. We know for a fact that Hilde’s father is behind it all because Alberto has said so many times. Though I am still questioning Albertos’ position in all of this, how does he have the knowledge of a person who can manipulate “reality”? He could be like Norris from the Adjustment Bureau and know the secrets of the universe, but also try to go against them for some reason. At this point I am just very interested to read on and see how the story continues to evolve and eventually shed some light on the real mysteries within the plot. 

It's My Life

In class we have talked about the Hellenistic Periods, and they were very interesting to me. Ever since children are able to talk and learn, parents tell them that they can be whatever they want in life. Whether it is an astronaut, doctor, or president, depending on what their choices are in life and how they make those choices the possibilities are endless. Though with these expectations, children kill themselves throughout school in order to become what they want (or what their parents want for them) though, is it worth it? The Philosophy of Epicurus is very interesting, in the fact that you are almost fated to do something, and because of this why stress out and cause yourself pain when you know that whatever happens to you is supposed to happen. Epicurus strived for pleasure, even in the most painful of situations. To do this he suggested living in the day and not wasting time because there may not be a tomorrow. And even if there is a tomorrow, there is nothing after life. He did not believe in an after life of just a soul or remnants of a memory, he thought of a complete end to who you are.

There are many songs that urge people to take action, or “live like you are dying” though Epicurus didn’t want people to fear death, almost because it wasn’t worth worrying about, and that the affect of you not worrying about it would be greater than the ladder. The song “It’s My Life” yes, by Bon Jovi shows these views by stating that instead of accepting your fate or completely indulging in life’s pleasures, just make a change to make yourself a happier and better person. 

Who am I?.... no... WHO IS SHE?!

            At first the question of who Hilde was, was more or less unimportant to me. I was just focusing on the philosopher and really getting to know Sophie and everything. And yes I had my questions and doubts but it didn’t present itself as such a main problem. Though as the story goes on, the identity behind Hilde is getting to be a more commonly talked about subject. The more and more I learn and hear about Hilde and her dad, and the similarities between them, the more I want to know. The fact that their birthdays are on the same day, and that they are both far away for their fathers, makes me very curious about what other similarities the two may share. Also now that the postcards are CCed to Sopie for Hilde are getting more abundant and we know that they are supposed to be for Sophie. Because of the contents of the postcards I am beginning to think that the philosopher for more than just her curiosity, open mind and availability picked Sophie.  Right now I am just completely stumped, at first I thought it was just a way for the philosopher to communicate with Sophie, or it was apart of some kind of lesson, but now I know that Hilde is much more than just a teaching tool. 

Everything Has Roots.

The more that I learn about all of the philosophers that there were, the more I am astounded about how much they were able to figure out about the world. Especially without any type of scientific devices or anything of that sort. Though philosophers, Anaxagoras and Democritus were closer to the concept of seeds or atoms being the building blocks of life, many had there own perception on how and what everything was made up and of. Empedocles concluded that everything was made up of varying quantities of 4 major element. Earth, Air, Fire and Water. This idea of the 4 basic roots has been picked up by many types of people from Pagans and Wiccans to naturalists. This idea has even made it to nickelodeon and the big screen. Avatar: the Last Airbender, was a show that aired from 2005 to 2008 that took Emedocles thoughts and fantasized them. The directors used the 4 roots to separate a region into four different ethnic-type groups. Which, in each, the people could control one of the four elements. To see how the life work of Empedocles, an extraordinary thinking man, can turn into a children's show, a Blockbuster and the fact that many cultures have adopted his teachings is a pretty widespread denouement.

What if there was no such thing as a hypothetical question?

Sophie was just an average girl who only had worries about normal childish things. Jumping rope, playing games, and gossiping with her friends, were the only activities that consumed Sophie’s time, until now. Sophie was some how selected by a mysterious philosopher that wants  to educate her about the world and how it works. I think that it is amazing how open Sophie is to the ideas and concepts that the philosopher is presenting to her through seemingly random letters in the mail. Sophie lets these ideas consume her day. Many people would just dismiss these ideas or be more curious about who was sending the letters, rather than what the letters entailed. Even when her mother is obviously unhappy with the way she is thinking, she doesn’t let that stop her from expressing her feelings at all. I think what makes this so interesting to me is the fact that she never once was worried about someone stalking her or trying to find her. I think that because of the times we are growing up in, with all of the technological blue prints and cyber-creepers there are in the world, we are unable to trust people we cannot see. And because of this we might be losing out on a lot of knowledge. Finally I think the reason I am enjoying this book so far is because I think it would be so cool to have this happen to me, and the fact there is an element of mystery and real philosophical teachings ties the whole book together for an enjoyable read.