Which of the theories of human nature in the Stevenson book do you find most persuasive and why? Use specific examples. You don’t have to commit to just one theory, you can pick and choose from various theories.
This should be a lively threaded discussion. . .
This should be a lively threaded discussion. . .
Melissa Brown, Josh Daugherty, Christine Huck, April Husak, Alexis Fangman
ReplyDeleteThe members of our group identify strongly with their preferred theories because of their own personal influences and experiences. They range from complete lack of exposure to almost over-exposure.
For Christine, she identifies strongly with Kant and Sartre.
For Melissa, she identifies with Buddhism.
For April, she identifies with Buddhism and Sartre.
For Alexis, she identifies with Buddhism and The Bible.
For Josh, he identifies with Kant.
I feel that Buddhism is the most persuasive to me as I think it best reflects how I like to look at life, and how I would like to be in my life. However, most times I am quite the opposite, stressed out and worried about everything that is or isn't happening in my life. I think that Buddhism would help me to remain more calm and live a happier life.
DeleteAre there one or two practices you could adopt which might bring more calmness in your life? Small, manageable changes which you could start now and reassess at the end of the term? Maybe others have some suggestions?
DeleteI think I just need to try and take a step back on a lot of things and try not to get worked up so much about things. Just let life happen and try not to be so planned out and organized, the whole type A personality. Also, to take some much needed quiet time to just reflect back on the day or even events that are perhaps going on at the time. Or just to sit and relax. It seems as though ever since I moved down here life has been more fast paced then I am probably used to, and just so many changes that I am trying to adjust the best that I can. So, being able to have that mental discipline with myself to be more aware of my feelings, mind and thoughts.
DeleteWhen I mentioned in our group that I strongly identified with Sartre and Kant, no one was shocked. Which, I guess would please Sartre since it implies that I'm living the lifestyle which I most identify with. It's safe to say that I don't completely follow and/or "buy" any view of human nature. Which, to me makes sense. After all, we're all still struggling to cobble in the holes with our own experiences. But the following elements of each man's theories ring true to me.
DeleteFirst, Kant really focused on the idea of authentically motivated action. This concept is as groundbreaking now as it was when he proposed it. Human beings tend to act in ways which will bring them perceived reward (in some way, shape, or form). Kant's belief that one should do the right thing merely because it's the right thing (and not because it is expected) is lovely. Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons negates the action entirely. It comes down to authenticity... honesty, if you will. And, for me, personally, after a lifetime of dishonesty and deception, that sounds phenomenal.
Second, Sartre's belief in violent honesty is also appealing. We all know people who lie to themselves about the current state of their situations/lives. Are those people truly happy? No. They are incapable of accepting their realities. They don't act from a place of authenticity; don't believe from a place of authenticity; don't do anything from a place of authenticity. For Sartre, even if these people wished to act in ways which completely contradicted all social norms, it would be acceptable. They are embracing their true nature. This gets problematic when one considers individual rights. But the guiding principle here is sound. If something doesn't feel right to you, don't do it. Don't conform to accepted norms just because they're accepted norms. Those change every decade. *cue punk rock anarchist music....*
Existentialism is a sense of disorientation in an absurd world. I like how it says that each person is responsible for giving meaning to life and living it "authentically". I agree with the absurd that nothing has more meaning than what we give it. Each person can put a level of meaning onto something and those levels may not match. Who are we to determine what leave of meaning a certain cup has unless that cup has come from your great relative that has passed away? I also agree with the factitity of this concept in that our past is what defines us. If someone goes through something it effects and changes how that person will react in a future situation similar to a past one. Who we were yesterday effects who we are today. I semi agree with angst only because I do not feel like people should expect bad things to happen to them but we do. Our past has told us and shown us that bad things will end up happening and there is nothing we can do to stop it. So we are anxiety as a whole society for the "doom" to come and get us. Because of that our society is in full despair almost. We have a large loss of hope in everything almost except that bad things will happen and we will have to work harder to maintain the life we currently have.
ReplyDeleteSorry but I am a negative person right now. :)
Tyler Combs, Jake McBee, Chris Bowman, Will Wietmarschen, Penny:
ReplyDeleteWe agree that Christianity is the most persuasive theory of Human Nature. Most of the reason would be that we all have grown up in the Christian Community. The concepts seem to make more sense to us. The ideas are not as complex as Hinduism or Buddhism. Confucianism does not necessarily have a central deity but is more of a philosophy theology of how to achieve benevolence. Confucianism and Christianity do not agree in the sense that there is a predetermined destiny in Confucianism.
David Reed and Michael Morris:
ReplyDeleteSetting our past experiences with Christianity aside, we were persuaded the most with Kant's theory of human nature. In western culture we often perceive religion and science as two different sides of a coin, when really they should be considered two different explanations for our reality and how we experience it. We are curious beings, always seeking what is truth and why it is the truth.