Connection #7--Movie

So I know I talk about supernatural stuff a lot on this thing, but I just see a lot of philosophy in it, I guess. In most of the fantasy-like shows and movies out there, the heroine and other characters often have a hard time accepting that there is more out there. This reminded me of how many of the philosophers we have studied (more of the earlier ones) that had big opinions of whether or not to rely on what our senses are telling us. In the shows/movies they almost always say “Are you crazy?” Because it really does sound crazy.

 I remember a line in The Santa Clause where Judy the elf tells Tim Allen (playing Santa) that “Seeing isn’t believing; believing in seeing.” What a deep elf, I know. I, personally, do have to see something to believe it. Proof all the way. Judy says this is because the imagination or whatever grows out of adults. That’s why we can’t believe in Santa anymore.

Sophie's World #7

The last chapter Albert wrote for Hilde reminded me of Descartes’ evil genius theory. In that last chapter basically everything is crazy –people are acting very strange and impossible things are happening. Let me just say that the Joanna and Jeremy thing was so, so weird. They were making out and taking off each other’s clothes in full view of their friends and parents! Anyway, the evil genius theory says that there is a god-like being that creates a world of illusion and deception. So basically you doubt everything, including your very existence. Sophie and Alberto know that they are in a story, but they are trapped. This reminded me of both The Adjustment Bureau and Inception because in both movies, there are forces against the main characters that are trying to control them and put strange obstacles in their paths.

I also have six pages left of the book that I am excited to finish. I really hope it will be a good ending or else I will be disappointed.

Sophie's World #6

So I just finished reading the Darwin chapter in the book. I have to say, it was a little boring. The book picked up a couple chapters back with all the new discoveries about Sophie and Hilde, but now it’s declining again. Hopefully more new stuff will happen soon because I can’t concentrate.
Anyway, the chapter was obviously on Charles Darwin. He made a lot of scientific discoveries on things like natural vs. artificial selection, adaptations, evolution, etc. I’m in Environmental Science and we just had a whole unit on evolution and adaptations, so this was boring reading about it again. However, I thought it was interesting how he discovered it all, especially natural and artificial selection. I am interested in biology, so I thought it was cool. Yep.

Connection #6--Culture

                We know that people involved in politics hold back information from us. The question is whether this is the right choice. Do politicians earn the right to have more information than other citizens? Personally, I feel that the majority of information should be available to the public. I do not see why they deserve to have more information than other people. However, I think things of danger may be held back or else chaos would occur. This really depends, though, on the degree on danger. Let’s say a nuclear bomb was about to hit and there was absolutely no way to stop it. I think in that case, telling the people would just cause unnecessary stress and panic. Actually, I’m not sure if I agree with that. I’d want the chance to say my goodbyes. I don’t know. Anyway, the government holds back information that isn’t a danger to us as well, which isn’t right in my book. They aren’t doing it for the well being of the public; which in Kant’s mind, is wrong because they aren’t choosing the moral path for the right reasons.

<-- I typed in government conspiracy on google and found this...

Connection #5--Book

In my Science Fiction class, we are reading a book called Ender’s Game. The book is based on a six year old boy who goes to battle school to learn how to fight off these aliens called buggers. It goes through the years Ender spends at the school and shows how the teachers are manipulating him into becoming the best commander ever. When you are at these schools, you can’t speak to any of your family members until a certain age, and no one of the outside world really knows what happens at these schools. This made me think about what the government could make us do in our reality that we might not even know about or be able to change. There could be another world out there with aliens who want to destroy us simply for not understanding this. This sounds a little more science fiction than philosophy, but I think it can be both as it goes into other realities and moralities. Such as, does the government have the right to keep things from its public? I personally think we should be aware of any possible danger. That way we can be ready for anything to come or not be as taken aback if whatever it is someday attacks or communicate or whatever. Secrets are hardly ever good ideas.

Sophie's World #5

Hilde finally talks to her father! I am still unsure of what Hilde’s father is trying to get from his book to his daughter. Hilde stills thinks that Sophie and Albert are actually real. I like how we are seeing the story from both Hilde and Sophie’s point of view. That way you get more knowledge than the two of them separate, and you also see similar events happening such as Hilde’s father coming home and Sophie having a party --both celebrations.

Sophie’s world (I didn’t mean that as the book title) is definitely getting stranger. We’re seeing more “romantic irony” from Albert which shows his control over every aspect in Sophie’s life. Now things like little boys named Aladdin are showing up with lamps that spill out spirits and stuff. Odd. I do think it is an interesting touch though. I want to see what else Albert changes in Sophie’s reality.

Sophie's World #4

I just want to say I typed this whole blog out and then I exed out of the freaking tab after I pasted it on here and exed out of microsoft world. So here it goes AGAIN!

Yes! The point of view finally changed to Hilde. I thought it was interesting how all the things Sophie found like the scarf and wallet were actually Hilde’s lost things, for real. However, I don’t get how Sophie can see the image in the mirror winking with both eyes but Hilde can’t. What does that even mean? How can a person wink with both eyes? Wouldn’t that just be blinking…I really hope they explain that.

I like how we’re finally getting some information on Albert, Sophie’s father. There are still many, many blanks about him though. I don’t understand how he knows all this information on philosophy and Hilde’s life. It just seems like some of the details are impossible to know. Who knows? I hope the book shows when Albert comes home on Midsummer’s Eve because I really want to find out more about Albert’s behaviors, mannerisms, etc. He seems to be an interesting guy…

<----- what came up when I typed in "wink with both eyes"
           ...didn't solve anything for me.