Monday, March 31, 2008
Human Understanding (Locke) page 92 (8)
"This is certain, that whatever alterations are made in the body, if they reach not the mind; whatever impressions are made on the outward parts, if they are not taken notice of within; there is no perception." I believe this is a good point Locke makes about the distinction between the mind and the body. The two have to be linked in order to feel. The mind and the body are not so much two different identity's as much as they are actually good friends working together. In order for the body to recognize and perceive any feeling; it has to be registered in the mind in order for the body to understand what is going on and what is happening.
Human Understanding (Locke) page 92 (2)
"Whoever reflects on what passes in his own mind, can not miss it; and if he does not reflect, all the words in the world cannot make him have any notion of it."
Very true. We cannot not think about what we see. What does it mean to ignore? When we ignore, I'm assuming, we perceive but we don't think about it?
LOCKE ON POWER/MIND AND BODY PG. 163-167 BOOK 2
"The mind being every day informed, by the senses, of the alteration of those simple ideas it observes in things without, and take notice how one comes to an end and ceases to be, and another begins to exist which was not before"
In this paragraph Locke talks about how the mind has the power to take in new information without knowing it. the mind is so powerful that it creates new ideas from a variety of things that it sees and perceives to be important on a regular basis. He says that everyday your senses are working together as one to create and recreate simple and new ideas. But what is this power called and how does it work? this question is unclear to me. If there is a "power" that helps us to manage, create, and change our ideas then where is the proof that it actually exist? I think this power is just our brain at work doing what it was made to do. I think our mind is suppose to help us manage and understand human interaction and the thoughts that surround life. This power that Locke talks about to me is nothing but a mere cry for help to draw attention to the fact that this power has consumed his mind and he does not know how to maintain his thoughts in a orderly fashion.
Locke goes on to say that there are two powers, will and understanding. he believes that the power that we are born with or that we begin with is will. But if we are born with this power dont we have the power also to refuse this will and/or these powers? People have the ability to chose what they want to do and what they do not want to do and what they want to think and not to think. If that is the case then people have the power to disagree with the thoughts and ideas that they are born with. I think that a person is born with certain ideas based on how they perceive the things around them not because they are born to believe them. The second power which is understanding is said to be how a person perceives the ideas in the mind, the significance of signs, and the connexion or repugancy, agreement or disagreement, that there is between any of our ideas. Everyone has their own way of perceiving certain things. People are going to have certain opinions about things regardless of how another looks at it. The mind helps people to look at things a specific way and everyones mind does not work the same way. I do not think that people will ever perceive the same thing the exact same way. people will always have the power to chose what the want to believe. In my opinion I think
that the mind has a lot of room to ponder life's many aspects and that the mind does have power but it is unknown to what extent the power is taken depending upon the person.
In this paragraph Locke talks about how the mind has the power to take in new information without knowing it. the mind is so powerful that it creates new ideas from a variety of things that it sees and perceives to be important on a regular basis. He says that everyday your senses are working together as one to create and recreate simple and new ideas. But what is this power called and how does it work? this question is unclear to me. If there is a "power" that helps us to manage, create, and change our ideas then where is the proof that it actually exist? I think this power is just our brain at work doing what it was made to do. I think our mind is suppose to help us manage and understand human interaction and the thoughts that surround life. This power that Locke talks about to me is nothing but a mere cry for help to draw attention to the fact that this power has consumed his mind and he does not know how to maintain his thoughts in a orderly fashion.
Locke goes on to say that there are two powers, will and understanding. he believes that the power that we are born with or that we begin with is will. But if we are born with this power dont we have the power also to refuse this will and/or these powers? People have the ability to chose what they want to do and what they do not want to do and what they want to think and not to think. If that is the case then people have the power to disagree with the thoughts and ideas that they are born with. I think that a person is born with certain ideas based on how they perceive the things around them not because they are born to believe them. The second power which is understanding is said to be how a person perceives the ideas in the mind, the significance of signs, and the connexion or repugancy, agreement or disagreement, that there is between any of our ideas. Everyone has their own way of perceiving certain things. People are going to have certain opinions about things regardless of how another looks at it. The mind helps people to look at things a specific way and everyones mind does not work the same way. I do not think that people will ever perceive the same thing the exact same way. people will always have the power to chose what the want to believe. In my opinion I think
that the mind has a lot of room to ponder life's many aspects and that the mind does have power but it is unknown to what extent the power is taken depending upon the person.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
John Locke on Ideas
"Light being that which discovers to us visible objects, we give the name of 'obscure' to that which is not placed in a light sufficient to discover minutely to us the figure and colours which are observable in it, and which in a better light would be discernible." -John Locke, p. 289 Ch. XXIX
John Locke tells us that ideas can be separated into clear and obscure. Clear ideas are like simple ideas. When the mind sees a simple idea it is imprinted in the mind and can be easily reproduced to the mind later on exactly the way it was originally stored. Obscure ideas are just like complex ideas. Complex ideas are made up a number of small simple ideas. Sometimes these imprinted ideas are lost in the mind. This happens sometimes because the original idea was not significant enough for the mind to remember them or sometimes because the mind is too weak to be able to reproduce the memory.
John Locke tells us that ideas can be separated into clear and obscure. Clear ideas are like simple ideas. When the mind sees a simple idea it is imprinted in the mind and can be easily reproduced to the mind later on exactly the way it was originally stored. Obscure ideas are just like complex ideas. Complex ideas are made up a number of small simple ideas. Sometimes these imprinted ideas are lost in the mind. This happens sometimes because the original idea was not significant enough for the mind to remember them or sometimes because the mind is too weak to be able to reproduce the memory.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Human Understanding (Locke) page 86 (12)
Locke touches on the significance between the mind and the body when he says "If, then, external objects be not united to our minds when they produce ideas in it, and yet we perceive these original qualities in such of them as singly fall under our senses, it is evident that some motion must be thence continued by our nerves or animal spirits, by some parts of our bodies, to the brain or the seat of sensation, there to produce in our minds the particular ideas we have of them." What I'm getting is that although everything outside of our minds is in no way connected we build an understanding in our minds by using our "senses" which are an extension of our bodies.
Human Understanding (Locke) page 86 (11)
When Locke explains that we perceive things such as colors and ideas through our impulses leads me to think that we all have the same impulses. I cant quite figure out what he means considering that he doesn't elaborate.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Human Understanding (Locke) page 87 (15)
Locke sounds a lot like Descartes in this paragraph where he states "...the ideas of primary qualities of bodies are resemblances of them, and their patterns do really exist in the bodies themselves...They are, in the bodies we denominate from them, only a power to produce those sensations in us..." Descartes also said something along those lines where he stated that what we assume we are learning we actually know and in fact are deriving these new experiences from our forgotten knowledge. This has something to do with the mind and body where our bodies already know what types of sensations we will feel given the circumstances and our minds only have to remind us of something we have forgotten. Its all very confusing but that's kind of where I stand with this paragraph. Any suggestions?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thoughts
"What I believe must be considered above all here is the fact that I find within me countless ideas of certain things, that, even if perhaps they do not exist anywhere outside me, still cannot be said to be nothing." Descartes- Meditations 5 p. 88
Descartes is basically saying that you should not dismiss ideas or thoughts that do not seem to have any proof in the real world. They should not be dismissed as nothing. I believe that if you feel strong enough about something but there isn't any proof you should pursue the thought regardless of how hard it might be to find out the truth.
Descartes is basically saying that you should not dismiss ideas or thoughts that do not seem to have any proof in the real world. They should not be dismissed as nothing. I believe that if you feel strong enough about something but there isn't any proof you should pursue the thought regardless of how hard it might be to find out the truth.
The Mind's Hidden Thoughts
"Their truth is so open and so much in accord with my nature that, when I first discover them, it seems I am not so much learning something new as recalling something I knew beforehand. " Descartes- Meditations 5 p. 87
Descartes says his newfound thoughts seem so much like a part of him that he feels like he knew them all along. His mental gaze just never focused on them. I think it could also be that maybe his thoughts were confusing so he unknowingly dismissed them but found them again later when something triggered the thought.
Descartes says his newfound thoughts seem so much like a part of him that he feels like he knew them all along. His mental gaze just never focused on them. I think it could also be that maybe his thoughts were confusing so he unknowingly dismissed them but found them again later when something triggered the thought.
Descartes on Doubt
"Yet, before inquiring whether any such things exist outside me, I surely ought to consider the ideas of these things, insofar as they exist in my thought, and see which ones are distinct and which ones are confused." Descartes-Meditation 5- p. 87
Descartes seems pretty adamant about freeing himself from doubt. He feels as if he should weed out all of the thoughts that are not concrete. One should examine whether or not certain thoughts in the mind are distinct or confused and also which ones stand out the most. I think can be applied to most people's lives. One should find out what they know for sure and then go from there.
Descartes seems pretty adamant about freeing himself from doubt. He feels as if he should weed out all of the thoughts that are not concrete. One should examine whether or not certain thoughts in the mind are distinct or confused and also which ones stand out the most. I think can be applied to most people's lives. One should find out what they know for sure and then go from there.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
On the first page of Locke's essay, he talks about how understanding is what sets man apart from other animals and species. He talks about how humans are dominant because they are born to understand certain things and aspects of life. Humans have a way of communicating with others and using their brains to solve compliated problems. No other animal or species can do this or anything close to it. Humans are dominant because they are the only species that can think logically, speak intelligently for the most part, and have religion which make up a society. I agree with Locke when he says that it is an advantage to be human because we have certain privileges that other species do not.
I found it very interesting that he says that the eye makes it possible to perceive things and see them but it can not see itelf. I never thought about that. The eye can be used for many things and is very sensitive when touch or something gets in it but it can not see itself only its reflection. People see themselves only in the way they want to so maybe when people look in the mirror and see there reflection that is the person they are and the person everyone else sees is the real them.
I found it very interesting that he says that the eye makes it possible to perceive things and see them but it can not see itelf. I never thought about that. The eye can be used for many things and is very sensitive when touch or something gets in it but it can not see itself only its reflection. People see themselves only in the way they want to so maybe when people look in the mirror and see there reflection that is the person they are and the person everyone else sees is the real them.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
I also noticed that Descartes mentions geometrical shapes and triangles alot in Part 5 of Meditations. He talks about how the angles fit together to make the triangle which is the same way the Trinity is created in 3 parts. God the father, Jesus the son, and the holy ghost. They all join together to create a holy, perfect, and almighty supreme being.
In Meditations Part 5 Descartes talks about the existence and the essence of God. I totally agree with him in this argument. He says that he believes that God does exist because he feels that there has to be a presence of a perfect and supreme being. He can't even imagine his life without God and without his existence. Many scientist say that God does not existence because you can not physically see him or touch him but alot of people can certain feel his presence. But you can not see or touch air either so isn't it fair to say that air does not existence for the same reasons that scientist say that God does not existence?
I also noticed that Descartes mentions geometrical shapes and triangles alot in Part 5 of Meditations. He talks about how the angles fit together to make the triangle which is the same way the Trinity is created in 3 parts. God the father, Jesus the son, and the holy ghost. They all join together to create a holy, perfect, and almighty supreme being.
In Meditations Part 5 Descartes talks about the existence and the essence of God. I totally agree with him in this argument. He says that he believes that God does exist because he feels that there has to be a presence of a perfect and supreme being. He can't even imagine his life without God and without his existence. Many scientist say that God does not existence because you can not physically see him or touch him but alot of people can certain feel his presence. But you can not see or touch air either so isn't it fair to say that air does not existence for the same reasons that scientist say that God does not existence?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The third maxim expresses the idea that people dont really have control over anything but their thoughts. I think that this is true only to a certain extent. People dont have control over things like natural disasters and a couple of other things but for the most part people control what they choose to control. There are many things in the world that can be controlled but most people choose not until its too late. For example, global warming, low oil, and most traffic accidents. Descartes says "after we have done our best regarding things external to us, everything that is lacking for us to succeed is, from our point of view, absolutely impossible". This has some truth in it because some things are just out of our control and have to be left in God's hands. I believe that all things happen for a reason and sometimes things like wealth are not meant for everybody. Some people are content with just the necessities and to them just having what they absolutely need is being successful. In the third maxim he talks alot about having only they things he needed and that is what mad him happy. He didnt need a bunch of valuable material things like cars, eating at fancy resturants every night, or big expensive houses to make him happy. I totally agree with him when he says that, but it would be nice to have all those things. I think that people just have to work hard for what they want until they get it. Just because they dont have it when they want it does not mean they will never get it. People just have to wait until it is there time to get the things they that want.
The third maxim expresses the idea that people dont really have control over anything but their thoughts. I think that this is true only to a certain extent. People dont have control over things like natural disasters and a couple of other things but for the most part people control what they choose to control. There are many things in the world that can be controlled but most people choose not until its too late. For example, global warming, low oil, and most traffic accidents. Descartes says "after we have done our best regarding things external to us, everything that is lacking for us to succeed is, from our point of view, absolutely impossible". This has some truth in it because some things are just out of our control and have to be left in God's hands. I believe that all things happen for a reason and sometimes things like wealth are not meant for everybody. Some people are content with just the necessities and to them just having what they absolutely need is being successful. In the third maxim he talks alot about having only they things he needed and that is what mad him happy. He didnt need a bunch of valuable material things like cars, eating at fancy resturants every night, or big expensive houses to make him happy. I totally agree with him when he says that, but it would be nice to have all those things. I think that people just have to work hard for what they want until they get it. Just because they dont have it when they want it does not mean they will never get it. People just have to wait until it is there time to get the things they that want.
Friday, February 1, 2008
The first maxim of Descartes book in part 3 talks about how it was important to him to obey the laws of his country and the importance of religion. Growing up with his family at a young age he was instilled with certain values and guidelines to insure that he would try to better himself. To me this means that as a child most people are raised with certain rules that they are suppose to follow. People are brought up to follow religion and certain customs of their families. Descartes values played a huge part in becoming the man he wanted to be and he made sure that he lived up to the expectations of himself and his family.
The first maxim of Descartes book in part 3 talks about how it was important to him to obey the laws of his country and the importance of religion. Growing up with his family at a young age he was instilled with certain values and guidelines to insure that he would try to better himself. To me this means that as a child most people are raised with certain rules that they are suppose to follow. People are brought up to follow religion and certain customs of their families. Descartes values played a huge part in becoming the man he wanted to be and he made sure that he lived up to the expectations of himself and his family.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Cellphone Blogging!
Hello. By the way I found out that there is an option on Blogger's home page where you can blog from your cellphone that is of course if you have a cell that can send MMS messages. If you have this option this would make it alot easier for us to post on the fly as far as class is concerned there by giving us some room to breath so that no matter where we are, as long as we have our books with us, we can post our comments and create new threads. If you have any questions just email me. kolic33@aol.com
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