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Philosophy
The aroma of rich soil fills my nostrils, entering my pores. Metallic yet warm, the minerals in the earth resonate with those in my body, soothing me and helping me relax deeper. My body is of the same substances as Earth: carbon-based, mineral-rich, organic. When I die I will be as dirt, soil, fertilizer. My consciousness is something else: I know not what. The earth won't tell me yet.
Birds sing where it is dawn, but not here. Cycles of night and day harmonize with cycles of moon and sun. Piercing cold in the air creates a concept in my mind of winter, time for snow and subtlety and sadness. The earth's tale and tone, though, is joyful; she loves wintertime for its purification and raw potential. Like a period of gestation, winter is womb-time. She comforts me and reminds me that the best way to plan for the future is to breathe fully now.
My breath circulates through my body like the air circulates throughout the globe, touching every atom just as my breath touches all my body's cells. The air I inhale now will never be composed of the same essence; entering me it is transformed, taken apart, broken up into pieces so my organs can place them back together like a jigsaw puzzle. Likewise, my out-breath is unique and transformative, its molecules hovering in the air far away by the time I write this, perhaps sucked in by that plant.
I ask the earth about pain and she replies with laughter and a smile. "Like is full of pain," she says with mirth. Her humor astounds me. "Look at my creatures," she reminds me. "Which of them is not funny?"
I wonder. I think of zebras. Of porcupines. Of duck-billed platypuses. Of saguaro cacti, octopi. I think of termites laughing cruelly at the human dwellings from which they feast. Nature has her own sense of humor: odd at times and twisted, but crazily funny nonetheless. Her lessons remind me to pay more attention and listen for the punch line. When we miss it, we feel sorrow and despair. When we hear it, our sadness becomes so pure and powerful that it almost instantly becomes transformed into joy.
Philosophy Analyzing Rembrandt The following paper is a response to questions regarding the painting, "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer." The painting was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1653. It is oil on canvas and access to the painting is gained by the website of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, physically located in New York City. The paper will first contextualize the painting, trying to situated in history and establish a historical
Philosophy Matrix II Ancient Quest for Truth Philosophy Matrix II: Ancient Quest for Truth Use the matrix to analyze Plato and Aristotle's theory of knowledge and apply both to current day practices. In the first column, using the readings about Plato's search for truth and his theories of knowledge, discuss how contemporary people may be living in a cave and which steps, based on Plato's model of the Divided Line, will be necessary for
By "personal" and "social" goals, I meant the achievement of ideals set by the individual for himself/herself and for the society in general, respectively. Education and learning gained from it is meaningless if the individual cannot enjoy and optimize it to achieve his/her own needs and aspirations in life. However, similarly, one's success in achieving his/her aspirations becomes irrelevant if these achievements do not benefit society. A recognize the need
Berkley stated that because the senses were potentially faulty, everyone's sense perceptions and thus everyone's 'truth' was unique and variable. However, most empiricists like Locke believed that some (few) things could be known with certainty, like shape and color, even if other properties of things could not be known. The empiricists come from the Aristotelian rather than the Platonic tradition of philosophy, and had rigorous standards of truth based upon
Philosophies of Life: Personal and Traditional When one considers the many aspects of one's "inner life," it becomes clear that most, if not all of them are based upon some philosophical conception. Psychologists have long known that individuals, who have a strong sense of their life's purpose, as well as a spiritual, religious, or ethical viewpoint, tend to live longer, healthier lives. Further, they are less likely to suffer from depressive episodes
However, when looking more closely at the specific philosophy suggested by Socrates, a more specific view appears to suggest itself. Socrates appears to favor the view that true knowledge is only possible once the soul separates itself from the body. For Socrates, the sense, i.e. touch, hearing, sight, taste, and smell only distract what he refers to as the "soul" from truly experiencing the nature of the external world. According