pg 16
This poem, again, reminds me of Socrates. It describes the life cycles, not quite as compulsively and intensely as Socrates, though.
“Things grow and grow, But each goes back to its root.” This is an example of the life cycles that Socrates describes.
The Tao is describing how people may grow and change, but they will always come back to their original state in the end.
The part where it says “Tao endures. Your body dies. There is no danger” is almost exactly Socrates’ argument. He says to not be afraid of death because your soul will keep going; that being afraid of death is foolish because your body doesn’t really matter.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tao Favor
pg 13
"Favor debases us. Afraid when we get it, Afraid when we lose it."
I definitely agree with what this poem points out. It’s true – when we gain the favor of someone (a friend, a teacher, a peer) we are suspicious. We enjoy the compliment of having the favor, but still we are a little suspicious - especially if the favor is spontaneous. But, even though we’re suspicious, we still strive to maintain it – We’re afraid that we’ll lose it.
"Favor debases us. Afraid when we get it, Afraid when we lose it."
I definitely agree with what this poem points out. It’s true – when we gain the favor of someone (a friend, a teacher, a peer) we are suspicious. We enjoy the compliment of having the favor, but still we are a little suspicious - especially if the favor is spontaneous. But, even though we’re suspicious, we still strive to maintain it – We’re afraid that we’ll lose it.
Emptiness
pg 11
"Thirty spokes join one hub. The wheel's use comes from emptiness. Clay is fired to make a pot. The pot's use comes from emptiness. Windows and doors are cut to make a room. The room's use comes from emptiness...Having leads to profit. Not having leads to use."
This poem adheres to almost Socratic logic. There are given examples and then results. I think that it’s a very logical, viable argument. This idea of emptiness is definitely something to ponder. It’s seems so easy to get your head around, but it’s still so confusing. But it seems to work. I’m drinking hot chocolate right now…without emptiness, my mug would be useless.
"Thirty spokes join one hub. The wheel's use comes from emptiness. Clay is fired to make a pot. The pot's use comes from emptiness. Windows and doors are cut to make a room. The room's use comes from emptiness...Having leads to profit. Not having leads to use."
This poem adheres to almost Socratic logic. There are given examples and then results. I think that it’s a very logical, viable argument. This idea of emptiness is definitely something to ponder. It’s seems so easy to get your head around, but it’s still so confusing. But it seems to work. I’m drinking hot chocolate right now…without emptiness, my mug would be useless.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tao Te Ching - pg 8
I really enjoy this book of poetry. It's simple but very powerful.
The first poem that caught my eye was on page 8 - the list of rules and suggestions that can help you become close to the Tao
"Live in a good place. Keep your mind deep. Treat others well. Stand by your word. Make fair rules. Do the right thing. Work when it's time."
This seems to me like a really good guide to live your life by. All the noble qualities and characteristics are represented.
However, the next two lines of the poem are a little tricky. "Only do not contend, And you will not go wrong."
I wrote down next to it...'don't ask questions and you'll never be wrong or mistaken.' I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. Questions are a learning experience. Being wrong allows you to understand the qualities given above and strive towards them.
The first poem that caught my eye was on page 8 - the list of rules and suggestions that can help you become close to the Tao
"Live in a good place. Keep your mind deep. Treat others well. Stand by your word. Make fair rules. Do the right thing. Work when it's time."
This seems to me like a really good guide to live your life by. All the noble qualities and characteristics are represented.
However, the next two lines of the poem are a little tricky. "Only do not contend, And you will not go wrong."
I wrote down next to it...'don't ask questions and you'll never be wrong or mistaken.' I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. Questions are a learning experience. Being wrong allows you to understand the qualities given above and strive towards them.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sameness vs Opposites Attract
As we were discussing Darwin in class today, a little motto/mantra popped into my head - "Opposites attract."
According to Darwin, however, we search for sameness. How did this motto come into being??
According to Darwin, however, we search for sameness. How did this motto come into being??
Darwin - Close Interbreeding
I'm really interested in Environmental Science, so Darwin makes a lot of sense to me. One of the most interesting things that I've read in Darwin is the arguments he makes about close interbreeding.
"...that close interbreeding diminishes vigour and fertility..." pg 185
This lack of genetic variation is demonstrated in the diminishing cheetah populations. As more cheetahs die out...the remaining cheetahs interbreed with each other. Over and over again...reducing the genetic variation drastically. Without genetic variation, as Darwin states, there is no chance for selection. If a disease were to come upon the cheetahs, there would be no hope. There is no variation in the gene pool. The disease would affect them all without mercy and without any chance for survival for any of the cheetahs.
"...that close interbreeding diminishes vigour and fertility..." pg 185
This lack of genetic variation is demonstrated in the diminishing cheetah populations. As more cheetahs die out...the remaining cheetahs interbreed with each other. Over and over again...reducing the genetic variation drastically. Without genetic variation, as Darwin states, there is no chance for selection. If a disease were to come upon the cheetahs, there would be no hope. There is no variation in the gene pool. The disease would affect them all without mercy and without any chance for survival for any of the cheetahs.
Obviously, Plato has never been snorkeling...
As I was looking back through Phaedo for some quotes for my essay...I read this:
"Nothing worth mentioning grows in the sea, nothing, one might say, is fully developed; there are caves and sand and endless slime and mud wherever there is earth - nothing comparable in any way with the beauties of our region."
Finally. Socrates has gotten something wrong. He is not all-knowing. Which makes me feel a little better. It's a thrilling moment. He has it completely wrong, if you ask me.
The ocean ecosystems are some of the most detailed and developed ones that you can find. Poor Socrates must never have experienced the joys of snorkeling or deep-sea diving. You would think that, logically, Socrates wouldn't knock something he's never tried or researched extensively...I guess not.
"Nothing worth mentioning grows in the sea, nothing, one might say, is fully developed; there are caves and sand and endless slime and mud wherever there is earth - nothing comparable in any way with the beauties of our region."
Finally. Socrates has gotten something wrong. He is not all-knowing. Which makes me feel a little better. It's a thrilling moment. He has it completely wrong, if you ask me.
The ocean ecosystems are some of the most detailed and developed ones that you can find. Poor Socrates must never have experienced the joys of snorkeling or deep-sea diving. You would think that, logically, Socrates wouldn't knock something he's never tried or researched extensively...I guess not.
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