For my tribute for Aristotle, I organized my music files on my computer. It was something I really needed to do, but couldn't motivate myself to do it. Thanks to this project I was given motivation and I'm glad that this project is finally out of the way.
Before beginning to organize my music I realized I was facing a daunting task. I had let my music stack up unorganized for such a long time. I had music saved in files and CDs on my computer I had never transfered to my itunes library. Also, I must admit I do some downloading and all of my downloaded songs didn't have the right names or they didn't have artist or album names. TO give you an idea there were over one hundred of these songs. I was going to have to listen to most of this music just to find out what it is and then transfer it to my library then to my itunes. "This is gonna take awhile," I thought.
I decided I would do this project over the course of Thanksgiving break, a little bit at a time. It was just the opposite of what I thought it would be. It was easy and moved relatively fast. It may have only gone fast because I enjoyed myself. It was relaxing going back and rediscovering this music. It was almost like I had lost my music and late at night over break I found it while organizing. It was a good way to unwind after a long day. I would just sit down at my computer and listen to songs while I typed in the names and artists and albums. After I finished it was nice not only because of the music that I discovered, but what I discovered about myself.
I discovered that organization is a feeling. It is something that you feel in the back of your mind and having less on your mind allows for more relaxation. Although not having my music organized doesn't seem like a big deal, it gave me a feeling of accomplishment and got one more little thing I had to do off my back. I now know that if I can continue to take care of these little things that I procrastinate about then I will be a much lessed stressed out person. I also know how much music I really have.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Best of Week: Which Hellenistic Class Do You Agree With?
On Tuesday, we talked about all the different Hellenistic classes of thought. There were five main philosophies, all of them very interesting. There were the Cynics, the Stoics, the Epicureans, the Neoplatonists and the Mystics. Each group in class was given a Hellenistic group to research and then would have to return to the class and report on their specific groups and their philosophy. After each group had presented, each individual in class was told to choose which Hellenistic school of thought they thought their beliefs best fit under.
I really liked this assignment because it was interactive and interesting and people got a chance to really search themselves and I think that helped everyone understand the philosophies better. It was also interesting to see who I agreed with and who didn't. I also like hearing my classmate's explanations of why they chose the group they did.
The overall class results were approximately this:
Cynics: 2
Stoics: 1
Epicureans: 6
Neoplatonists: 2
Mystics: 3
None of the Above: 6
I was in the epicureans. I probably could have gone in the none of the above as I don't feel too strongly about any of the philosophies, but I decided to choose one and Epicureans was the one I thought I could believe in most. Here's a breakdown of my thoughts on each group ending with why I chose the Epicureans.
Cynics: I like the Cynics ideas. They believe that material things are not necessary for happiness. I totally wish I agreed with that, but I don't. I wish I could just go out in the woods and live off the land, but I know I won't. Desire is human nature. People always want things and including me. Especially in this material world we live in now, and being an American teenager I honestly don't think I would be happy.
Stoics: They basically reject emotion and I would find it hard to live a life without pain and suffering or without love, happiness and joy.
Neoplatonists and Mystics: I am not really a religous person and just find it hard to buy into either of these philosophies which both involve a higher being. Of all the philosophies I wish I could be a mystic because I like the idea of strongly believing in a God and coming so close to your God that he almost takes you over. It would be perfection to meet God.
Epicureans: The epicureans are all about indulging in pleasures. Sure they believe that to much of something at once can be bad, but they believe, contrary to cynics and stoics, that emotion and material things are good if they bring pleasure and happiness. I believe, on Earth, our goal should just be to obtain true happiness and have fun. We should love and do what we love. They also believe that after death there is nothing, so we don't have to worry about punishment in a next life. I would like their to be an after-life, that's how I feel about death. I'm not worried about dying because I know if there isn't after life I won't know it cause there will be literal nothingness.
So, I guess as far as in class Hellenism goes, I guess you can call me an Epicurean.
I really liked this assignment because it was interactive and interesting and people got a chance to really search themselves and I think that helped everyone understand the philosophies better. It was also interesting to see who I agreed with and who didn't. I also like hearing my classmate's explanations of why they chose the group they did.
The overall class results were approximately this:
Cynics: 2
Stoics: 1
Epicureans: 6
Neoplatonists: 2
Mystics: 3
None of the Above: 6
I was in the epicureans. I probably could have gone in the none of the above as I don't feel too strongly about any of the philosophies, but I decided to choose one and Epicureans was the one I thought I could believe in most. Here's a breakdown of my thoughts on each group ending with why I chose the Epicureans.
Cynics: I like the Cynics ideas. They believe that material things are not necessary for happiness. I totally wish I agreed with that, but I don't. I wish I could just go out in the woods and live off the land, but I know I won't. Desire is human nature. People always want things and including me. Especially in this material world we live in now, and being an American teenager I honestly don't think I would be happy.
Stoics: They basically reject emotion and I would find it hard to live a life without pain and suffering or without love, happiness and joy.
Neoplatonists and Mystics: I am not really a religous person and just find it hard to buy into either of these philosophies which both involve a higher being. Of all the philosophies I wish I could be a mystic because I like the idea of strongly believing in a God and coming so close to your God that he almost takes you over. It would be perfection to meet God.
Epicureans: The epicureans are all about indulging in pleasures. Sure they believe that to much of something at once can be bad, but they believe, contrary to cynics and stoics, that emotion and material things are good if they bring pleasure and happiness. I believe, on Earth, our goal should just be to obtain true happiness and have fun. We should love and do what we love. They also believe that after death there is nothing, so we don't have to worry about punishment in a next life. I would like their to be an after-life, that's how I feel about death. I'm not worried about dying because I know if there isn't after life I won't know it cause there will be literal nothingness.
So, I guess as far as in class Hellenism goes, I guess you can call me an Epicurean.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Connection: Sophie's World and Issues and Answers Class
There is an obvious connection between Sophie's World and one of my classes. And no, that class is not humanities. Sophie's World is a book about philosophy. What a coincidence? So is Issues and Answers.
In Issues Class we talk about all kinds of philosophies. One of the major ones we did last quarter was leanring about Plato's Allegory of the Cave. It was interesting, then, to learn more about Plato in Sophie's world. Some of the philosophical questions that arise in class have also been discussed in class. We talked about who we are and why are we here starting in the first week of school. So it was interesting that those were the first to questions that Sophie was asked as well. I haven't come to an answer yet and I decided I don't think I ever will. But I am finding more pieces to the puzle everyday and get a better idea of the answers to those essential questions. Both humanities and Issues and Answers have made me into a deeper thinker, exactly like what the philosophy classes are doing for Sophie.
I think it will be interesting to keep track of Sophie's philosophical jounrey next to mine. Maybe I will notice more similarities. But having this experience has made me enjoy the book much more so far as it is quite easy to relate to.
In Issues Class we talk about all kinds of philosophies. One of the major ones we did last quarter was leanring about Plato's Allegory of the Cave. It was interesting, then, to learn more about Plato in Sophie's world. Some of the philosophical questions that arise in class have also been discussed in class. We talked about who we are and why are we here starting in the first week of school. So it was interesting that those were the first to questions that Sophie was asked as well. I haven't come to an answer yet and I decided I don't think I ever will. But I am finding more pieces to the puzle everyday and get a better idea of the answers to those essential questions. Both humanities and Issues and Answers have made me into a deeper thinker, exactly like what the philosophy classes are doing for Sophie.
I think it will be interesting to keep track of Sophie's philosophical jounrey next to mine. Maybe I will notice more similarities. But having this experience has made me enjoy the book much more so far as it is quite easy to relate to.
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