(Originally Written October 22, 2009 in The Journal)
OK Ashley, you've heard my sob stories about loneliness and depression and this new unrequited love. You've heard of the destruction of my body, the breaking of my heart and the crushing of my soul. But now let's witness my glory - my mind. How about some philosophy.
Dreadful Freedom
Marjorie Grene
Chapter 1 - Why existentialism
Existentialists insist on their essential optimism that man makes himself.
Existentialism in a sense is a reaction against the speculative idealism of Hegel.
Existentialism comes from Kierkegaard's phrase "existential dialectic".
In existentialism, existence is prior to essence. This means that the consciousness of one's own soul comes before anything else becomes clear.
Existentialism revolts against system building and focuses on more pressing human concerns.
The relation of cause to effect is measured by the efficacy of an act.
The relation of cause and effect is indistinguishable from means and end.
Sartre and Dewey (pragmatists) criticize philosophies of the past for stabilizing the norms that kept ruling parties in power.
Pragmatism and existentialism are similar in aim at first glance.
Sartre resets values from past to future. The past value is an emphasis on the bourgeois privilege whereas if values are set with the future in mind it leads to revolution.
Pragmatism fails though because fact cannot produce value. Science cannot distinguish between good and evil.
Value for Sartre lies between the way things are and the way things ought to be. The success of man (and failure) lies between the thing as it is and the thing as it should be.
The perception between the way things are and the way they should be is the fundamental insight of existential philosophy.
Values are created solely by the acts of man. What they take as good or bad, beautiful or ugly in their quest to give meaning to a meaningless world.
Positivistic ethics aims at being descriptive not normative.
As in Kantian ethics, existentialists claim there is no good or evil apart from will and there is no will without freedom.
Existentialism does not derive values from mere facts.
Some existentialists demand a return to faith in the Christian God as a necessary way out of our present moral chaos (Marcel & Kierkegaard).
Atheistic existentialists however claim that the return to the Christian God is removing the freedom of man and basing values once again on facts, though these facts are not sense-data but cosmic in origin.
Chapter 2: Soren Kierkegaard: The self against the system
The aim of Kierkegaard, his one problem was: to find out where the misunderstanding lies between speculation and Christianity.
Kierkegaard believed that the misunderstanding had its roots in the nature of personal existence.
Kierkegaard's work has a slight anti-scientific tone but it is really a revolt against Hegelian speculation.
Camus had a very strong anti-scientific tone.
Kierkegaard worries that by focusing on physiology and explaining the whole man in its scope will cause man to lose sight of the important field of ethics.
Kierkegaard argues that the system in never capable of explaining existence until it is complete and thus becoming timeless. Existence as it is happening is never complete and thus, the system is incapable of explaining existence.
Kierkegaard criticizes the systematizers by claiming that they build a palace to live next door in the barn.
The system builders acquire far flung knowledge and ignore the simple understanding of one's self, which is the only important understand.
The system, in its grandeur is deceiving. It uses wordy logical fallacies to appear logical.
Kierkegaard does not propound an orthodox form of Christianity. He denies any "objective truth of Christianity", instead stating the whole problem for every serious Christian is their own path to faith.
Kierkegaard focuses on the inwardness of the subjective journey of the one real entity (the individual) to the infinite being, known by faith.
Kierkegaard turns from the impersonal and trivial truths (though consistent) to the passionate truth realized only subjectively and meaningful. This truth is meaningful because it is contradictory.
By embracing total subjectivity, Kierkegaard renounced all abstraction and left only contradiction and paradox. Since abstraction is gone one cannot transfer through words one's experience to another. paradox is the only way and this is indirect communication.
Philosophy for Kierkegaard, like Kant is focused on the question, what is man? It deals with human problems, not the essence of cosmic reality.
Kierkegaard relies heavily on Plato, not Neo-Platonism, but the Dialogues themselves.
Kierkegaard states we live, or ought to live, in the awareness that here and now may be our last moment.
Existentialism focuses on the contingency of life.
Existentialism pays close attention to the meaninglessness that continually underlies the significance in human life.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Notes on some poems
(Originally Written October 7, 2009 in the Journal)
For Sale A poem by Robert Lowell
I like this line:
"Read, afraid
of living alone till eighty
mother mooned in a window,
as if she had stayed on a train,
one stop past her destination"
The Bagel A poem by David Ignatow
This was funny, truly absurd and funny. I wonder if there was even a deeper meaning.
Roses and Revolutions A poem by Dudley Randall
The first line is excellent - "Musing on roses and revolutions"
With my crowbar key A poem by William Stafford
"Making my home in Vertigo
I pray with screams
And think with my hair
Prehensile in the dark with fear"
For Sale A poem by Robert Lowell
I like this line:
"Read, afraid
of living alone till eighty
mother mooned in a window,
as if she had stayed on a train,
one stop past her destination"
The Bagel A poem by David Ignatow
This was funny, truly absurd and funny. I wonder if there was even a deeper meaning.
Roses and Revolutions A poem by Dudley Randall
The first line is excellent - "Musing on roses and revolutions"
With my crowbar key A poem by William Stafford
"Making my home in Vertigo
I pray with screams
And think with my hair
Prehensile in the dark with fear"
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Three Untitled Poems
(Originally Written October 6, 2009)
(Originally written October 6, 2009 in the Journal)
1.
While some may lose themselves on land and other's may recklessly sail again,
Myself I shove off from shore to retest the tepid waters to see what fate has in store.
Those eyes are such a blue I find myself longing for nothing save only for you.
My darling, my sweet, my sole and cherished heart.
Twas love that chose you from before,
long before I even knew to start.
2.
While some may yet lost in another's eyes
A feat easily accomplished in such a blue,
My eyes rather than losing -
Methinks the thing has become a pleasure
Such is the cross of change
3
Yes, a night again lost
Fully in another's eyes
A feat easily achieved
When I gaze in such a blue
Such fates that destiny has in store
The downcast has become elated
Timidly retesting the seas after a wreck upon ashore
(Originally written October 6, 2009 in the Journal)
1.
While some may lose themselves on land and other's may recklessly sail again,
Myself I shove off from shore to retest the tepid waters to see what fate has in store.
Those eyes are such a blue I find myself longing for nothing save only for you.
My darling, my sweet, my sole and cherished heart.
Twas love that chose you from before,
long before I even knew to start.
2.
While some may yet lost in another's eyes
A feat easily accomplished in such a blue,
My eyes rather than losing -
Methinks the thing has become a pleasure
Such is the cross of change
3
Yes, a night again lost
Fully in another's eyes
A feat easily achieved
When I gaze in such a blue
Such fates that destiny has in store
The downcast has become elated
Timidly retesting the seas after a wreck upon ashore
Monday, October 5, 2009
Notes on The Nibelungelied
(Originally Written October 5, 2009 in the Journal)
Notes on The Nibelungelied
Here we go again, smooth classic literature to Medieval folklore. I hope it is not as rough a transition from Aeneid to the Mabinogion.
The Nibelungenlied is an ancient German tale. Maybe I'll read Faust next to stay German...
I think I may be finding the most enjoyment in epic poetry
"If you are ever to know heartfelt happiness it can only come from a man's love. If God should assign to you a truly worthy knight you will grow to be a beautiful woman"
The Nibelungenlied was interesting. I enjoyed Siegrfried's character immensely but I wasn't a big fan of Hagen and the Fiddler. The plot was interesting, but slow at times. The ending was a bit unsatisfying. The fight between Dietrich and Gunther and Hagen was good, but Krienhild being chopped apart by Hildebrand I didn't like. I felt Brunhild was more to blame and she really didn't get much in the end.
Notes on The Nibelungelied
Here we go again, smooth classic literature to Medieval folklore. I hope it is not as rough a transition from Aeneid to the Mabinogion.
The Nibelungenlied is an ancient German tale. Maybe I'll read Faust next to stay German...
I think I may be finding the most enjoyment in epic poetry
"If you are ever to know heartfelt happiness it can only come from a man's love. If God should assign to you a truly worthy knight you will grow to be a beautiful woman"
The Nibelungenlied was interesting. I enjoyed Siegrfried's character immensely but I wasn't a big fan of Hagen and the Fiddler. The plot was interesting, but slow at times. The ending was a bit unsatisfying. The fight between Dietrich and Gunther and Hagen was good, but Krienhild being chopped apart by Hildebrand I didn't like. I felt Brunhild was more to blame and she really didn't get much in the end.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Notes on The Art of Love & The Cures For Love
(Originally Written October 4, 2009 in The Journal)
I enjoyed The Amores immensely more than The Art of Love
The Cures for Love
"Yet to recover health demands much suffering"
212-245, sound familiar?
"Every old love's eclipsed by a new"
"Yet to hate the girl you once loved is a crime, an end befitting none but a savage: indifference will suffice"
I enjoyed The Erotic Poems by Ovid, though after all of it the conceit of Ovid became a bit wearing. But, The Amores were far better than The Art of Love or the Cures for Love
I enjoyed The Amores immensely more than The Art of Love
The Cures for Love
"Yet to recover health demands much suffering"
212-245, sound familiar?
"Every old love's eclipsed by a new"
"Yet to hate the girl you once loved is a crime, an end befitting none but a savage: indifference will suffice"
I enjoyed The Erotic Poems by Ovid, though after all of it the conceit of Ovid became a bit wearing. But, The Amores were far better than The Art of Love or the Cures for Love
Saturday, October 3, 2009
From Sosua
(Originally Written October 3, 2009 in the Journal)
I sit and admire the beauty of youth. A soft breeze blows from behind me while the waves gently caress the sand with a lover's touch. There are four girls, not yet women, dancing among the waves. Green and white fishing boats litter the horizon.
Excuse me a moment - cuba libre.
Behind me is the ancient of France, here for the last time I suppose. The stench of smoke and age and sea and bloated self pride permeates the air. But in front, four girls blossoming into women dance amongst the waves. So I sit here and admire the beauty of youth.
How is it at twenty-five I feel closer to these ancients behind? Am I not in my youth as well? I have an aging soul made older still by two years of utter torment. But I like the boats, something refreshing seems to be on the horizon. Will I ever reach that horizon, I don't know. But for now, I enjoy looking at it.
I sit and admire the beauty of youth. A soft breeze blows from behind me while the waves gently caress the sand with a lover's touch. There are four girls, not yet women, dancing among the waves. Green and white fishing boats litter the horizon.
Excuse me a moment - cuba libre.
Behind me is the ancient of France, here for the last time I suppose. The stench of smoke and age and sea and bloated self pride permeates the air. But in front, four girls blossoming into women dance amongst the waves. So I sit here and admire the beauty of youth.
How is it at twenty-five I feel closer to these ancients behind? Am I not in my youth as well? I have an aging soul made older still by two years of utter torment. But I like the boats, something refreshing seems to be on the horizon. Will I ever reach that horizon, I don't know. But for now, I enjoy looking at it.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Notes on The Erotic Poems
(Originally Written October 2, 2009 in the Journal)
Notes on The Erotic Poems by Ovid
"He's so human he tears you apart"
The Amores: Book I
I. "His shafts - worse luck for me - never miss their target. I'm on fire now, love owns the free hold of my heart" (Ovid, 86)
II. "Heart skewered/by shafts of desire, the raging" (Ovid, 87)
"Play stubborn, you get a far more thorough going-over than those who admit they're hooked [on love]" (Ovid, 88)
III. "Fair's fair now, Venus. This girl's got me hooked. All I'm asking from her is love or at least some future hope for my own. Eternal devotion, no even that's too much - Hell, just let me love her" (Ovid, 88)
"Unswerving fidelity's my strong suit" (Ovid, 88)
VIII.
"Ah, that got a blush! Pale face needs color, but nature's method is so unpredictable, safer to stick to art" (Ovid, 98).
The Amores: Book II
II. "All we need is your consent to some quiet love-making. It's hard to imagine a more harmless request" (Ovid, 114).
IV. Compare this poem to Baudelaire or even the Marquis de Sade for unrivaled hedonism.
It is hysterical though - "My sex-life runs the entire mythological gamut" (Ovid, 116).
VI. Write a short story based on this.
VII. "How I wish I'd some genuine infidelity on my conscience - the guilty find punishment easier to take" (Ovid, 120).
IXb. "Girls are such exquisite hell when desire's slaked, when I'm sick of the whole business, some kink in my wretched nature drives me back.
XVII. I really like this poem.
"I shan't be an accusation you're glad to get rid of; our love won't ever require disowning".
XIX. This is savagely humorous
The Amores: Book III
I. "My subconscious is hatching a masterpiece" (Ovid, 139)
II.
"To sit at your side and talk with you is what I'm after - I want you to know the havoc you've wrought in my heart."
Poem II is my concept of dating in lines 2-8
"Help this new venture, Venus: soften my prospective mistress till she loves me or anyway till she let's me love her!"
VII. Seven is an ode to impotency. Very funny!
XIa. This is how I feel about my ex
Notes on The Erotic Poems by Ovid
"He's so human he tears you apart"
The Amores: Book I
I. "His shafts - worse luck for me - never miss their target. I'm on fire now, love owns the free hold of my heart" (Ovid, 86)
II. "Heart skewered/by shafts of desire, the raging" (Ovid, 87)
"Play stubborn, you get a far more thorough going-over than those who admit they're hooked [on love]" (Ovid, 88)
III. "Fair's fair now, Venus. This girl's got me hooked. All I'm asking from her is love or at least some future hope for my own. Eternal devotion, no even that's too much - Hell, just let me love her" (Ovid, 88)
"Unswerving fidelity's my strong suit" (Ovid, 88)
VIII.
"Ah, that got a blush! Pale face needs color, but nature's method is so unpredictable, safer to stick to art" (Ovid, 98).
The Amores: Book II
II. "All we need is your consent to some quiet love-making. It's hard to imagine a more harmless request" (Ovid, 114).
IV. Compare this poem to Baudelaire or even the Marquis de Sade for unrivaled hedonism.
It is hysterical though - "My sex-life runs the entire mythological gamut" (Ovid, 116).
VI. Write a short story based on this.
VII. "How I wish I'd some genuine infidelity on my conscience - the guilty find punishment easier to take" (Ovid, 120).
IXb. "Girls are such exquisite hell when desire's slaked, when I'm sick of the whole business, some kink in my wretched nature drives me back.
XVII. I really like this poem.
"I shan't be an accusation you're glad to get rid of; our love won't ever require disowning".
XIX. This is savagely humorous
The Amores: Book III
I. "My subconscious is hatching a masterpiece" (Ovid, 139)
II.
"To sit at your side and talk with you is what I'm after - I want you to know the havoc you've wrought in my heart."
Poem II is my concept of dating in lines 2-8
"Help this new venture, Venus: soften my prospective mistress till she loves me or anyway till she let's me love her!"
VII. Seven is an ode to impotency. Very funny!
XIa. This is how I feel about my ex
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Million Little Pieces
(Originally Written October 1, 2009 in the Journal)
A Million Little Pieces
By James Frey
It was a quick read. The style sometimes annoyed me but I was moved by the interaction between James and Lilly and when James' father said he was proud of him. The death of Lilly was totally unsatisfactory. Also Leonard, my favorite character, who killed Bobby - I wanted more. I wanted to feel the blood.
A Million Little Pieces
By James Frey
It was a quick read. The style sometimes annoyed me but I was moved by the interaction between James and Lilly and when James' father said he was proud of him. The death of Lilly was totally unsatisfactory. Also Leonard, my favorite character, who killed Bobby - I wanted more. I wanted to feel the blood.
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