Foreshadowing of Lily's Death

From the moment at the pharmacy when Lily purchases her sleeping the pills, the reader is given a few signs suggesting that her prescription may be used to overdose and sleep eternally. The scene at the pharmacy on page 305 describes how the medicine is likely to be ultimately used. Here begins the excerpt: "The clerk had read the prescription without comment, but in the act of handing out the bottle he paused. 'You don't want to increase the dose, you know', he remarked. Lily's heart contracted. What did he mean by looking at her in this way? 'Of course not', she murmured, holding out her hand. 'That's all right; it's a queer-acting drug. A drop or two more, and off you go; the doctors don't know why." (305) In this scene it almost seems that the pharmacist is aware that Lily may abuse her prescription. It is possible that her heart rate increased because she was scared of what was going to come. She is also scared that the pharmacist may have noticed her final intentions for these drugs. The impulses and senses felt by Lily Bart and the pharmacist during this interaction foreshadow the coming of something unwanted.

Lily in the Workplace

Although Lily thinks that her special deftness of touch will make her an adept millener, her preconceptions are wrong. After two months of work, "she was still being rebuked for her inability to sew spangles on a hat-frame" (301). Not only was she an unproductive worker, she was humiliated when she discovered that "after two months of drugery she still betrayed her lack of early training. Lily's lack of ability to ever become a great millener is similar to my desire to be a great golfer. Although my grandfather taught me the basics of gold when I was an adolescent, Today my golf game is miserable. I am unsuitable to play on the actual course and am still confined to the driving range after years of practice. Like Lily, I am losing hope of ever being a competitive golfer. Although I will never quit trying to learn golf, I have shifted my priorities away from being a great golfer to keeping myseld in some sort of physical condition and not letting my body deteriorate completely.

You just can't get what you want

The true relationship between Lily Bart and Mrs. Peniston, as well as Mrs. Peniston's true character become evident as Lily asks Mrs. Peniston for help in order to repay her gambling debt. Lily, shamefully, confesses to Mrs. Peniston that she has incurred gambling debts. Mrs. Peniston considers Lily's acts "horrors" (181), and is further enraged that Lily played cards on a Sunday. Ultimately, Lily refuses to give Lily money because she does not want to "do anything to give the impression that I countenance your behaviour. If you really owe your dress-maker; I will settle with her." (182). Mrs. Peniston's refusal to pay Lily's debt is like your parents refusing to give you an allowance at college. While they won't give you money to go out during the weekend, they have no problem helping with books fees and meal plans, things that are necessary and that they feel like they will have to buy themselves despite your efforts to help out. The situation Lily faces with her parents is similar to the situation many college students face with they parents.

An uncertain future

Unlike most girls in their late twenties Lily Bart remains unmarried. Miss Bart is struggling with this truth. Her struggle reaches the extent that "she was beginning to have fits of angry rebellion against fate" (Wharton 39). She is considering dropping out of the "race" and seeking an "independent" life. Although she, herself, is unsure the life of materialism is what she wants, her monetary situation has an impact on her future. Presently, she barely has enough money to live contentedly in obscurity. Thanks to her mother's repugnance of dinginess, she like her mother does not want it to be a part of her life. It is interesting that she calls success a "slippery surface to her clutch". This represents that success is not easily attained, it is a significant goal, unachievable simply on a whim. Although Lily seems to desire a luxurious life, her views are questioned as she converses with Selden.

Determing the value of labor power

Although the value of labour-power is easily determined for commodity goods by looking at the labour-time necessary for the production, and consequently also the reproduction, of this specific article, there are several supports that have to be present in order for labour-power to properly exist. First, "Labour-power" exists only as a capacity of the living individual" (268). Second, "given the existence of the individual, the production of labour-power consists in his reproduction of himself or his maintanance" (268). In order to maintain himself, the laborer must have some means of subsistance. All of these conditions create a full circle effect that explains why the labour-time necessary for the production of labour-power is the same as that necessary for the production of thoses means of subsistence; in other words, the value of labour-power is the value of the means of subsistence necessary for the maintenance of the owner.

What I Disagree With in Marx

The majority of the things that I disagree with concerning Marx come from the first section, pages 58 through 64. First I disagree with Marx in that fact that labor is external to the laborer. This means, "it is not part of his nature, and that the worker does not affirm himself in his work, but denies himself, feels miserable and unhappy, develops no free physical and mental energy but mortifies his flesh and ruins his mind"(62). I do not believe this to be the case. Both my mother and my father love their jobs. They like to have fun apart from their jobs, but their jobs to a certain extent define who they are, at least to people at large in the community. They do not feel miserable every day, although some days are more stressful than others, and they use their job as a creative outlet as opposed to a creative barrier. I also to not agree with Marx concerning the alienation of a worker. I do not believe, "the more the worker produces, the less he had to consume", or "the more civilzed his product, the more barbaric is the worker". This is certainly not true of modern society and economy. Today, in a capitalistic society, the more one is able to produce, the more one is able to consume. Also, the complex technology that is made today, may be put together by ignorant hands, but pure genious is the only reason these new products exist on the store shelves in the first place. It is the most intelligent who adapt and adjust for the better.

Making sense of the text

Before I attempt to say something intellectual, it is best that I am aware of the complex terms present in this text. Like Nietzsche, at some points, Marx needs to be deciphered. On p.242, Marx explains the concept of exchange value as "a definite social manner of expressing the labour bestowed on a thing, it can have no more natural content than has, for example, the rate of exchange". Apart from this explanation, Marx explains the whole concept of formulas that "bear the unmistakable stamp of belonging to a social formation. Marx tells the reader, "labour" is expressed in "value" (240), and "the measurement of labour by its duration" is expressed in "the magnitude of the value of the product" (240). Although I am currently enrolled in Macroeconomics it is still difficult for me to understand the theories of economics that exist in the mind of Marx. Because of the confusion, it is helpful when on p.243, Marx defines "value" and "riches". These paragraphs try to help the reader understand Marx's thoughts through modern economic priciples.

Social vs. Individual Labour

Throughout the reading, I was overwhemed with all the new definition being thrown my way. When I saw that Marx was about to bring Robinson Crusoe into the picture, I was very excited. When Robinson is mentioned, Marx describes the labour Robinson did to survive alone on a deserted island. Marx writes, "He still has needs to satisfy, and must therefore perform useful labours of various kinds: he must make tools, knock together furniture, tame llamas, fish, hunt, and so on...personal dependence characterizes the social relations of material production as much as it does the other spheres of like based on that production...all Robinson's products were exclusively the result of his own personal labour and they were therefore directly objects of utility for him personally" (238). Crusoe's labour was personal, as he worked in order to survive. This personal labour is the direct opposite of the labour that the masses do to survive and achieve a surplus. Labour done by the masses is considered social labour because the masses produre commodities not necessities. This difference between commodity and necessity appears to the reader to be a subtle difference, but to Marx, these two different types of labour are very distinct.

Politics in Education

Just home-schooling today lacks legitimacy, the same problem was present in Marx's time. Referring to the idea of homeschooling, Marx writes,"the bourgeoisie clap-trap about the family and education, about the hallowed co-relation of parent and child, becomes all the more distinguishing , the more, by the action of Modern Industry, all family ties among the proletarians are torn asunder, and their children transformed into simple articles of commerce and instruments of labor" (173). Adding legitimacy to Marx's claim, not only does he denounce the current education system, but he goes as far to explain a better method of education that is currently being employed by the communists. He writes, "the communists have not invented the intervention of society in education; they do but seek to alter the character of that intervention, and to rescue education from the absence of the ruling class." Marx is a firm defendant of social education over home education.

Goal Sharing

Like the liberals and conservation fanatics, the proletarians and the communists share the same goal to some extent. On p.169, Marx writes, "the immediate aim of the Communists is the same as that of all the other proletarian parties: formation of the proletariat into a class, over-throw of the bourgeois supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat". The communist and proletariat goal can be distinguished. Marx writes, "the communists are distinguished by this only. 1. In the national struggles of the proletarians of different countries, they point out and bring to the front the common interests of the entire proletariat, independently of all nationality. 2.In the various stages of which the struggle of the working class against the bourgeoisie has to pass through, they always and everywhere represent the interests of the movement as a whole" (169). Keeping these distinguishing factors in mind, it seems appropriate to conclude that the "Communists, therefore, are on the one hand, practically, the most advanced and resolute section of the working-class parties of every country...on the other hand, theoretically, they have over the great mass of the proletariat the advantage of clearly understanding the line of march, the conditions, and the ultimate general results of the proletarian movement." (169)

Communist vs. Bourgeois Societies

The goals in communistic and bourgeois societies are polar opposites. According to Marx, "in bourgeois society, living labour is but a means to increase accumulated labor" (171). Communistic society is totally opposite. Concerning communistic society, Marx writes, "in communist society, accumulated labor is but a means to widen, to enrich, to promote the existence of the laborer" (171). These two societies differ on their views of time and productivity. In bourgeois society, the past dominated the present, as opposed to communist society where the present dominates the past. There is definitely more optimism in the communist party. Although communists cannot horde their riches, like many capitalists, there are numerous members of the bourgeois society who are extremely materialistic, even though "private property is already done away with for nine-tenths of the population.

Ghandi as a sage

As if there was a question of the selflessness of Ghandi's actions, all doubt is erased as I viewed Ghandi's advice as to how to make decisions when one is in doubt. Like something my mother, or grandmother would have told me, Ghandi writes, "whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him" (91). This statement reminded me of the numerous sermons I have heard out of the pulpit, as well as the advice I have recieved from my mom in the past. The statement tells one to be selfless. Selflessness, more so than manners, or any type of etiquette was engrained in me by my highschool football coach. Everyday, Coach Homer preached selflessness. When I made a sack, he would often be angry because in order to make a sack I would evade an offensive lineman who would go block one of the linebackers. Maybe I would have held his criticism with more salt if I knew the origin of his thoughts were from Gandhi.

Social Norms

From the section "Some rules of Satyagraha", I gleaned the theme of social expectations, or social definitions. Gandhi classifies how individuals, prisoners, and units shall act. He defines that individuals "will harbor no anger", "never retaliate", and "he will not resist the attachment or removal of his own property" (158). Concerning the behavioral expectations of a prisoner, a prisioner will "behave courtesly towards prision officials", "not ask for such conveniences as may be required for his physical or spiritual well-being", and "will not fast for want of conveniences whose deprivation does not involve any injury to one's self-interest" (159). Gandi even goes as far as to define the social expectations of units. About units, he writes, as a unit "he shall carry out order in the first instance even though they appear to him insulting", and "will joyfully obey all the orders issued by the leader of the corps, whether they please him or not" (159). The legacy of Gandhi's social expectations can still be seen today, as different people,(of different religions, races, etc.) are supposed to act differently. Like today, as in gandhi's time, stereotypying is present.

The Definition of Ahimsa

While reading the "Creed of non-violence", I came across the idea of Ahimsa. Ahimsa is obviously not an english word, so I was interested to find its true meaning. On the quest to find its true meaning, I found that it had several meanings depending on what angle you look at it. In its "negative" form, "it means not injuring any living being, whether by body or mind" (95). In its positive form, it has a similiar meaning, but there are subtle differences. "In its positive form, ahimsa means the largest love, the greatest...one must love his enemy" (96). From both the positive and negative perspectives, Ahimsa means doing good, but in the positive form, one is expected to be more pro-active in promoting the good. In the positive form, one is expected to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Liberal Education: U of R vs. Gandhi

When Gandhi spoke of a liberal education, he made me think of the university of Richmond. Defining liberal education, Gandhi writes, "That man I think has had a liberal education who has been so trained in youth that his body is the ready servant of his will and does with ease and pleasure all the work that as a mechanism it is capable of...who has learnt to hate all vileness and to respect others as himself. Such a one and no other, I concieve, has had a liberal education, for he is in harmony with nature. He will make the best of her and she of him" (54). Gandhi's definition of a liberal education highlights the full functionality of the body and the mind, as well as the possesion of morality. At college, specifically U of R, a liberal arts education is defined along the same lines. This type of education creates well rounded individuals who can thrive in many diverse scenarios. Like the coordination of the mind and the body, students with liberal arts education can interpret mathmatcial equations and well as philosophical texts. Both definition of liberal arts educations stress the concept of balance. Balance is what separates one from the pack. A person with balance can do it all and often possesses more value than a one-sided person.

Gandhi is correct about Cities vs. Towns

Gandi and I share similar views about the differences between cities and towns. On p. 35 Gandhi writes, "they further reasoneed that Cities were a snare a useless encumbrance and that and that people would not be happy in them, that there would be gangs of thieves and robbers, prostitution and vice flourishing in them and that poor men would be robbed by rich men. They were, therefore, satisfied with small villages. Coming from a small town, I can attest that there are only as many temptations as ones wants. At my house, the doors have been unlocked for seven years now. There are no prostitutes or vice, as most of the residents are retired and have passed through their stages of young ambition and folly. People in Urbanna live a simple, but complete life. The local church serves as a community builder, and most know all of the town residents at least by face. Coming from Urbanna to Richmond, I have seen the vice that Gandhi speaks of. Driving through the fan last saturday night at midnight was a enlightening experience. Gangs existed, whether they were drugdealers or robbers, it is unknown. Gandhi's statements of the past still ring true today.

Sheparding according to Nietzsche

After Nietzsche discusses the idea of who should be in charge of the sick, he comes to the conclusion that the "ascetic priest is the predestined savior, shepard, and advocate of the sick herd...his historical mission is dominion of the suffering in his kingdom...he must be sick himself...but he must also be strong, master of himself even more than of others...he has to defend his herd againsst the healty" (125-126). Nietzsche decides that the sick, actually the less-sick, but not the healthy, should be in charge of protecting their own sick kind. My only concern is how the less-sick, who are weaker than the strong, possess the strength to defend themselves against the strong. It seems to me that the shephard cannot actually defend his herd, that the predator is much stronger than its prey. The question now is, why does nietzsche advocate the less-sick as the shepard when it seems that there is no why in reality they can actually survive.

Dealing with "Psychological Pain"

Nietzsche compares digestion to the character of man. On page 129, Nietzsche writes, "A strong and well-constituted man digests his experiences as he digests his meals, even when he has to swallow some tough morsels. If he cannot get over an experience and have done with it, this kind of indigestion is as much physiological as is the other--and often in fact merely a consequence of the other.--With such a conception one can, between ourselves, still be the sternest opponent of all materialism". This is a unique metaphor Nietzsche uses comparing digestion and the overall character of man. The metaphor is commonly used today in cases such as coping with grades, as well as dealing with friends and family. Digestion is not easy, especially in the case of the death of a loved one. When death occurs, ingestion normally results. Traumatic experiences such as death stay with one for an extended period of time. Trying to expedite the situacion of morning can often have more long-lasting results.

Combating Depression

After reading many of Nietzsche's arguments, his argument as to how to combat depression makes the most sense to me. To fight depression, he recommend "petty pleasure" (135). Furthermore, he cites that the most common form of this pleasure is that "of the pleasure of giving pleasure" (135) meaning helping others with their problems. Most interestingly, he says that the happiness of doing good things for others originates from your "slight superiority" (135). In most of my experiences, as horrible as it seems, the feeling of having slight superiority over those I teach or help makes me feel valuable as person. For example, when I was an adolescent, my mother and I delivered food to the houses of low-income persons on Saturday mornings. Besides from the idea that I was providing food to one of God's creatures that needed it, what also unconsciously made me feel good was the fact that I was in the position to be distributing the food.

Mnemotechnics

On the idea of remembering, instead of forgetting, Nietzsche writes, "If something is to stay in the memory it must be burned in: only that which never ceases to hurt stays in the memory" (61). After reading this, I begin to ponder upon my childhood memories. I asked myself what did I remember most? Let's see, besides my family, I recollect falling off my bike and getting stitches on my knee, and falling down on a case of cement steps and busting my forehead wide open. My most vivid memories were most definitely the ones where intense physical pain was involved. My memory is further intensified when I try to recollect solely memories of physical pain. I remember intense hits on special teams during football seasons, and getting hit in the fact while playing in the outfield in a game of baseball. After doing these painful things, making these harmful mistakes, I thought twice before doing these things again. As Nietzsche states,"With the aid of such images and procedures one finally remembers five or six will-nots". (62)

A frequent misconception

Although the lower and higher classes of morality consider "evil" the good
of the other morality, it is interesting to note that the weak, in fact,
want to be strong. Nietzsche writes, "These weak people-some day or other
they too intend to be the strong, there is no doubt of that, some day
their 'kingdom" shall come" (48). Although the upper and lower, good and
evil splits consider those who disagree with them their opponents,
there is evidence that suggest their sources may not be so unique. For
example, Dante "placed above the gateway of his hell the inscription 'I
too was created by eternal love'" (49). This statement, though obviously a lie, says that Dante, someone belongs and is in hell, had heavenly origins. Although Dante, since in hell has hate for heaven, he possesses an incarnate trait that makes him desire to ultimately return to heaven where he originated. He wants to move from evil to good.

An eye for an eye

"An eye for an eye" is a phrase that I have not heard in a long time, and only comes to mind when I think about pirates or when I read Nietzsche. Nietzsche writes, "throughout the greater part of human history...anger was held in check and modified by the idea that every injury has its equivalent and can actually be paid back, even if only through the pain of the culprit" (63). Today, this philosophy does not exist, and I have proof. The other day, while playing two hand touch football, a friend was pushed after a play. Another friend responded by pushing the the opposing player who pushed my teammate. In this case, the person who pushed last was held responsible for the incident was held responsible and asked to leave. During the moment I wished we still followed the eye for an eye rule, but looking back on my whole football career, I see all the pain I have avoided as a result of modern social values concerning violence and retaliation.

Double Jeopardy

As Nietzsche discusses the origin of good and evil, he carefully designates the differences between subject and action. He states, "the popular mind in fact doubles the deed; when it sees the lightning flash, it is the deed of a deed: it posits the same event first as cause and then a second time as its effect" (45). In this instance I disagree with Nietzsche. I believe WHO commits an action, not the action itself, has the most clout. Let's look at an example. Suppose a preacher and a homeless person bless an elderly woman confined to her house. Nine times out of ten, this woman will thank the preacher from taking time aside to visit her, but will not even allow the homeless person inside her house. While both of these people may share the goal of giving her their good graces, the elderly woman focuses more on the subject than the action, and therefore never experiences love from the homeless person. This is my take on this issue. It explicitly disagrees with what Nietzsche, but it makes sense in today's world.

The Misery Metaphor

As Nietzsche describes the everyday struggle of followers of "God", he creates a metaphor that reminds me of a recent fallen hero, Michael Vick. Nietzsche writes, "They are miserable, no doubt of it, all these mutterers and nook counterfeiters, although they crouch warmly together--but they tell me misery is a sign of being chosen by God; one beats the dogs one likes best" (47). Although, Nietzsche directly cites the illegal actions committed by Michael Vick, this metaphor contain further hidden significance. Nietzsche compares beating your favorite dog to being a devout follower of God. As a Christian I do not fully comprehend this metaphor. It seems to me that following is more rewarding than punishing. It seems simply that Nietzsche's perspective and mine are from different origins. As a Christian, I see people praying as a time of serenity and peace with God, while Nietzsche, a non-Christian views only their physical position which looks uncomfortable.

Evil Preachers

I agree with Nietzsche about preachers being the most evil enemies. Nietzsche writes, "As is well known, priests are the most evil enemies--but why? Because they are the most impotent. It is because of their impotence that in them hatred grows to montrous and uncanny proportions, to the most spiritual and poisonous kind of hatred" (33). Recently, my church has been experiencing some difficulties with the serving preacher. It seems as if some of his motives for preaching are not morally correct. When I say this, it is important to remember that most pastors recieve ample compensation. As people have begun to realize his faults he has truly became whats seems to me an angry person. While some angry people do not scare me, an angry pastor does scare me as he is the one who we consider pure and seek for forgivenness. His impotence makes his more dangerous, as previously in time, we have opened up to him, but now this trust is gone, and he already knows personal things about us all. The scariest part of the whole situation is that because he considers himself a devout christian, sowhen we is went against, the resistance in considered anti-religious.

Reading Nietzsche

Nietzsche purposely makes his books difficult to understand because he believes reading is an art, something more than a leisurely activity. He writes, "one thing is necessary above all of one is to practice reading as an art in this way, something that has been unlearned most thoroughly nowadays-and therefore it will be some time before my writings are "readable"--something for which one has almost to be a cow and in any case not a "modern man": rumination" (23). A synonym for rumination is meditation. Meditation is something I want to do, but am not able to do because of the countless tasks I am faced with in a mundane world. Personally, I enjoy reading books that read themselves. Thus far in Core, only the White Castle has fallen in this category. Plato and Nietzsche have not yet become fully "readable" to me because rumination is not something that comes easily in a grey court dorm room or the library. Perhaps I have not practiced enough, and my ability to understand these works will come with time, but presently I am having difficulty, not in understand what Nietzsche writes, but why Nietzsche writes what he does.

Unlike many who accept the value of morality, Nietzsche believes a critique of moral values is necessary

Contrary to many who accept that morality has a great significance, Nietzsche writes, "the value of these values themselves must first be called into question" (20). In order to learn the true value, he believed it was necessary to possess "a knowledge of the conditions and circumstances in which they grew, under which they evolved and changed". Most interestingly he points out, if one has taken these values as given, "one has never doubted or hesitated in the slightest degree in supposing "the good man" to be of greater value than "the evil man". This question is something I have never dared to ponder. Personally I believe that the "good" man is of greater value than the "bad". While this view may be only an assumption, I am not a philosopher, and therefore I don't expect myself to contemplate the forms as the mundane fully preoccupies me.

Confusion

While most of the authors we have read thus far in core have not explicitly told the reader they won't be able to comprehend their work, Friedrich Nietzche defies this trend. He writes, "If this book is incomprehensible to anyone and jars on his ears, the fault, it seems to me, is not necessarily mine". Nietzsche, unlike most college students, had little regard for his reader. In college writing, the student is expected to draw in the reader, and convince them about something the student believes. Convincing the reader that ones' point is right is the sole intent of collegiate essay, but this goal clearly contrasts with the goal of Nietzche. Perhaps, his thoughts are so deep they are not meant to be understood. This could very well be the case as seen in his reflections upon the problems of morality and the value of pity.

Dao 22

"Therefore the sages cling to the one,
and take care of this world
do not display themselves,
and therefore shine
do not assert themselves
and therefore stand out
do not praise themselves
and therefore succeed
are not complacent
and therefore endure
do not contend
and therefore no one under the heaven can contend with them"

This excerpt comes from poem number 22.

This passage addresses the principle of non-action. The Sages know the way of the Tao and are themselves devout followers. Because they follow the Tao, they also have Te. Possessing these traits makes them superior to all who are lost or who stray from the Tao. The Sages have already obtained Tao, the highest possible state, and there is nothing more to obtain. They do not have to take action. What they want to be they already are. They are whole and complete.

The true purpose of natural selection

Darwin writes, "Natural Selection cannot possibly produce any modification in any one species exclusively for the good of another species; though throughout nature one species incessantly takes advantage of, and profits by, the structure of another. But natural selection can and does often produce structures for the direct injury of other species, as we see in the fang of the adder". Normally when I think of natural selection, I think of species becoming better equipped to survive, but I continually cease to remember that they become better equipped at the expense of a different species. While natural selection itself may be a peaceful process, its results are quite the contrary. Why do crocodiles have such powerful mouths, to crush their prey. If natural selection did not work the way it does then an overabundance of animals would exist, and eventually the popoulation would reach its peak, and fall quickly due to the shortage of food.

Natural Selection and its limitations

On p.179, "Natural selection will modify the structure of the young in relation to the parent, and of the parent in relation to the young. In social animals it will adapt the structure of each individual for the benefit of the community; if each in consequence profits by the selected change. What natural selection cannot do, is to modify the structure of one species, without giving it any advantage, for the good of another species". Although natural selection does, in fact, increase the survival abilities of plants and animals, Darwin writes that with this change also comes advantages to other species. Although this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it does limit the effect to which one species can increase in relation to one another. It makes extinction much harder, and therefore aids the natural progression of specie developments.

Where does one go from the top?

In Dao 76, Tao de Ching writes, "the strongest armies do not conquer, the greatest trees are cut down. The strong and great sink down. The soft and weak rise up". I believe that this statement serves the purpose of defining the position of high and low and evaluating the consequences of being at a particular position. Like most scientists say, "what goes up must come down" is apparent in the words of Tao de Ching. Tao writes that the strong will sink and the weak will rise. This seems ironic in today's context, but I believe Tao intended this statement to mean more that once something or someone reaches the top they or it have nowhere to go but down. For example, while CEOs are enjoying the lavish lifestyle that accompanies their salaries, they do have to live with the fear of having nowhere to go but down. When Tao writes, "the greatest tress are cut", it reminds me that the greatest civilizations crumble. Where ones achieve a level of greatness, one takes a rest and loses a portion of the ambition that one once possesed. This minute loss of ambition is enough to push one off the top, and cause one to fall down to a devestating state. On a different note, when Tao writes, "the strongest armies do not conquer", I believe he thinks that when one wields this type of superiority, status is sufficient to gain whatever one desires. For example, the athenians would not fight the spartans over a basket of bread, the spartans would just take it, and walk away untouched.

My Dao in reponse to looking at nature

Half becomes whole
thick becomes thin
death becomes life

the sage oversees the needs of all
and takes care of his world

weak is strong
brittle has flexibility
the limit is undefined

nature adapts
its method unknown
without locomotion nature moves
the process takes a lifetime

plants thrive where expected
no sunlight no green
no shade many blades
position relative to the center means everything
the sun is the determining factor

death can become life
needs can be met
change may be necessary

colors tell the story
brilliance speaks nourishment
darkness quite the opposite

look at the lone weed
how does it exist
despite that all hate it
it is worthy of much praise

as the only weed
it has completed a major feat
most could never endeavor to attain this

natural selection

why can the ant pick up the leaf
weight is dimensionless
measurements are of the past
ability is of the present
limitless defines strength

it become adaptable and unsurpassable
nature has its own nature

Non-Violence, a concept unfamiliar in U.S. culture

In poem 69, Tao writes, "there is a saying in the army: I do not presume to be the master, But become the guest. I do not dare advance an inch, But retreat a foot. This is called moving without moving, rolling up sleeves without baring your arms, repelling without opposing, wielding without a weapon." Tao's ideas of non-violence are not popular in U.S. culture, and would probably offend those who serve in the U.S. military. Tao's thoughts are, in fact, the direct opposite of what we believe. There is no way the U.S. could of had any success in Iraq by pursuing a strictly non-violent plan. Although the whole situation in Iraq could have been avoided by the U.S. troops not making a presence in this country, there were far too many resources in Iraq that needed to be protected, namely oil. Because the U.S. is not a selfish country, it entered Iraq to further establish world stability. If the U.S. did not advance, and decided on retreat as the best option, the U.S. would not be the free country it is today, where citizens live as they please, within reason. Thanks to violence, the economic situation in the U.S. is healthy, and most are able to live comfortable lives.

Lowness

In poem 61, Tao writes, "therefore a great nation lowers itself and wins over a small one. A small nation keeps itself low and wins over a great one". This whole idea of staying low, in regard to bodily position, made me reflect upon the days when I used to play football. I was an offensive lineman, and for several years I was one of the smallest. My coach never ceased to tell us during drills, "the low man wins". In many instances, this proved true. By getting low, my center of gravity was lowered and I achieved more stability and it was more difficult for my teammates to move me. Although this may seem like a childish reflection, it was the first thing that popped into my head after reading this poem.

Nature: Observations and a bit on Natural Selection

As I sit on the concrete bench adjacent to the lake, I look to the left and right of my feet. I see leaves, mulch, and clumps of grass, both healthy and dead. Extremely close to the water lies a plant with long, slender leaves. Its location suggests that its roots are directly obtaining nutrients from the lake. I then begin to wonder how its seed reached this destination. Did a bird deposit the seed, or was it planted by a human, or did the plant over gradually move to this location. Currently the plant appears mostly green with a hint of brown on the ends of its long slender leaves. On the leaves also appear hole where bugs have eaten the plant, but the plants seem not to be thoroughly plagued by the bugs. As I look more closely at the grass surrounding my feet, I see traditional grass, a patch of clover, some weeds stemming from the grass, and many leaves turning brown as they are no longer attached to their source of life. They appear crisp, and cracks are present throughout most. As my eyes progress from the landscaped area to the naturally formed woods, I see less definition in the placement of different plants types. They all seem to be bunched together. When nature controls the placement of plants, only the strong survive. The area directly below the tress have much more dirt than vegetation as the sun seldom reaches these areas. It also appears that the tops of the trees are greener than the middle and bottom. As I examine the tree from top to bottom, the leaves appear more red, brown, and yellow the farther I look down the tree. As I search for animals, I am unable to find any squirrels but I do see ants hiding beneath the dried leaves, and other insects climbing to the peaks of different pieces of grass for a purpose I don't know. Concerning natural selection, its seems that the grass surrounding the brick base upon which I am sitting has not been able to successfully adapt to the constant treading it receives from humans every day. It appears brown and is flatter, and has less body than the green grass. In the distance I hear a cricket. I don’t know why it chirps, but it ceases to stop as I listen. As the mild wind blows, the vegetation surrounding me moves back and forth. It amazes me that the vegetation does not break with the resistance from the wind. It has truly been engineered to withstand the breeze that is generated across the surface of the pond. In the mulched areas around the bench, there exists a stray weed here and there. These weeds are special because they have to beat the power of weed killers and survive on their own merit, in the absence of proper nourishment . It is also amazing to consider the strength of the ants that budge the leaves that appear fifty or sixty times larger than they do. From my time reflecting on nature, two major questions emerge in my though process. First, how can ants possess enough strength to lift objects up to sixty times their own weight? Second, what is in the composition of most forms of vegetation that allows them to bend, but not break in the wind? Though I do not know the formal answers to these questions, I am aware that natural selection has played a role in how these plants have the characteristics they have and need in order to survive.

The Bible and Tao Te Ching

On p.9 of Tao de Ching, Lao-Tzu speaks of how one is suppose to live a humble, inmaterial life. "When gold and jades fill the hall, They cannot be guarded. Riches and Pride bequeath error, Withdrawing when work is done: Heaven's Tao" (9). Lao-Tzu's guidelines to living are similiar to those explicitly laid out in the bible. The Bible teaches us not to be materialistic because in the end, our possesions have no value in the kingdom of heaven. The bible also warns against excessive hubris. It teaches that humility is the best policy, as arrogance spurs resentment and conflict amongst others. Like the Bible, Lao-Tzu teaches that death is not a bad thing, rather a gift that we work for on earth to ultimately obtain. I was amazed at the similiarity between the Bible and the Tao Te Ching.

Swagger

According to Darwin, "Love is still the commonest theme of our songs. As Herbert Spencer remarks, music arouses dormant sentiments of which we had not conceived the possibility, and do not know the meaning...musical tones and rhythm were used by the half-human progenitors of men, during the season of courtship, when animals of all kinds are excited by the strongest passions" (272). According to this, the opposite sex, women in my case, like more than a good body. Darwin suggests that they like intellect combined with the ability to inspire emotion in their potential mates. Although men can visit the weight room and achieve a certain bodily structure, most men try their whole life to create a "song" that interests women. "Game", the ability to lure women, is unique among all individuals. Although all individuals possess some sort of "game", not every one's "game" is equal, therefore some undoubtedly attract more females than others.

Evolution

As I read Darwin's thoughts about evolution, I began to analyze myself. Darwin writes, "The jaws, together with their muscles, would then have been reduced through disuse, as would the teeth through the not well understood principles of correlation and the economy of growth; for we everywhere see that parts which are no longer of services are reduced in size" (268). This statement made me think about my forearms in particular. As I compare my features to that of a gorilla or a caveman, I realize that the caveman's forearms have a much larger circumference than mine despite the fact that I workout. As I pondered I realized that my forearms are not regularly employed in starting fires, scooping water from streams, or carving meat off the corpses of animals. As I considered that fact, I began to accept the fact that I would rather live in my cushy life than to gain circumference on my forearms. Over the years of non-use of the forearms, they have reduced in size as they are no longer of constant service.

Polygamy

"Many mammals and some few birds are polygamous, but with animals belonging to the lower classes I have found no evidence of this habit. The intellectual powers of such animals are, perhaps, not sufficient to lead them to collect and guard a harem of females" (263). This quote reminds me of the countless episodes of Saved by the Bell I used to watch in middle school. Zach would always try to play Kelly, and get with some other blonde ditz. This quote struck me because it always seemed that Zach always got caught in his games of love and affection. Although Zach's failure to achieve polygamy may have in fact been Screech's fault, Zach was unable to guard his harem of females.

Infinite Growth

As I was reading Darwin's essay on the struggle for existence, the following quote caused me to stop, and gather my thoughts before moving forward. "There is no exception to the rule that every organic being naturally increases at so high a rate, that if not destroyed, the earth would soon be covered by the progeny of a single pair" (166). This excerpt poses a truth that most of us choose not to consider. Only in the movies do we see one specie of organism come to dominate the entire world. This quote explicitly portrays the importance of death. For some it is hard to think that death is good, but according to Darwin we should embrace it. Personally I am glad death does exist for two major reasons. First, I believe that life is heaven will be far better than life on earth. Second, I do not want to live as many Western peoples do. In China the population density is enormous. I'm glad death does exist so I can continue to live the comfortable lifestyle that I am accustomed to. Although this may sound selfish, ponder for a moment if you would want to share your car with twelve other people.

Foreign Species

On p.177 of On Evolution Darwin writes, "no country can be named in which all the native inhabitants are now so perfectly adapted to each other and to the physical conditions under which they live, that none of them could anyhow be improved; for in all countries, the natives have been so far conquered by naturalised productions, that they have allowed foreigners to take firm positions of the land". As Darwin speaks of foreign species, he reminds me of an invasive species of plant that has taken over many swamplands in the northern neck of Virginia and is commonly mistaken as foreign . The plant I am referring to is Phragmites. This plant has overran many wetland areas in Virginia. This plant kills most adjacent plants by starving them of their resources necessary for survival. It grows so rapidly that it has to be cut every five years or so, as to not block the view of many creeks and openings of rivers. The reproductive ability of this plant was probably achieved through some sort of natural selection. Because it is often mistaken as a foreign species, this excerpt from the text alerted my attention.

The Socratic Method

After reading the article Professor Dolson cited in her blog, I saw many examples in the Phaedo that referred to what was to become known as the Socratic method. On p. 41, Socrates writes, "we should not allow into our minds the conviction that argumentation has nothing sound about it; much rather we should believe that it is we who are not yet sound and that we must take courage and be eager to attain soundness". I sighted another reference to this method of learning on p.42 when Socrates says, "if you will take my advice, you will give but little thought to Socrates but much more to the truth. If you think that what I say is true, agree with me; if not, oppose it with every argument and take care that in my eagerness I do not deceive myself and you and, like a bee, leave my sting in you when I go". It was fascinating to see the origin of a method of teaching that is now used widely in the collegiate atmosphere. After reading about the peculiarities of the Socratic method, it made me lose any desire to take any classes taught in this way. Apart from the fact that you have to be interactive in discussion, I do not like that the Socratic method has no limits or defined topics. As a staunch conservative, I like knowing what I am going to learn about. In my opinion a class taught in the Socratic method has a greater probability of not covering defined material in the syllabus. Although many people enjoy discussing topics at random, I tend to like studying concrete topics in detail, something that is often difficult for the Socratic method to accomplish.

A New Perspective on Learning

Departing from our modern day notions, Socrates suggests that learning is nothing more than recollection:

p.22, "Learning is no other than recollection. According to this, we must at some previous time have learned what we now recollect. This is possible only if out soul existed somewhere before it took on this human shape. So according to this theory too, the soul is likely to be something immortal"

I believe that Socrates' statement on learning, undermines most contemporary views on this process. Now-a-days, learning is regarded with the highest importance, methods of teaching are rehearsed in order for the most productive learning to occur. Most teenagers go to college to learn things they may have been previously ignorant of. Although some students may be more apt than others, I do not believe that all people are born with an innate bank of knowledge waiting to be discovered. I believe learning is perceiving things for the first time. Learning is obtaining knowledge that never existed within oneself, whereas studying is more of the recollection of previously learned knowledge. Learning is stimulated largely by creativity, and it does not occur on command. I truly believe learning is much more than recollection.

In Preparing for death, there exists a correlation between the views of Socrates and those of Christianity

Socrate's belief that preparing for death is essential is evident in the following passage:

“In fact, Simmias, he said, those who practice philosophy in the right way are in training for dying and they fear death least of all men. Consider it from this point of view: if they are altogether estranged from the body and desire to have their soul by itself, would it not be quite absurd for them to be afraid and resentful when this happens?”

In this passage, and throughout the beginning of the Phaedo, Socrates suggests that the philosopher should be the least concerned with death because he, more than a normal human being, has made it his goal in life to be prepared for dying. According to this belief, Socrates ponders why his friends do not fully accept his willingness to die. In truth, Socrates does not resent death because he knows he is prepared, and death, the separation of the soul from the body, is one of a true philosophers highest goals. Like Socrates, most Christians do not fear death because their religion teaches them to strive for eternal life which comes only through death. Like Socrates, Christians know that if they make all the necessary preparations (follow the ten commandments) while they are living on earth, there will go to heaven and be fully content forever. Christians, like Socrates, also believe that there are consequences for not preparing correctly for death. The correlation between the Bible and the Phaedo was too close to be left unforeseen.

Poets according to Socrates

The way Socrates and I view poets is completely different. Socrates states his view on p.25, "I soon realized that poets do not compose their poems with knowledge, but by some inborn talent and by inspiration, like seers and prophets who also say many fine things without any understanding of what they say". Socrates' view of poets is different from my personal view. Throughout my academic career, the best poets in my classes have been the students who spend the most time planning their thoughts, and who make the most revisions. Although some students have more natural talent than others, the students who write the best poetry are those who understand what they are saying in their poetry. Although I disagree with Socrates about the natural ability of poets, I do agree with Socrates on p.25 when he says, "because of their poetry, they thought themselves very wise men in other respects, which they were not".

Confusion: A Central theme throughout the White Castle

Although the theme of confusion is ever-present throughout the entire book, the climax of the confusion begins at the end of Chapter 10, on page 145. "We exchange clothes without haste and without speaking. I gave him my ring and the medallion I'd managed to keep from him all these years". This change of clothes makes the possibility of identifying the narrator in Chapter 11 nearly impossible. Despite the utter confusion, there lie hints that suggest the narrator could be either Hoja or the narrator from previous chapters. For example, on page 147, the author writes, "once or twice when the sovereign had wanted to speak of him, he realized the subject didn't attract me at all". Before the narrator and Hoja changed clothes, it would appear that this quote would be coming from Hoja's mouth because Hoja does possess some jealousy towards the narrator, and doesn't like talking about him. However because the narrator and Hoja changed clothes, this identification exists only as a speculation because there does not exist any concrete evidence to confirm this fact. Another quote that confuses the reader comes from p. 155, "and perhaps most of all I loved Him with the stupid revulsion and stupid joy of knowing myself". This quote, if it was possible to identify from whose mouth it came, would have the ability to clear up a bulk of the confusion that is present throughout the final chapter.

Horrible work for a good cause

On Hoja's quest to find "that deep truth which would change everything" (140), referring to specific details Hoja wants to glean from all he interviews, Hoja subjects his interviewees to harsh punishment in an attempt to ease his conscience. For example, Hoja approaches a dead man on the verge of death to obtain answers for himself, not to spare him from the claw of death. While Hoja's intent is not cruel and unusual, the methods he employ to find the desired solutions are indeed violent and unforgiving. Like Hoja who punishes people in attempt to find his joy, thousands of mattel toys that should be bringing hours of joy to children across the world are being recalled because they contain lead paint that is fatal if large amounts are swallowed. To hear hear more about the story visit http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/04/mattel.recall.ap/index.html.

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The Plague

When I read that Hoja had a "flea bite" (78), I was expecting him to perish eventually. The way I was hating on Hoja was how many people were hating on Michael Vick during his trial. Because Michael Vick is personally someone I like to watch on the field, it was hard to judge him for the crime he committed.

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