PLEASE take 8 minutes and watch the Disney cartoon posted above this week! It will give us much to talk about in the coming unit on Reason.
Before we dive fully into Reason and Logic as our final WAY of knowing, we are going to pause and attempt an objective look at the ways language, perception, and emotion work together to form a foundation from which reason can be established, or not be established. We've talked about what can happen when one of these ways of knowing takes precedence over the others, the strengths and limitations of each, and the fallibility of each when used independently; however, when used in combination the reason that is produced is often quite accurately referred to as "true" or "knowledge". However, there are exceptions to the "truth" at what we arrive at by way of reason.
George Carlin, a famously sarcastic comedian (often things are funny because they are so very true) wrote the prose-poem below, entitled "The Paradox of Our Time". In it, he describes many human actions that may appear logic-based, and yet the paradox is that reason has gone somewhat by the wayside, or perhaps another of the ways of knowing. Watch out for the almighty metaphor!
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more but enjoy less We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life, we've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say "I Love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Give time to Love, give time to speak, give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. |
For this blog, you may respond to the video, the poem, a quotation, a question, a comment of your peers, or a combination of any of those things. *There will NOT be a blog for you to respond to on April 6. I will grade this blog on April 13.
Question Options:
Why, in your opinion, do people often ignore information provided by language, sense perception, and emotion in order to rationalize the "unreasonable"?
Can you think of examples when people use information provided by language, sense perception, and emotion to create 'wrong' knowledge?
Quote Options:
All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. --Aristotle
Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. --Voltaire
There are no facts, only interpretations. --Nietzsche
Please respond thoughtfully by April 13.
