Week One and Two: Traditional Philosophy

Film: Either/Or

 After watching the short film, "Either/Or?: a primer on existentialism," I was forced to question the importance of choices and decisions that I have made in the past. Although a simple concept, because I only had a vague knowledge about this idea, it was extremely troublesome to actually grasp and understand in detail the core ideas of what it was trying to portray through the film. Through constant analysis, I came to realize how big of a change one small decision could make in a person's life. If I were to have made a completely different choice in a chapter in my life, for example, deciding to attend another college out of state, would I still be the same person that I am today? What would have changed, for the good and for the bad? 

Additionally, the first quote that started off the video really impelled me to think about the personal choices that I have made in the past. "I see it all perfectly; there can be two solutions-- one can either do this or that. My honest opinion and my friendly advice is this: do it or do not do it-- you will regret both" -Soren Kierkegaard. Although the choices I have made may be unsatisfying to me, the quote above instilled in me a new mindset, that whatever choice I make will result in regret and discontent. So whatever I do, I should not fear the consequences and the regret that I will feel later on, but carry out my decisions with boldness and certainty.

Film: The Myth of Eternal Recurrence

 Wow... after watching this short film, I could not stop thinking about this concept of Eternal Recurrence. It was very straightforward in what the video was trying to portray, so I did not have any problems understanding it. As I was diving deeper into this idea of my life recurring over and over again, I imagined all of the struggles and pains that I have suffered. It made me question myself, "Do I really want to go through everything again? In the exact same way and exact same feelings that I have experienced?"
Also, this video really pushed me to think about what it would be like to relive everything, where I would not be able to change anything, but live it the exact same way that I have lived before. The film asks, "This life as you live it now, and have lived it, you will have to live again and again. Times without number. There will be nothing new in it. But every pain, and every joy, and every thought and sigh and all the unspeakably small un-great in your life must return to you." If I knew that I would be living my life over and over again without any changes, would I try my best in everything I do? or would I not care and just live it out as planned, with a heavy burden and constant struggle to not think about what will happen? It truly made me think about how I would live my life if this myth of Eternal Recurrence was actually true.

Film: The Limits of Science

 I was once again amazed, but at the same time puzzled by this dilemma of our minds and cranial capacity being too limited which limits our understandings. I personally very much agree with this because there are many dilemmas out there in this world that cannot be explained. For example the uncertainty of electrons and their movements. Because there are inexplicable concepts, I believe it is quite true that our mind is too limited to grasp some of the incomprehensible ideas.
That does not mean that humans are anywhere near unintelligent, it is just that we are not developed and evolved enough to be able to understand these inexplicable concepts. For example, humans in the stone ages will most definitely not be able to understand how our solar system works. In the same way, in the future, there may be more newly defined knowledge in some areas of this world that we do not completely understand at this very moment.

Film: The Emergence of Rationality

 Although very short in length, it was clear in its message that humans did not think, but only believed in certain things that were introduced. They never cared to challenge these beliefs and always kept it traditional in order to continually let these wild concepts and ideas to live out through the years. Once challenged, people were often killed or abandoned, not able to communicate with anyone and forced to believe that the traditional way of thinking is actual logic and the way things work.
 It is quite fascinating how people started actually rationalizing and thinking how the world works. This short film showed me how idiotic people were before actual wisdom started forming and shaping from the depths of weird beliefs and myths that were very dominant. It seemed like people were almost brainwashed and forced not to actually rationalize and just believe whatever was told and enforced upon them. Because of this revolution of rationalism and real logicians starting to group, I believe we are now at a stage where brainwashing beliefs can no longer exist in this current society.

Reaction: The Limits of Science

 Rene, I believe that the limit of understanding and the limit of love are totally different. According to the film, which I agree with, tells us that our understandings are limited due to our cranial, or brain, limits. This is totally different from love which is a concept that can only be understood through experience. In a way, yes it is an understanding and love can be categorized under "understanding", but I personally believe love can be limitless depending on the person.

 I do have to agree that our generation has advanced intellectually. It is quite amazing to see small children learning how to use the computer when I was only able to play video games and such when I was smaller. I do believe though that our brains are still too limited to understand other abstract concepts which involves incredible brain power to truly grasp and dive deeper into.

Reaction: The Myth of Eternal Recurrence

Although I do agree that this theory of Eternal Recurrence is blasphemous and there is no way to actually prove and investigate it, it is quite refreshing to think that our life will recur over and over again. It makes me question if I would ever be joyful living my life if I were to have this extreme burden of knowing that I would be living the same life, without any change or free will, over and over again for eternity. I do have to say that it would be quite painful to believe such a theory, but it is quite interesting to discuss amongst peers about this abstract concept.