Judging by what I read, I might have freely read it. It was good because it used references to things that we know about. For instance, Auckland and how everyone there plays rugby. I might not know that game, but I got the gist of what he was trying to say about determinism. I never really thought of it that way before. However, I do not think that what he is saying is true. I don’t think that we can tell exactly how things are going to be 5 hundred years from now.
When he was talking about free will though, I agreed about how we do not have free will, we only have choices. He had a lot of great examples about it too. Throughout both of the essays though, I felt that he just kept on repeating himself over and over again. I did however learn a lot from these essays. It was a good read.
How do people know how the world is going to be 5 hundred years from now?
Is there really such thing as free will?
Monday, December 17, 2007
children and animals
When reading the essays from the site listed above, my mind was drawn to the thought of how animals and young children act. When reading about moral status it brought me to moral patient and moral agency. Those two I feel help express the implications for humans of the moral status of nonhumans. Humans that are no longer infants, and are able to comprehend well are not only moral patients but moral agents as well. We understand what is going on around us and have control of what we do.
As for infinites, animals, and others who cannot control what they do because they do not know what is right and what is wrong, are only moral patients.
As for infinites, animals, and others who cannot control what they do because they do not know what is right and what is wrong, are only moral patients.
torture
It is difficult to say whether or not I agree or disagree with torturing the terrorist to save others, or to not torture him and have the others die. I would feel very badly if we did hurt and torture him, but I think we would be better off in the long run to do that to save many others.
Not to mention, it was in fact his fault that the bomb was there. However I still feel that torture is very wrong. I guess, depending on the circumstances it is not good, but it is needed. This article really made me think, about how I felt about America torturing others and whether or not it should be done.
Not to mention, it was in fact his fault that the bomb was there. However I still feel that torture is very wrong. I guess, depending on the circumstances it is not good, but it is needed. This article really made me think, about how I felt about America torturing others and whether or not it should be done.
animal rights
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had a lot of very good arguments about how animals have been treated and the way that they are treated now. It also gives good reasons why, and how we should treat animals from now on. In other words, we should not treat them at all, and just leave them alone to fend for themselves. We should not even use them for food.
When this book starts off, it talks about how our attitudes towards animals are schizophrenic. It talks about how animals were treated back in the 19th century, and then moves on to how we treat them now. He mentions about how we say that we do not want to impose badly on animals, but we still do even though we don’t think that what we are doing in bad to them. One of the many argument in chapter two that I thought was interesting was how if we treat animals the way that we do, by using them for testing things such as medicine, then we might as well use the homeless on the streets too. In chapter three it talks more about how we say that we do not want to inflict unnecessary pain on animals, but he is curious as to how much of it really is unnecessary. In chapter four he gives us two choices as to our moral status about animals. We can keep having them suffer, or we can change our ways and realize that they significant interests and that we should not hurt them. Chapter five talks about, the four reasons why we should not deny animals their rights. In the next chapter, it talks about Bentham’s mistake and how he is part of the reason why animals are looked at as things. In the last chapter it asks us if we would save our children over the animals.
I do agree with a lot of the arguments that were presented in this book. I also understand Francione’s want for change. However I don’t think that everyone today would be willing to change their ways about how they treat or see animals today. There are so many people who love to eat meat and feel as though they could not go without it, and because of that, I don’t feel as though things could ever change as much as he would like them to change. One of the arguments that I really thought about was the one about how if we are going to use animals for testing then we might as well use the homeless on the street. It is a very cruel statement, but it really made me stop and think.
When this book starts off, it talks about how our attitudes towards animals are schizophrenic. It talks about how animals were treated back in the 19th century, and then moves on to how we treat them now. He mentions about how we say that we do not want to impose badly on animals, but we still do even though we don’t think that what we are doing in bad to them. One of the many argument in chapter two that I thought was interesting was how if we treat animals the way that we do, by using them for testing things such as medicine, then we might as well use the homeless on the streets too. In chapter three it talks more about how we say that we do not want to inflict unnecessary pain on animals, but he is curious as to how much of it really is unnecessary. In chapter four he gives us two choices as to our moral status about animals. We can keep having them suffer, or we can change our ways and realize that they significant interests and that we should not hurt them. Chapter five talks about, the four reasons why we should not deny animals their rights. In the next chapter, it talks about Bentham’s mistake and how he is part of the reason why animals are looked at as things. In the last chapter it asks us if we would save our children over the animals.
I do agree with a lot of the arguments that were presented in this book. I also understand Francione’s want for change. However I don’t think that everyone today would be willing to change their ways about how they treat or see animals today. There are so many people who love to eat meat and feel as though they could not go without it, and because of that, I don’t feel as though things could ever change as much as he would like them to change. One of the arguments that I really thought about was the one about how if we are going to use animals for testing then we might as well use the homeless on the street. It is a very cruel statement, but it really made me stop and think.
why work
Why work? I do feel that most people feel the same way as Philip Larkin when it comes to the topic about work. They don’t like it, and they feel that it should not be around and no one should have to deal with it. However I do not think that everyone feels that way. For instance, some people are “workaholics” and they love going into work every day and then staying there late. I know many people who feel this same way. It could be though that they just love to make money, and living fancier lives.
If it were not for work, then where would we be today? We probably would not be around, because everything that we do involves work. There would be no food, shelter, clothes, or anything else that every human being needs to survive.
It is interesting though, because we have grown to be so accustomed to working that without it I don’t think people would be happy for long because they would just get bored not doing anything all day long. Work makes us better people, and without it… the world might not be the way that it is. Maybe that would not be such a bad thing though.
Question 1: Do workaholics love work or do they love to make money?
Question 2: Would the world be a better place without work?
If it were not for work, then where would we be today? We probably would not be around, because everything that we do involves work. There would be no food, shelter, clothes, or anything else that every human being needs to survive.
It is interesting though, because we have grown to be so accustomed to working that without it I don’t think people would be happy for long because they would just get bored not doing anything all day long. Work makes us better people, and without it… the world might not be the way that it is. Maybe that would not be such a bad thing though.
Question 1: Do workaholics love work or do they love to make money?
Question 2: Would the world be a better place without work?
zoos
Are Zoos pornographic?
In some sense, I do think that they are, but I don’t think that they are meant to be. In my opinion though, we should not have zoos or circuses. Animals should be left alone and we should not disturb them with the way that we live. If they are going to die, then they should die off naturally, and I am sure that they would appreciate it too if they were not put into cages for the rest of their lives so that people can look at them.
The way that animals are shown in zoos is not as bad as circuses because they are not being mistreated like at circuses. They are not being asked to do tricks for food, or anything else like that. So in conclusion, I do not think that zoos are good, but they are not pornographic like circuses are.
Question 1: Are animals considered “wild” once they are put into a zoo?
Question 2: Are circuses considered animal abuse?
In some sense, I do think that they are, but I don’t think that they are meant to be. In my opinion though, we should not have zoos or circuses. Animals should be left alone and we should not disturb them with the way that we live. If they are going to die, then they should die off naturally, and I am sure that they would appreciate it too if they were not put into cages for the rest of their lives so that people can look at them.
The way that animals are shown in zoos is not as bad as circuses because they are not being mistreated like at circuses. They are not being asked to do tricks for food, or anything else like that. So in conclusion, I do not think that zoos are good, but they are not pornographic like circuses are.
Question 1: Are animals considered “wild” once they are put into a zoo?
Question 2: Are circuses considered animal abuse?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Life without work
what would life be like if we did not have work? would it be better or worse. it is hard to say considering we have had work in our lives for as long as we all have been alive. Without it, things might not work because we would not have anyone doing anything to make things work. We would not have food, water, shelter, or anything else. We would probibly all end up dying because we could not survive without it.
I think that we would also be really bored if we did not work. What would we do with our time if we did not work? Nothing. for a while i am sure it would be nice for people who work all of the time and dont like to, but after a while they would end up being sick of it.
too much work could also be a problem, so by keeping it a happy medium should be just fine.
I think that we would also be really bored if we did not work. What would we do with our time if we did not work? Nothing. for a while i am sure it would be nice for people who work all of the time and dont like to, but after a while they would end up being sick of it.
too much work could also be a problem, so by keeping it a happy medium should be just fine.
workaholics
When reading about work, and how a lot of people do not like it, it made me think about those who work all of the time. Do they work because they love their job? Do they work because they love to be busy? Do they work because they have nothing better to do? Or do they work because they just love to make and have money?
I think that it could be all of that. However i do feel as though the main reason why someone would want to work a lot is because they just love to make money, and success. Who does not like that? There are just some people who cannot get enough of it.
It is really sad though that there are people who live to work. My father did that and it hurt our family because we would hardly ever see him, and it was sad for us. It is like that for a lot of other families too, and that is why it makes me wonder if working a lot is really worth it in the long run if that is all that you do, and you never see the ones that you love, and love you?
I think that it could be all of that. However i do feel as though the main reason why someone would want to work a lot is because they just love to make money, and success. Who does not like that? There are just some people who cannot get enough of it.
It is really sad though that there are people who live to work. My father did that and it hurt our family because we would hardly ever see him, and it was sad for us. It is like that for a lot of other families too, and that is why it makes me wonder if working a lot is really worth it in the long run if that is all that you do, and you never see the ones that you love, and love you?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
being like your family
The topic that we talked about in class, about how we are somewhat like our parents is interesting to me. Especially since i am adopted and i dont know who my birth family is. I act a lot like my adopted family, in certain ways, but at the same time i am so different from them, which i am sure is the same for a lot of other adopted children. It makes me wonder though if some of the things that makes me different from my adopted family makes me somewhat the same as my birth family. Obviously i would look more like the, but the way that i act and think might be somewhat the same too.
anyway, i dont think that how people act and grow up to be has everything to do with parents and family, but what experiences that a person goes through to help determine why they way that they are. for instance, if a person gets into fights at school, and is always getting into trouble for most of their childhood, they will probibly not be the happiest people. And if a person grows up being nice and not getting into fights then they might end up being more happy. that is how i see people being, and why they act the way that they do, if it is not just the family that determines how people act and are the way that they are.
anyway, i dont think that how people act and grow up to be has everything to do with parents and family, but what experiences that a person goes through to help determine why they way that they are. for instance, if a person gets into fights at school, and is always getting into trouble for most of their childhood, they will probibly not be the happiest people. And if a person grows up being nice and not getting into fights then they might end up being more happy. that is how i see people being, and why they act the way that they do, if it is not just the family that determines how people act and are the way that they are.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Religion
I really enjoyed the conversation that we had in class about religion and how growing up with it can effect you throughout your life. I can relate to it really well, as well as others in the class, and it just happens to be a really interesting topic.
I found it really interesting to hear about others and how they went to Cathlic schools and how for some people it stuck with them and others it did not.
When living in Utah with the Mormans, it was easy to see that a lot of those who have grown up with that religion act certain ways. For instance, how they choose to vote and what they base what a good politian is. The whole marrige thing too. Kids at a very young age want to get married and start a family right after or during high school.
The one thing that really stuck to me was that they feel that women are meant to have children and be mothers. If you are able to have children then you should have as many kids that you can have. What if you did not want to have kids even though you were able too? there are already so many children on earth, why make more if it is not nessasary?
I found it really interesting to hear about others and how they went to Cathlic schools and how for some people it stuck with them and others it did not.
When living in Utah with the Mormans, it was easy to see that a lot of those who have grown up with that religion act certain ways. For instance, how they choose to vote and what they base what a good politian is. The whole marrige thing too. Kids at a very young age want to get married and start a family right after or during high school.
The one thing that really stuck to me was that they feel that women are meant to have children and be mothers. If you are able to have children then you should have as many kids that you can have. What if you did not want to have kids even though you were able too? there are already so many children on earth, why make more if it is not nessasary?
Monday, October 22, 2007
how animals should be treated
When watching the movie about the torture of animals, there were some very decent parts. One of which was when they showed the prison and how people in there were able to take care of some animals, and they found that it helped them become more compationte people. It is amazing what animals can do for people and how they can help them become better.
Another part where animals helped people was when that monkey was taking care of the man that was paralized from the neck down. Why on earth would anyone want to hurt an animal like that, that could potentionaly help people in the long run? it just astonishes me that anyone could do that.
Another part where animals helped people was when that monkey was taking care of the man that was paralized from the neck down. Why on earth would anyone want to hurt an animal like that, that could potentionaly help people in the long run? it just astonishes me that anyone could do that.
medior shower
Last night a group of friends and i went outside to watch the "big" medior shower that was suppost to go on. when we got to the spot that we wanted to stay to watch, we lied down and wated to see something. occationaly we saw one or two of them, but besides that, it was not as spectacular as i thought that it was going to be.
Anyway, when looking up at the stars, we all began to think, that when you look up at the sky and see all of those other planets, you have to believe for there to be another human life somewhere. How could there not be? there are so many other planets out there, at least one of them must have people living on it. Who knows, maybe last night when we were all thinking about that, people on those other planets were thinking the exact same thing, which is kind of creapy, but at the same time pretty neat.
Anyway, when looking up at the stars, we all began to think, that when you look up at the sky and see all of those other planets, you have to believe for there to be another human life somewhere. How could there not be? there are so many other planets out there, at least one of them must have people living on it. Who knows, maybe last night when we were all thinking about that, people on those other planets were thinking the exact same thing, which is kind of creapy, but at the same time pretty neat.
ticking bomb
When printing out the very long article about torture, i was interested as to how much one peroson could say about people and others being tortured. once i got to the part about the ticking bomb, i really had to just stop for a moment and think about America and how we deal with things today. i understood the reasoning about how it was nessasary to torture the person to get answers, but could there have been another way that would have been easier and more effective? i think that there really could have been.
I thought that there was a type of drug that could help make people tell the truth, if we had used something like that, then maybe we could have gotten the answers that we needed from him and would have been able to save the others, and not have had to hurt anyone. I guess what happened needed to happen, because i am sure that we are smart enough to come up with the best possible solution, and this must have been it.
I thought that there was a type of drug that could help make people tell the truth, if we had used something like that, then maybe we could have gotten the answers that we needed from him and would have been able to save the others, and not have had to hurt anyone. I guess what happened needed to happen, because i am sure that we are smart enough to come up with the best possible solution, and this must have been it.
animal movie
Watching the movie of animals, and how all over the world, people abuse them, i began to feel sick to my stomach. i understand the reason for it to be shown to us, but like everyone else there, it did hurt to watch such a thing like that.
It was interesting however to find out that people all over the world abuse animals. i always here that here in America, we are they only ones that hurt them, but that is not true. we are not the only evil ones in the world, and i wish that others would take a second to understand that.
It does not matter where you are, there are going to be evil people, we just need to do our best to not be that way. Not only did this show make me want to become a vegitarian, but it also made me think about what i could do to help. so in a way i am somewhat glad that i watched it, because it made me really think about the world and relize that it is not all good, and that maybe i should find a way to help make it better.
It was interesting however to find out that people all over the world abuse animals. i always here that here in America, we are they only ones that hurt them, but that is not true. we are not the only evil ones in the world, and i wish that others would take a second to understand that.
It does not matter where you are, there are going to be evil people, we just need to do our best to not be that way. Not only did this show make me want to become a vegitarian, but it also made me think about what i could do to help. so in a way i am somewhat glad that i watched it, because it made me really think about the world and relize that it is not all good, and that maybe i should find a way to help make it better.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
why animals
When we got on to the topic about animals in class the other day, it got me to thinking. animals really do know what we are felling when we are sad or sick, or gone. they dont know why we are gone, and i am sure that for a second or two they probibly really miss us, but then they move one. they just probibly think that we will be coming back.
it was interesting however that we got on to that topic considering we were talking about something completly different. but that just goes to show how interesting the relationships between animals and humans is. We are so close together with them, but still so far away.
When i see my animals doing something really weird, but they tend to do it all of the time, it makes me think of what they are thinking when they are doing what it is that they are doing. there has to be some sort of purpose for it.
it was interesting however that we got on to that topic considering we were talking about something completly different. but that just goes to show how interesting the relationships between animals and humans is. We are so close together with them, but still so far away.
When i see my animals doing something really weird, but they tend to do it all of the time, it makes me think of what they are thinking when they are doing what it is that they are doing. there has to be some sort of purpose for it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
jealousy
Why is it that in our human nature, we become very jealous. Just recently a friend of mine became very jealous of me for a very small issue, and it turned into something much larger just because she was jealous, and that seemed to control the whole thing. It makes me think back to the topic of free will, only because mabe we are just being told to be jealous as kids, or rather we see others being jealouse and so we feel that we should to, and it just ends up sticking with us. Just like free will, we are told about it, but i think that if we were never told about it and no one thought about it then we would not have it. However now that we do feel like we have free will and jealousy, it will always be there.
needs
"Women need men to satisfiy their every need. Men need women to satisfiy their one need." This is a quote that a friend of mine recently told me, and i thought that it was funny, however for some that is true. it is interesting to think about, because in some cases it is the other way around. Maybe it is just the way that women and men are. women do need men in more cases to help with things, but some men dont always need that. some prefer to take care of them selves and not have to worry about taking care of someone else. They do however need women for one thing, and we all can take a guess at what that is, so it is not like men do'nt need women at all. i just thought it to be very interesting.
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