1. I agree with the quote from Socrates “I know that I’m intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.” If you are intelligent and knowledgeable, there are many questions and doubts that you have. You know information that supports facts and information that proves them false. Therefore, you can conclude that you know nothing (for sure).
This quote, in my opinion, goes together with another one of Socrates quotes, “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” It’s basically saying that if you are good, it’s because you are knowledgeable and when you are evil, it’s because of your ignorance. For example, Socrates was condemned to death by ignorant people because he showed how easily they could be proved wrong.
2. Plato thought that the social structure of a perfect society had to be created based on the intelligence of the people. The extraordinarily intelligent and brave people should rule the state. Those who aren’t intelligent should be farmers and smiths or do other things of that sort. The ones in between should make up the army and police.
3. In Plato’s ideal republic, the most intelligent get the most power. It might ensure a good government for a few generations but eventually, only the ancestors of previous governors would be called intelligent. The lower classes wouldn’t get enough education to be considered good enough for the government. The kids of the extraordinary will have the privilege of knowing what they need and being able to afford the education.
Also, I can’t think of a way to choose those who are especially talented.
The majority of citizens may not get what they want and need because they will be underrepresented in the government.
4. Obviously, an ideal state or republic would be one in which everyone would be happy. However, no civilization has managed that yet.
I think an ideal society should be democratic because everyone will always be different. I think that emphasis should be put on philosophical education so that everyone could be trusted to participate in a democratic society. I think that there should be a central government but the land should be divided into states, which should consist of cities. The cities should have elected representatives who report to elected state representatives, who, in turn, will report to the also elected president. There should be nothing like the Electoral College. Representatives should be elected by the people directly. Any one who has completed the philosophical education should be able to vote. Issues like abortions should be decided in cities separately.
5. It means that there are random things which we see, hear, or feel, such as school and fashion, that we pay more attention to than others. Those things that we pay attention to are temporary and constantly changing. The unchanging ideas like math and philosophy, which are more educational, we tend to ignore (saying, why does it matter, when there is what I can influence and feel?).
Friday, November 14, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Athens vs Sparta
1. If you were a young teenage girl of the citizen class, in which city-state would you rather live? Why?
I would rather live in Sparta. In Sparta, women were the most independent out of all the Greek city-states. Girls received education in reading and writing, athletics, gymnastics, and survival skills, no matter how much money their parents had.
2. If you were a slave, in which city-state would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Sparta if I were a slave. In Sparta, instead of having slaves, they had serfs (helots). Helots did mostly agricultural work and, while the land belonged to the Spartans, could keep ½ of their produce. In Athens, slaves belonged to a particular owner, who was in almost total control of them. An owner could even kill them.
3. If you were a boy of the citizen class, in which would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Athens. In Sparta, boys were taken away from their parents at age 7. They were given only a cloak for clothes, and not enough food, meaning they had to steal (to learn survival skills). The emphasis was put on military training. In Athens however, boys stayed with their parents and had more opportunities for varied education.
4. If you were a young soldier, in which would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Sparta. In Sparta, soldiers had higher status. Every young person was a soldier in Sparta; no one was better than you. In Athens, while you were following orders, other people were out studying, trading, traveling, or making money.
5. If you were a very wealthy person of the citizen class, in which would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Athens. In Athens, you could buy many things with money. With money, you could have more influence and slaves. Also there were more education opportunities and flexibility. In Sparta the influence of wealth was limited; it was literally difficult to carry money.
6. Finally, decide to represent either Athens or Sparta and debate which is the best place to live. Use the chart from class to find criticisms of the other city-state while praising your own.
Sparta is a great place to live. In Sparta, we are all equal (except serfs); everyone receives the same education and opportunities, no matter how much money our parents have. Education and careers aren’t privileges for the wealthy (like they are in Athens). In Sparta our women also get education; they learn writing and reading, survival skills, gymnastics, and athletics. Your Athenian women sit around and learn domestic art. Why do they even need it if you have slaves? Spartans are all raised to be brave, honorable, and patriotic. Each citizen gets what he or she deserves while in Athens, all are corrupt because money can buy everything. We are a more just society even in the way we treat slaves. While Athenian slaves can be killed by owners and have no rights, our helots do necessary agricultural work and can keep ½ of their produce. In your democracy, misinformed, lower class citizens get as much say in decisions as those that have ample and correct information and education.
I would rather live in Sparta. In Sparta, women were the most independent out of all the Greek city-states. Girls received education in reading and writing, athletics, gymnastics, and survival skills, no matter how much money their parents had.
2. If you were a slave, in which city-state would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Sparta if I were a slave. In Sparta, instead of having slaves, they had serfs (helots). Helots did mostly agricultural work and, while the land belonged to the Spartans, could keep ½ of their produce. In Athens, slaves belonged to a particular owner, who was in almost total control of them. An owner could even kill them.
3. If you were a boy of the citizen class, in which would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Athens. In Sparta, boys were taken away from their parents at age 7. They were given only a cloak for clothes, and not enough food, meaning they had to steal (to learn survival skills). The emphasis was put on military training. In Athens however, boys stayed with their parents and had more opportunities for varied education.
4. If you were a young soldier, in which would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Sparta. In Sparta, soldiers had higher status. Every young person was a soldier in Sparta; no one was better than you. In Athens, while you were following orders, other people were out studying, trading, traveling, or making money.
5. If you were a very wealthy person of the citizen class, in which would you rather live? Why?
I’d rather live in Athens. In Athens, you could buy many things with money. With money, you could have more influence and slaves. Also there were more education opportunities and flexibility. In Sparta the influence of wealth was limited; it was literally difficult to carry money.
6. Finally, decide to represent either Athens or Sparta and debate which is the best place to live. Use the chart from class to find criticisms of the other city-state while praising your own.
Sparta is a great place to live. In Sparta, we are all equal (except serfs); everyone receives the same education and opportunities, no matter how much money our parents have. Education and careers aren’t privileges for the wealthy (like they are in Athens). In Sparta our women also get education; they learn writing and reading, survival skills, gymnastics, and athletics. Your Athenian women sit around and learn domestic art. Why do they even need it if you have slaves? Spartans are all raised to be brave, honorable, and patriotic. Each citizen gets what he or she deserves while in Athens, all are corrupt because money can buy everything. We are a more just society even in the way we treat slaves. While Athenian slaves can be killed by owners and have no rights, our helots do necessary agricultural work and can keep ½ of their produce. In your democracy, misinformed, lower class citizens get as much say in decisions as those that have ample and correct information and education.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
hi
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
blog 4
Blog 4
New ideas in politics and philosophy tend to emerge in times of social, political, and/or economic stress? How can this be explained?
At times of social, political, or economic stress, people particularly distrust the government. They don’t know what to expect but no one expects anything good. Because of this, everyone knows that changes need to be made. It usually starts with a philosophy of change, which then translates into the practical politics.
People come up with various ideas. Not many want to hold high government positions in times of trouble. However, some individuals see the desperation of others as their chance to earn respect and fame. The expectations of society combined with aspirations of these individuals bring about dramatic changes.
For example, during the Great Depression, the government, for the first time, interfered with the economy by ordering public projects so that more people could’ve gotten jobs. In ancient China, if a ruler crushed the opposition and won wars, he had the Mandate of Heavens, and therefore the people. If the ruler didn’t succeed, that meant he wasn’t supported by the Heavens and a new one was needed with new political ideas and new philosophies.
New ideas in politics and philosophy tend to emerge in times of social, political, and/or economic stress? How can this be explained?
At times of social, political, or economic stress, people particularly distrust the government. They don’t know what to expect but no one expects anything good. Because of this, everyone knows that changes need to be made. It usually starts with a philosophy of change, which then translates into the practical politics.
People come up with various ideas. Not many want to hold high government positions in times of trouble. However, some individuals see the desperation of others as their chance to earn respect and fame. The expectations of society combined with aspirations of these individuals bring about dramatic changes.
For example, during the Great Depression, the government, for the first time, interfered with the economy by ordering public projects so that more people could’ve gotten jobs. In ancient China, if a ruler crushed the opposition and won wars, he had the Mandate of Heavens, and therefore the people. If the ruler didn’t succeed, that meant he wasn’t supported by the Heavens and a new one was needed with new political ideas and new philosophies.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
blog number 3
Population growth was the most significant development of the Classical Period. Do you agree or disagree?
It's hard to decide what the most significant development of the Classical Period was. The growth of population definitely contributed to the development. Because of the increasing population, there were more needs in goods, labor, and food. All that stimulated the development of new farming and building techniques, other technologies. In turn, these developments stimulated population growth - less people died of hunger, more lived to adulthood. There were many intertwined major and minor developments that influenced each other. Each of them contributed to the Classical Period.For instance, progress in trade and creating the network of exchange was another major factor in development. A social hierarchy was developed and the financial differences increased between occupants of different jobs; meaning some groups of society could afford expensive goods and a proper education. Life became not only about surviving but also about creating arts, writing, and study. Since more people lived in cities or towns, it was easier to communicate and build roads. A network of exchange was created, circulating goods, inventions, studies, and ideas.
In conclusion, I don’t think there was one most significant development. Population growth was one of many; these developments, combined, characterized the Classical Period.
It's hard to decide what the most significant development of the Classical Period was. The growth of population definitely contributed to the development. Because of the increasing population, there were more needs in goods, labor, and food. All that stimulated the development of new farming and building techniques, other technologies. In turn, these developments stimulated population growth - less people died of hunger, more lived to adulthood. There were many intertwined major and minor developments that influenced each other. Each of them contributed to the Classical Period.For instance, progress in trade and creating the network of exchange was another major factor in development. A social hierarchy was developed and the financial differences increased between occupants of different jobs; meaning some groups of society could afford expensive goods and a proper education. Life became not only about surviving but also about creating arts, writing, and study. Since more people lived in cities or towns, it was easier to communicate and build roads. A network of exchange was created, circulating goods, inventions, studies, and ideas.
In conclusion, I don’t think there was one most significant development. Population growth was one of many; these developments, combined, characterized the Classical Period.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
jchs humanities blog 2
Before studying the particular civilizations of the Classical Period, but after reading the introduction to this time period, what do you believe was the biggest change that occurred during this time period?
In my opinion, the biggest and also most important change was that trade routes all over Eurasia formed. Before the Empires, there were tribes and villages but the trade routes were probably under 1000 miles. All over the world, different societies had leads in many various fields. Before the Classical Age, people didn't have access to the discoveries and inventions of other civilizations. Trade centers with goods from everywhere became educated and advanced cities that inspired more creativity.For the first time, people could build on and combine the knowledge of others.
In my opinion, the biggest and also most important change was that trade routes all over Eurasia formed. Before the Empires, there were tribes and villages but the trade routes were probably under 1000 miles. All over the world, different societies had leads in many various fields. Before the Classical Age, people didn't have access to the discoveries and inventions of other civilizations. Trade centers with goods from everywhere became educated and advanced cities that inspired more creativity.For the first time, people could build on and combine the knowledge of others.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Why do you think that White Europeans came to control a large share of the modern world, while those inhabiting the Americas, Africa, and Asia became subjects of Colonization?
While in other countries and on other continents people had miles of extra space, in Europe many countries and many people were squished together in a tiny area. There was much more rivalry. The people had wars and needed more area, soldiers, and resources; they also wanted to prove themselves (in this case) getting more land. Europe greatly benefited from the invasions of Mongols. Mongols brought with them various weapons from all over Asia and the Middle East (from bows to explosives). Before the Mongol Empire, Europe didn't know much about the existence of Asia and Asia didn't know much about Europe. Europeans desperately wanted more land and they got it.
While in other countries and on other continents people had miles of extra space, in Europe many countries and many people were squished together in a tiny area. There was much more rivalry. The people had wars and needed more area, soldiers, and resources; they also wanted to prove themselves (in this case) getting more land. Europe greatly benefited from the invasions of Mongols. Mongols brought with them various weapons from all over Asia and the Middle East (from bows to explosives). Before the Mongol Empire, Europe didn't know much about the existence of Asia and Asia didn't know much about Europe. Europeans desperately wanted more land and they got it.
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