Out of everything we have done this year in philosophy the song presentation was probably the hardest for me. When Mr. Summer's first told us that our project involved us singing I was sure (at least hoping) he was joking. I just couldn't picture myself singing in front of a class. Finally, when the day of the presentation arrived (today) I kept thinking of an excuse not to do it. I was even tempted to say I didn't write a song. But I knew I couldn't do that so instead I hoped the bell would ring before it was my turn. I kept looking over to the board where my name was written hoping there would be more people in line before me but finally it was my turn. I knew there was no avoiding it. My stomach was in knots and my hands were shaking. Maybe to some people it wouldn't have been that big of a deal, especially since the class is so small but to me it was like I was about to deliver a speech in front of an arena filled with people. If it had been just a speech in front of the class it would have been fine but singing. Me?? I can't carry a tune to save my life.
But now as I reflect back on today I guess it was a good experience to have. In a way I think it eased my fear of public speaking (at least just a little bit) because now I can think, "at least I'm not about to sing."
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What is Justice?
If someone were to ask me this question last year I probably would have answered with "justice is doing the right thing." But the more we discuss in class and read The Republic I realize I don't really know what justice is.
There's so many different definitions of justice. I mean mine still is doing the right thing. But what does that really mean? The way I interpret doing the right thing as might be entirely different to someone else.
But no matter what definition justice is given I think it's a very important part of having a stable society. A society without justice, at least the justice decided upon by the majority, would be chaotic. This kind of reminds me of Freud's theory. Without the ego and the superego (justice) to keep the id in check people would be doing whatever they felt like doing whether it was destructive or not.
Even if Adeimantus and Glaucon are right that people only do the right thing when it benefits them or because they are afraid of the consequences, at least they are still doing what is considered right. No matter what someone's reason for being just is, the way I see it, as long as their being just that's all that matters.
There's so many different definitions of justice. I mean mine still is doing the right thing. But what does that really mean? The way I interpret doing the right thing as might be entirely different to someone else.
But no matter what definition justice is given I think it's a very important part of having a stable society. A society without justice, at least the justice decided upon by the majority, would be chaotic. This kind of reminds me of Freud's theory. Without the ego and the superego (justice) to keep the id in check people would be doing whatever they felt like doing whether it was destructive or not.
Even if Adeimantus and Glaucon are right that people only do the right thing when it benefits them or because they are afraid of the consequences, at least they are still doing what is considered right. No matter what someone's reason for being just is, the way I see it, as long as their being just that's all that matters.
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