Plato explains the meaning of his allegory "The Cave" in the last paragraph:
This entire allegory, I said, you may now append, dear Glaucon, to the previous argument; the cave is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world according to my poor belief, which, at your desire, I have expressed whether rightly or wrongly God knows. But, whether true or false, my opinion is that in the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power upon which he who would act rationally, either in public or private life must have his eye fixed.
What do you think Plato means by the "world of sight?" In your own words, what is the soul's journey upward? What is the idea of good, and how is it related to the soul's journey upward?
Finally, use the section Gotama to analyze how Siddhartha himself is on the journey towards realizing the "idea of the good." What are both the pains and progressions Siddhartha has made towards "seeing the light," or enlightenment? USE ANALOGIES FROM "THE CAVE."
To read Plato's Republic Book VII ("The Cave") in its entirety, read this link: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/platoscave.html
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Dorian Gray CH 3
Plato explains the meaning of his allegory "The Cave" in the last paragraph:
This entire allegory, I said, you may now append, dear Glaucon, to the previous argument; the cave is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world according to my poor belief, which, at your desire, I have expressed whether rightly or wrongly God knows. But, whether true or false, my opinion is that in the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power upon which he who would act rationally, either in public or private life must have his eye fixed.
What do you think Plato means by the "world of sight?" In your own words, what is the soul's journey upward? What is the idea of good, and how is it related to the soul's journey upward?
Finally, explain Lord Henry's reference to Plato and how it relates to the story thus far. Do you think Lord Henry shares similar opinions to Plato on the soul's journey and the idea of the good? USE TEXTUAL SUPPORT TO RELATE THIS TO CHAPTERS 1-3.
To read Plato's Republic Book VII ("The Cave") in its entirety, read this link: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/platoscave.html
This entire allegory, I said, you may now append, dear Glaucon, to the previous argument; the cave is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world according to my poor belief, which, at your desire, I have expressed whether rightly or wrongly God knows. But, whether true or false, my opinion is that in the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power upon which he who would act rationally, either in public or private life must have his eye fixed.
What do you think Plato means by the "world of sight?" In your own words, what is the soul's journey upward? What is the idea of good, and how is it related to the soul's journey upward?
Finally, explain Lord Henry's reference to Plato and how it relates to the story thus far. Do you think Lord Henry shares similar opinions to Plato on the soul's journey and the idea of the good? USE TEXTUAL SUPPORT TO RELATE THIS TO CHAPTERS 1-3.
To read Plato's Republic Book VII ("The Cave") in its entirety, read this link: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/platoscave.html
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Siddhartha: With the Samanas
"I have needed a long time, and that time is not yet up, to learn this, O Govinda: that no one can learn a thing! I believe firmly that in reality the thing we call 'learning' does not exist. O my friend, all there is is a knowledge, which is everywhere, which is Atman, which is in me and in you and in every being. And so I am beginning to believe that this knowledge has no worse enemy than the desire to know, than learning" (pg 11).
Can learning really be the enemy of knowledge? What IS knowledge? What IS learning? Why is this an ironic thing for Siddhartha to say? Consider his past lifestyle, current lifestyle, and future plans.
Can learning really be the enemy of knowledge? What IS knowledge? What IS learning? Why is this an ironic thing for Siddhartha to say? Consider his past lifestyle, current lifestyle, and future plans.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dorian Gray CH 2
Are the events in Chapter 2 alluding to the Biblical myth of The Garden of Eden? Find textual evidence to support this allusion. Remember the characters, settings, and other details of the original myth.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Siddhartha: The Son of a Brahman
On page 4, Siddhartha murmurs the verse:
"Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul,
The Brahman is the arrow's goal,
Which should be hit unswervingly."
Define Om and Brahman and explain what you think this metaphor means to Siddhartha. (Hint= use the glossary of Indian terms!) Is there an equivalent concept of Om and Brahman in your culture? If so, explain.
"Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul,
The Brahman is the arrow's goal,
Which should be hit unswervingly."
Define Om and Brahman and explain what you think this metaphor means to Siddhartha. (Hint= use the glossary of Indian terms!) Is there an equivalent concept of Om and Brahman in your culture? If so, explain.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, CH I
Basil says to Lord Henry on page 7, "I don't agree with a single word that you have said, and, what is more, Harry, I feel sure you don't either."
Is Lord Henry sincere when he speaks? Choose a statement by Lord Henry such as, "I chose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects," and explain its meaning and whether or not you think Lord Henry is sincere. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE A QUOTE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED IN A PREVIOUS RESPONSE!
Is Lord Henry sincere when he speaks? Choose a statement by Lord Henry such as, "I chose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects," and explain its meaning and whether or not you think Lord Henry is sincere. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE A QUOTE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED IN A PREVIOUS RESPONSE!
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