Reflection 2

Today we learned more about Plato and his rhetoric against rhetoric and poetry. We watched a video called the allegory of the cave by Plato. The video shows a group of four people in a cave that know nothing else but what is brought before them. They are chained and yet they seem content. One day one of them is released into the light of day. He cannot believe what he sees in this new world and he is grateful for he thinks back to his existence in the cave and how restricted he was from all that could be known. He was exposed for so many years to only one layer of existence, now he holds witness to a new one. He feels pity for those left in the cave. He tries to enlighten them of what he has witnessed and they laugh at him. They do not care to try to escape from the cave for this new world would mean that everything they know means nothing and rather than face the truth they remain in denial.

There are a few quotes from the film that I found very interesting:

“Better to be the poor servant of a poor master and to endure anything, rather than think as they do, and live after they manner”

This means that their existence is vacant, and void of true meaning, and therefore their existence is worthless.

“It is the task of the enlightened not only to ascend, to learning, and to see the good but to be willing to descend again to those prisoners and to share their troubles and their honors whether they are worth having or not, and this they must do even with the prospect of death. They should give of their help to one another wherever each class is able to help the community.”

A statement made by one who is considered by many to be enlightened may be held as truth, when actually it is a mere opinon that contains possibility.

For example:

Karl Marx said, “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.”

One should give to the community, but first they must develop themselves. They must be given the freedom to discover their talents and pursue their dreams. They must aim to be as successful as they can with the talents they have acquired while living a free life. Giving to the community should never be forced; it is appreciated most when given freely.

Ben Franklin said, “‘I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.’
Benjamin Franklin, On the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor, November 1766”

This statement sounds good as well, but it won't work everywhere. Other factors must be in place first such as: good moral values, security from crime, plenty of natural resources, education towards a trade. His statement may work well in America but not so much in Haiti.

These are two very different views on how a society should be. The views were spoken by two men considered by many to be enlightened ones. These statements may be considered by many as a new layer of truth when actually they are more like layers of realities possibilities.

The man that was freed to see outside of the cave only saw one layer of realities possibilities. He saw one landscape, one terrain, a body of water, some trees, a few species of wildlife, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the sky. This is what he reported to the other three left in the cave, and it is only one layer of realities possibilities. The world is not static, it is ever changing, and there are always new layers to discover. Even the cave itself is a layer, and each layer is very limited. The man that had left the cave was not enlightened by all that reality holds; he was only exposed to another layer of realities possibilities.

Perhaps what Plato was suggesting is to never be closed minded and unwilling to listen to what one believes possible, and if one believes, he must never be afraid to share.

Whether we like it or not, we all live in a “cave”. We will never be able to escape from it. We can only expand it by exposing layer upon layer of realities possibilities. In some strange way we need the “cave” for it helps us to make sense of our existence. If we were unable to make sense of things life would be nothing more than perpetual confusion that is void of all meaning.

Works Cited

Carl Marx Quote taken from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/k/karl_marx.html#ixzz1EWybu6Vx

Ben Franklin Quote taken from:
http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/Franklin/index2.htm
© 2001-2004 Interesting.com

Allegory of the cave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2afuTvUzBQ
Churchill Films, Produced by Nick Bosustow and C.B Wismar

Reflection 1

This was our first class together and the room was full of wide eyes curious as to what was going to happen next. Would our minds be able to handle such a deep topic as Major Critical Theory, are we in too deep? Professor Wexler entered the room and the room fell silent. I could sense anxious anxiety abound! I think everyone was sitting up a bit straighter than usual, and all eyes were on Professor Wexler. He began to speak, “Wow we have a lot to do today, yet at the same time I still think we’ll still get out early.” The class sighed a relief filled,”yeahhhh..” Professor Wexler then told us we were going to learn about a man named Gorgious, and once again revealed his sense of humor by saying, “That’s always good right?” By this time the tension in the air was lowered dramatically, and we were now ready to learn.

Later in the class we watched a clip from the movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. The clip shows a woman on a turning pedestal with mirrors in front of her. She was a Doll on a music box and she sang a sad song that evokes a sense of insecurity, loneliness, and longing for love.

These are the lyrics they sang:

What do you see
You people gazing at me
You see a doll on a music box
That's wound by a key
How can you tell
I'm under a spell
I'm waiting for love's first kiss
You cannot see
How much I long to be free
Turning around on this music box
That's wound by a key
Yearning
Yearning
While
I'm turning around and around
What do you see
(Truly Scrumptious)
You people gazing at me
(you're truly truly scrumptious)
You see a doll on a music box, that's wound by a key
(scrumptious a...)
How can you tell I'm
(whe...)
Under a spell I'm
(...)
Waiting for love's first kiss
(honest truly, your the answer to my wishes)
You cannot see
(Truly Scrumptious)
How much I long to be free
(though I may seem presumptuous)
Turning around on this music box that's wound by a key
(ne..)
Yearning
(my heart beats so unruly)
Yearning
(because I love you truly)
While I'm turning around and around)
(honest, Truly I do)

The class was then asked what they observed in the clip. The observations were very interesting and we probably could have analyzed the clip for hours but we hit some pretty major critical points. One student looked at this clip with a feminist point of view saying that the man was free to do as he wishes, while the woman is confined to her pedestal. I noticed that there are mirror to one side of the woman and suggested that she was forced to look at herself whenever the pedestal turned her in that direction. This was a very interesting first day, and I looked forward to the weeks to follow.

Work Cited

Picture and Lyrics found at http://unsinkablecork.com/chitty/songs.htm

Analysis 1: Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Is the embodiment of a great speaker, and perhaps one of the greatest masters of persuasion through performance the world has ever witnessed. To listen to his words, to hear the passion and conviction in his voice can make ones heart begin to pound with patriotism for he reminds us that we are Americans first, and that freedom is not free. His confidence is that of an experienced leader, and he knows what makes a true American tick. He is proud of this country, and it is refreshing to hear such vigor, passion and love directed towards it.

Here is the first portion of the speech. Please read this first and then watch the video to realize Gorgias’s belief in the power of performance and how it promotes an effective persuasion.

“Those who would trade our freedom for the soup kitchen of the welfare state have told us they have a utopian solution of peace without victory they call their policy accommodation and they say it will only avoid any direct confrontation with the enemy he’ll forget his evil ways and learn to love us all who oppose them are indicted as war mongers they say we offer simple answers to complex problems well perhaps there is a simple answer, not an easy answer, but simple…”
(Please view the video in its entirety)

This speech is a strong example of rhetoric and the art of persuasion.
Reagan is a great example of ethos. He “looks the part” of a man that stands tall and appears virtuous (Arête) in his beliefs. His voice is direct and clear. His words are well thought out and encompass a powerful message for the people to absorb (Eunoia). He has an understanding of human emotion, and desire. He creates powerful imagery through the mention of Jesus Christ and the cross. He reminds the people of our forefathers and their words as when Alexander Hamilton is quoted as saying, "A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one!" This is powerful, powerful stuff and Reagan knew how to work an audience. There was steady tone of his voice that would lift and drop at just the right moments. He knew what Americans long for, what they fear, and what they would fight for when pushed. He understands the evil that pursues our way of life and that we must never appease it but instead confront it. His words, speeches, and wisdom still hold great meaning too many Americans today. They are left longing for the one that will fill his shoes, but they know it most likely won’t happen again in their lifetime.

The Encomium of Helen (perfomance version not available)

Encomium of Helen

Gorgias was a great speaker that “came to Athens in 427B.C.E” (37). “He quickly became one of the most influential of the sophists, a group of itinerant teachers who went from city to city earning their living by instructing others in subtle argumentation” (37). Gorgias believed that “one should make men skillful at speaking” and he “aims to persuade through performance” (37). “Gorgias likens the power of speech to persuade to the power of magical charms or drugs to alter the mind or body” (37).

The Nutshell

It is said that Helen of Troy was the most beautiful woman of the day. There were many men that pursued her glance and failed. She married Menelaus not for love, but it is said to have been an arranged marriage. Gorgias never mentions that in his speech, but it is a very important detail to analyze for once the “jury” discovers this information it reduces the possibility of her being “abducted” by Paris. A Prince of Troy named Paris was in search of the love of his life. There was an argument as to who the most beautiful goddess was and “Zeus proclaimed that Paris… thought to be the most beautiful man alive, would act as the judge”( http://www.stanford.edu/~plomio/history.html). He chose Aphrodite as most beautiful and in return she “owed him one”. She told him that he could have any woman he chose, and he chose Helen. It is said that Helen and Paris ran off together, which in turn started a war.

The Encomium of Helen is an attempt by Gorgias to come to “the defense of Helen of Troy, a character long vilified by poets…” (37)

Analysis

The Encomium of Helen is an interesting argument, but it is flawed. The speech lacks punch, and its powers are diminished for it is merely a passionate speech in the form of words on paper. Gorgias utilized much more than just words on paper to artfully arrange the hearts intended for his persuasion. We cannot witness Gorgias’s masterful performance that must have accompanied these words from the pages. He must have made these words come to life and pull the listeners from their foundations to build a new. We cannot see the subtle expressions in Gorgias’s face as he confidently pleaded his case to the audience that gathered in the street. Words were only half of Gorgias’s arsenal for he was a man that could “persuade through performance” (37). A master of speech such as he would have utilized ethos, eunoia, and arête to compliment his performance and win over the hearts of the stubborn listener. He would certainly understand human desires, and emotions, and be able to push the buttons of the potential jury that intently listened. He would have to observe the reactions from the audience and gauge his tone appropriately to formulate the most effective way to implant his belief through the performance he gives, and the words he speaks.

The Emcomium of Helen can be read today. It can be mimicked and performed. But it can never be witnessed. For Gorgias is long gone, and his ability to persuade never to be captured, felt, or fully understood. The words are but a mere skeleton of his ability to persuade through “subtle argument” (37) and to realize this is to feel loss, for how can one critique just words on paper when they are only half of the argument available.

Vocabulary Words

Itinerant (454) – adj.- Traveling from place to place to perform work

Works Cited

Gorgias of Leontini. "Encomium of Helen". ed. Leitch, Vincent B. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010.

“itinerant.” The American Heritage Dictionary. 4th Ed. New York: Bantom Dell, 2001.454.

Mortal Women of the Trojan War
The Women of the Trojan War in Latin Literature
http://www.stanford.edu/~plomio/history.html



Print.

Plato’s Play-doh: Molding the perfect society

Ah, if we could only remove the humanity from humanity could we possibly experience the perfect world of Plato’s society. To sever our hearts from our heads and gaze upon the brilliance that is Plato. It is he who holds all the answers that may guide us to enlightenment. For it is only Plato that can make sense of it all, and we are but buffoons searching for shiny objects to dazzle our simple minds. Thank God for Plato, or should we simply thank Plato for Plato?

Does he not realize what he is proposing is lunacy? He is proposing censorship of the common man for he believes it to be dangerous. A free mind is a dangerous mind as far as Plato is concerned. Unless of course we are talking about Plato’s mind. Plato seems to believe that he should never be stifled by censorship, but the people are too fragile to hold such a power as free speech. Does he truly believe that he has the power to stop the people from thinking “illegal” thoughts, or speaking their minds at will?

Plato discusses grief

“Whereas there’s another part of our mind which urges us to remember the bad times and to express our grief, and which is insatiably greedy for tear. What can we say about it? That it is incapable of listening to reason…” (Republic X p74).
If we cannot experience grief, then how do we know what pleasure is? If every day were sunny, would we not miss the rain? Life is to be experienced, not hobbled by what another claims to be a perfect society. We must be free to choose our own path.

There are three sides to every story: Their story, the others story, and the truth.

Plato suggests that there are two kinds of literature, “true and false” (Republic II p46). He then attempts to manipulate the reader by using the fragile minds of helpless children as his example to make the point that false stories are damaging to society and should not be spread amongst the people. He also uses the children as his example in attempts to activate the emotions of the reader unaware that Plato is setting his stage upon a slippery slope. “Shall we, then, casually allow our children to listen to any old stories, made up by just anyone, and to take into their minds views which, on the whole, contradict those we’ll want them to have as adults?”(Republic II p46). Then the response is, “No, we won’t allow that at all.”(Republic II p46) He then utilizes his incredible arrogance to take charge of what is and what is not acceptable reading. “So our first job, apparently, is to oversee the work of the story-writers, and to accept any good story they write, but reject the others” (Republic II p46). We see politicians of today flagrantly use images that weaken the head and penetrate the heart just so they can slip past the people their own misguided personal agendas. Plato and today’s politician always seem to be attempting to manipulate the people and through their arrogance believe they know what is best for all of us.

Conclusion

I suppose most of us have toyed with the idea of a perfect society and what that would entail. I believe it is very unlikely that any two views would be exactly the same. Therefore there is no such thing as a perfect society nor will there ever be. There are simply too many variables, too many opinions, too many people with too many ideas with the inability to see far enough into the future to analyze all the consequences of every action made presently for ever a perfect society to exist. Man is a flawed creature, and a perfect society is perfect. To achieve a perfect society it is necessary to expel all that is flawed. Therefore a perfect society could never include man in the first place.

Plato. "Republic, Book II". ed. Leitch, Vincent B. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010. Print.
Plato. "Republic, Book X". ed. Leitch, Vincent B. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010. Print.

Major Critical BLOG

Welcome to my BLOG. My name is Stephan Harder and I have never seriously launched my thoughts into cyberspace. What does BLOG even stand for? Blabbering Ladies Or Gentlemen? It is a bit uncomfortable for me to open a door that welcomes such opportunity for criticism. To allow for unknowns to peer into my mind is not what I would consider to be a pleasant voluntary experience. Maybe by the end of this class I will feel differently about the Blogosphere, but for now I am a bit uneasy about the whole concept.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for a course called Major Critical Theories. Even its title sounds intimidating. I decided to figure out the meaning of this course by breaking down its title into singular definitions. I believed that this would help me to get a grasp on what to expect in this course, and this is what I found in the dictionary:

Major
1. Greater in importance, rank, or extent
2. Of great concern; very serious

Critical
1. Inclined to judge severely
2. Marked by careful evaluation

Theory
1. Abstract reasoning; speculation
2. An assumption
3. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, esp; one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted
A theory is simply a theory, there are no truths unless there is no other possibility, and there is almost always another possibility.

The word abstract is used to describe the type of reasoning that takes place at the conception of a new theory so I looked this word up as well:

Abstract
1. Considered apart from concrete existence
2. Difficult to understand

I then proceeded to compile and extrapolate the meanings of these words to form one definition to explain what the course title possibly means, and what it entails. I believed this would clarify what to expect from this course, to understand why these words were chosen for its name, and to put my mind a bit more at ease with the prospects of its depths.

This is what it looks like when all definitions are combined:

Major Critical Theory - Difficult to understand reasoning that is based on speculation and assumptions drawn from what is considered apart from concrete existence and yet holds a rank of great importance to be severely judged with careful evaluation for it contains repeatedly tested or widely accepted statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena of very serious and great concern.

I must say my mind is now at ease…?

In any case I look forward to the guidance and instruction of our good professor Wexler to untangle the threads of confusion and lead us through the depths of all the possibilities we can fathom within the short structured timeframe that we are together.

Works Cited
“Abstract.” The American Heritage Dictionary. 4th Ed. New York: Bantom Dell, 2001.4.
“Critical.” The American Heritage Dictionary. 4th Ed. New York: Bantom Dell, 2001.209.
“Major.” The American Heritage Dictionary. 4th Ed. New York: Bantom Dell, 2001.509.
”Theory.” The American Heritage Dictionary. 4th Ed. New York: Bantom Dell, 2001.848.