Emerson

It's been a while since I've updated with my writing, nothing has felt worth posting.  Here is my PHI 331 essay on Emerson's The Over-Soul

In looking at the Over-Soul in Essays: First and Second Series, Emerson tries to identify a number of ideas that provide us with a greater understanding of our nature.  Our perception of nature and ourselves cannot be fully understood until we understand our own soul.  The thoughts and ideas that make up our current mindset do not provide us with enough insight of what makes up our deeper drives and our aims.  Emerson argues that Over-Soul is a process of thought that is processed through our ideas, soul, and a larger community.

In understanding the Over-Soul, Emerson is trying to hold realism and idealism together, claiming that this promotes human understanding.  The idea of realism is that all the general ideas are real, such as laws.  These make up the essential properties of life without any other influences.  Idealism is the idea that things have a nature of an ideal growth or generality.  This idea focuses on a positive outcome in the mind of an individual.  Emerson holds these two differing ideas in equal regard.  While many might view it as impossible to be realistic and idealistic at the same time, Emerson claims our human understanding is developed through this understanding.

The ideas of nominalism and materialism together are also expanded upon.  Nominalism understands the general as just terms that we use to label our thoughts and ideas.  This sort of classification system is variable to whichever individual perceives the general.  In materialism the only existing things are individual objects, or brute forces.  These two ideas clearly conflict each other as well.  Nominalists look and identify that which is abstract and not concrete, whereas the materialist can only view what is physically there.

Emerson’s claim is that only Nature can exist within all these divisions.  You can physically touch nature, yet to describe what nature truly is, abstract thoughts and ideas would be used.  Nature can also be seen by what it is made up of, the laws that govern it are straightforward, yet ideally nature can be so much more to the individual.  Nature itself is truly remarkable in its undistinguishable dimensions.

Nevertheless, the idealist and the materialist also hold a unique relationship between themselves.  The idealist believes that all things are of the nature of thought or ideas, that fundamentally our consciousness of our surroundings is what defines what we view as real.  The materialist however knows that at the root of all that exists, is individual objects that exert brute forces.  This idea is quite difficult for the idealist to deter from.  When one is looking for physical proof that makes up nature, the abstract that cannot be held, is irrelevant. 

These ideas of what is real and what constitutes value brings up a pertinent question: what is the nature of thought?  Thought is immaterial and intangible, yet without it no division could identify their values.  Thought is similar to a sign or representation that holds meanings about something, whether it is real or fictional.  So its value, while not tangible, carries as much weight as a thought or idea as a brute force. 

The text also brings up the question: what is the nature of soul?  Philosophers Plato and Aristotle offer differing views on the subject.  Plato believed that the highest form is good, truth, and beauty, and that these traits govern everything.  Aristotle believed that there is no highest form of the good in nature or in us.  In the Over-Soul Emerson is in agreement with Plato.  He states that,

“..to speak from our character … which evermore tends to pass into our thought and hand, and become wisdom, and virtue, and power, and beauty” (156).

Emerson clearly believes that these intangible aspects are what makes up our soul, that in nature and in ourselves these nominalist qualities are the foundation for our understanding.  As this theme is also mirrored with Plato, this is a much deeper look at what is the foundation of our more customary thoughts and ideals.  However Emerson also points out a fallacy in our views:

“We see the world piece by piece, as the sun, the moon, the animal, the tree; but the whole, of which these are the shining parts, is the soul” (156).

He could not be more frank in suggesting that our divisions of thought and nature have led us to also divide our soul.  It is a struggle for many today to view the ever-changing “bigger picture.”  Emerson believes though, that if we can take all the wonderful aspects of the world around us, and be able to understand and appreciate their values as complimentary to one another, we can understand what is our soul.  Emerson also explains that the soul knows not of dates, persons, or events, simply that the soul only knows the soul (158).  This particular idea really stands out in the text as he is claiming that the soul is independent of man, and can stand on its own.  In understanding this idea, we can see that this is very different from our modern way of thinking. 

            Additionally, there are objections to Emerson’s claim that these ideas of soul and thought are part of a larger community.  It is easy to claim that thoughts live in the minds of individual human beings, rather than existing separately.  It does seem somewhat ridiculous for Emerson to claim that the soul can exist on its own, and is waiting to be discovered.  Man believes he is in control of his own soul, as well as nature.  It is in his own nature to think this way.  If man were not there to think these ideas, how could they exist on their own?

Emerson explains that “it makes no difference whether the appeal is to numbers or to one … (the soul) is no flatter, it is no follower” (169).   This idea is key in supporting Emerson’s opposition.  Only one individual is needed to make a difference, as the soul knows virtue and will act upon its own.

“For the soul’s communication for truth is the highest event in nature … it gives itself, or passes into and becomes that man whom it enlightens; or, in proportion to that truth he receives, it takes him to itself” (162).

In understanding the Over-Soul one must look beyond what is easily perceived in our day-to-day lives.  We must recognize, understand, practice, and hold equally various perspectives of thought.  In doing this we are able to understand our nature and our soul.

Works Cited:

Emerson, Ralph Waldo, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Essays: First and Second Series. New York: Vintage, 1990. Print.

Leopold

This paper is from my PHI 331 class and is on Leopold and the Land Ethic.


      There are numerous perspectives that can be taken on our ethical relationship with the land. Today’s values and beliefs present various ideas and ideals that we strive to comprehend. Up to this point, humans have valued land primarily in terms of our growth in relation to the biotic community. Leopold attempts to identify and explain numerous principals between humans and the land. Through its identification of values, Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac suggests that through analyzing the land pyramid, we can gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with nature.
      The land pyramid is described as having the bottom most layer as soil, which plants rest on top of, followed by insects, birds, and rodents on top. It grows upwards to the top which consists of large carnivores. He states that in the beginning (of the earth) the pyramid of life was low and broad, with short and simple food chains. Throughout the evolutionary process new layers have been added and all the layers have expanded (216). This claim is logical and as the world grows our land pyramid and food chains grow as well. However Leopold claims that the soil is that the base of the pyramid and that from it grows the plants that nourish all the living organisms above it. However it is pretty evident that as the earth’s population of species grows the land itself does not grow with it. The idea that the pyramid started with a large base, as there were many single celled organisms, is plausible. Still as Leopold claims the pyramid expands, what he defined as the base of the pyramid clearly cannot physically expand in this sense.
      Leopold claims that in the land pyramid species are grouped not by how they look or where they evolved from, but rather what they eat. As each lower layer provides food for an upper layer, the numerical abundance of the species also decreases (215). Though this claim is conceivable for the purposes of explaining our relationship with the land, it does not fully recognize the full extent of species food cycles. While Leopold refers to the food cycles present within the land pyramid as growing and expanding as it does, it does not explain the complexity of food systems. The argument is perhaps just poorly worded, modern science does not call these food systems “food chains” as Leopold refers to them, however as food webs. Whichever species is at the very top of the pyramid still contributes to the food systems of species below them. As animals decompose in the natural environment, they provide nutrients to countless species that the land pyramid would claim is below that animal. It almost seems as if Leopold is talking about a predatory dominance over its prey as claiming status in the land pyramid.
      However Leopold claims that man shares a middle layer with bears, raccoons, and squirrels for example, as these species eat both meat and vegetables (215). It is clear that Leopold’s land pyramid is solely based on what a species eats to claim its layer in the pyramid, yet humans’ position seems to be a very subjective one. We view modern values as pertaining to human life, to our ideas, our langue and our interactions with one another, all of which have inherent value. We are sentient of our place in nature, and our ideas state that all things in nature (except humans) are governed solely by mechanical laws and brute forces. We exempt ourselves from being a part of nature as we believe we can own it and control it. Humans should be removed from the land pyramid as they are we truthfully act on our own accord. Modern technology has given us the ability to create genetically engineered crops. We are choosing to eat not from the base of the pyramid, but from science. As we continue to expand our technologies in this sense we continue to further ourselves from the land pyramid. We also control the natural food that we do eat, consuming as specialty food species that naturally would be at the top of the pyramid or towards the bottom. Our world view; our social sciences, natural sciences, history, religion, and economic principals do not rely on our position in the land pyramid. It is fairly clear that as a developed species we disregard the rest of our land.
      Leopold suggests that the land pyramid is our guide to the economical relations to the land in the sense of a biotic mechanism (214). This claim would work even better in the sense of the human species’ separate land pyramid. We view the land pyramid as a guide to the economical associations of the land in terms of a biotic mechanism. Species lower on the pyramid are more abundant, and to us, less important, less rare, and less economically valuable. Naturally species that are at the top of the pyramid we view as special and worth more. This is our idea of supply and demand, which we typically view in terms of goods and services, in nature. The land pyramid has become our way to judge economic value of nature, as modern values are established to satisfy human preferences and desires. While this is undoubtedly a poor viewpoint it seems to be our current, albeit unfortunate, stance regarding nature.
      Leopold claims that we can only be ethical in something that we can see, feel, understand, love or otherwise have faith in (214). This claim is truly essential in understanding the values and principles of our relationship to nature. To the most basic point, if we do not love the land, we cannot be ethical in the way respect nature. The land pyramid is Leopold’s example of explaining how species have worked interdependently to organize ourselves. While Leopold may not have every detail exact, his driving concepts our fellowship with the land stands out. Moreover, Leopold has broken down walls with his words, illuminated to generations the significance of our land ethic.

Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac, and Sketches Here and There. New York: Oxford UP, 1981. Print.

"Wilderness"

I just finished writing for my ENV 301W class, It will also be adapted for one of my PHI 331 journals.

This paper is in response to the question: Ever been in "the wilderness"? Where? What did you experience there?

Zane Ioli

ENV 301W

10/8/10

Reader-Response – “Wilderness”

I would have to say that last time I experienced the wilderness was just at the beginning of the semester.  A friend and I decided to take a hike up Kendrick Peak in the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness of the Kaibab National Forest.  This area is definitely subject to being titled “wildness” for a handful of reasons.  The road to the mountain was dirt, yet very well maintained, this being a sign that we might not be the only people experiencing this wilderness.  Upon arriving at the trailhead we discovered a nice parking lot, and even a restroom.  It seemed that while this may be a designated wilderness area, the “solitary” aspect that we presume of wildness was not accurate here.  Nevertheless I was still very excited for this hike, it had been a great deal of time since my last hike in what I imagine is “wilderness”.  There were a great number of other hikers on the trail.  A friendly smile or hello usually constituted our interaction before being back on our own.  The trail itself was quite a bit more intense than I had suspected.  Just over 8.6 miles round trip was quite a work out, not to mention a 2,718 foot elevation gain!  Quite frankly though, the different ecological zones we passed on our way up was incredibly fascinating, and the views were breathtaking.  From the peak of the mountain at 10,418 feet we could see all of the San Francisco Peaks to the east, we could see the edge of the Moguillon rim to the south, and we could see a faint line that is the Grand Canyon to the north.  In the saddle between to of the peaks of Kendrick Mountain we stopped and had a small packed lunch.  It was incredibly relaxing to rest for a moment.  However even more satisfying than that was feeling “alone” in this wilderness.  To see the vast expanse of land in every direction, all the green tress and native grasses was a extremely refreshing experience.  While I know that the area isn’t even what I would consider true wilderness, it was an experience in wilderness that was extremely memorable and much needed from my day-to-day life.

A photo I took from the fire lookout tower – 10,418 feet – Looking north-east

Beauty

So I've been meaning to update more than twice a year - and I've thought of many things the over the past few weeks where I was like "I could update my blog about that" ... but alas.... I haven't.

Currently this week I'm in a funk, but perhaps funk isn't quite the right term, its more like FUNK or FUNK. Who knows... I'll try and focus on a little more of the positive things for now... as in Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition. LOL Yes.

I course 7 years ago Disney released Beauty and the Beast on their Platinum Edition ... and I bought it.  And now, for the next generation, they've released it again!  And OF COURSE I had to buy it... again.  Things I like/dislike about it.

Like:  No stupid crappy CGI into like Platinum Edition
I have 2 discs of Blu-Ray

Dislike: 1 disc of DVD unlike 2 on Platinum
Not a great cover...
I DON'T HAVE A BLU-RAY PLAYER! :(

Anyways... I am watching it right now, just getting to the ballroom scene.  Such a wonderful movie. It's definitely making this week a little better

...Now I just have to wait a year for The Lion King on Disney Diamond Edition :p

---

I've noticed my blog is really just pretty much just brain barf.  Updating for the sake of updating.
My goal - to actually WRITE something, not just word vomit.

happiness:

Procrastination

Needless to say, I have a problem.  I need to commit and get it done.

A great website for a plethora of writing uses: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/procrastination.html

(granted reading this site is also me procrastinating... my 3 page paper is due in 12 hours... and I think there should be sometime that I sleep...)

-- this is what school feels like

What homework?

This morning I woke up early (yes 9:30 is early) to watch the Disney Parks press release in NYC that they were hyping up ALL yesterday.  Of course I was pretty excited wondering what they'd be talking about... Turns out it was just about nothing.  Simply their new theme for 2011, I continued to watch for another hour as I'm a nerd like that... but it was really lame. Oh well! Pretty disappointing start to my morning.

Pretty much as soon as that was finished I checked my gmail and had an email from my teacher announcing class for today is canceled.  That made up for Disney, haha.  But of course she assigned a crap ton of busy work, but hey, thats not due till TUESDAY!  So of course that ALSO means I'm gonna ditch my first class for today too, its a joke so I'll be fine haha.

So like I kinda mentioned in my last post, I'm more than a little behind in some school work.  I think I'm going to just write out everything I need to do on here (at least what I'm behind on) and maybe that'll motivate me to get some stuff done!


FAIL - an hour later I'm still do lazy to type it out hahaha (not a good sign!)

thats my excuse and i'm stickin to it

Well then

So of course I decide to update my blog after not doing so for 9 months while I'm in the library doing homework.
That being said I did complete 1 assignment! Too bad it took me 30 minutes and I've been here for an hour at 45 min....  Hey, at least its somewhat productive.
In my defense I did start another assignment, only to find that I could not read my teacher's notes on revising my paper...  And of course I do have other assignments to start.... but again, thats when I decided its time to update my blog!
Albeit this is a very lame update, it is one nontheless.  And I even picked out a new layout! Fancy-schmancy!

So senior year so far:
I just finished week 3, and I'm approximately 2 weeks behind....  And in attempting to get ahead this week I of course got sick instead and couldn't do anything.  So thats why I got my lazy ass out of bed and to the library to do homework blog. Haha.
And while being behind in everything I filled out a job application for Petco yesterday... I'm not sure if I'll have enough time.... but we shall see!  I could really really really REALLY use the money.   :-)

Well enough of blogging! Time to get back to work!

 

Time to start again

Let's see.

Three weeks passed amazingly fast, work went well enough and game me an excuse to get out of the house.
My last day was Friday, then Saturday I slept in, packed up, and drove to Flag!  It's nice being up here, alot more peaceful, however the stress for the upcoming semester is ebbing its way in.

I'm going to be taking 19 credits this semester, which is like 3 more than I've ever taken.  With that 6 will be online, which tend not to work for me... however one of which I've already taken, and is only 8 weeks, so I don't imagine it'll be too bad.

I have Mondays and Fridays off, so all this free time means I do need a job.  However I'm not sure how I'll balance all that with TBS stuff.  I do feel pretty confident I can handle it all, I did great (for me) last semester, especially after being gone for a year.  With TBS and now my Sergeant at Arms position and two committees I'll have even less free time :) Oh well.

I have two more days before classes start.  I need to unpack, organize all my school stuff, and get a haircut.  Tonight I'm getting dinner with Greg, tomorrow evening I'll be backing cookies with Molly! Yummy.

But a job is still very necessary.  I'm going to California for the TBS convention on Thursday. Jenna and I will be driving together, and will be going to DISNEYLAND on Friday! :D I can't wait! :D  Then at the end of April going to Las Vegas with Colleen, which still needs lots of planning.  But it all should be very exciting, I just need to have the money to do so!

So of course I'm watching Miss Congenality and eating oat meal.  I need to unpack and eat real food! Haha.  Well, maybe 2010 I'll get better at updating this thing :p however I never seem to :)

5 DAYS! :)