There are several problems with the naturalistic explanation for life. First of all, there's the theory of spontaneous generation, that non-living matter gave rise to living organisms. But, this theory has been proven to be false by Redi and Pasteur through their experiment. Another problem would be the idea of "survival of the fittest", which is pretty self-explantory. Yet, most naturalists avoid this because then we ask, well what is determined to be the "fittest"? But it's a tauntalogical statement that doesn't say anything of consequence.
Also, a huge problem is the fossil record. They claim it provides an accurate historical accountof the macroevolution of species, yet it has no "transitional" fossils needed to fill in those gaps in evolution. Lastly, it contradicts the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, which says that everything goes from order to chaos. In the naturalistic worldview, it says the opposite, therefore it doesn't really line up with what we know to be true.
Overall, naturalism has many flaws in it and does not have a sound and convincing argument.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost
The prose meaning is that the guy stops at these woods to watch the snow, but then continues on his journey because he has "promises to keep".
He is torn between the beauty of nature and these promises that he must keep. The soft connotations of words like "some mistake", "easy wind", and "downy flake" contribute to the idea that he really does enjoy the woods. Yet, the connotation of "promises" shows that it is less of an obligation and more so something or someone he truely cares about and that it is something he wants to do. The problem arises when he is stuck between choosing between the two. He chooses the "promises" that he must keep. It doesn't mean that he doesn't enjoy the beauty of nature, but there is a time to enjoy it and you don't have to spend your whole life on it. The fact that he does stop and goes out of his way into the woods to enjoy it says a lot actually. It shows that he doesn't just ignore it, but he does realize the beauty of it.
When we discussed in class which poem we were more like, I chose this one for obvious reasons. There is a time in your life when you don't have to think about responsiblities and other people, yet most of the time you have to. You can't ignore them. Also, it's important not to become caught up in the busyness of it all but sometimes you have to take a breather.
I loved this poem. I liked the structure and simple concrete images and clear sentences. To me, I completely related to it. I am a very task oriented person and when I have things to do or commitments, then that comes first to me. But there is always time to "watch [the] woods fill up with snow" when you don't have other things to do. Especially right now, senior year, college applications, and basketball, it seems like a lot. Yet, i never forget the nature and the fun I can find in life.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost
The prose meaning is that the guy stops at these woods to watch the snow, but then continues on his journey because he has "promises to keep".
He is torn between the beauty of nature and these promises that he must keep. The soft connotations of words like "some mistake", "easy wind", and "downy flake" contribute to the idea that he really does enjoy the woods. Yet, the connotation of "promises" shows that it is less of an obligation and more so something or someone he truely cares about and that it is something he wants to do. The problem arises when he is stuck between choosing between the two. He chooses the "promises" that he must keep. It doesn't mean that he doesn't enjoy the beauty of nature, but there is a time to enjoy it and you don't have to spend your whole life on it. The fact that he does stop and goes out of his way into the woods to enjoy it says a lot actually. It shows that he doesn't just ignore it, but he does realize the beauty of it.
When we discussed in class which poem we were more like, I chose this one for obvious reasons. There is a time in your life when you don't have to think about responsiblities and other people, yet most of the time you have to. You can't ignore them. Also, it's important not to become caught up in the busyness of it all but sometimes you have to take a breather.
I loved this poem. I liked the structure and simple concrete images and clear sentences. To me, I completely related to it. I am a very task oriented person and when I have things to do or commitments, then that comes first to me. But there is always time to "watch [the] woods fill up with snow" when you don't have other things to do. Especially right now, senior year, college applications, and basketball, it seems like a lot. Yet, i never forget the nature and the fun I can find in life.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tone!
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head,
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go, -
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
-William Shakespeare
I have to be honest, I really like this poem! It's actually quite funny! The way Shakespeare completely destroys his lover in the first part by continually insulting her indicates his harsh tone until it completely changes in the end. In the first part, he talks about her physical appearance, such as "black wires [that] grow on her head" and "no such rose... in her cheeks". Then he proceeds to say that he breath reeks and that her voice is unpleasant and how she ungracefully walks. Everything he states in the first 12 lines points to the fact that he is repulsed and disgusted by his so called lover. But then he continues and says that his "love [is] as rare as any she belied with false compare". The couplet gives away the whole entire sonnet. He loves her no matter what and he basically says that these characteristics are true but it doesn't effect him. This couplet completely changes the tone of the poem to be a loving or admiring tone. The fact that he doesn't just simply say she is perfect shows that his love is truly rare because he isn't blinded by the the excitement of love. It shows raw love that seems unrealistic because of the way he describes his lover, yet it is so real. I love it! Shakespeare is brilliant when creating his poetry because of his ability to change the tone. The actual tone within this passage is loving, but he twists it to make the reader perceive it as something different.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Myers-Briggs Test
My results were.... ISFJ!
Introvert 56%
Sensing 12%
Feeling 75%
Judging 33%
I honestly did not expect this quiz to accurately describe my personality, but after reading what it had to say, I completely agree. So many of the characteristics really are a part of my personality. For instance, it says that I am an introvert, which, if you know me, is very true. I keep my reasoning and observations generally to myself besides my few trusted close friends. The only part that I disagree with is how I avoid confrontation. For example, it said if my friend were to get into a fight, I wouldn't be there and instead get someone else. But i believe to the contrary, that I would jump right in and defend my friend. But that is only true for the friendships that I do value the highest. Also, it suggested some careers such as a nurse, teacher, secretary, or social work. And i suppose those could be careers that I would enjoy, because I really have no clue what I plan to do!
Introvert 56%
Sensing 12%
Feeling 75%
Judging 33%
I honestly did not expect this quiz to accurately describe my personality, but after reading what it had to say, I completely agree. So many of the characteristics really are a part of my personality. For instance, it says that I am an introvert, which, if you know me, is very true. I keep my reasoning and observations generally to myself besides my few trusted close friends. The only part that I disagree with is how I avoid confrontation. For example, it said if my friend were to get into a fight, I wouldn't be there and instead get someone else. But i believe to the contrary, that I would jump right in and defend my friend. But that is only true for the friendships that I do value the highest. Also, it suggested some careers such as a nurse, teacher, secretary, or social work. And i suppose those could be careers that I would enjoy, because I really have no clue what I plan to do!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Crime and Punishment Thought Piece #1
Within Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky is able to clearly reveal Raskolnikov's extreme protection for his sister even though he is mentally unstable. Constantly, Raskolnikov insists that Dunia, his sister, shall not marry the wrenched Peter Petrovich Luzhin. Upon receiving the news of their engagement, "his face was pale and distorted and a bitter, wrathful and malignant smile was on his lips" (40). As soon as his sister and mother come and visit him, he informs Dunia that he strongly disapproves of her new fiance. In fact, he will deny any further contact with her if she continues on with this engagement. This extreme behavior will not only result in Raskolnikov's sister losing trust in him, but possibly Raskolnikov losing his sister all together.
Raskolnikov has several rationalities for why Dunia should not marry Luzhin. He believes that she is marrying him for the wrong reasons. Some of which are, to save herself from the life she had been stuck with and also to help her family escape poverty. Also, Raskolnikov believes Luzhin is only taking advantage of his poor sister. When they first meet, they are not pleasant with each other. This only causes Raskolnikov to officially tell Dunia to leave Luzhin. But it is difficult for Dunia to make a decision considering Raskolnikov's mental state. Yet, she stays loyal to her brother and decides that when Luzhin said to have only Dunia meet him, that she shall bring her family too and force Luzhin to decide.
Due to Raskolnikov's instability because of the guilt he feels for the murder, he constantly is at the brink of a fight with others. He cannot deal with society because he is trying to rationalize the crime he committed. Included with society is Dunia. He is being the archetypal protective brother, yet he takes it too far. He does not even take the opportunity to be acquainted with Luzhin before making accusations about him. He lacks the courtesy to do anything but bash Luzhin. Even though brothers do have a tendency to be disrespectful to any man their sister is associated with, the fact that he is stopping her from making a life changing decision that she chose is ridiculous. Dunia should have to right to marry whomever she wishes and it should not be influenced by what her brother says. This is just another form of feminism which is struggling to be present within the novel. It is only sparking bits of ideas in which the reader can translate into either submission from women or the desire for freedom.
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