Connection and Reflection (2)

                   Since today used to be a Tuesday night, my head is full of that wonderful show Glee. In the latest episode (aired on the 27th) Kurt wanted the part of Tony for West Side Story but Blaine was also thinking of auditioning for that role. Kurt realizes that Blaine would make a perfect Tony and he wouldn't get the part, so Blaine offers to try out for a smaller role. Sacrifice has had conflicting views in the history of philosophy. On one hand, the basic argument appears that you should live for yourself, life is too short to live it for others. The other side has the argument about conscience, and sacrifice may be hard, but its the right thing to do. I don't prefer one argument over the other, for me it depends completely on the circumstance. Should Blaine accept the role of Tony? On one hand, he's still a junior and this would be an amazing thing to give Kurt, as it would make him happy and help him get into the college of his dreams. On the other hand, while accepting the role would be letting Kurt down, he would be enhancing the show so it would make it more pleasing for the audience. Also, why should Blaine let Kurt determine what he can and can't do? Blaine does have his own life, and he should be able to live it to its fullest extent. My personal philosophical conclusion is that, although it would be an act of altruistic kindness, Blaine has every right to take the role. While he may be disappointing Kurt, he would be helping the arts program and all the people at the school by making the show suermegafoxyawesomehot because he's Darren Criss.

         My reflection for Sophie's World is going to be not very informative about what I read, but on page 122 there are some questions that Sophie had to answer, and I'm going to compare mine with her's.

Make a list of things we can know. Then make a list of things we can only believe: The basic differences between these lists are that the knowing list is stuff that can be experienced with your senses, or is technical in some term like that. The other list takes a large proportion of what we think we know. Maybe everything is history is just a setup by aliens and BAM! APUSH is irrelevant. In hindsight I didn't actually make a list at all.

Indicate some factors contributing to a person's philosophy in life: A lot of us are influenced by society, the people around us (if you grew up with people who locked you in a cupboard under the stairs, an average person might have a sour view on the goodness of mankind), how we're treated, our culture, icons (a lot of times people will agree with powerful people with powerful arguments. Or we can agree with idiotic people with power *cough*GeorgeBush*cough*), historic moments (my generation's philosophy about freedom of privacy on an airplane, or for that matter, anywhere, may be different because of 9/11).

What is meant by conscience? Is conscience the same for everyone? It is most definitely not the same for everyone. In some cultures, Blaine would be expected to give up his role, because self sacrifice is valued higher than personal freedom. I believe there are some basic values everyone has, but even those are in different priorities. The question above this one that I'm answering has things that can affect what our conscience is. I that aspect, I agree with Sophie.

What is meant by priority of values: Sophie used an example for a personal dilemma. I would almost agree with her that driving a car is less important than saving the environment, but lets say you live way far away from your school. I think it would take me over 2 hours to ride my bike to school, plus my backpack, so that's probably even more time. I do see the environment as a high priority, but I also enjoy sleep, convenience, and heated cars. Again, these priorities cannot be set in stone one way or another, they are circumstantial, just like Blaine and his priorities. This concludes my second reflection and connection. Now for something completely unexpected :)