"Watcha Lookn For"

Kierkegaard and Kirk Franklin (gospel singer)  have something in common, and that is the belief of the life "Love of God" (pg 12)." Kirk Franklin, a man of God, is the perfect example of  someone who is trying to the life of loving God which reflects in his music. In the life of Loving God, people would expect the impossible and struggle with God (pg. 12). When we live our life in loving God, we must be able to trust him with our life and everything he has in store with us, and that is where the struggle with God begins. This is like the story of the Prophet Jonah when he ran away from God's word thinking that he (Jonah) knew what was best, but in the end he had to learn to trust in God. Jonah was not expecting the possible, but the impossible happened to him when God saved him from the inside of a giant fish. In other words, we all begin to stray from God's words and love in search for something else, hence the struggle with God, when in all actuality what we are looking for and need is right with him. This relates to Kirk Franklin's song "Watcha Lookn For." This song is basically about someone who is looking for comfort and love and can't seem to find it. This person is struggling with the Lord trying to find peace within himself because he once believed but is not sure. Further, the Lord does something that person being illustrated in this song does not expect ("the impossible") which is coming to him and guiding his heart into the comfort of the Lord. The Lord asks him "What are you looking for? You don't have to search anymore."  The lyrics state that God now will fill his heart with peace and joy and a life of happiness.

Struggle to Live Right

 Kierkegaard believes that it takes more to being a christian than just beng born into christianity. I definitely agree with him. In order to be a christian, one must put in the work and stand by faith to truly understand how to be a christian. Martin Luther believed in salvation via faith, and he was wrong to believe so. Faith alone will not get you into heaven, and neither will just work. We have to merge faith and work to become a true christian. Furthermore, I was taught that we should not question our faith in God...or question God's will and judgement. There are many moments in biblical history where many theologians cannot explain (rationalize) the reasoning behind God's judgement and will of his people which then further shows that rationalization does not answer all things related to God and religion. This is something that I believe kierkegaard would completely agree with. 

On page 12, Kierkegaard goes on to explain three types of people. Those who love self, those who love others, and those who love God. Those who love God expect the impossible, but they also struggle with God. Believing in God tests every strength that we have...emotionally and physically. Those who believe in God expect the impossible because they know that God has a bigger plan for them in store, and everything in God is possible.

Lose Control to be Good Enough

Nietzsche is viewed as some who lives his life as free as possible; decadent. Decadence meaning two things that can apply to this situation which is moral degeneration or decay and unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence(thanx to dictionary.com). Nietzsche lived his life freely because he believed that life should be cherished. While cherishing life, one must free themselves from the old way of thinking; these ideas being that we are not truly happy until we get to heaven and rest in the Lord...accomplishing the chief good.

In today's culture people should try to live their life to the fullest, but in moderation. People would be much more happier in their lives if they would just loosen up a little bit. There is a time in one's life when a breaking point becomes inevitable, and in order to be able to prevent that is to lose control...but in moderation like Nietzsche says. The song "Lose Control" by Evanescence is a perfect example of someone wanting to lose control to bring back their control into their life. Video Anyone...well just the song??

Another topic that Nietzsche is against is reasoning. Why? Because it "devitalizes [the] opponent," and people who already have power do not neet to manipulate others, yet they do (pg. 42). The manipulator knows who he can manipulate, and these people would be those who don't know how to live for themselves but for what others expect them to live. The people who become manipulated by the manipulator becomes a slave not to their own passion, but the passion of the manipulator. Another example coming from a song by Evanescence illustrates how a person or people become so infused into another's marrionette show that they yearn to become noticed and "good enough" for the "master (manipulator) of the work." Once a person or people become so entrapped, they lose a sense of themselves and therefore becomes a slave to the passion of another. The song that I am referring to is conveniently titled "Good Enough."

Of course another video! =) 

My writings vs. Nietzsche

This blog is only based on the quotes that Nietzsche has written in his book Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ.

"Are you one who looks on? or who sets to work?- or who looks away, turns aside... Third question of conscience" -Nietzsche

This quote from Nietzsche had me thinking about my personal collections of writings. I answered these questions through a spoken word piece I wrote three years ago titled "Revelations." Funny, who knew I mirrored the views of Friedrich Nietzsche in my second semester of tenth grade. Through this poem, I answered each question as well as questioning society's judgement. The poem goes a little like this:
     I sit back and observe this life we're living
     And how much we're dealing
     Dealing these drugs
     Dealing our time
     Making deals with the devil just to save our behinds
     But who are we to blame, when everything goes up in flames?
     And who are we to turn to when things fall apart and everything becomes untrue?...
     When will we learn?
     Learn to Inspire, and lift up these children of today so much hire
     Can we come together just as one
     And see how our society has become?
     Because we could be so much greater, and we could be such great leaders
     But how can we overcome when we keep dealing these drugs
     Dealing our time and making deals with devil just to "save" our behinds.

Next, Another one of my writing relate to another one of Nietzsche's quotes at the beginning of the book.
"For me they were steps, I have climbed up upon them - therefore I had to pass over them. But they thought I wanted to settle down on them..." -Nietzsche
This next poem I wrote is my way of saying that I have not settled...perceive it how you want.
   
    An outlet of expression
    I write these words to fight off this supression
    Though I can't break through the reingns of the opressor,
    I'd like to say I fought for the better...
    Travel with me and see the glory of free will
    Never punished and never have to face the consequences of an unpaid bill
    I'd rather die than have to succumb to an unworthy try.
    Because I know this life is not worth living,
    I sacrifice my soul's intent on breathing,..
    On breathing into this unreal world of materialism.
    I fight, I fight to truly escape these chains of not just communism, materialism, and republicanism.
    Broken, I stand, But I stand with power.
    Facing the judgement of society, I still stand.
    Verbally abused and emotionally scarred, I still stand.
    For I'd rather die than have to succumb to an unworthy try.
    But in this I do not fear fate.
    Though harsh words have been thrown at me through hate.
    But here I stand, still with power.
    I wait for judgement day, for you have nothing left to say
    Nothing to give nor show for
    But I'm not bothered, because I still sand with power.
    I stand with the Righteous, the Righteous on my side.
    I watch this world crumble and fall..
    Its a dawn of a new era, The fall of deception
    God has made his new interception.
    Join me in this fight
    Conquer the dark,
    And revel in this light and all that is right.

This poem also can be related to Nietzsche's quote, "What does not kill me makes me stronger."     

"Prove Me Wrong"

Earlier, I did not completely understand Berkeley...well just a little bit, but in class my mind began to sway between Descartes and Berkeley. Now, I would have to say that Berkeley is not as extremeley different from Descartes in some ways, but I still agree with mostly Berkeley has to say...not everything. I still think he makes a little bit more sense than Descartes.

Moving on, in order for Berkeley to prove his point, he challenges Hylas (Descartes) to prove his ideas wrong, and if he was able to do that, then he would stop pushing his ideas and thoughts on the existence and perception of reality and all that it entails. "If I were made to see anything absurd on sceptical in this, I should then have the same reason to renounce this, that I imagine I have now to reject the contrary opinion (pg 121)." When Philonous (Berkeley) tells this to Hylas (Descartes), it reminded of a song by Linkin Park. The song that I am referring to is "New Divide." In this chorus, this singer already has a set thought on what he knows and believes...what he thought he knew and believed. "So give me reason to prove me wrong to wash this memory clean."  Further into this song illustrates many thoughts and ideas of past and present philosophers, especially Berkeley and Descartes.

Here are the lyrics to the song as well as a video and a little something extra:

I remembered black skies
The lightning all around me
I remembered each flash
As time began to blur
Like a startling sign
That fate had finally found me
And your voice was all I heard
That I get what I deserve

So give me reason
To prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes
Give me reason
To fill this hole
Connect this space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies
Across this new divide

There was nothing inside
The memories left abandoned
There was nowhere to hide
The ashes fell like snow
And the ground caved in
Between where we were standing
And your voice was all I heard
That I get what I deserve

So give me reason
To prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes
Across this new divide

In every loss in every lie
In every truth that you deny
And each regret and each goodbye
Was a mistake too great to hide
And your voice was all I heard
That I get what I deserve

So give me reason
To prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes
Give me reason
To fill this hole
Connect this space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies
Across this new divide
Across this new divide
Across this new divide

Something said in class inspired me to write this little poem, so I thought I should share it.

Beautify your lies

The truth speaks through your eyes

Fallen words on the floor unspoken

Only to be picked up by disguise

Only one speaks the truth if which all things are made

But you speak the lies to "him" you want to fade

The words of the false- to be praised and sanctified

Tainted Hearts, tainted minds, things that shouldn't be sanctified

Deceiver of all hearts, beautify your lies

The truth floats through these windows, the truth in your eyes

Deeper than Shallow Water?

Finally, someone to stand against Descartes' philosophical ideas...well when it contains to the truth of reality. Berkeley, who is everything opposite of Descartes, finds himself questioning the thoughts and and ideas of the "main" philosopher of his time that many people looked to for answers. Berkeley portrays Descartes' theories in question vs. what he (Berkeley) theorizes in the form of philosophy through dialogue. The first dialogue is a battle of wits between Philonous and Hylas. Philonous, meaning love of mind, can be considered as Berkeley's character in this conversation, and Hylas, meaning "matter," can be considered as Descartes' character in this conversation as well. Philonous tries to prove that everything Hylas thinks about reality is wrong. In the course of this dialogue, Philonous basically shows that Hylas is as deep as shallow waters.

Songs of a Vampire

The famous Twilight Saga book series turned movie has an amazing soundtrack. Paramore's song, "Decode" is one of the many songs on the ending credits of the first Twilight move. This song depicts an image that Descartes is trying to explain to his readers that it is easier to believe that our minds and souls exist rather than believing that the physical world exists. On page 17 in Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy, he says that, "... there is a deceiver of supreme power and cunning who is deliberately and constantly deceiving me." (The "supreme power" can be depicted as the "vampire") This quote goes hand in hand with the first verse in the song "Decode," "How can I decide what's right? When you're clouding up my mind." Also, Descartes goes on to say, "I too undoubtedly exist, if he is deceiving me; and let him deceive me as much as he can, he will never bring it about that I am nothing so long as I think that I am something (pg. 17)." Descartes is trying to explain that though this "supreme power" may try to deceive him anyway possible, it cannot because he believes that he is something, and believing that what he is definitely exists in his mind. In the song "Decode," the first verse goes goes on to say, "I can't win your losing fight all the time. How can I ever own what's mine when you're always taking sides. But you wont take away my pride. No, not this time." This part of the verse further goes on to explain what Descartes meant in his quote stated above as well as "I am, I exist (pg 17). Moreover, when Descartes says, "I am, I exist" and "let him deceive me as much as he can," it is kind of like saying that something may change physically but what you think will always be real. This can be better said through the "Decode" lyrics, "My thoughts you can't decode."

Descartes in the Classroom

On page 12, Descartes begins with saying, “I was struck by the large numbers of falsehoods that I had accepted as true in my childhood, and by the highly doubtful nature of the whole edifice that I had subsequently based on them.” I believe that this statement hits close to home not only for me but many other people as well. For example, grade school taught many of us the same subject for many years, K-12; then by the time we get to college, our professors tell us to completely disregard what we have learned during those years in grade school, especially high school. Last semester I remember writing a paper for my English class, and my professor told me to forget the writing style I learned in high school because it is now completely useless in her class as well as in college because of the standards. Also, that was not the only time that a professor has told me something similar to that. Furthermore, the History taught in grade school could be considered as a glimmer of truth, and in college this “truth” is finally revealed. On page 12, Descartes says that, “[he] realized that it was necessary, once in the course of [his] life, to demolish everything completely and start again right from the foundations if [he] wanted to establish anything at all in the sciences that was stable and likely to last.” This statement definitely correlates with the examples that I have mentioned above. To further explain his theory in this statement, there is a question that needs to be asked. How is that we are able to gain truth other than what is told to us or perceived through our senses? What I have gathered so far is that truth can derive from nature. I figure that nature is pure in all its essence and substance therefore making it most connected to God because God is the pure incorruptible good that has created nature. (pg 14-15). In the end, truth can be found in nature because of its connection to God’s purity. Also, nature in and of itself is never changing…in a way.

My Pop Culture. Aquinas and the Caribbean.

There are many cultures intertwined in America making it quite easy to find many different philosophical viewpoints everywhere and anywhere. I find myself at a point where I cannot just base these philosophical ideas and thoughts of these great philosophers to just American pop culture when in all actuality American pop culture has incorporated many different cultural backgrounds from all over the world into its own kind of “melting pot.” Being a person with a strong Caribbean background, I can relate philosophy to not just American pop culture, but to my culture as well…which I consider to be my complete pop culture. Best of both worlds? I think so!  

There are many Caribbean artists that incorporate many of these philosophical ideas we discuss in class into their work, especially the thoughts and ideas of Thomas Aquinas. In particular, Buju Banton, a reggae singer, integrates Thomas Aquinas’ beliefs on the contemplation of truth and man’s happiness into his song “Till I’m Laid to Rest.” For example, Thomas Aquinas believes that “man’s highest perfection cannot lie in that which link him with lesser things, but rather in what links him to some higher thing… (pg. 272).” Buju Banton believes the same thing when he states in his song, “Some save a bag of riches, yet they die empty hand. Go on saying I’m stupid and laugh all you can. Easier for a caller to go through a needle eye than a rich man to enter a Zion. Take it from I man.” In other words, Buju Banton is saying that materialistic things only last the physical lifetime, so dwelling on these items will do no good because they do not bring you unconditional happiness or a pass into heaven, but a life of an unquenched soul and thirst for salvation. When Buju Banton contemplates on this, it brings him closer to God, for reason and contemplation is man’s activity that separates man from beast which grants man the possibility to understand and love God which leads to an end of true happiness. Also, Buju Banton realizes in his song that he must use the tool that separates man from beast to understand that knowledge helps to bring him closer to enlightenment. He realizes this when he says, “I’m in bondage, living is mess. I’ve got to rise up alleviate the stress. No longer will I expose my weakness, he who seeks knowledge begins with humbleness. Work 7 to 7 but I’m still penniless. All the food upon my table Massa God bless. Holler for the needy and shelter less. Ethiopia awaits me prince and princess.” His weakness that he will no longer expose is pain and pleasure which keeps him bound to the earthly world. Also, rising up against his pain and pleasure (his weakness) will help ease the burden of his ignorance of the Lord. He thanks God for all that has been done for him and prays that God would look out for those who are not as fortunate as him.

This may not be strictly American pop culture, but it is my culture and I cannot forget that. Reflection in all aspects of my life is very important. This is my pop culture, a first generation American with a strong Caribbean background.

The first video is of the song mentioned in this post "Till Im Laid to Rest," and the second video is a song called "No Other Like Jah" by Sizzla, another Caribbean artist who's song incorporates Aquinas's thoughts as well as the past philosophers already studied in this class.

Man's Happiness: Aquinas Edition

In order to truly understand God or at least come as close as we can get to understanding God is through contemplation. This would be the highest good because reason is something that man does not share with any other creatures on this earth. God granted us this ability so that we may be able to always connect with him and be able to gain his presence in our lives when we devote our time in seeking him. Whether we refer to contemplation as reason and/or intellect, it will always serve as our highest and our most “noble honor (pg.272).” Our highest good that we can achieve and our noble honor grants us the ability to connect with God, the highest being. It makes sense to think about everything that has a high purpose (for humans) connects us to the highest being which is God. “Moreover, man’s highest perfection cannot lie in that which links him with lesser things [such as pain and pleasure], but rather in what links him to some higher thing, for the end is better than which is for the sake of the end (pg. 272).”  The end ultimately lies within God which is the where our happiness truly lives. Contemplation of God and reasoning in all its glory helps us to not seek happiness in sensible pleasures. Things that are intelligible are better than sensible because sensible pleasure refers to pleasures that appeal to our five senses. Furthermore, “man’s ultimate end and his happiness lie in his most perfect activity... (pg. 274).” As we contemplate God and come to some understanding of his Being, then we would find our true happiness. This happiness, according to Thomas Aquinas, is our ultimate happiness. Thomas Aquinas believes that “man’s ultimate happiness lies in the contemplation of truth (pg.280).” This “contemplation of truth” is our understanding of God (pg. 280). In other words, our reflection on life and our reasoning behind what we do will bring us into deliverance of knowing God because truth and reasoning is man’s highest purpose, and our highest purpose serves as a router in our search in gaining knowledge of and seeking God.

"My Immortal"



Oh philosophy, you seem to find me everywhere I turn! You constantly catch my attention in everything I do, see, and listen to, especially the concepts of St. Augustine established in his confessions. I wonder if painters, songwriters, actors, etc. purposely relay philosophical messages in their forms of art.

To begin, St. Augustine believes that someone bigger than ourselves can grant us an eternal life. This eternal life, in a sense, leads to immortality. God is the eternal life therefore immortal. As I began to understand this concept of immortality and the eternal life the way St. Augustine explains it, a certain song kept crossing my mind. This song is titled “My Immortal” by Evanescence. “My Immortal” could be interpreted in many ways, but I believe that this song better exemplifies Augustine’s thoughts and concepts of the eternal life, sin, and intrapersonal struggles with more of a focus on the second verse. The second verse of this song seems to be an inner struggle to fight the temptations of sin and not stray away from the path of God.

Second Verse: “You used to captivate me, by your resonating light. Now I’m bound by the life you left behind. Your face it haunts, my once pleasant dream. Your voice it chased away, all the sanity in me.”

In the first sentence, I believe that sin is what she is referring to by being captivated in its resonating light. In other words, sin has beckoned her with a pleasurable temptation. Then in the second sentence, the pleasure from the sin has worn away, so now she has to face the punishment of that sin that has now burden her. In this statement, St. Augustine would sympathize with her by saying, “… by the burdens of this world [sin] I was sweetly weighed down (pg. 189)” Furthermore, the next two sentences in this verse is an intrapersonal struggle between her two wills, flesh and spirit. She realizes that she no longer wants to be chained to this world by the consequences of her sins, yet she does not want to be freed from these earthly temptations just yet. St. Augustine can relate to this as well because he stated, “Give me chastity and continence, but not yet! For I feared that you would hear me quickly, and that quickly you would heal me of that disease of lust [addiction to sin], which I wished to have satisfied rather than extinguished (pg. 194).” Back to the lyrics, the haunting face stands for “Good” and the pleasant dream stands for the pleasurable sin. To better understand this,  the pleasant dream is the temptation of sin that she is yearning for and feels comfortable in its presence, and the haunting face is the “Good” reminding her to not fall into the temporary pleasure of sin. In doing this, God would grant her the chance at an eternal life only if she does not fail in seeking him. Then, the last sentence in the second verse conveys and impression that she has or is really close to losing her battle of “Good.”  The voice suggests that it is sin that has chased away all of the sanity [peace of mind] she has gained from following the path of prosperity. In other words, sin has once again tempted her with temporary pleasure. St. Augustine can also sympathize with the downfall in the second verse be he stated that, “For this very thing did I sigh, bound as I was not by another’s irons but by my own iron will. The enemy had control of my will, and out of it he fashioned a chain and fettered me with it. For in the truth lust is made out of perverse will, and when lust is served, it becomes habit, and when habit is not resisted, it becomes necessity (pg. 188).”

In the end, I can conclude that sin becomes an addiction, somewhat like a drug, and every once in awhile we fall into its comfortable presence of its welcoming arms. Just like the saying, “Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic” serves as an analogy of once a sinner always a sinner. The only way to break this habitual instinct is to serve the Lord one day at a time…baby steps.



Prayer of A True Confessionist...

While reading St. Augustine, I struggled to come up with an idea to write about in this first blog. I knew for sure that I definitely did not want to have that typical blog that only talks about the subject through a bland literary post. I thought, “Why not spice it up and do a confession prayer like St Augustine, but in my own words?”  I only truly understood his concepts when I wrote this prayer for this blog. I feel as if I have come closer to view the window of St. Augustine’s soul through this prayer. I hope you enjoy this!  

Most gracious and heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. First and foremost, I come thanking you for all that you have done and continue to do for me. You have always answered my prayers even when I felt that I did not deserve your answers. My soul has yearned for you when my flesh lead me into temptation. My flesh has longed for you when my thoughts were not of you. For “when my soul was withdrawn from thee, a mighty burden of misery weighed me down (Book 4.7).” “Your love is better than life itself (Psalm 63:62).” In knowing this, I confess my deepest and darkest sins to you. I hope through this, I can find rest within the shadow of your wings, for “[my] heart is restless until it rests in you (Book 1.1).” Grant me the ability to seek righteousness and not sin. Help me to call upon you, for there have been times when I did not know you, and instead of calling upon you, I have relied on earthly entities to heal my mind, body, and spirit. “Lord let me seek you by calling upon you, and let me call upon you by believing in you, for you have [now] been preached to [me] (Book 1.1).” Have mercy Lord, on those who have failed to seek your love in this lifetime and those who have not been preached to about your never ending love and compassion, for they will continually be restless in their becoming without your never changing omnipresence, the great I Am. And now Lord, fill the cracks of my corrupted soul with purity, for you are the Incorruptible Good that has made me in an image of your Being.

Amen

The Little Mermaid

Virtue and Excellence can be found anywhere and everywhere throughout pop culture. These characteristics can be found in movies, songs, politics, and even cartoons for children. Aristotle believes that virtue and excellence is what we strive for throughout our entire life. In order to have the kind of virtue and excellence Aristotle refers to, we have to understand that virtue deals more with inner-character (intrapersonal feelings) than just the external body boundaries. For example, Aristotle states three values that can help us to further understand how we can decide if we are truly virtuous and have excellence, "first, if he does them knowingly, secondly if he decides to do them, and decides to them for themselves, and thirdly if he does them from a firm and unchanging disposition (pg 115 sec 1105a31). In this, he is trying to explain that a truly virtuous person does the right thing and the good thing no matter the situation. Whether it is to fight for his country or lie to save someone's life. Okay, so what exactly does this have to do with anything related to the examples of pop culture that was stated earlier? Well, in this case, a certain cartoon for children exemplifies Aristotle's view of a man that is not truly virtuous and of excellence. This cartoon, you may have heard of, is The Little Mermaid television series. The twenty-eight episode "Heroes" depicts Aristotle's view of virtue very well. This episode is basically about a supposed "hero" by the name of Apollo who comes to visit the city of Atlantis to see his friend King Triton. The merpeople hold Apollo in high regards because of the most famous battle he fought in against Ursula (the sea witch). Ariel, the daughter of King Triton, goes on an adventure with Apollo because of all the "accomplishments" he has and the fact that he is "very adventurous, and while on this adventure, Apollo begins to show his true colors. He reveals to Ariel that he did not do any of the things that the merpeople admire and adore him for out of courage but mostly all out of fear. On that note, Apollo would be the model man for Aristotle to explain what a man is that has no virtue or excellence. In the end, Aristotle mostly explains what it means to not be someone of virtue and excellence, and that is why episode twenty-eight of The Little Mermaid television series identifies with Aristotle's ideas on virtue and excellence.

Below are parts of the episode of The Little Mermaid mentioned in the post above. Sorry I couldn't put the actual video up...but links will do! =) 

Part 1 of Episode 5

Part 2 of Episode 5

Part 3 of Episode 5

Philosophy in Children

I have noticed that once we have reached a certain academic level, our classes stop asking us to ask the question "why?" My whole thought process has been based on facts and memorization skills, so now when I am forced to ask myself "why?' in my studies or in my life, I kind of come to a standstill. After elementary school, telos meant nothing to me, though I'm positive that I did not know what telos meant until I began to study Philosophy1313. (Telos answers the question "why").

Children seem to be more receptive to Aristotle's thoughts on asking "why?" to find out what the true purpose of something is. Children would constantly question you on why you are doing a certain activity until you do not have an answer to their question. I remember plenty of times when I was younger I would ask my mom or my dad "why?" to everything they did, and I am sure you may have had similar conversations. A conversation that may a little like this:

Mom: (In the kitchen making lunch for you for school)
Child: Why are you making lunch mom?
Mom: So you can  be full and have energy for the rest of the day
Child: Why do I need energy mommy?
Mom: So that you can pay attention in school
Child: Why do I need to do that?
Mom: So you can get good grades throughout the school years
Child: Why?
Mom: So you can go to a good college and get a good job
Child: Why do I need all of that?
Mom: To live a "happy life"

This conversation relates to Aristotle's philosophical thought about an "action" leading to "good." These actions are not always a selfish indulgence. The example above better exemplifies an action that aims to a non-selfish good because the mother's "action/ purpose" aims to better her child's life in the long run. Also, this conversation embodies Aristotle's concept that there cannot be an answers of infinity to the question "why?" The mother, in the conversation, came to a final telos when she said, "To live a happy life." Aristotle believes that everyone's aim in life is to end in a truly happy life. This so-called "happy life" consists of being blessed, well-off, and/or  flourishing, so the child in this conversation will have a happy life according to Aristotle. Why does this child end up with the "happy life," because a good college education that leads to a good job will able the child to have a well-off life.


                    

Lauryn Hill and Socrates?

I thought to myself, “What does philosophy have to do with American pop culture?” Come to find out, the ideas of philosophy are constantly being incorporated into American pop culture, especially musical lyrics. I found a lot of Socrates concepts in Lauryn Hill’s lyrics, but applied to different situations. For example, Socrates compares his “chains” as a form of imprisonment like his body which is the imprisonment to his soul. And when he is released from his chains (body), his soul shall be freed in death and transcend to another realm. In Lauryn Hill’s song “I Get Out,” she sings, “I get out of all your boxes…you can’t hold me in these chains.” In this sample piece of the chorus, the “boxes” and the “chains” she is referring to in this song is social bondage. She is basically trying to say that when she eventually gets out of social bondage, she will be able to move on in a free life of righteousness. Another concept that Socrates established was that the unexamined life is not worth living. I believe that he is trying to say that if we do not question our life and all that it entails morally then we cannot grow as a person, as a society, and as a culture. Lauryn Hill’s “I Get Out” lyrics better exemplifies this statement when she states in the third verse, “The only way to know is to walk then learn and grow.”

Phaedo is not the only concepts of philosophy incorporated in the song “I Get Out” by Lauryn Hill. In the third verse of this song, Lauryn Hill explains that when we conform to one person’s ideas, thoughts, and beliefs, we eventually become too afraid to speak out and/or face reality thus following the mass majority. To be exact, she says, “Oh, you’ve had everyone believed that you’re the sole authority, just follow the majority, afraid to face reality, the system is a joke.” In Crito (pg. 47), Socrates asks Crito why one must care what the majority think, and then he further explains that following the majority is not always the right choice nor is it always following something ethical.

“I Get Out” is not the only song with mirrored views of philosophy. “Mystery of Iniquity,” also written by Lauryn Hill has philosophical concepts and thoughts that have been established by Socrates. This song, to me, tells the story of Socrates before and during his defense (Socrates: Euthyphro and Apology). For example, the lyrics state, “Ya’ll can’t handle the truth in a courtroom of lies. Perjures the jurors…false indictments publicized….cross-examined by a master manipulator…receiving the judges favor, deceiving sabers doing injury to they neighbors…the prosecution…orally armed to do bodily harm. The courtroom of lies can be seen as the people in the courthouse that has attended Socrates trial. The master manipulator would be considered the sophist which is Meletus, and he has gotten the judges and the jurymen to side against Socrates. The “sabers” would be the people of Athens, and they have been deceived by the “mass manipulator” a.k.a the sophist (Meletus), therefore giving Socrates no chance of an advantage to win the trial fairly. The “sabers” (people of Athens) were deceived because they sided against Socrates, and Socrates believes that his removal from this world would harm the Athenian society. Meletus is “orally armed to do bodily harm” because he initially sentenced Socrates to death.

It really does amaze me how philosophy can be seen in American pop culture…and I’m sure it does not stop there. 

P.S. Below are the videos of Lauryn Hill's unplugged version of the songs mentioned in this post. Check them out! These songs are amazing! Such an amazing lyricist! I love her! =)

A Different Approach

Dear men of Athens,

     What has Socrates done, but seek wisdom in his own home he so dearly calls Athens? You accuse him of “corrupting the young and of not believing in gods in whom the city believes, but in other new spiritual things (p.28:24b)." He has done no such thing but seek the wisdom of which a god has willed him. Tell me this, men of Athens, if Socrates is doing a deed of a god, then he must believe in some of your gods if not all of them, correct? Socrates has not corrupt the young nor has he brought harm to Athens’ society for he goes “around doing nothing but persuading both young and old among you not to care for your body or your wealth in preference to or as strongly for the possible state of your soul (p.34:30b).” This good men of Athens, is exemplified by Socrates thoughts of how “a good man cannot be harmed either in life or in death, and that his affairs are not neglected by the gods (p.44:41d).” Furthermore, Socrates encourages the people of Athens (meaning he has their best interest at heart) to try to live a pure life for their soul (for their after-life), so that they may receive blessings and wealth through their excellence. The gods will bless you, men of Athens, while you are in the physical realm because of the pure life you should try to live. Also, the gods will keep your soul and/or spirit safe from harm because you would be considered a good man by the “pure” life you have lived. Good men of Athens, giving Socrates the verdict of death will not harm him for he is a good man, but it will hurt Athenian society. You ask me, how could this possibly be? I shall tell you. Socrates seeks the wisdom of life and all that it entails. He helps Athenian society to truly understand ethics and the true form that transcends human thoughts of piety and impiety. Without a good understanding of ethics and moral beliefs, there is not a sound foundation of a society. Also, without a sound foundation of society, there is room for corrupt governments, overturned laws and mass chaos. I say for the last time, good men of Athens, the death of Socrates is not harming the man himself, but the good of Athenian society and the young who will have to live through the fall of Athens.


 Sincerely, An Observer of Judgment