Prompt #5 - Never Stop Learning

Samantha Smith

Mrs. Wagener

AP English 11

9 August 2013

Never Stop Learning

            Sophie’s World informed me about several of the greatest philosophers in history. After reading this novel, I realized that I, too, had numerous ideas and beliefs in common with these ancient thinkers. On the other hand, I also learned about many beliefs that I do not agree with. However, it took the minds of both the good and the bad philosophers to discover all of what we know today.

            Socrates’ belief systems and philosophies are among the one’s I most agree with. Instead teaching about philosophy, he would always discuss. Socrates never stopped asking questions. He would often even answer a question with another question which allowed people to discover and learn from within. Socrates also believed that the most intelligent people were the ones that knew they did not know much at all. He once said, “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.” Socrates also believed that each person had an “inner voice” that allowed them to distinguish between what was right and wrong and that the decision did not need to be established by society but by one’s own reason. I also undoubtedly agree with Socrates belief that no one could live a completely happy life if they constantly go against what they know is right.

            Although Socrates had many tremendous philosophies and beliefs, he also held certain ideas that I disagree with. For example, Socrates said that if one does wrong, it was because they did not know any better. In my opinion, I believe that people often know what they are doing is wrong, but still go against their better judgment in the spur of the moment. Another belief I strongly disagree with was one of Aristotle’s. Aristotle said that women were merely “unfinished men.” He also preached that the woman was only good for bringing about the child while the man provided all of the characteristics. This belief went against the bible and caused women to be viewed as inferior to men.

            Sophie’s World taught me that it is extremely important to never stop wondering. At the beginning of the story, the author used the insects sitting down in the rabbit’s fur to provide an example of how people often lose their curiosity as time goes on. I would say that I belong in the middle of the fur. I have not lost all curiosity by any means, but too often I find myself accepting things as they are instead of figuring out why or how they came to be. When I was young, I would always ask my mom why certain things were the way they were. Unfortunately, I lost some of that desire as I grew up, but after reading Sophie’s World I have once again opened up my eyes.

Prompt #4 - A Change in Perspective

Samantha Smith

Mrs. Wagener

AP English 11

4 August 2013

A Change in Perspective

            In the “Kant” chapter of Sophie’s World, Alberto performs the “red-tinted glasses” experiment with Sophie to try and explain the way Kant thought. This experiment proved that how we perceive things may not always be as they are. One cannot always rely solely on their senses; reason must be involved as well. When Sophie put on the red-tinted glasses, Sophie saw exactly how she did before except everything had changed to the color red. If she would have relied only on what she saw, she may have believed that the world was red. However, according to Kant, we all have practical reason that is innate, meaning it comes naturally. For example, even by seeing everything in a different shade, such as red, we are all able to use our reason and past experiences to conclude that the world around us is not actually one individual color.

            Kant’s questioning on perspective can easily be applied to everyday issues in my life. One example that seems to happen quite frequently is with drama. Many times in life, one may overhear someone gossiping about friends, relationships, or other topics along those lines. Unfortunately, the full conversation is not always heard and only certain parts may be recognized. This may lead to extremely misleading stories that far too frequently end up hurting others. This example can be compared to Kant’s belief in using not only senses, but the act of reasoning as well. Like Sophie realized in the “red-tinted glasses” experiment, life, or gossip, may not always exist as though it appeared through our senses. This is exactly why Kant said that we cannot fully trust how we perceive particular situations in life. These occasions could easily be altered simply by a false since of judgment. However, when one also includes the use of practical reasoning, they are much more likely to see the world as it truly is.

Prompt #3 - Uniting Reason and Faith

Samantha Smith

Mrs. Wagener

AP English 11

3 August 2013

Uniting Reason and Faith

            The concepts of “faith” and “reason” have caused great controversy for quite some time. They have stumped even some of the greatest philosophers, forcing them to choose between the two. In the “Middle Ages” chapter of Sophie’s World, two amateur medieval thinkers, known as Aquinas and St. Augustine, were the first people to establish an understanding between these concepts by “Christianizing” Aristotle and Plato’s beliefs. Christianizing is simply creating a Christian outlook on certain beliefs or ideas.

            Before Aquinas and St. Augustine, Christian’s felt almost insulted by the early philosophers. It seemed as though they were somewhat contradicting the Christian faith with their reason. St. Augustine and Aquinas provided an explanation for faith. They proved that Aristotle and Plato’s reasoning could actually go hand in hand with religion. For example, Aquinas described Aristotle’s “progressive scale” that moved from plants and animals up to humans. He then went on to explain his own belief in the scale that again began with plants and animals and moved to man, to angels, and then to God. He used this comparison to provide the idea that Aristotle also believed in some sort of maximum existence, such as God, which went along with the Christian faith. By relating these two ideas, it gave Christians the reassurance that reason does not go against faith and that they had nothing to feel insulted about.

            If it were not for Aquinas and St. Augustine combining the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, and the Bible, the philosopher’s ideas would not have been carried on throughout this day. The simple task that these two medieval thinkers did allowed “faith” and “reason” to finally be understood as one.

Prompt #2 - Views on Women

Samantha Smith

Mrs. Wagener

AP English 11

29 July 2013

Views on Women

            Unfortunately, women in society have not always had the same privileges and rights as they do now. Before the 19^th Amendment was added, women were treated poorly and were seen as unequal and inferior to men. They were not allowed to perform the same jobs or tasks as men and were often forced to serve the “man of the house.” This addition to the United States Constitution was the first step in the women’s road to success.

            One of the strongest criticizers of the woman’s role in society was the great philosopher Aristotle. He believed women were merely “unfinished men.” This idea is extremely absurd because we all know that women play just as big of role in today’s world as men do. When discussing reproduction, Aristotle believed that the woman simply brought about the child while the man provided all of the characteristics and traits from his sperm. Hearing this today, everyone would understand how completely ridiculous his ideas were; but during Aristotle’s time, his sexist beliefs were worshipped and accepted by the people and even the church.

            It is safe to say that Plato had the most admirable views on gender. Unlike Aristotle who thought women were incomplete, Plato said that “a state that does not educate and train women is like a man who only trains his right arm.” He believed that if women did not have to do all of the housekeeping and watch over the children, they would have the same level of reasoning as men.  It is shocking to me that Aristotle’s views were such the opposite considering he was a student at Plato’s Academy for some time. It is unfortunate that it was Aristotle’s views that were so widely accepted. If more people, like Plato, had given women a second thought, society could have been much better off.

            It is true that women did play a much less influential role than men during the times of Aristotle and Plato. They were not able to express their own ideas as freely as men and definitely did not get the same respect. With this in mind, it did not come as a surprise to find that the majority of the authorities in Sophie’s World are men. I believe that the misjudgment that women faced served as motivation to get to the top of society. Look at women today; we now have equal rights and are able to perform everything that men can. It was people like Plato that gave women the courage to fight for what was right and made them believe that they were just as powerful and intelligent.