26 July 2012
Discussed Text: Gabriel Marcel, "Introduction," The Mystery of Being
Wine
Dr. Garcia mentioned something like this in the class: It may be good to drink small amounts of wine before philosophy class. Although this may sound strange, this may be good for us. (Of course, drinking wine in any amount is prohibited in school). This may be good for us, because small amounts of wine unmask our face from fake things we show to others. It brings out what is in us that we cover up. By drinking small amounts of wine, we become truer to ourselves and to others. At this point, it is noteworthy to mention that some poets, particularly Li Bai of Tang Dynasty of China, usually drank small amounts of wine before writing poems to better reflect their true feelings and emotions in their poems. Ironically, he also died because of drinking wine.
Mathematics
“Some” mentioned in the class that mathematics is universal, constant, objective and “dead”. I was a bit hurt with the last word in this statement, which is “dead”. When I was in high school, some of my classmates asked me to teach mathematics, before class, during recess or after class. There was a time that some of my classmates asked me why mathematics is “hard” and why I was “good” in mathematics. This was what I answered to them before. Mathematics is like a tree. Initially, it may look lifeless, because it is not moving. Eventually, by solving more and more exercises and problems, you will find out that it has something in it. This something is a feeling that I could not to explain in words, but this something is like the life of a growing tree. After a few philosophy classes, I had a deeper understanding of what I was trying to say in what I answered before. Last time in the class, I was trying to explain this, but it seemed that I was not able to explain this well, so let me explain it again.
A^2 + B^2 = C^2 --> B^2 = C^2 – A^2 --> B^2 = (C - A) (C + A).
What do you think of feel about these equations? You probably see or feel that there is some sort of “bending” or “flexing” (Imagine Taichi Master bending hands or Avatar bending air) within the Pythagorean Theorem, right? You also probably see or feel that there is some sort of “deep knowledge” or “metaphysical ease” within mathematics, right? These are the life of mathematics. This is “philosophy” within mathematics. (I am not claiming that I can define the “philosophy” within mathematics.)
Language
It seems that even things which seem to be “not philosophical”, like mathematics, is “philosophical”. Even the language that we speak is philosophical. Although this is quite out of topic, it does not bother if I share this anyway. (From this point on, everything that I am typing are personal and are not necessarily true. Everybody is welcomed to give comments, but please do not attack me in any form.)
When we meet somebody, we say "Hi" or "Hello" in English, Magandang Araw or Magandang Gabi in Filipino and Nihao in Chinese. It is true that we show respect when we say Hi or Hello, but Hi or Hello is still a short word Hi or Hello. From this, we can see that the life of Americans is stressful to the extent that they cannot even say a long word when they meet somebody. “The sun is beautiful.” is the very literal translation of Magandang Araw, while “The night is beautiful.” is the very literal translation of Magandang Gabi. From this very literal translation, we can see that Filipinos show high admiration for nature. Considering that the Philippines is full of natural resources, the language of Filipinos are very much connected or related to nature. According to Dr. Garcia, for Filipinos, beauty is very much connected to good, so we can also say that Filipinos show high admiration for goodness. “You are good.” Is the very literal translation of Nihao. At this point, it is remarkable to mention that the Chinese have a saying that translates into “use the human being as basis, center or foundation.” From this, we can see that Chinese values the human self and the human collectivity. This is related to the ancient survival instincts of Chinese limited by the geography of China. Although China has a land area of more than 9,600,000 km2 and a population of more than 1,300,000,000 people, China has only less than 8% of the world’s arable land and less than 6% of the world’s fresh water. In order to feed more than 30% of world’s population (25% own food, 5% export food), Chinese must use the lands extremely effectively and extremely efficiently. To do that, “Use human as basis, center or foundation.”.
When we go to a place, the place owner says "Step In" (This is exactly what Americans say.) in English, Tuloy Po Kayo in Filipino and Huanying Qingjin in Chinese. The phrase "Step In" does not seem to express hospitality or express welcoming feelings. From this, we can see that western, particularly American culture, is individualistic. On the other hand, Tuloy Po Kayo expresses hospitality or welcoming feelings, "Meet You Happily, Please Enter" is the very literal translation of Huanying Qingjin. These phrases not only expresses hospitality and welcoming feelings, but also emphasizes pleasant and happy feelings.
When we leave a place, we say "Bye" in English, Paalam in Filipino and Zaijian in Chinese. Just like what I have previously mentioned, Bye is just Bye. “To let you know” is the very literal translation of Paalam. From this, we can see that Filipinos show respect to others when leaving by saying that they are leaving. “See you again” is the very literal translation of Zaijian. From this, we can see that the Chinese greeting expresses a form of looking forward or anticipating another meeting with others when leaving, although it seems warmer than Paalam. Both words show collectivistic cultures of the east, in contrast to individualistic cultures of the west.
When we greet somebody who celebrates his/her birthday, we say Happy Birthday in English, Maligayang Bati in Filipino and Shengrikuaile in Chinese. The phrase Happy Birthday is quite different from the past English phrases, because of the word Happy. What is more interesting here is not the unusualness of the phrase Happy Birthday, but is the value people give to birthdays. Before, at least for some, people get to have what they want, like gifts, foods and etc., only during their birthday. Now, people get to have what they want not only during their birthday, because life now is generally more comfortable than the life before. Still, people maintain their value for someone's birthday. “Greet you happily” is the very literal translation of Maligayang Bati, while “Get happy quickly on your birthday” is the very literal translation of Shengrikuaile. Both phrases further support the high value people give to birthdays. Overall, language is seems to be directly proportional to the years of civilization. This means that the longer the years of civilization, the more develop the language is.
I think that you made a good point by showing through concrete examples that philosophy could be found within many things which we at first glance would not see as something philosophical. There is always something more to the exterior, something beneath, something beyond, something invisible to the eye, and something to be sought after.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Kuai itself is 'quick', but kuaile as a whole means 'happy', so shengri kuaile is 'birthday happy'.
Abi Go Ph101 A
If I'd be indulged a long comment,
ReplyDeleteNo argument at all with the drinking wine part. I think it was the Greek writer Horace who said, "No poems can please for long or live that are written by water drinkers." I think we all know how consuming alcohol can reduce (or even remove) inhibitions from a person. When it comes to our loving struggles with out readings and the sharing of insights, I often hesitate or completely fall silent for fear that what I'll say is "not deep enough" or a off-tangent and may derail the discussion. Lowered inhibitions would certainly make me more bold. As the saying goes, "In vino veritas"
As for mathematics being alive, I'm inclined to disagree but only with regards to your example. Your basis for saying that math is alive is that (if I'm not mistaken) you can see a kind of movement with regards to how the entire equation can still mean the same thing as you manipulate the variables. The variables however, are manipulated in a very mechanical way. There is a set of laws that must be followed in order for the equation to remain true. I don't think it can be appropriately described as organic because it has no ability to adapt or think for itself. Sure, you can alter the equation for its application to be expanded beyond right triangles (though I know no such) but it requires a human element.
You might be saying that I'm forgetting about the concept of "the whole" that Heidegger talked about. Mathematics IS. The relations of values exists with or without humanity. The laws of mathematics are part of "the whole". It simply exists in its completeness as we would no from objective thinking. To attempt a more intermediary type of thinking, I will apply the subject. Math APPEARS to be alive to us humans (who are subjects) as more and more things are discovered. It's like seeing characters written in a foreign language. At first they appear alien and senseless. Were one to learn the language, the writing gradually makes more sense. The characters however are not alive (at least, not in this example) that they began to talk to you telepathically but rather, you, the subject, just began to make more sense of it through gained knowledge.
With regards to language, I looked up the etymology of "Bye." I just wasn't content with "Bye is just bye." Through a lazy online search, I found out that good bye is a contraction of "God be with ye" (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=good-bye&allowed_in_frame=0). I think this can also shed some light on how religion affected the zeitgeist of the West that it spilled over into social interactions.
I'd also like to express my disagreement with "Step in" being devoid of hospitality but I think we can attribute that to subjectivity. Regardless, I think his warrants some investigation on its etymology.
wine: Edgar Allen Poe also indulged in large amounts of harmful substances, including alcohol, amongst other drugs, before crafting his works of literary genius, but i wouldn't recommend it.
ReplyDeletemath: i like where you're going with this, in that perhaps, things may be looked at from different views. And for that reason people philosophize differently, like how one can use the Pythagorean theorem differently.
language: a strong disagree. The origin of the "hello" comes from the germans and french. (as does english) Americans did not invent the english language, and thus, it is not wise to make judgement based on the language alone. Also, while my hello may not tell that "the night is beautiful," the weather today might very well be terrible but you are still going to tell me it is beautiful. (from the defensive view of an american) what are you getting at?
On Wine: Indulging almost anything in large amounts is usually not good for you. I think this is why Mr. Cua emphasized drinking wine "in small amounts", a phrase he repeated four times. Also, many poets of the early 19th century such as Samuel Coleridge and John Keats wrote their best works under the influence. Although it is not encouraged, there seems to be a store of empirical evidence to suggest that illegal substances --> unprecedented works of art. But I guess that's where self-control and exercising your own idea of freedom come in.
DeleteOn Language: I'd have to agree that it's not wise to pass judgment on a certain people based solely on the language they speak. Although Hi or Hello are quicker and easier to say than our own native polysyllabic greetings, I don't think it's appropriate to conclude so easily that this is because Americans or other English speakers (if I follow your logic)are always in a hurry. I believe this depends on context. Hi or hello are usually said in passing, while we Filipinos greet each other with "Musta" instead. "Magandang Gabi/Hapon/Araw" are more likely used in more formal settings today, where Americans would say "Good Evening/Afternoon/Morning" or ask "How are you?".
Indeed, language is a manifestation of culture. This is apparent in some of the instances mentioned above. However, I'm inclined to believe there still are exceptions. :)
I especially liked your description of mathematics as somke sort of tree. Even if the manner by which one manipulates variables, as a previous commenter mentioned, is mechanical, this made me realize that there are some similarities between mathematics, science and philosophy to a certain extent. because from first-hand experience as well, I can definitely attest to the fact that math makes you think almost as much as "philosophizing" does in one way or another. Although the numbers are in front of you and your identity as the questioner is not at the forefront as philosophy entails,doing math makes one acknowledge a certain unity and cooperation among numbers. And if only we could apply this realization into our daily lives, the fact that we need others and others need us to get to our "sum" or objective, then we can truly begin making our way along the path we call philosophy.
ReplyDeleteThomas Manalac (Ph 101- A)
Coming from the perspective of a person who loves working with numbers, I appreciate how you likened mathematics to a tree. Math has its own language, speaking with us through various symbols and a handful of letters, but all the same, it has a universal meaning.
ReplyDeleteI guess at some point, math can be like a particular piece of art (in terms of the fact that it may or may not arrest the subject's attention). In other words, we come to a point in our life when we do or do not understand math and that is just perfectly fine. (Well, academically speaking it may not be.) However, if we do give it the right amount of attention and, if just like anything we want in life, we persevere by struggling with tedious practice and repetitions, we will eventually arrive at a rewarding realization, that which is the answer.
I do appreciate how you took the time to extract the philosophical sense in something as complex and at the same time, simple (because it is universal), as mathematics. True enough, as one engages or works with numbers, he/she is unwittingly entering a certain degree of philosophical thinking, as he/she tries to unravel the deeper meaning of formulas and numbers, fueled by the so-called metaphysical unease.
Kara Leongson
PH101-C
To be honest, at first glance, this blog entry seemed daunting because it looks lengthy. But I have to say that I really enjoyed reading through this because of all the examples, comparisons, and contrasts. I learned that with wine or any alcoholic drink for that matter, "drunk words are sober thoughts". Hahaha! I gained better appreciation for math (because I seriously have a bad relationship with math). I learned a lot about the differences between the individualistic Western and collectivist Eastern cultures. All in all, this was a good read! :)
ReplyDeleteHAHA! Good insight about the wine. I might actually want to try that sometime :))
ReplyDeleteAnd I like how you applied philosophy into mathematics. I personally am not very fond of the subject. What you said would never have occurred to me because my dislike for math would immediately hinder me from thinking about it philosophically. So yeah. Thank you for that insight. Never thought of math as a tree that has life before. haha.
It's nice to know how the Filipino and Chinese languages translate into expressions that involve not just a single self, but a self among others and being thoughtful of others. I think this brings up that point in Philosophy where the being is involved in a bigger picture where it's not just about me, me, and me all the time. It's about sharing our experiences with others and sort of opening them up to our world and letting them in. Plus, it sounds really pretty.
ReplyDeleteAlso, really loved part about wine in the sense that we become, not necessarily truer, but probably a little more loosened up to shake off the pressure. And with that, we'll be able to say at least the first thing that comes to our heads and magically elaborate on that. Maybe we should take in a little before class to make the discussion more interesting, yes? No? No. Okay.
I agree that in math, by solving more and more problems, one will see that it has something in it. In a sense, math is somewhat similar to philosophy because one can only experience it (math or philosophy) better upon practicing or actually doing it. The difference between the two though, might be what have we have discussed in class - math is universal in that it can be solved or understood by anyone with sufficient knowledge, but there are many philosophical questions that often times only you can discover by yourself.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you talked about the importance of dialogue or language by explaining its differences across cultures. If you haven't stressed the amount of meaning that put behind these everyday words, it would have gone unnoticed to me. I guess the truths about the things of this world can be found in our dialogue. This is probably why we are encouraged to engage in dialogue during philosophy. Truth is in the conversation that we are.
ReplyDeleteI like how you used language to illustrate your point. Although, I don't necessarily agree with what you had to say for your last sentence.
ReplyDelete"Overall, language is seems to be directly proportional to the years of civilization. This means that the longer the years of civilization, the more develop the language is."
A reason why some languages are more extensive than others is their culture, not necessarily how long they have lived as a civilization. A country that has its forte in rice would have many terminologies for rice. A country that has its forte in music would have many terminologies for music. I hope you see where I'm getting at, if not, feel free to comment and I'll expound.