How should we organize society?

• What things in your daily experience have you noticed that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I realized that life is never going to be fair. Also, people are going to do what they want to do in life. Most people seek money versus their passion and become unhappy. Everyone have an opportunity, but it is up to them to make their own decision. I agree more with Karl Marx’s view about abolishing capital because equality may have a chance. Who gives anyone the right to have more money or even think they are better than someone else because of their background? We are all humans and deserve equal treatment and respect.

• What things have you learned about yourself that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I learned that I was moderate. I believe in working hard in life to achieve goals, but everyone should be equally tax. Although I do not ride on route 80 all the time, but when I do I would like the road to be smooth and clean. Therefore, people should be more considerate rather than selfish. I love to give back to my community and invest in my and others futures.

• Which thinking disposition did you find that you needed to use or feel that you should have used better during this section? What would it have helped you do? 

The thinking disposition I used in this section is Analyticity because I have an urge to see what happens next. This thinking disposition helped me to realize after having a class discussion and addressing the issue, is anything going to change or remain the same? Most likely, things will probably remain the same because we cannot force anyone to do anything in life. However, we are aware of the issue, but everyone have been fighting for equality for a long time and only little change have occurred as time progressed. Therefore, people are going to remain the same most of the time.

Why God?

• What have you found challenging about this topic in philosophy?

What I found challenging about this topic is due to the fact that I am a firm believer in God, it was difficult listening to the instructor talk about God in ways I have not heard.  If I didn’t have the strong belief that I do, it would be very hard for a philosopher to persuade my thoughts or actions because of my beliefs. I agree with Aquinas’s view of God’s existence more than Mackie’s view. The only challenging thing about this topic was trying to convince people whether or not God exist. It’s an individual’s choice whether they believe in God or a higher being.  I also find it challenging to think that because I believe in God’s goodness and his mercies, blaming God for the evil in the world is thought provoking.   Perhaps, God put evil in the world to challenge us or to learn from mistakes or maybe to allow humans to know that it is God and it has dominion over the entire world.

• What have you enjoyed (if anything) about studying this topic in philosophy?

I enjoyed the conversation about trying to prove the gender of God. It was very thought provoking as well as the questions and conversations about who wrote the bible.  I enjoyed my peers refuting the philosophers’ views in class especially other peoples’ opinions from different religions.

• What things in your daily experience have you noticed that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I noticed that I started to question God about peoples’ purposes in life especially because he controls everything. Also, I began to question God about the struggles in life and the reasons for its occurrences. Perhaps, God wants adoration no matter what the predicament may be in our lives.

• What things have you learned about yourself that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I learned that I am a theist gnostic. I believe in God and know He exist by the fact it keeps blessing me beyond measures. I just cannot accept the fact that God is not real because of the way I was raised and my beliefs.  I am now more aware about other peoples’ beliefs and their perspectives about God and its existence.

• Which thinking disposition did you find that you needed to use or feel that you should have used better during this section? What would it have helped you do? 

For this topic, I needed to use open-mindedness because it would have helped me accept Mackie’s view more willingly. It would have also helped me too understand the beliefs and perspectives of others about God.  I believe God is all the adjectives we described it to be in class, however, evil can be done to make us more aware or make us trust God through any situations. God knows what he does and we as humans have to choose whether to do right or wrong.   

Are we free?

• What have you found challenging about this topic in philosophy?

The most challenging part about this topic is Sartre’s perspective of God’s existence. I believe in God, but Sartre believes God’s existence proves that I am a thing.  His theory, believes we do not have a choice. However, choices are made every day. For instance, we make a choice no matter if it is a yes or no or no mat.

• What have you enjoyed (if anything) about studying this topic in philosophy?

I enjoyed discovering that we are not free. No matter the definition of free, we all have limitations of freedom. Also, I enjoyed that we cannot blame anyone or anything in life based on our decisions anymore. Both philosophers’ views are accurate because most of our lives are based on previous lessons in life, heredity, and environment. This topic showed me how my decisions affect the lives of others and I never viewed life by the fact that right and wrong is defined by us. This topic allowed me to view my life differently rather than thinking I was free because of the Bill of Rights.

• What things in your daily experience have you noticed that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I noticed that most of my choices were based on heredity and environment. In my genetics, I believe I inherited the deadly sin of greed. My family is greedy for knowledge and education rather than money being the top priority on the list. Also, I noticed my environment affects the person I am today. I was trained by my parents and I surround myself around positive people for positive energy.

• What things have you learned about yourself that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I learned that every choice I made in my life, I made it alone but it was based on how I was raised. I learned that I was born with a purpose and I decide what path I want to take in life.

• Which thinking disposition did you find that you needed to use or feel that you should have used better during this section? What would it have helped you do? 

The thinking disposition that I used during this section was Confidence in Reasoning. I trust Blatchford’s view because my experiences in life have demonstrated his belief. Also, I trust my mind and the knowledge I have gain in life to help me through different problems I go through now and in the future. It would have helped me to be confident in any decisions in life because there is no one to blame nor any excuses.

What do we know?

• What have you found challenging about this topic in philosophy?

The most challenging thing about the topic of knowledge is my mind is composed with assumptions. We are all accustomed to believe the veil of perception which may be deceiving as well. I find myself doubting every task daily such as how do I know if I am alive right now or how do I know if my assumptions are accurate. This topic does have me confused about different things in life because we can trust and be certain of some things in life but not all.  The topic of philosophy allows me to think differently about things morally, spiritually and mentally.

• What have you enjoyed (if anything) about studying this topic in philosophy?

With the topic of knowledge, I have become curious to know where knowledge has come from. I agree with Hume about knowledge comes from experience, but I did not know it came with limitations. Also, I believe everything in life happens for a reason; therefore reason and evidence may be where knowledge comes from. However, a philosopher may say where does evidence comes from? Therefore, this makes me wonder and have a desire to figure out some of these philosophers’ reasoning.  I enjoyed that this topic makes me think beyond the horizon instead of going with the same mundane thinking of life. I agree with Descartes’s perspective of God because I do believe God is perfect and he does control everything that happens in our lives.

• What things in your daily experience have you noticed that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

I noticed that I question and doubt my actions. I began to think in my mind what Descartes and Hume would say if they were present today. Also, I assumed many times in the past about different things, but since we began this class, I make assumptions about every minute thing.

• What things have you learned about yourself that you might not have prior to studying this topic in philosophy?

 I became more aware of my senses and assumptions. I learned that I can trust things which are certain. I use to trust my senses for every situation, but Descartes made me realize that my senses can be deceiving which it has during this week through the weather. For an example, the weather outside perceived to be rainy and cold, therefore, I dressed for these conditions. However, I went home and changed my outfit because it was hot and humid, but cloudy.

• Which thinking disposition did you find that you needed to use or feel that you should have used better during this section? What would it have helped you do? 

I feel that I should have used Inquisitiveness. With me being curious, I want to know if my assumptions are accurate or the real reason of knowledge. It would have helped me to think and to seek the truth of the philosophers’ perspectives.