Friday, April 27, 2007
Austin Magruder - Babett's Feast
If you won the lottery what would you do? I do not know many people who would answer that question with, spend it all on one dinner for ten near strangers. Babett however shows true selflessness, Sending for all of the finest ingredients with wines for every course from france, she feeds the group. Amazingly they think she is the devil and is trying to poison them with evil, so if they can eat the food and not comment on it, they won't be subject to the evil. They adore the food, and not being able to comment on it, they talk about their own lives and bond as a community again. The old ladies sipping wine and licking their lips is great. You can see the joy in their eyes, but the angst of knowing it is "evil". Babett is able to bring together a community throught the love of food.
Austin Magruder - The Jacket
The Jacket is a soeewhat disturbing psycological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Can you imagine, being acussed of a crime, and not being sure if you actually committed it? The notion that the main character was put through terrrible 'treatments' and was able to control his fear and actually use the sitiuation he was put in to time travel is difficult to comprehend. This movie touches on the idea of predestination, he knows what is going to happen to him and he chooses to use his ability to help others rather than himself. This kind of selflessness is rarely found in the real world nowadays. I think we can all take a lesson from this movie.
Steven Hunter - Apocalypse
The theory of a complete apocalypse is the most interesting thing we have talked about this year. I think that the scariness and overall threat of the topic is what makes the topic so intriguing. In the book of Revelation it mentions that those people who are filled with love and joy and on the side of Jesus will enjoy peace in the eternal life. Those people who live in sin on the side of the devil will suffer in hell.
Revelation gives a lot of insight into how people should live their lives; however, it should not be because of fear that people should act kindly towards each other. People should want to act with kindness because it is right and you want to be treated nicely in return. If it takes the fear of an ultimate apocalypse to scare people into acting morally and ethically, that is fine too.
The ultimate apocalypse will supposedly bring fire, winds, and floods. I want to be on the side that will allow me to live in peace after that, instead of suffering for eternity.
Revelation gives a lot of insight into how people should live their lives; however, it should not be because of fear that people should act kindly towards each other. People should want to act with kindness because it is right and you want to be treated nicely in return. If it takes the fear of an ultimate apocalypse to scare people into acting morally and ethically, that is fine too.
The ultimate apocalypse will supposedly bring fire, winds, and floods. I want to be on the side that will allow me to live in peace after that, instead of suffering for eternity.
Steven Hunter - Existentialism
We coud learn from Forrest
One of the major themes or ideas we talked about in class is existentialism. This idea of taking it upon yourself to create meaning in your life is very intriguing. I knew a little before the class, but never knew what it really meant. I think this should be a lesson taught to all the kids in schools. It would really teach them that no matter their current status or class in life, they can make something of themselves.
A movie that exemplifies this existential movement is Forrest Gump. The movie showed how a man of little intelligence, because of his decisions and actions to help people, made the world a better place. He rescued people in war, won football games for his school, and raised a son on his own. He really made something of himself, when others thought he would be nothing with his low I.Q. and handicapped legs.
Existentialism is a major philosophical movement that should be a basis for many people to live by. I think that everyone could accomplish their goals and dreams if they stood by this belief.
One of the major themes or ideas we talked about in class is existentialism. This idea of taking it upon yourself to create meaning in your life is very intriguing. I knew a little before the class, but never knew what it really meant. I think this should be a lesson taught to all the kids in schools. It would really teach them that no matter their current status or class in life, they can make something of themselves.
A movie that exemplifies this existential movement is Forrest Gump. The movie showed how a man of little intelligence, because of his decisions and actions to help people, made the world a better place. He rescued people in war, won football games for his school, and raised a son on his own. He really made something of himself, when others thought he would be nothing with his low I.Q. and handicapped legs.
Existentialism is a major philosophical movement that should be a basis for many people to live by. I think that everyone could accomplish their goals and dreams if they stood by this belief.
Steven Hunter - The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code is a great movie that was released in 2006 that was based off of a book of the same name. It tells the story of a man who has to unravel the truth that a woman he has come in contact with may be the direct descendant of Christ. In doing this he would prove that Christ had a wife or mistress, and disprove much of what the Christian faith believes in.
Though we did not talk about this movie in class, I felt this movie was worth writing about. Could you imagine if this movie depicted what really happened in history and was proven to be true? It would cause mass chaos. Many people would leave their religion because they would feel lied to by their church.
It would be so astounding because it would show that Christ was susceptible to human desires, which would perceivably take away from his omnipotence. It would do this by making people think that he could not control himself if he wanted to. I think this is the very reason the priests at my church advised everyone to not see the film. I think that it is good to see though, as long as it is viewed for entertainment and not taken as truth.
I know that this is based on fiction, but it does give you something to think about.
Though we did not talk about this movie in class, I felt this movie was worth writing about. Could you imagine if this movie depicted what really happened in history and was proven to be true? It would cause mass chaos. Many people would leave their religion because they would feel lied to by their church.
It would be so astounding because it would show that Christ was susceptible to human desires, which would perceivably take away from his omnipotence. It would do this by making people think that he could not control himself if he wanted to. I think this is the very reason the priests at my church advised everyone to not see the film. I think that it is good to see though, as long as it is viewed for entertainment and not taken as truth.
I know that this is based on fiction, but it does give you something to think about.
Anne Zagursky-Critique of Pure Reason (Kant)
Rationality of Jesus
In Immanuel Kant's book, A Critique of Pure Reason, he talks about the ability to understand Jesus in a different way than the traditional Christian view. He wants to make Jesus into a prototype or example of good life but not a hero or savior of any kind. Kant believes that humans must save themselves and that no one and nothing else can change a person's reality and make them better. People's choices impact who they are and therefore a person must choose to make his life better as well. Kant thinks that the true conversion and salvation happens to each individual internally just as it did to Jesus. The actual existence of Jesus is insignificant to Kant. He believes that Jesus’ significance comes from his perfect example of following the categorical imperative. The story of Jesus is a representation of how to live a moral life, according to Kant.
Kant believes in the "categorical imperative" which is like rules that must be obeyed no matter what. Kant says that Jesus is the best example of this obedience and that is waht makes him valuable. He doesn't care about the actuality of Jesus, just the best example of the categorical imperative. ). He says that this perfect moral being was not born but begotten of God and is that in which all other things are made. The duty of humans is to elevate themselves to the same level of moral obedience as that of Jesus. Jesus serves as a prototype or prime example of right moral living. He is the only person that is in full accord with the categorical imperative. Jesus, being God incarnate, had to lower himself to come to earth and set the example for other humans. He has no need to suffer since he has done nothing sinful or wrong; therefore he lowers himself to the status of humans in order to set the example for other humans in the world.
Humans are sinful and cannot raise themselves to the level of God; therefore God, through Jesus, must drop down to human level to provide a quality example. This example gives hope to humans that perhaps if they believe in God they will be able to overcome the same problems and obstacles that Jesus faced and also come through it victoriously. Jesus’ story gives hope to those who believe and help people follow the categorical imperative more closely. However, Jesus was more complex than Kant makes him out to be. He was a radical leader who did not always follow the rules and made the Jewish leaders uncomfortable and confused. Jesus had to be more than just a prototype if he actually existed. He would have been a liar if he was not also a savior and thus he would not be perfect role model for humans. Jesus must have been a savior if he was the epitome of perfection.
In Immanuel Kant's book, A Critique of Pure Reason, he talks about the ability to understand Jesus in a different way than the traditional Christian view. He wants to make Jesus into a prototype or example of good life but not a hero or savior of any kind. Kant believes that humans must save themselves and that no one and nothing else can change a person's reality and make them better. People's choices impact who they are and therefore a person must choose to make his life better as well. Kant thinks that the true conversion and salvation happens to each individual internally just as it did to Jesus. The actual existence of Jesus is insignificant to Kant. He believes that Jesus’ significance comes from his perfect example of following the categorical imperative. The story of Jesus is a representation of how to live a moral life, according to Kant.
Kant believes in the "categorical imperative" which is like rules that must be obeyed no matter what. Kant says that Jesus is the best example of this obedience and that is waht makes him valuable. He doesn't care about the actuality of Jesus, just the best example of the categorical imperative. ). He says that this perfect moral being was not born but begotten of God and is that in which all other things are made. The duty of humans is to elevate themselves to the same level of moral obedience as that of Jesus. Jesus serves as a prototype or prime example of right moral living. He is the only person that is in full accord with the categorical imperative. Jesus, being God incarnate, had to lower himself to come to earth and set the example for other humans. He has no need to suffer since he has done nothing sinful or wrong; therefore he lowers himself to the status of humans in order to set the example for other humans in the world.
Humans are sinful and cannot raise themselves to the level of God; therefore God, through Jesus, must drop down to human level to provide a quality example. This example gives hope to humans that perhaps if they believe in God they will be able to overcome the same problems and obstacles that Jesus faced and also come through it victoriously. Jesus’ story gives hope to those who believe and help people follow the categorical imperative more closely. However, Jesus was more complex than Kant makes him out to be. He was a radical leader who did not always follow the rules and made the Jewish leaders uncomfortable and confused. Jesus had to be more than just a prototype if he actually existed. He would have been a liar if he was not also a savior and thus he would not be perfect role model for humans. Jesus must have been a savior if he was the epitome of perfection.
Anne Zagursky-Boondock Saints
Mission from God
In the film, The Boondock Saints, we are introduced to two Irish, pious, Catholic brothers who are thrust into the world of vigilanteism after killing two mobsters in self-defense. While they sat in jail to aviod the media, the two felt a calling from God to clear all of Boston of these kinds of people. They wanted to clean up the city of all the evil, dirty people that cause terror or seek self-interest. They begin by wiping out the Russian mob at a secret meeting. As they kill, they recite an old Catholic prayer that their father taught them as children. The brothers continue their vigilanteism and being taking out some of the Italian mob. Again they recite the prayer as the kill the leaders. They even begin to kill people that are just evil in general, not associated with gangers or mobs. As they are about to kill one of the Italian leaders a mysterious man comes in behind them and is about to kill them but hears the prayer and starts to say it with them. The boys realize it is their father whom they haven't seen in many years. The father joins the boys in the mission. Papa Joe, one of the Italian mob leaders, is sent to trial and the brothers come in to make sure he gets his just dues. They know that if he faces trial no one will testify or the lawyer will find some way to get him out. They want to make sure he doesn't get off. The brothers recite a speech about living a good life nad refraining from evil. Then they kill Papa Joe in front of everyone in the court. They men are dubbed saints by the media. The movie ends with people reflecting on what it means to be a saint.
The film is a powerful story that can be related to the Kierkegaardian idea of the knight of faith. These men lived in faith that they were doing God's will even if it went against the laws of man and against the Bible. They felt that they were sent by God to fix the problems in the court systems and police. They wanted to make Boston a better place for the good people even if it meant doing something very unconventional. This is similar to the Apocalypse Now problem where good and evil are not so clear anymore. They are sent to clean things up but must do dirty things in order to make that happen. This film makes you wonder if people really do understand the call of God or the commands of Him. The brothers did not want to wait on the court system to convict these highly professional criminals. There was too big of a chance that the criminals would get off free abd be back out harming people are creating problems in the city. The brothers just made sure that wouldn't happen anymore and trusted God that they would find the strength to do his work and save their city.
In the film, The Boondock Saints, we are introduced to two Irish, pious, Catholic brothers who are thrust into the world of vigilanteism after killing two mobsters in self-defense. While they sat in jail to aviod the media, the two felt a calling from God to clear all of Boston of these kinds of people. They wanted to clean up the city of all the evil, dirty people that cause terror or seek self-interest. They begin by wiping out the Russian mob at a secret meeting. As they kill, they recite an old Catholic prayer that their father taught them as children. The brothers continue their vigilanteism and being taking out some of the Italian mob. Again they recite the prayer as the kill the leaders. They even begin to kill people that are just evil in general, not associated with gangers or mobs. As they are about to kill one of the Italian leaders a mysterious man comes in behind them and is about to kill them but hears the prayer and starts to say it with them. The boys realize it is their father whom they haven't seen in many years. The father joins the boys in the mission. Papa Joe, one of the Italian mob leaders, is sent to trial and the brothers come in to make sure he gets his just dues. They know that if he faces trial no one will testify or the lawyer will find some way to get him out. They want to make sure he doesn't get off. The brothers recite a speech about living a good life nad refraining from evil. Then they kill Papa Joe in front of everyone in the court. They men are dubbed saints by the media. The movie ends with people reflecting on what it means to be a saint.
The film is a powerful story that can be related to the Kierkegaardian idea of the knight of faith. These men lived in faith that they were doing God's will even if it went against the laws of man and against the Bible. They felt that they were sent by God to fix the problems in the court systems and police. They wanted to make Boston a better place for the good people even if it meant doing something very unconventional. This is similar to the Apocalypse Now problem where good and evil are not so clear anymore. They are sent to clean things up but must do dirty things in order to make that happen. This film makes you wonder if people really do understand the call of God or the commands of Him. The brothers did not want to wait on the court system to convict these highly professional criminals. There was too big of a chance that the criminals would get off free abd be back out harming people are creating problems in the city. The brothers just made sure that wouldn't happen anymore and trusted God that they would find the strength to do his work and save their city.
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