Neil Salsich's Journal: Week 1
1.One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week.
The last three weeks have been spent studying such major ideas as Aristotle's philosophy, the difference between opinion, belief, and fact, the Five Foundational Lessons, and three classic myths/stories. However, the most important idea of the section was Plato's Allegory of the Cave. THe allegory tells the story of prisoners in a cave, spending their whole life chained to eachother, facing a wall upon which shadows were cast. They thought that the shadows were real, but in fact they are only shawdows of the real objects placed upon a wall behind them. When one prisoner is released, he leaves that cave and discovers that the objects that he though were real were in fact only shadows of the truth. This story illustrates the philosophy that all humans are are not living the real truth. This allegory is important because it helps give meaning to Socrates' famous statement, "The unexamined life is not worth living", which sets the foundation for the mode of thinking we need to use when approaching the course.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
Belief - A belief is very different from a fact, something that is known for certain, proved by evidence, and is not disputable. It is also different from an opinion, a point of view or idea that can be unique to each person, but is not concrete. A belief is an opinion incorporating reason, based on evidence to which we commit ourselves.
Faith vs. faith, - Faith, with an "F" is used to denote spiritual trust and belief in something. In the other hand, faith, with an "f" is used to describe non-religious trust and belief, ususally between people, such as the Spartan soldiers in Gates of Fire.
Metanoia - a change of mind and heart away from selfishness, ignorance, and sin and towards love, truth, and grace.
3. One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source.
Source:Index of Don Clark's History Page
Source:Gallery of Frank R. Paul's Artwork
4. One good question you should keep with you to ponder.
Am I living an unexamined life?
5. What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, from this study.
I think I need to do two things. First, I need to truly question myself, and ask myself: Am I living an unexamined life? Secondly, after I have answered this, I need to review the Five Foundational Lessons every time I make an important decision that could effect me, others around me, and my world.I realize that I make to many decisions based on instant gratification or excitement, just like Icarus. Hopefully, if I apply the Five Foundation Lessons to every major decision I make, I will become a better person and not end up like Icarus.
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