Blog Post 3 (The Materialist to the Pragmatist, and your Life)

            Why is it so difficult for people to live a more species-life than continue to live an alienated-life? Species-life is defined in Chapter 13-3a Species-Life as, “fully human life lived productively and consciously, not alienated.” Alienated-Life is also outlined in Chapter 13-3a Species-Life as, “ Unconscious, unhappy, unspontaneous, and unfulfilled life; deprived of fundamental conditions necessary for self-actualization.” These two descriptions are needed to explain the difference between the two ways of life.

In a Capitalist world Alienation is the only way to live. Workers work to provide production for big companies but do not receive any recognition or gratification for the hard labor put into the products. Marx articulates the meaning of Capitalism in Chapter 13-3 titled Critique of Capitalism as, “an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are all (or mostly) privately owned and operated for the profits under fully competitive conditions; tends to be accomplished by concentration of wealth and growth of great corporations.”

I believe people continue to live an alienated-life because of the necessities it provides. Even though we may not like the job we have or maybe even the relationship we are in, those things provide money, security, and supplies for us so it makes it feel impossible to change. For example, trying to find a new job is difficult especially if you want to make enough money to continue to provide for your family.  Additionally, if you are in a relationship you are no longer interested in but have a child or only your partner works, it makes it much more difficult to do what makes you happy because you do not have the means to move on.

I am a full-time student, a part-time waitress, a wife and a mother to a 2-year-old toddler that is always keeping me busy. For me personally I live a life that is alienated. I find myself unhappy with my circumstances. I know there are things in this world that will make me happier and will be more fulfilling to me however those things are not practical at the time. I would love to go on vacation or spend time in a country that is in need of assistance from volunteers, or have a house keeper/nanny to take care of all of my daily chores while I go to a job that I truly enjoy but that’s not realistic at the moment. I cannot afford to quit my dissatisfying job because I have a family to provide for. I cannot go help and assist others in countries that are neglected because I have classes to pass and a child to teach. Even though my version of a species-life will someday to obtainable, right now I have to keep my head up and fight through the difficult times living an alienated-life because if I don’t my family will not survive. I think this is exactly why alienation will continue in this world. No matter how wonderful a specie-life may be, a job is a job no matter how miserable, and the money earned is needed to feed families and keep a roof over our heads and that seems much more important for the time being. I work in a restaurant full of rude managers, degrading coworkers, and nagging customers. I would love nothing more than to discontinue my association there, however it provides an income that is required for our wellbeing.

Marx explains in Chapter 13-4a Species-Life by stating, “ If capitalism was destroyed, we would revert to species-life.” I agree with Marx statement however the leap of faith that is required of people so that Capitalism and Alienation deteriorates so species-life can thrill is little to non-existent. Due to the non-negotiable demands that are sadly provided by alienation, alienated-lives will continue to be endured and the happy species-life will unfortunately have to stay in the clouds with the rest of our dreams for the moment.

Word Count-653

Where is the line between a moral duty and other motives when you are a mother?

I am a part time waitress as well as a full time wife and mom. My days are full of activities whether it is swimming, play dates, bathes, naps, or lunch the list seems to never end. Even though everyday is extremely busy, there is nothing I love more than being a mother. In Chapter 11-4c Inclination, Wishes, Act of Will, Immanuel Kant explains that when we will something, we issue ourselves a kind of internal command. What that means is we personally make the decision to not break the law or rule we have given ourselves. Being able to create that rule you want and stay true to it is ultimately identified as an act of “supreme moral principle.” A supreme moral principle is the moral motive that distinguishes the good will from the other motives.

Being a mother brings me more joy than anything else this world has to offer, however after reading “The Universalist Immanuel Kant” I find myself wondering if I do things that are more beneficial for me through activities I provide for my son. Even though bath time and naptime are necessary for my son, it’s also a time for me to have a moment to myself to relax and have some down time. I never thought of the activities I schedule for my son to be more favorable for me than him. In Chapter 11 Section 11-4c titled Inclinations, Wishes, Acts of Will, Kant defines Inclinations as “Decisions and actions based on impulse or desire as well as not products of practical reason.” From Kant’s standpoint in Chapter 11, Section 11-5 Moral Duty he states, “Duty does not serve our desires and preference but rather overpower them.”

The answer to my question in my opinion is simple. The line between moral duty and motives as a mother is my intentions. An inclination would be if I chose to put my son down for a nap an hour earlier so I could watch my favorite show in peace. This act is of self-interest for myself only. However if I choose to put him down for a nap an hour earlier because he is sick and weary this act is purely for the contentment of him. These are both examples of motives, one being a moral duty and one being a self-interest motive. Moreover, when it comes to my everyday life with my son, my intentions towards him are moral motives. I receive no gratification or have an advantage when doing what is best for my son. My intentions are morally praiseworthy. According to Kant, in Chapter 11 section 11-5 Moral Duty he states, “My duty can not be based on what I want to do, what I like or don’t like, weather or not I care about the people involved.”

I’m happy to know that how I have been raising my son is a moral duty and always has been, even before learning about the differences in motives in this section. Not until I started this post and brainstorming on what question I wanted to work on, did I realize that never once have I gloated for how well and exceptional I take care of my son nor find myself doing things differently because it will be beneficial for me. I will continue to care take of my son wholeheartedly not because it is my job, not because it’s what is best for him, but because it is my moral duty and I have a good will to do so. 

Word Count: 602

Is learning on our own the best way to gain knowledge?

Chapter 9 is a analysis called “The Rationalist, Rene’ Descartes.” In section 9-2 titled "Rene’ Descartes: The Solitary Intellect" you will read that Rene' Descartes was a very wise man, who studied many different areas such as mathematics, history, liberal arts, philosophy, as well as dancing, and fencing. When Descartes was 23 years old he had a revelation that transformed him and the Western Philosophy. He describes three dreams he had, one of which had a clap of thunder. He took that specific dream as a sign from “the Spirit of Truth descending to take possession” of him. After that experience, Descartes believed that he had been divinely encouraged to form a method of reasoning, using mathematical principles. In Chapter 9, section 9-4 titled “The Method Of Doubt” Descartes said “I thought that the sciences found in the books and those at least whose reasoning’s are only probable and which have no demonstrations, composed as they are of the gradually accumulated opinions of many different individuals- do not approach so near to the truth as the simple reasoning’s which a man of common sense can quite naturally carry out respecting the things which come immediately before him.” He said if you followed carefully enough, than it would guarantee absolute certain truths from the results. Now that we have some background on how Descartes came to be the one who introduced this revolution, I think it would be appropriate to say that he was a driven, very intelligent individual who when he set his mind to know something, discovering the answer with reason would be accomplished.

In my life I have not always been the type to go above and beyond to find out information on my own. I would take advice from others, listen to what people believed for themselves and go along with their reasonings. Now that I am older and have had the opportunity to go through life decisions, I have found that facts, reasoning, and true understanding of what you’re facing is the best way to gain knowledge. Learning to make decisions on my own after I have taken the time to evaluate the positive and negative outcomes I have proven to myself that I have found truth about what really makes someone smarter, and have a deeper knowledge of life and that is through reasoning. Going into situations with an opened mind and discovering your own opinion on matters is the best way to gain knowledge. Weather it be about wanting to know if God exists, if true love is attainable, or if college is difficult. Why are finding things out on our own beneficial? Because everyone will tell you what he or she has heard or gone through but no matter what, the only way to know for certain and have confidence in your decision is if you take the plunge and find out yourself with actually facts and reason. That is exactly what Rene’ Descartes did. He felt that science was mistaken and instead of asking what others thought, he challenged himself in ways unimaginable mentally and physically to prove what was true with reasoning to follow. I agree with the brilliant Rene’ Descartes and will continue to gain knowledge to any question I have with a clear mind and reason.

Word count- 562

Trial #1 (practice post)

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