Reflection
Taking the Ethics and Values course was not a class I was looking forward to taking. Philosophy is not a subject that I have been over enthusiastic about throughout my studies. However, after taking this course, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it and learned from the readings and assignments.
One of the things that I enjoyed about the class was the various philosopher readings. I appreciated seeing all the different views that each one had and trying to interpret what each was are trying to say. However, some of the philosopher’s writings were very difficult to understand. My favorite philosophers that I read were Kant and Locke; Kierkegaard’s theory, I particularly liked them the most.
As part of the course, we were supposed to pick one of the philosophers and review their theory or philosophy. The one I chose to study was Friedrich Nietzsche. He was a German philosopher from the mid 1800’s who had a strong influence on Western philosophy. The reading in which I reflected on was a piece in which Nietzsche responds to the creation of life.
In the beginning of his theory, Nietzsche speaks about this changing verses and unchanging form of reality or being. He seems to say that we don’t change, but then almost contradicts himself in saying that we are constantly changing ourselves. I am unclear as to which statement he supports more. However, I believe that he might be trying to point out that you can either be a “being” who doesn’t change and doesn’t progress, or you can be a “being” that is always constantly progressing. If this is the case, I can understand this concept. Although, by reading further into his philosophy, it appears that he was defining a “being” as something that doesn’t change. To put it into context, he states that if we are human and we don’t change into a cat or a dog, we stay a human forever. By looking at it from that perspective his idea makes a lot more sense.
In the next section of his philosophy, Nietzsche defends his reasoning of how we are constantly changing “beings” and what our responsibility is the human kind. If I am to understand him correctly, he states that there are two ways in which we can accept our human responsibility. It appears that he refers to a “religious” type and a “non-religious” type. One of the unique aspects I have found with Nietzsche, is that typically with philosophers, they tell us exactly we are to obtain the “greater good or happiness”. However, Nietzsche doesn’t tell us exactly “who” or “what” we should be, but rather tells us that there are different kinds of people. I find this tactic interesting, as he was so influential.
In further studying this philosophy, Nietzsche explains what he thinks the role of a philosopher should be. My interpretation of it was that he thinks philosophers should observe the world around them and make their “views” or “philosophy” based on what they see, rather on what they think it should be. It is due to this belief system of Nietzsche, that I chose to focus on him. As I have learned throughout my studies and experiences, you can not force a group of people to believe all the same way. What I mean is that, philosophers like Kierkegaard spent his whole life trying to convince others to his way of thinking. However, he did practice what he preached. He didn’t live how he told others to live. I find this to be interesting, as we see many world leaders today that do much of the same thing.
Nietzsche continues his writings to argue against Kant’s theory. He criticizes many of Kant’s views. One argument he makes against Kant’s theory is that of judgement. He argues that no one can judge anyone else unless they themselves have experience that to what is being judged. This really stuck out to me, as I feel this is one of the main problems in our world today. So many people today judge others for things they have done, but don’t really know why it was done. For example, recently there has been a lot of judgement for those in support of the “Black Lives Matter Campaign”. However, many of those who are judging don’t fully understand the reasoning behind the campaign. I myself was one of these people until I spoke with one of my African-American friends. She explained the details behind the campaign and why she supports it. After her explaining this to me, I gained a whole new perspective on it.
Overall, I found Nietzsche to be a very interesting and thought-provoking philosopher. I also enjoy this course because it allowed me to start to think of the various cultural controversies that are in the world today. Our professor would purposely take the opposing view during discussions for the class to see different perspectives and to critically think about the issues at hand. Had I not taken this class, I don’t think I would have been able to work through the cultural differences as easily, because this class provided me with the tools to think about issues from many different angles. The biggest take away I was able to get from this class was that there is no right way to live and be happy. For century’s philosophers and leaders have tried to convince us on how we should live. However, there is no right answer. Each culture has something unique and special to contribute to the world in which we live in. It is because of these differences that we are able to discuss topics, have arguments, and find ways to see each other’s perspectives. These experiences provide environments for learning and for growth. It is through this that we can work together at creating a world in which all cultures can live together in.
One of the things that I enjoyed about the class was the various philosopher readings. I appreciated seeing all the different views that each one had and trying to interpret what each was are trying to say. However, some of the philosopher’s writings were very difficult to understand. My favorite philosophers that I read were Kant and Locke; Kierkegaard’s theory, I particularly liked them the most.
As part of the course, we were supposed to pick one of the philosophers and review their theory or philosophy. The one I chose to study was Friedrich Nietzsche. He was a German philosopher from the mid 1800’s who had a strong influence on Western philosophy. The reading in which I reflected on was a piece in which Nietzsche responds to the creation of life.
In the beginning of his theory, Nietzsche speaks about this changing verses and unchanging form of reality or being. He seems to say that we don’t change, but then almost contradicts himself in saying that we are constantly changing ourselves. I am unclear as to which statement he supports more. However, I believe that he might be trying to point out that you can either be a “being” who doesn’t change and doesn’t progress, or you can be a “being” that is always constantly progressing. If this is the case, I can understand this concept. Although, by reading further into his philosophy, it appears that he was defining a “being” as something that doesn’t change. To put it into context, he states that if we are human and we don’t change into a cat or a dog, we stay a human forever. By looking at it from that perspective his idea makes a lot more sense.
In the next section of his philosophy, Nietzsche defends his reasoning of how we are constantly changing “beings” and what our responsibility is the human kind. If I am to understand him correctly, he states that there are two ways in which we can accept our human responsibility. It appears that he refers to a “religious” type and a “non-religious” type. One of the unique aspects I have found with Nietzsche, is that typically with philosophers, they tell us exactly we are to obtain the “greater good or happiness”. However, Nietzsche doesn’t tell us exactly “who” or “what” we should be, but rather tells us that there are different kinds of people. I find this tactic interesting, as he was so influential.
In further studying this philosophy, Nietzsche explains what he thinks the role of a philosopher should be. My interpretation of it was that he thinks philosophers should observe the world around them and make their “views” or “philosophy” based on what they see, rather on what they think it should be. It is due to this belief system of Nietzsche, that I chose to focus on him. As I have learned throughout my studies and experiences, you can not force a group of people to believe all the same way. What I mean is that, philosophers like Kierkegaard spent his whole life trying to convince others to his way of thinking. However, he did practice what he preached. He didn’t live how he told others to live. I find this to be interesting, as we see many world leaders today that do much of the same thing.
Nietzsche continues his writings to argue against Kant’s theory. He criticizes many of Kant’s views. One argument he makes against Kant’s theory is that of judgement. He argues that no one can judge anyone else unless they themselves have experience that to what is being judged. This really stuck out to me, as I feel this is one of the main problems in our world today. So many people today judge others for things they have done, but don’t really know why it was done. For example, recently there has been a lot of judgement for those in support of the “Black Lives Matter Campaign”. However, many of those who are judging don’t fully understand the reasoning behind the campaign. I myself was one of these people until I spoke with one of my African-American friends. She explained the details behind the campaign and why she supports it. After her explaining this to me, I gained a whole new perspective on it.
Overall, I found Nietzsche to be a very interesting and thought-provoking philosopher. I also enjoy this course because it allowed me to start to think of the various cultural controversies that are in the world today. Our professor would purposely take the opposing view during discussions for the class to see different perspectives and to critically think about the issues at hand. Had I not taken this class, I don’t think I would have been able to work through the cultural differences as easily, because this class provided me with the tools to think about issues from many different angles. The biggest take away I was able to get from this class was that there is no right way to live and be happy. For century’s philosophers and leaders have tried to convince us on how we should live. However, there is no right answer. Each culture has something unique and special to contribute to the world in which we live in. It is because of these differences that we are able to discuss topics, have arguments, and find ways to see each other’s perspectives. These experiences provide environments for learning and for growth. It is through this that we can work together at creating a world in which all cultures can live together in.
