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English Philosophy Quote Test

Terms in this set (37)

"But then, if I am right, certain professors of education must be wrong when they say that they can put knowledge into the soul which was not thee before, like sight into blind eyes." (363)
Allegory of the Cave, from the Republic by Plato. Plato's epistemological perspective. Epistemology = the study of knowledge. Plato believe in a priori knowledge, we have knowledge within us prior to experience.
"Whereas our argument shows that the power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already..." (363)
Allegory of the Cave, from the Republic by Plato. Here, Plato is supporting Aristotle's epistemological claim that the power of learning is rationalist (a priori) rather than empirical (a posteriori). However, he contradicts Aristotle in that the power of learning is different from knowledge itself which is still obtained empirically.
"He will require to grow accustomed to the sight of the upper world. And first he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in the water, and then the objects themselves; then he will gaze upon the light of the moon and the stars and the spangled heaven; and he will see the sky and the stars by night better than the sun or the light of the sun by day?"
Allegory of the Cave. Becomes enlightened to material world as he is exiting cave.
"Let there be four faculties in the soul—reasoning answering to the highest, understanding to the second, faith (or conviction) to the third, and perception of shadows to the last..." (359)
The divided line, from The Republic by Plato. Plato is structuring his basic epistemological argument here. Reasoning is the most pure form of "soul" that already exists in the soul (a priori) and it, along with understanding, stand above the divided line. Underneath lies the two faculties, that are achieved empirically, faith and shadows.
"And when I speak of the other division of the intelligible, you will understand me to speak of that other sort of knowledge, which reason herself attains by the power of the dialectic, using hypotheses not as first principles, but only as hypotheses-- that is to say, as steps and points of departure into a world which is above hypotheses...(359).
The divided line, from The Republic by Plato. The main point in Plato's philosophical argument is that reason is attained through "the power of dialectic", which suggests that as one gains knowledge, they ascend to higher levels of reason. This idea also intersects with the axiological (study of value) perspective of idealism because the dialectic progression of one's awareness propels them into a "world which is above hypotheses". (a Mezzo quote)
"'I'm telling you, the man's heart was breaking because he couldn't turn his ****** head and see his ****** wife'" (pg 8 on the pdf)
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. At this time, they are arguing about what the correct ontology of love is. Mel argues that love is material, and you must be able to see the person that you love. However, Carver is also arguing that the epistemology of love is based on empirical, sensually derived affirmation—in this case, "seeing" a loved one.
" 'I'll put out some cheese and crackers,' Terri said. But Terri just sat there. She did not get up to get anything." (587)
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Terri's idealism is revealed in this particular quote. She likes the idea of things, but rarely does she take actions to cause said things. Similar to the way she suggests they go to the restaurant because it looks good, not because they've actually been there.
"Mel though real love was nothing less than spiritual love."
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Mel contradicts himself throughout story regarding material vs. ideal love.
"Some of them understand why, and some do not, but all understand that their happiness, the beauty of their city, the tenderness of their friendships, the health of their children, the wisdom of their scholars, the skill of their makers, even the abundance of their harvest and the kindly weathers of their skies, depend wholly on this child's abominable misery" (9).
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. This quotation represents the climax of the story, the reveal that the happiness of Omelas is not prefect. Le Guin shows that the utilitarian (best outcome for the most people) aspect to life in Omelas, that the ends justify the means. To the citizens, one child's suffering is worth the happiness for everyone else. It also reveals differences among the citizens of Omelas, with some of them understanding their happiness and others not. It indicates that the happiness also comes from homogeneity, that everyone agrees on what should be done with the child
"Some of them have come to see it, others are merely content to know it is there" (293).
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas. Divide between material vs ideal. Require empirical experience to acknowledge the suffering.
"They were not simple folk, you see, though they were happy."
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. Not shalow happiness since there is suffering tied down to it. They are aware of the physical suffering that the child is experiencing.
"Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger" (46).
Araby. The protagonist of Araby is confronting his fear. He's been denied the realization of a dream that has defined his existence for the past while, yet he is also beginning to comprehend how he has been stuck in the "darkness" of the cave, bound by the chains of his emotions " "vanity", "anguish" and "anger". All that remains of his existence is a mere "creature". This moment also brings into question what is real: the ideal or the material. In making an idealist character as a child, Joyce suggests that an idealist ontology is naive.
"I bore my chalice through the throng of foes..."
Araby
"the syllables of the word Araby were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated and cast an Eastern enchantment over me" (Joyce 42)
Araby. Araby represents an exotic land, an escape from the gloom and monotony of Dublin. It represents the unknown, which is the most appealing thing to the character.
"Everything rests on money, you say, Dmitry Sergéich; consequently, whoever has money has power and freedom,say your books; then, as long as woman lives at man's expense, she will be dependent on him, will she not? You thought that I could not understand that, and would be your slave? No, Dmitry Sergéich, I will not suffer your despotism" (109)
What Is To Be Done
"There was a time when he caroused in his own way: this was when he didn't even have tea, or at other times when he had no boots. Such a time was most favorable for high living, not only from the point of view of disposition, but from the point of possibility."
What Is To Be Done. Lopukòv's former social situation was socially imposed beyond his influence. While he was ambitious and had higher aspiration the grid of society wasn't in his favor to succeed. Mezzo note: difference between disposition and possibility = significance
"But our young people reason otherwise. To them the medical art is in its infancy, and they busy themselves less with the art of attending the sick than with gathering scientific materials for future physicians. They busy themselves less with the practice of their art than with the program of beloved science."
What Is To Be Done. The "sons" generation is more focused on being proactive on creating a better future through research to build a better understanding of medicine, by denouncing themselves from material benifits. This quotation also emphasizes the new ideas of positivism emerging during this time.
"My wicked people are wicked, but good grows under their wicked hand. Therefore be grateful to your mother. Do not love her, since she is wicked, but do not forget that you owe everything to her, that without her you would not exist."
What Is To Be Done. Do ends justify the means? Vera is lucky to be educated and prosperous because of her mother's wicked deeds. In their society, while wicked acts are deemed immoral, they are the only ways that lead to success. This quotation also highlights Chernyshevsky's rational egoist ideas, as it shows the importance of being shaped by forces around you, of all kinds.
"Remember that there are many who are not yet delivered, who are not yet cured. Go, deliver them and cure them! Will you do it?" (95)
What Is To Be Done. Vera gets a glimpse at the perfect Cherneshevkian society where everyone can progress advantageously, similar to the Crystal Palace but with the goddess from the first dream. With this blueprint in mind, she is encouraged to go back and empower others. However, while Chernyshevsky's personification of equality is expanding the scope to include the future of society, he still brings it back to Vera herself. Vera's life "will be bright and good," if she follows this vision, which aligns with rational egoism. It is in Vera's advantage to bring about Chernyshevsky's vision of love and equality.
"Tell everyone that the future will be radiant and beautiful... To the extent that you succeed in doing so, your life will be bright and good, rich in joy and pleasure" (379).
What Is To Be Done? Vera will be "bright and good" if she continues with rational egoism.
"Contemporary life was built on oppression and competition rather than, as it should be, on freedom and unity. More than once he talked to her about the martyrs to the cause--all those contemporary heroes of freedom who sacrificed their lives and happiness to bring about the triumph of this sacred goal."
Nihilist Girl.
"I need nothing on this earth, only to serve you, O Lord."
Nihilist Girl. Develops a devotion to God early on. Craves ability to dedicate herself entirely to something.
"Twice two is four is not life, gentlemen, but the beginning of death. //OR// "What would be good of a "palace of crystal" if there could be any doubt about it?"(78)
Notes from Underground. This is Dostoevsky's main critique against scientific rationalism. Dostoevsky believes people are too caught up with the insignificant details of life to truly enjoy it.
This quote entails the Narrator's opinion towards the crystal palace in which he believes there is imperfection because nothing made by man could ever be perfect. Humans are imperfect.
"Her health began to suffer from the lack of fulfillment to this strange desire to 'dedicate oneself to the cause'"
Nihilist Girl. Romanticizes martyrdom, but would have been content marrying Vasiltsev.
"Twice two is four is not life, gentlemen, but the beginning of death. "
OR: "What would be good of a palace of crystal if there could be any doubt about it?"
Notes from Underground. Against scientific rationalism, believes people are too caught up in insignificant details to enjoy life. Believes crystal palace will always be imperfect because humans are imperfect.
"I am perfectly well aware that I cannot 'pay out' the doctors by not consulting them; I know better than anyone that by all this I am only injuring myself and no one else. But still, if I don't consult a doctor it is from spite. My liver is bad, well—let it get worse!"
Notes from Underground. This quote is based on the idea that the man underground is set on actively going against what is the most advantageous for him. He is later determined to be an egoist, but not a rationalist, yet here he is not even an egoist. No one stands to gain any advantage from his choice, yet he makes the choice anyways.
"Laugh away; I will put up with any mockery rather than pretend I am satisfied when I'm hungry" (79)
Notes from Underground. Narrator will always strive for meaning.
'Poverty is no vice, that is the truth. I know that drunkenness is also no virtue, and that is even more so. But destitution, my dear sir, destitution is a vice, sir. In poverty you may still preserve the nobility of your inborn feelings, but in destitution no one ever does" (14).
Crime and Punishment. Poverty allows for existence of inner values, destitution does not and does not allow for human company.
"He did not have far to go; he even knew how many steps it was from the front gate of his house: exactly seven hundred and thirty": (5)
Crime and Punishment. Scientific rationalist approach to murder.
" the new step, their own new world, that's what they're most afraid of..." (4)
Crime and Punishment. Raskolnikov mentions that soceity is afraid of systematic change.
"'It's just as I thought! That's the worst of all! Some stupid thing like that, some trivial detail, can ruin the whole scheme! Yes, the hat is too conspicuous..ludicrous, and therefore conspicuous...my rags certainly call for a cap, even if ti's some old pancake, not this monster."
Crime and Punishment. Zimmerman hat = intellectual values. Chernyshevsky's ideas are outdated for society.
"His eyes seemed even to be lit with rapture—perhaps there were sense and reason as well, but at the same time there seemed also to be a flicker of madness in them." (12)
Crime and Punishment. Intro do Marmeladov. Contradiction to rational egoism
"But tell me would yourself kill the old women, or not?" "Of course not it's for the sake of justice that I... I'm not the point here..." (69)
Crime and Punishment. This second quote represents the rational egoism surrounding the reason behind the murder of Alyona. It had to be done in order to eliminate the dis-ease within society. Dostoevsky highlights the hypocrisy of rational egoism here, suggesting that people are proposing solutions but not enacting them, similar to figures such as Luzhin proclaiming equality and wanting to be superior to their wives. Mezzo note: what are good ideas if you do not enact them?
"Every year, they say, a certain percentage has to go... somewhere.. Nice little words they have, really, so reassuring, so scientific" (53).
Crime and Punishment. Attack on scientific rationalism, try predicting human behavior removes compassion. Idealism cannot be forgotten.
'There can be no love here,' mother writes. And what if, besides love, there can be no respect either, if on the contrary there is already loathing, contempt, revulsion - what then? So it turns out once again that it will be necessary" to observe cleanliness'..,.Do you understand that this Luzchinian cleanliness is just the same as Sonechka's cleanliness and maybe even worse, nastier, meaner because in your case, Dunechka..." (47)
Crime and Punishment. Sonya and Dunya are the same, similar source of dealing with dis-ease
"Even his recent trial (that is, his visit with the intention of making a final survey of the place) was only a 'trying out' and far from the real thing, as if he had said to himself: "Why not go and try it—enough of this dreaming!" (74)
Crime and Punishment. Making Chernyshevskian plans to "benefit" society. Beneficial to society, but will hurt his self interest.
"He was in full possession of his reason, the cloudiness and dizziness had ceased, but his hands were still trembling" (81).
Crime and Punishment. Rasko's body is disagreeing with his brain's decisions. Can the mind dominate the body? Heart vs gut (dichotomy)
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