Some perennial questions may sound obvious or jejune nonetheless, they encourage people to slow down and reflect on the meaning of life. During the search of identity, almost every individual has once discovered the lack of knowledge. Doubtlessly, a person at some point feels a constant enxiety, discomfort as well as restlessness... Some people may even think that their world is shattered. Although Knowing and Knowledge may sound the same they are actually two different things. Aristotle, the philosopher, indicates that Knowledge has to do with the organization of a certain information in a person's mind. Knowledge is not something that is stored in the brain; rather it emerges from the situation or from what had been learned previously. While Knowing refers to a spiritual or emotional process of using the Knowledge. Knowing suggests that one has awareness of a secret or a mystery. Knowledge is based on the information that we gather ~ including other people's ideas and conclusions. Therefore, Knowledge includes other people's Knowing and it can be defined as the information that is used effectively. Knowing includes our experiences.
An instructor may say to a student "Ask if you do not know!" How does a student who does not know that he/she does not know interprets the statement? How does he/she initiate the questioning? The answer for these question is based on each person's interpretation of the infinitive "to know."
Compiled by: Nikiwe Ngcongo
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Power of Human Soul
love the connection between the Twilight Saga and Plato! I would have never put the two together. Nice work Nikiwe 
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The characters of the “New Moon” include Bella, the main character, who is human but is in a relationship with Edward, one of the vampires. Bella begs Edward to change her into a vampire. Other vampires trick Bella so that they can get her, but Edward protects her. Intending to spare Bella’s soul from being snatched by the vampires, Edward leaves Bella brokenhearted.
At Edward’s absence, Bella develops depression. She spends more time with a schoolmate, Jake, who eventually joins the wolves. The wolves have supernatural powers and they patrol in the woods to protect people from the vampires. Bella reflects on joining the vampires so that she can be united with Edward. Bella goes to the world of the vampires to save Edward, who was about to commit suicide. The vampires have the ability to read each one’s thoughts but they are unable to read Bella’s; they’re frustrated because her “soul” is an obstacle. This movie stretches the imagination to what Plato meant about three parts of the soul.
For Plato, reason knows reality and it make decisions. Bella is human and she makes free choices. She does not consider the reality that she and Edward are from different worlds and that the vampires will always disturb their relationship. Appetite is due to loneliness and this is the reason Bella starts a relationship with Jake. She is unsure whether she will wait for Edward or go with Jake just for pleasure. She is attending to her current emotions and appetitive, the part of the soul composed of the instinctive cravings. Spirit, according to Plato, is demonstrated by mental conflicts. On her search for Edward, she becomes mad at herself; she realizes how foolish she is. She is reckless. Led by suicidal thoughts, she throws herself in the river but, on the other hand, she is happy once she is rescued. This movie makes me wonder what can help a teenage girl who is as secretive as Bella to achieve a balanced life. For Plato, when all these parts of the soul are in balance a person is spiritually and mentally healthy.
Compiled by: Nikiwe Ngcongo