At first, I absolutely hated Kant (I even have hateful doodles in my notebook to prove it). I think this was because I didn't really understand what the hell he was talking about the majority of the time. His big words and paragraph-long sentences scared me. But after our class discussions and reviewing the text, I've decided that he's not the antichrist. I actually like (never thought I'd say that) his ideas. I am especially fond of his philosophy on lying. According to Kant, lying results in the loss of trust and failure of language. Through truthfulness we show respect to one another. There would be no reason to commit crimes because you wouldn't steal, for example, from someone you respect.
While a Kantian world wouldn't necessarily be "fun" to live in, I think it would be a more just and peaceful place to live than the worlds described in the other texts we have read. Think about the first part of the categorical imperative - act in such a way so that the maxim of your actions can be made into a universal law. If followed, this one statement could be so helpful in today's world. How can it cultivate anything other than peace?
So, question... Think of all the worlds described in the texts we've read. In which one would you want to live if you had to choose? Deep, I know.
On another note, Professor Harwood is obviously fond of singing/dancing kitties. I'm a fan of guinea pigs, so I thought I'd introduce a new species to the blog. Enjoy.
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While Kant's world may be a just world, I think human satisfaction with each other would be seriously lacking. If every man always told his wife "why yes honey, you DO look fat in those jeans," no one would be married anymore. Either that, or we would form this social disconnect from people because most humans can't handle the truth. They therefore would then not ask, causing this quiet, angry race of people.
ReplyDeleteBut to answer your question, I'm not really sure which world I would want to live in. How about I pick this world, which has a bit of many.
As one who lacks traditional artistic talent, I consider my inherent creative trait to be humor. I enjoy it, in a way it drives me, and it is aimed at making others feel better (laughing) even if they are feeling fine in the first place. In truth, I derive my personal pleasure from the pleasure of others, sort of like a cat playing the piano enjoys hearing the music as we do hearing it ourselves (will make more sense farther down). For this reason the idea of living in a world designed by Kant would horrify me to no end. Lying is an important device in the world of comedy, but instead of being used for the purpose of harming others, this deception is an attempt to display a creative imagination. In Kant's no nonsense world, what frightens me most is how boring it would be, rather than how awkward. Chaos can be debilitating, but at least it provides color for our lives! I can only take so much structure in my life before my mind floats off to a delirious cartoon world where anything goes. In a way, Rousseau's unrestricted society appeals to me for this reason even though with no element of propriety questions like "what did you like most about your Ex?" (HINT there is NO right answer!) would be answered the same way. It provides an oddly similar structure to Kant's world (even though it seems to be the opposite) without the restrictions that would strangle us.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching this guinea pig thing I went to youtube to further my research. It led me to a hamster eating popcorn on a computer, but yet again cats win out over these furry rats. A related video led me to a cat that could PLAY the piano! By the way this video has 15,400,000 + views!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM
As for the video, all I can say is: Laurie, I will punish you for the nightmares you have now guaranteed involving tiny terrifying fuzzy bloodthirsty rodents. This I promise. You will pay.
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