includes analysis excerpts as well as my thoughts on various subjects
2020-05-20
hello. i used to have another website; you may or may not remember me as "prettyhatemachine" on neocities. i had deleted my website out of fear that my friends or close family would find it. i'm back. i hope my old friends from here can find this site because i did miss you dearly. my birthday is in about 6 hours which is stressing me as i will be turning 18. yes. 18... it's fear inducing; i'm not anywhere near ready however, hopefully i will come to learn and grow more as an individual... things to think about. xx. s.
2020-05-26
Machiavelli on Human Nature
Machiavelli's view on human nature is indefinitely low. he expects the bare minimum from individuals, self-righteousness and conceited behaviours. His depiction of mankind explains that humans are solely motivated by fear rather than love, by this he meant that it is better to be greatly feared than loved by many. In the example of governments, rulers who are feared are most likely to succeed, as citizens will listen and comply to the orders given by feared rulers. If they are just to be greatly loved, the chances of success and compliance are less likely. Machiavelli also believed that at one point or another, humans are to turn selfish and essentially untrustworthy.
2020-06-02
John Locke
John Locke's views of nature and specifically the state of nature is based heavily on the idea that man is meant to be peaceful, and perhaps even innocent. He argues that when the state of nature is preserved and taught well, that there will be liberty, justice and peace among all individuals. With this, he discusses that naturally, there is no evil or conniving men, there are men who respect one another and who lean on each other for guidance and for a will.
As for the state of nature in regard to power, Locke argues that with the state of nature comes laws of nature that will help to preserve and govern its state. Locke also proposed that there be three natural rights: life, liberty and property. The laws of nature promote the concept that everyone is assumed to be equal to one another and that it is a basis of all morality given to man by the higher powers (God). It should also be noted that Locke believes that man should do what is best for himself, without the judgement of interference of others throughout his process. In relation to politics and government, Locke states that all rulers under independent government are essentially in a state of nature, following the laws accordingly.
In essence, Locke does not see mankind to be particularly evil, deliberately dishonourable or even immoral; he considers them to be naturally moral and honourable beings. His views are quite opposite to those possessed by Hobbes, as he believed man's natural state was quite malicious and 'backstabbing'. In regard to property, Locke firstly believed that every human has a property right over themselves; meaning that no other individual can interfere with the rights or body of any other individual. Even the government/ruler did not have full ownership of his citizens. With this, Locke also argued that every man has labour rights; for example, if someone were to find a piece of unclaimed land, and decided to transform such land into a farm, he had complete ownership of this property as he made it himself. This concept also entails that man can choose what he is to do with crops, whether that be by consuming them or by trading and selling these crops. Locke explains that these laws on property ensure that every individual enjoys a free and prosperous society.
Overall, Locke believes that every human has inevitable natural rights, which allow them to inquire further rights such as property rights and liberty rights; these will allow every man to lead a successful and liberating life.
2020-06-09
Franz Kafka's, The Trial
The social conditions of the people living in the building of the courthouse were fairly poor. As Josef K. is standing outside the courthouse building's entrance, he notices certain aspects of the individuals surrounding the building "Close by him a man with bare feet was sitting on a crate, reading a newspaper. Two boys were in a handcart, rocking to and from. At a pump a frail young girl in a bedjacket was looking across at K. as the water poured into her jug" (Kafka 29). When approaching an official/government building, I would always expect its outside appearance to match the work and business that were to take place inside that building. In this case, the outside of this building is fairly run down, is we consider the people living close by. Another issue was that K. had not been directed by any officials in charge of running his case, which the author describes as "strangely negligent or offhand" (30). K. also notices that there are plenty of children playing in the stairwells of the courthouse, which also accounts for the condition that the courthouse seems to be in. Overall, the exterior and interior appearances of the building are telling of how this hearing may play out, as it seems that the due process as of thus far are not being conducted properly.
During the hearing, the washerwoman interrupts the hearing by walking into the room. It seemed as though she had received some unwelcoming glances as she walked in. "There was a distracting interruption when the door at the end of the hall opened and the young washerwoman came in, presumably having finished her work, attracting some glances despite all the care she took" (Kafka 34). Josef K. later learns from the young washerwoman that she lives in the courtroom, essentially rent free in exchange for their labour. It was also revealed that the distraction that has taken place during the hearing was in fact a sexual assault. The washerwoman had been sexually assaulted by a law student. That man who embraded me has been pursuing me for a long time. I may not be particularly attractive in general, but for him I am...'" (41).
The uncleanliness of the courtroom and the people within' it is significant as once again; it provides insight as to how these court proceedings will be handled. The men on the right side of the courtroom are extremely rowdy and immature seeming. "Somewhere someone applauded, hands raised, and shouted, 'Bravo! Why not? Bravo! I say bravo!' One or two of the men in the front row tugged at their beards, but none turned round to see where the shout came from" (Kafka 35). Quite frankly, this exchange seemed quite immature and outlandish, considering court hearings are meant to be conducted in a somewhat professional manner, this however, does not demonstrate anything near professional. Another example of the courtroom and the entirety of the process being messy and out of hand are the contents of the examining magistrate's notebook. Firstly, the notebook used by the magistrate was not well-kept in the slightest. "It was like a school exercise book, old and falling to pieces from having been consulted so often" (33). This may also be a symbol on how the magistrate might work, he is quite disorganized as proven with the state of his notebook.
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