Humanities Information

Ancient Philosophy On The Internet Can Change How We Think


Here I am again sitting at my computer, my job is to write about the positive aspects of the Internet. I'd like to think of myself as a bit of a novice philosopher as well as writer. The other day in poetry class at university my lecturer mentioned a quote from a guy who I had already read and enjoyed, Baruch/Benedictus Spinoza. The quote mentioned was quite a simple one, and in my opinion simplicity is the best form of communication (and everything else for that matter). Spinoza once said, "Reality is perfection." I feel this idea is quite a powerful one indeed, in relation to all aspects of life, including the Internet.

Where do you go these days when you want to find out about anything? Church? School? Parents? No, you go to the Internet. The Internet is the collective pool of unconscious, sub consciousness, and conscious ideas, beliefs, knowledge and wisdom of humanity from the past to the present. There has never been such a tool available for us. Of course there is a perfectly imperfect amount of crap out there to sift through as well, but that is intrinsic in this perfectly balanced reality that has always existed.

So, if reality has always been perfect, why is the existence of the Internet anything special? The truth is, it is only as special as anything else in life. Now, you have to ask yourself, "Is life special?" I think you know the answer to that one?then again there's that perfect paradoxical balance. Why the Internet then? Well, my younger brother once said, and I don't know where he pulled this little tidbit of wisdom, "The only constant in the Universe is that everything is in constant transition." The Internet exists because of a natural progression in human thinking; it's an evolution of our collective minds. It is a constructed idea formed through the process of eternal change.

Human beings have a huge history spanning at least half a million years. As well as the magic feeling of love there has always been the balancing emotion of fear. It seems that over time societies go through different stages where one of these feelings dominates and then permeates general actions by the community. At the moment many people would find it hard to disagree with the fact that we are in a period of fear. With war, hatred and segregation prevalent in reality as well as the 'reality' presented by the media news and TV/film, fear is reigning supreme in many of our daily interactions.

This relates to the use of the Internet because it looks as though people are afraid to get on the Web. I used to be afraid for Pete's sake! To tell you the truth I still have some irrational fears when it comes to researching a paper for school. I often think, "Will I find the 'right' information?" The answer of course is that there is always a possibility of things going wrong, that's this perfection of reality. Life would be stale, stagnant and sterile otherwise. The key lies in our belief in this perfection. The Internet has eliminated the need to go to libraries and carry around huge books just to read small sections of each. There is also less need to get to a science library and then sociology, mathematics etc. So much information is now available to people in our own homes.

Whether you are researching seventeenth century philosophers' ways of thinking for personal or professional reasons, or even just looking up information on how to make your own chai tea, or on how to change the oil on your car; the Internet is a source for so many areas of interest it is simply mind boggling. It is truly the most perfect form of reality's perfection in modern contemporary society. That's why they call this the Information age right? The only problem has to deal with the perfectly imperfect amount of pornography that constitutes more than half of all websites on the Web. What does this say about our current moral disposition in our changing perception's construct of reality? I'll leave you with that one to ponder?

About The Author

Jesse S. Somer

M6.Net

http://www.m6.net

Jesse S. Somer is a novice writer and philosopher thinking about the real meaning behind the existence of the World Wide Web.


MORE RESOURCES:

Vt. Humanities Council seeks nominees for teaching award
The Republic
AP MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Humanities Council is seeking nominees for its 10th Annual Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award. The award recognizes a Vermont educator in grades 6 through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the ...



PR Web (press release)

University guide 2013: New College of the Humanities
The Guardian
Founded in summer 2011, New College of the Humanities is an independent college that open its doors for the first time in September 2012. Based in the heart of Bloomsbury, London, NCH is a short walk from Covent Garden, the West End theatre, ...
New College of the Humanities Announces New Appointment to Law FacultyPR Web (press release)

all 3 news articles »


In the know: Humanities doctoral programs
Daily Bruin
By CHARLEY GUPTILL Russell Berman, 2011-2012 president of the Modern Language Association and a professor at Stanford University, wrote a letter of caution concerning the length of time it takes to get a doctorate in the humanities.

and more »


More Silly Humanities Idealism
ScienceBlogs (blog)
Yet another case of that silly and damaging humanities idealism. Last month the Daily Beast listed archaeology among the thirteen most useless major subjects at US colleges, as measured by employment opportunities and earnings potential.



Indiana Humanities & CEO Keira Amstutz '91 Launch 'Spirit of Competition'
DePauw University
"I have a challenge for you: Think of one aspect of life that doesn't include competition," writes Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities and 1991 graduate of DePauw University, in the Indianapolis Star. "These days, you can't miss the ...

and more »


Ahlul Bayt News Agency - abna.ir

Islamic humanities discussed at international congress in Tehran
Iran Book News Agency
Tehran Times: Tehran hosted the First International Congress on Islamic Humanities on Sunday, in which the religious approach to reproduction of humanities in the country was discussed. Experts from India, Malaysia, Palestine, Pakistan, ...
Iran holds the first International Congress on Islamic HumanitiesAhlul Bayt News Agency - abna.ir
Iran/Sciences: Iran holds the first International Congress on Islamic HumanitiesInternational Islamic News Agency

all 5 news articles »


Humanities grant funds Glenn's World War II project
Hometownlife.com
The project is being funded through a $6545 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. The grant was one of six given out in Wayne County and among 30 statewide. Anderson, chair of the high school's social studies department, had applied for the grant ...



Humanities post-grads feel less support, fight for desks
The Conversation
Postgraduate students in humanities, arts and social sciences are older, feel less supported and have fewer spaces to work than their counterparts in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to a survey of more than 1000 students ...



PUP Confers Doctor Of Humanities Degree On Koko Pimentel
Manila Bulletin
Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, during the joint commencement exercises of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Graduate School and the Open University System last May 18 at ...

and more »


Silicon Valley needs humanities students
Washington Post
Get a PhD in the humanities. That's the way to get ahead in the technology sector. That, at least, is what philosopher Damon Horowitz told a crowd of attendees at the BiblioTech Conference at Stanford University in 2011. Horowitz is also a serial ...
Silicon Valley Offers Humanities PhDs Some Solid AdviceHuffington Post (blog)

all 2 news articles »

Google News

Mommy Home Jobs | Mommy Matters | index | site map
Copyright MommyHomeJobs.com