Idealism And Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius - 1584 Words

Berkeleyan Idealism and Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius Jorge Luis Borges’ short work of fiction titled â€Å"Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius† grapples with many philosophic issues. In the main, this short story deals with the philosophic notion of subjective idealism as posed by George Berkeley’s Treatise Concerning Principles of Human Knowledge. Within this essay I argue that, while he acknowledges the presumed irrefutability of Berkeley’s argument, Borges’ â€Å"Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius† aims to disparage both totalitarianism and Berkeleyan idealism by drawing an analogy between the two via his literary creation of the fictitious world of Tlà ¶n. The notion of subjective idealism, within western philosophy, is credited to the 18th century philosopher George Berkeley. In his most notable work regarding this system of metaphysics, a Treatise Concerning Principles of Human Knowledge, Berkeley holds that nothing exists outside of the immaterial ideas within minds. â€Å"Esse est percipi† or â€Å"to be is to be perceived† (Berkeley,11). Berkley’s form of subjective idealism is able to avoid the problem of solipsism by his holding that the totality of perceived ideas reside in the mind of God. This monistic system of metaphysics runs contra to the earlier works of Locke and Descartes whose relative theories assumed a dualist stance concerning metaphysics. The philosophic relevance of subjective idealism is conveyed by Borges in â€Å"Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius,† when he cites David Hume who held â€Å"thatShow MoreRelated Borges Use of Berkeleys Idealism Essay1850 Words   |  8 PagesBorges Use of Berkeleys Idealism Jorge Luis Borges drew upon a number of philosophical and intellectual models in his writing, one of which is George Berkeley’s subjective idealism. In Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius, Borges paints a picture of a perfect reality governed by Berkeley’s idea that matter only exists in perception, and in The Circular Ruins, he presents a man who creates a boy who cannot exist independent of his perception. However, by employing Berkeley’s logic in these storiesRead MoreMarxism in A Doll ´s House by Henrik Ibsen1667 Words   |  7 Pagescharacters such as â€Å"Emma Zunz† and â€Å"Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius† helped subvert the traditional sense of order and meaning and challenged the limitations Western society had placed upon women (Frisch 96). While women’s issues are certainly not the central theme of his works, some of his stories suggest that they were part of his thinking and writing. One of Borge’s stories that best exemplifies his vision of the world as fluid and changeable is â€Å"Tlà ¶n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius.† This story is often considered

A Critique on Rawls Free Essays

Wealthy nations are morally obliged to assist poorer nations, with regards to assisting their economic development. I have come to this conclusion based on the ideals of American philosopher John Rawls. Distributive justice is Rawls’ theory that basically augments the equal distribution of goods throughout society. We will write a custom essay sample on A Critique on Rawls or any similar topic only for you Order Now This philosophy relies on fluent interaction between nations, which is often complicated by the bias inherent in many national cultures.   Rawls argues that his Law of Peoples is the perfect solution for this gap in communication between nations.   I agree that his constitution is a start, but it lacks a clear understanding of how deeply intertwined terrorism is within the political structure of society. Skin color and religion should not be influential on the distribution of goods throughout the world, but the reality is that they are a major cause for social unrest.   This coincides with the theory of relative deprivation which acknowledges that there is a sense of injustice aroused when individuals grow to believe that the conditions of their lives is not compatible with those of the people like them in similar situations. This feeling of disadvantage is thought to be the cause of social dissent and challenges posed to the status quo.   The most immediate circumstance that would drive a person or group to challenge their ruling system would be if their fundamental needs were not being met.   This is why distributive Justice is such an important, and much needed concept within society. The universal equality that can result from Rawls method and the statement it makes on political standards is credited by Michael Walzer as a Communitarian Critique on Liberalism.   Through what Walzer refers to as Spheres of Justice, he bridges many disagreements between liberals and communists, pointing out that the communist critique on liberal society will forever resurge throughout history. The core drive behind both Walzer and Rawls’ theories is the immorality that stems from unequal and unjust disbursement of goods.   Though, their pursuit of equality is very valiant, there are some valid hurdles that threaten the adoption of Rawl’s theories into society There are many arguments that can be made for and against Rawls theory.   According to one of his positions, people have the right of self-defense but no right to instigate war for reasons other than self-defense (Rawl).   This can be seen as the specific policy applied to the U.S.’s initial declaration of war on Iraq.   After the attack in 9/11, The Law of Peoples enforces the grounds that the U.S. was morally ethical in their attempt for retaliation. But, now that this war has ended, many critics find it hard to justify the United State’s continual deployment overseas.   Rawl also states that, People have a duty to assist other peoples living under unfavorable conditions that prevent their having a just or decent political and social regime.   This concept is easily contrasted by political theorists who argue that funding to uplift the dire conditions in Iraq are inadvertently funding further terrorism. The concept of the U.S. funding a country’s economic stability and then having it turn around and use that contribution against them is a tradition with international interactions.   It can be seen in the gradual change in Germany’s relationship with the United States.   This is just one of the major hurdles for Distributive justice and poses a political threat to the affectivity of what Rawls proclaims as the solution to injustice between nations. In sum, though more affluent nations are morally responsible for the wellbeing of other neighboring and distant struggling countries, they should still be wary of potential terrorist attacks that might result from their generosity.   There are moral implications at stake, but sacrificing the affluence of a country’s economy should not result in the sacrificing of that country’s safety as well.   This fault in Rawl’s theory will have to be assessed before it can work as a valid solution to inequality.    How to cite A Critique on Rawls, Papers

Emma Adaptation in the Movie Clueless Essay Example For Students

Emma Adaptation in the Movie Clueless Essay Amy Heckerling’s post-modern film, Clueless, appropriates the timeless ideas and values presented in Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, appealing to contemporary audiences. Through the appropriation, Heckerling juxtaposes the societies, drawing attention to the differences and at the same time, criticising her own society. Heckerling successfully transforms the universal values of marriage, social hierarchy and gender roles, modifying them to suit a modern audience. Heckerling adapts the nineteenth century contextual setting of, Emma, to appeal to contemporary audiences. Jane Austen’s novel ‘Emma’ is set in the village of Highbury, reflecting the slow-paced lifestyle of her time. The importance of status and wealth during the era is established through the description of Emma as, â€Å"handsome, clever and rich. † Clueless, however, underscores the importance of consumerism and materialism, depicted through the opening montage. The fast camera movements and the soundtrack ‘Kids in America’ further emphasise the fast paced consumerist lifestyle of the 20th century. Through the contextual transformation of ‘Emma’, Heckerling exemplifies the similarities between the two eras: the fundamental values do not change, regardless of the change in context. Marriage and relationships in Austen’s time has been altered to cater for modern perspectives on love. In, Emma, marriage was predominantly based on social and financial status. This is explored through Mr Elton’s desire to â€Å"only aggrandise himself† by either taking Emma or, if not, â€Å"try for Miss Somebody Else. Furthermore, it was considered unacceptable for a couple to marry outside of their social classes. Emma’s opposition to Harriet’s interest in Mr Knightley is spurred on by her belief that it would be unlikely for, â€Å"a man of first-rate abilities to be captivated by very inferior powers. † In addition, she believes that their relationship would be an, â€Å"elevation on her side,† and a, â€Å"debasement on his . â₠¬  This outlines the vast differences in social class between the pair and at the same time the rigidity of marriage between equal social classes. Contrastingly, Heckerling modifies the concept of marriage to focus on idealistic romances of the 20th century, including notions of sexual freedom. Heckerling replaces marriage in, Emma, with casual romances and monogamous relationships; depicted through Cher’s voiceover: â€Å"Oh my gosh, I am majorly, totally, butt-crazily in love with Josh. † Heckerling’s inclusion and acceptance of Christian’s homosexuality highlights the change in relationship values and encompasses the new transition of homosexuality that would not be tolerated in the 19th century. Like Emma, Cher opposes Tai’s pursuit of Josh as they, â€Å"do not mesh well together,† due to Tai’s new found popularity and Josh’s reputation as the â€Å"school nerd†. Towards the end, Heckerling ironically adapts Emma’s claims that she will not marry, to a modern context where Cher declares â€Å"As if! I’m only sixteen, and this is California, not Kentucky†. Through her text ‘Clueless’, Heckerling transforms financial and status based relationships of the 19th century in Emma, into idealistic romances of the 20th century, reflecting the importance of love in the 20th century. Within both, Emma, and, Clueless, social hierarchy plays a crucial role in setting boundaries and expectations. Austen’s, Emma, places emphasis on the hierarchical social structure based on birth and wealth. Austen portrays this through the characterisation of Emma Woodhouse, who has claims to a high social class through birthright. She has an advantageous position as she is the daughter of an indulgent father and mistress of his household. Emma’s prejudice against the lower class is conveyed through her description of Mr Robert Martin as, â€Å"precisely the order to people with whom I feel I can have nothing to do†. .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc , .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .postImageUrl , .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc , .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:hover , .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:visited , .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:active { border:0!important; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:active , .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue6786d4f2a1b06776a6c2cad538448bc:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Trip to the Moon EssayContrastingly, Austen presents Mr Knightley as the embodiment of an ideal upper-class gentleman, assuming the moral responsibilities inherent within their class. Mr Knightley demonstrates his social responsibility in regarding Mr Martin as a, â€Å"respectful, kind, gentleman farmer. † As a member of Highbury, he displays, Noblesse Oblige, the duty of care to those less privileged. Heckerling’s ‘Clueless’ depicts similar prejudices against the lower class. Cher possesses the same sense of superiority through her wealth, appearance and other material possessions. As Tai expresses her interests in Travis, both Cher and Dionne explain the school’s social structure. Heckerling’s appropriation of the different social classes in, Emma, into the cliques such as, the Loadies represents the vast differences in social class that still exist within the 20th century. Heckerling’s change of context transforms the older values of social responsibility into global awareness and charity. Josh epitomises the contemporary social responsibility, expressing his concerns by wearing Amnesty International pins, and taking an active interest in news. Although Heckerling changes the setting, prejudices against the lower classes still exists. Like Emma, Cher has preconceived perceptions about the various groups in the school. Cher points out ‘the Loadies’, to which Travis belongs, as a group of drug users whom, â€Å"no respectable girl actually dates. † As Emma rejects Mr Martin in favour of men of a similar social standing to her own such as Mr Elton, Cher dismisses Travis in favour of boys from her own social group. Heckerling conveys the arrogance that Cher and Dionne possess as a result of their affluent lifestyle. ‘Emma’ portrays a rigid social structure, in which social mobility is severely restricted. Unlike Austen’s ‘Emma’, Tai is able to rise out of her social class through her association with Cher and Dionne. Though Heckerling portrays the differences between the societies, Clueless, ultimately depicts the idea that social hierarchy is still a dominant feature in the 20th century. Heckerling transforms gender roles in her film ‘Clueless’ to centre on the freedom of women, catering for modern perspectives on gender roles. The role of women in the 19th century was severely limited. Social and economic status was dependant on father, husbands or brothers. Since most women yielded little political or financial power, marriage provided women with financial security and social acceptability. The implications of spinsterhood are portrayed through the characterisation of Miss Bates. Her status as an unmarried woman is mocked by Emma at Box Hill, â€Å"Ah! Ma’am but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me – but you will be limited as to number – only three at once. † Emma, however, is in a unique position as she â€Å"was heiress of thirty thousand pounds†, claiming that â€Å"it is poverty that makes celibacy contemptible. † In, Clueless, the newfound social acceptance of women’s equality allows for women to express their sexual desires, underscored through Tai’s reference, â€Å"You know, I don’t care either way, just as long as his you-know-what isn’t crooked. The emancipation of women allowed for marriage fluidity, demonstrated by Mel’s divorces, whereas women in ‘Emma’ did not have the power or social standing to do so. Cher and her friends are able to seek love and happiness in their relationship without being dependent on marriage to provide status and security. Heckerl ing transforms the gender roles from ‘Emma’ to reflect the freedoms of women in the 20th century. Through the transformation of Austen’s, Emma, into Clueless, Heckerling appropriates the ideas and values of the 19th century by incorporating the contemporary issues of the 20th century. Heckerling draws attention to the notion that though the texts are centuries apart, the values present in ‘Emma’ remain largely unchanged in the 20th century. The values of marriage, social hierarchy and gender roles remain timeless and the process of transformation has modernised the way in which the story is embodied, extending its appeal to a more contemporary audience.