Blog Post 2 (The Skeptics to The Utilitarian, and Your Life)

Why do we judge or behave that way? Many people judge other with or without knowing them, that behavior is not good, in my opinion. I believe their many reasons why we judge.  Judgment comes from different situation, I believe. Mill "recognizes that character and habit are major components of our judgment and behavior. When Mill speaks of character, he refers to socially conditioned habits. Though there are always exceptions, consider the enormous social pressures that can interfere” (Section 12-5b)

There are many examples that can clearly illustrate my answer to my question.  An example is: Maria and Jessica are at the mall and they see another girl name Alexandra. Alexandra is not a girly girl she does not really care of her looks but Maria and Jessica does. They both care about their looks, a lot more than Alexandra. Once Jessica and Maria see Alexandra they start judging her looks. They start talking about her clothes, hair, makeup, shoes, etc.  Maria and Jessica judge Alexandra because of her looks. If Alexandra was to look very pretty like them they would have not judge her.  Their behavior towards Alexandra is that way just because of her appearance; they do not like her looks. It is a habit that Maria and Jessica have when they see other girls that are not like them. They attempt to judge as soon as they see them because it is a habit they have or have built. That habit and the behavior Maria and Jessica have is part of their character now.  As I said previously, once they see someone else like Alexandra or worse they will judge them right away.

The example provides it clearly illustrate what Mill says. Our judgments and behavior actually do come from our character and habits; because as individual we built our own character as what we want and from there is where our habits come from. As it says “character and habit are major components of our judgment and behavior” (section 12-5b) because we behave and judge others because it is part of the character we have built for ourselves.  As in the example I gave in the paragraph before, Maria and Jessica will keep judging others because it is part of their character and it is a habit for them. So, if they were to see someone as like Alexandra they are automatically going to judge them because it’s a behavior they have.

In conclusion, we judge others because it comes from our habits and character. Our character and our habits are the major component of our behavior and judgments. We judge with or without knowing them because it is something we are use too, social pressure or because of other exception. Character is something we built for ourselves and our behavior, habits etc from there because that is what represent us. Individuals believe is okay to do this because they see others people do it or because of the social pressure that is put on them.  

Word count: 500

Blog Post 1 (The Philosopher King to The Rationalist, and Your Life)

Ø  Is it better to have pleasure when we desire instead of waiting tomorrow? According to Aristippus, I believe it is better to have pleasure when we desire because we do know if it will be the same when we have it.  We need to live the present and not think about tomorrow since we do not know if tomorrow might come or not. You never know what will happen tomorrow. “Only physical pleasure makes life exciting, dynamic, worth living. Not only that, but actual pleasures of the moment are much more desirable than are potential pleasures that might (or might not) occur in the future. In the first place, we are certain only of the present; the future might not even come. And besides, things may be different for us in the future.” (Section 7-1a)

Ø  There are many examples that can clearly illustrate my answer to my question.  An example is:  An individual name Kevin would really want to go snowboarding today on his day off.  Today is snowing; he wouldn’t have another day off until two weeks from now. Within two weeks there will be no more snow for Kevin can go snowboarding. Tomorrow the individual would have to go to work. Kevin should go snowboarding because it is something he desires and enjoys doing. Kevin, will not be able to go snowboarding tomorrow because he will have to attend work or you do not know what will happen tomorrow. Anything can happen like an accident. This example show how we should do thing when we desire and live our present. Doing what we enjoy would make us feel good and be happy.

Ø  The example provide it clearly illustrates what Aristippus means, that pleasure desire at the moment it much better than future pleasure because we do not know how our future looks like or if the future might occur.  As in the example, Kevin will have to attend work the next day or any accident can occur tomorrow. We do not have control over our future or what will happen. Therefore, going snowboarding when he desire will give him pleasure by doing what he enjoys at the moment.

Ø  In conclusion, I believe life that the meaning of life is pleasure and it’s better to have pleasure when we desire.  It is better this way because like I said before we do not know if the future will occur or not. Also, having pleasure when we desire will make us feel good and we will be happy. “Any distinction between good and bad pleasures was as absurd and contradictory as distinguishing between good and bad sins or good and bad virtues. The only difference among pleasures is their intensity: Whatever pleases me most at the moment is the highest good there can be. No pleasure can be “sick” in such a value system. No enjoyment can be wrong. No passion is evil in itself. Only loss of self-control that leads to less pleasure is wrong.” (Section7-1a)

Word count:501