I Know This Means Something

Is enjoyment enough to give one’s life meaning? I think so. So if you’re asking me what is something in my life that means something to me, you could just as easily be asking me what I like to do. But can that same thing have a deeper philosophical context? Sure.

Archery. Before I even continue, do not even start with the Katniss jokes. I do not try to be the Mockingjay. I’m not running around trying to save the citizens of Panem. I did not start shooting because of those books or that movie.  I started shooting 3 years ago, while in Virginia, because the opportunity presented itself, and archery was always somethig I had wanted to try. The mythology intertwined with archery is lovely, but it still carries a combative and sinister underlying tone.  

After trying it that summer in Virginia, I learned how beautiful it could be. When I returned to Chicago, I immediately started searching for a local range, and I found one. The range I go to is about 9 miles away from my house, but it happens to be the only indoor range in the city and the drive is completely worth it.

It started off as a few classes a month, then I joined a league, then I got my own bow and arrows, then my dad set up a target for me in my backyard, and soon I was competing and shooting at stray raccoons in my free time. Now I’m going to the range once a week, at least, and practice outside whenever the weather is nice(and oftentimes even when it isn’t). It is not just a hobby anymore, but it is not exactly a lifestyle either. Now it’s just a part of who I am. An archer.

Archery is simple. Load, pull, aim, repeat. If the shot is bad, all I have to do is keep trying until I figure out what needs to physically be changed. But archery comes with its complexities too. While I’m shooting it is as if I feel exactly what archery means to me as I hold the bow. The tension I feel while pulling back the string is more than just physical. It represents all archery has taught me and I feel all those little lessons accumulate into something greater that is waiting to be released. When the shot is finally released, it’s bliss. An arrow straight to the heart.

You're Not Golden(Direction This Class Should Take)

I don't think I can answer this question without saying something mean. I've tried patience. That didn't work. 

One of our first assignments was to read that thing in the "about philosophy" book. Did anyone do that? Seriously. One of the most important things that was in that chapter basically said that philosophy is difficult. It's difficult to learn about and it's probably even more difficult to teach. It’s rare that people will completely agree on what is being said. Anyways, the book said that to combat the chaos that the class could turn into was to have discussions and not arguments. I think what some people (you know who you are) in our class forget is that you don't have to win. You don't have to win because the class is not about you. We're all just here trying to develop and share our thoughts. And the truth is that no one really knows so no matter how zealously you defend your opinion, you could still be wrong. Instead of trying to be right all the time what you need to do is sit down and listen. Listen to what is being said and instead of trying to argue about it, just think about it. Let it marinate in your mind and lead you to new ideas. I can guarantee that everyone in the class would benefit more if we didn’t have to sit through numerous angry tirades. I'm glad you have so much passion about what you believe in...but calm down. 

You don’t have to be so LOUD. 

The Election

This is probably the worst blog question we’ve had so far. It deals with other people and it is way strange thinking for them. I have to guess Camus’s and Voltaire’s choices based on their writing and philosophies and the characters we’ve read about…ick.

Anyway Voltaire and Camus are voting for…no one. That’s right. Both men probably wouldn’t vote at all. Voltaire finds happiness in simplicity. In Candide Voltaire’s ending advice is to be content tending your garden. I think that he’d stay true to his own advice and be content in his garden without worrying about the world around him. This means that he would sit back, let the election happen, and deal with the results, whatever they may be. Also in Candide, Voltaire constantly demonstrates his disgust for politics and rulers. Governments are corrupt, man is evil and I doubt Voltaire would think that voting in an election would change that.

Camus is a bit harder to think for. His absurdist view on the meaning of life is tricky. There may be meaning, but there may not. So how who would he decide to vote for? Would he vote at all? Possibly he may think that his vote matters but more than likely he’d see no point in voting.