This essay, written by Norman Cousins, talks about different philosophical viewpoints of men. He refers to things like our good/evil nature and our self centered, combative or cooperative ways. Then he begins to discuss how he thinks that this discussion which has lasted for eternity is completely ridiculous. He believes that man is both good and evil, cooperative and combative. He believes that there is no clear solution to this argument. Then he begins to talk about our history of power and success in terms of industry and technology. He gives examples of how past powers that have fallen because of fear and he then relates that to the present. He explains how he is concerned for our technological advancements. He feels that our fear will destroy thousands of years of human progress.
I like the first part of this essay, where he talked about how the discussion of man was insignificant. I really liked it when he used the title, âA Game of Cardsâ, to relate to his belief that free will and determinism are both true. He said that life is predetermined when your hand is dealt to you, but the way you play your cards represents free will. I don’t know if it is just me, but i find that analogy to be completely awesome! I love it! But what i don’t like about this essay is that he ends it on something that is completely irrelevant to the first part. I don’t know why he chose to talk about the fall of humans. My guess is, like Mrs. Meeuwenberg said, when people are really passionate about certain things they tend to drift off topic and talk about something completely irrelevant. But for the most part i like this essay, well, at least the first part.
This essay sounds interesting. however, you left out a link to the actual article. not a big deal though, i think i did the same thing with my last essays, it’s easy to forget. By what you wrote though, he seems to have a good idea of the contrasting sides of the human nature, and thinks that this will cause our destruction. like i said earlier, a very interesting topic.
wow, i want to read this essay!!! it sound very interest. i do agree at the fact that as human, we are both evil and good. this is a fact. i do think the same way as the author, we born
in a situation, environment with what ever we have that we have no control of, but what we have control in our life is that we can chose what we do with what we can not control. and i think that is the dividing line between evil and good. it will be sweet if you can put a link to the actual article, because i would love to read it. great job on your blog!