LenoxReid

essayist, student, mentor, and world traveler

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MCC Student video post

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Dream Weaver

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LenoxReid   

Professor K. Hoeffner

PHIL 1301-87

4 May 2013

Prop #5

“The Dream Weaver”

       I found the course very difficult to comprehend much of the time. I would read the textbook and the course documents several times and still had difficulty absorbing the philosophical ideas presented. Although much of the material was identifying an author with theories and beliefs, all the information swirled around to form a muddy mess of understanding. My own perspective of reality and philosophy is in a free form state. I believe the only way to remedy the deficiency is to dig deeper into these philosophical theories and anchor them in my understanding. I know now that I know one thing and that is I know nothing.

      My realization is that I was blinded to other explanations and theories of the world’s inner and outer workings, because of the lack of reason to question. My blind acceptance of circumstances and choices mistaken for free will left me ignorant. Questioning free will and determination in my life and the lives of friends and family can benefit all of us. I know that no one likes the feeling of being manipulated or the realization of being deceived by people you love and trust. Being better able to logically and thoughtfully communicate to others is something that can be gained by understanding these philosophical theories. I know from discussing course material with others that there is a big gap in understanding and many prejudices. The topics are all controversial and lead to heated discussions and having information from all perspectives is crucial to having meaningful dialog. 

      I thoroughly enjoyed the course and it challenged me more than any course I have ever taken. I know I am better for the extreme effort it required to understand and excel. I have always considered myself philosophical about life, tolerant of other perspectives, and interested in other opinions. I am just beginning to understand what that really means.                                                               Word Count    312

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Free Will and Determinism

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LenoxReid

Professor K. Hoeffner

PHIL 1301-87

3 May 2013

Prop #4

Free Will and Determination

      The introspection of our free will can be an extremely frustrating exercise. Isolating choices on the canvas of uncontrolled and controlled circumstances frame the resulting outcomes. The portrait of these choices reveals the measure of our free will. A choice that in some cases is reminiscent of choosing a color of “Model T” automobile, any color you want as long as it’s black. Choices like these are riddled through our past, it seemed we could have made another choice, but our environment dictated there was really only one choice. Peter Berger believed that identifying these predispositions would not change them, but could help us overcome them.  The morality and responsibility for choices can be rooted in our upbringing and programmed to a large extent. Identifying and understanding this programming frees us to change others and ourselves.

      The theistic view that God defines good and how to interpret human actions is confusing. “Rights based Ethics”, RbE, remove God from motives and replaces it with an ideal that human liberty is the fundamental good and an absolute value is placed on human freedom. The Kantian “Deontological Theory” focuses on the intentions of actions and treating others in the way we would want to be treated. RbE and Deontology remove religion from human free will and determinism. The holy wars and genocide created by religious piety is unimaginable when relating it to our God who is all good and all loving.

      We all should be held accountable for our actions. Responsibility is paramount in any society from the least to the greatest. We cannot control where, when, and to whom we are born in this world, but the morality of our environment and the expectations of being a vital member are crucial. Remove the biases created by religious radicals and overlay a society with a common good.                           Word Count 304

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"No Self"

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Loyd 1

LenoxReid

Professor K. Hoeffner

PHIL. 1301-87

8 Mar. 2013

PROP’s #2

Self, Mind, Soul/ Science/ Liar, Motion, and A “Surprise”

      Who or what should I trust is the question that prefaces our continuing search for truth. Who am I must be the first question addressed, then how does the outside world work. I am persuaded to accept the truth that there is “No Self”.

My understanding of my life and the world has had a dramatic paradigm shift. Who am I? The philosopher David Hume and the Buddhist believe self does not exist, since there is no constant element comprising our self over time. Self can only be described as cohesive group of individual perceptions of a person that is ever changing and fluid. We are not able to freeze-frame our life and say this is who I am. We may have a good idea who we are that is shaped by our past choices and experiences, but we cannot have a permanent understanding of self. I am thankful for this enlightenment to who I am and what I believe. The freedom of accepting everyone as a free agent and not creating a neat interpretation of who and what they are. The truth is there is “No Self”; we are fluid and free form entities. We have choices to make that are not confined to a permanent design.

      I see now the compulsion of humans to have a rank and file definition of everything and everyone and this behavior imprisons us to our own intellect. I feel delivered from the impossible demands created by attempting to pigeonhole everything and not allowing “No Self” philosophy dictate understanding. We can only know someone for fleeting moment, then that person has moved on and we must move with him or her to maintain somewhat of an understanding. Stifling ourselves with a rigid interpretation of people and theories stunts our human development. We must maintain an open mind to welcome new truths.

Word Count 308

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MLDA

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The Minimum Drinking Age

      The federal government should have the right to enact laws that are in the best interest of it’s public. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age, MLDA, is twenty-one. The federal government enacted the Uniform Drinking Age Act in 1984, which mandated reduced federal transportation funds to those states that did not raise the MLDA to 21.

      Each state had a choice to raise the MLDA to 21 or not. The 21st amendment repealed prohibition, but could not set a minimum drinking age. Congress chose to reduce highway funds to force states to make the MLDA 21. The ploy was effective and all 50 states adopted the 21-year-old limit. South Dakota had bars that served reduced alcohol beer to 18 year olds and felt that this form of alcohol consumption had little affect on their youth.  The result of South Dakota not adopting the law would have cost the state six to eight million dollars per year. No state could afford to let those funds slip away because of an 18 year olds right to drink alcohol legally. Most states did not have any difficulty raising the MLDA to 21, because of the staggering increase in alcohol related traffic deaths and accidents.

      The repeal of Prohibition, the 21st amendment, made alcohol consumption and sale legal, but couldn’t set a drinking age limit. The bill of rights gave states the right to set their own limits to alcohol consumption. I believe within the parameters of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights the federal government needs to impose laws and mandates that are in the best interest of it’s people.  The MLDA mandate was much easier for the states to accept, than the unfunded mandates prevalent in the eighties.  

LenoxReid

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Government

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Definition of Government

      A government must have the right to use legitimate force to control human behavior. Laws were created with punishment for failure to keep those laws. The punishment must equal the crime at the very least. I think the laws we have in our country are very lenient and give an individual, who breaks the law, many chances to repent before the maximum penalty is administered. The penalty for offenses must mirror the crime, so I believe a life for a life is just. Cases where mental illness is present would be an adequate defense, although the defense for mental reasons must be managed to the highest degree. I feel that caregivers should feel the effects of this punishment. Law enforcement should question the amount and quality of care and convey the magnitude of someone entrusted to them. If a person is mentally competent, I think a death penalty is the only just action. When crimes are committed and justice served, there needs to be a proactive approach to lessen the impact of future crimes and tailored programs to target geographic locations. Public awareness is government’s number one priority to prevent crime before it takes place. We all know that when we break the law there is punishment, when convicted and ignorance is not a defense. Communication is critical when laws change. The worst crimes have laws that have existed from the beginning of our country. The government needs to target those areas that have a higher rate of these crimes and do what is necessary to ensure public confidence.

LenoxReid

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Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the USA

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Angel

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Angel

      It is not possible to convey with words alone the beauty residing in this woman. God created this woman with an intent and purpose to create a woman that redefines beauty. Her Aura charges any gathering with a presence that is intoxicating and addictive. Where do I begin to put into words the esoteric attraction of this woman?

      We must first begin with her eyes. Her eyes cut to the marrow exposing the essence and being of a man. It is possible to drown hopelessly in the depths of her eyes. It is impossible to conceal any thought or emotion from the steel of her gaze. A gaze that you can only hope would not pass too soon.

      The immeasurable quality of her intellect will mesmerize any man. A man considers himself learned conversing with her on any subject. The depth of her knowledge and experience is unequalled by her peers. There abides a compelling reason to engage her. A compulsion frenzied by a desire to know and understand her deeply.

      The core of her attraction resides in her inner beauty that pools like an amazing lagoon in the tropics. She carries herself with an exotic air that maddens men wanting to be close to her and bathe in her radiance. To say her attraction is likened to a diamond is not nearly adequate. Her facets are infinite and indescribable. A closer definition is one that includes words for beauty that have yet to be written.

LenoxReid

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Love

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Love

      Examination of love reveals an emotional response rooted in our creator. To know love, we must know our creator. We must quiet our own sensations and see into our own hearts and the hearts of others to discern what’s a genuine love. Like an onion, we peel away the outer layers of what we feel is love to reveal the truth about what we feel. Like a farmer, we plant seeds of love. Casting the seed on fertile ground, watching over the seeds, fertilizing, and watering. We have a harvest, keeping the good love and casting away the unacceptable. How did love begin? How does love end?

      In the beginning, Love is there. Love that shapes the existence we know and the conception of man and woman. Humanities first expression, two against the world, that has a population of two and their creator. The creator understands from the beginning to end the story that will unfold. The man and woman are compelled by pure love the creator wove into the fabric of their beings. The creator understands the weight of his knowledge and the crushing effect it would have on his creation. The creator measures out understanding and enlightenment to guide them. Simple directions based on a survival that’s only possible by the will and devotion of the two.

      We see the basic carnal attraction present in all creatures that forms the bond for life between the two. An attraction greater than any other created. The two conceive life and replicate themselves populating the earth. The basic seed of life containing love is the power making it sustainable. Father and mother passing the precious gift of love to the fruit of their original love. Perpetuating life for the world.

      First, we have the love of god and his creation. Second, we have the love between husband and wife. Lastly, we have the love of parent and child. The child’s understanding of love formed in the mother’s womb to maturity. The child reflects the love they are given back to the parents and the world. Pride wells in the parents and produces a protective shield around the child. Shielding protecting the child forever.

      There is a significant other and only one for each person. Paired ideally, one with the other. The love they share is unadulterated, pure, faithful, long suffering, forgiving, and kind. Love in its purest form that is a divine right given to all.                                                                                                    LenoxReid

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Sailor

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ONE SHIP SAILS EAST

ANOTHER WEST

WITH THE SELF

SAME WINDS

THAT BLOW.

TIS THE SET O’THE SAILS

AND NOT THE GALES

WHICH DETERMINES

THE WAY THEY GO

  Anonymous

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A Man

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A Man

      What are the qualities of a truly good man? A man anyone would be proud to call a friend. The definition would contain the words: strong, honest, loyal, responsible, trust worthy, role model, brave, problem solver, leader, caring, provider, faithful, and loving. The measure would contain a gauge of all these elements. A true man’s life is an open book, that the owner takes pride in sharing and receiving praise. The greatest calling a boy will ever have is to be a man.

      The calling conveyed and placed by the father as a mantle on his son. A son that looks to his father as the greatest man ever created. The weight of those words is humbling. The charges they contain are like none other a man will ever receive. The father must comprehend the gravity of this charge. The father must be ever mindful of his example to his family, friends, wife, children, and others. A man understands all his actions, seen and hidden, are judged. Do they meet the standard? The son matures following this example, good or bad, to adulthood and along the way men, women, boys, and girls engage him. He achieves a measure of competence in the world. Ask anyone, what kind of man he is? What kind of man would he say he is? 

      The mature man dates and courts women in the hope of finding the one. Taking all the manly traits he has developed and makes his case as the one for her. The right woman accepts and they begin a new life as one. He and she will create life in many ways. They will conceive a child and complete the circle of life. A life built on the strongest foundation a husband and wife can give a child. The parents are full of pride for their family and their family is the best.

      The man’s dealings with his fellow man are above reproach. Men are built with an innate ability to be providers, protectors, and mentors. The abilities nurtured by their own father. The father watches over his son and gives him love, instruction, guidance, correction, and praise. The brotherhood of men is a special club and each man is accountable. Perfection the goal, ownership of failures, and corrections made. A man is loyal to his parents and friends, a knight in shining armor to his wife, and a king to his children. There is no higher calling for a truly good man.                                                                                          LenoxReid

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Declaration

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That we shall romp and play

for eternity and a day

in the gardens we now delight

by our toil, sweat and strife.

  That we approach together

as a package shiny and bright

every passing day

and each passionate night.

  That we will drink and savor

the nectar sweet and true-

the essence of each other,

you of me and I of you.

  These things I imagine to be

a true and faithful measure

of our existence committed wholly

to the pursuit of our love’s treasure.

  Anonymous

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Knowledge

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  Knowledge

      I am provoked by the idea that we cannot trust our senses without question. The other factor that we cannot trust is the empirical information available, either. What do we know? Becomes another question entirely. Everything we have learned from birth to this moment, which is a staggering idea that will never end. We may get a clearer understanding of our preconceived dogmas and get some liberation by examining the ideas we have taken for granted for many years.

      Now the task is to identify past prejudices and truths we never questioned. We mature and how much of what we believe is not our own, but someone we think has the answers. I don’t think that is a bad thing, which is just the way it has always been done. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel per se; we do need to examine these perceptions when we have the maturity to do so. I can only believe the exercise of doubting everything will make the person stronger and more determined in life. The element of doubting is all encompassing ability to narrow the possibilities and shave away what complicates our answers.

It feels like cleaning out closets, which have been catch alls, freeing all manner of explanations to our world. We can be unbiased and useful to any situation in the future by mastering the art of doubting. Casting off habits that keep us from enlightenment and personal growth. The balance created by this examined life is an enriching pursuit that keeps on giving, but also to our sphere of friends, family, and public. The research and study required narrowing the field of our understanding is exhaustive. Stretching our minds, body, and spirit in ways that tone and strengthen our intellect. Now that we have a solid foundation of doubt, we can begin to tear down and rebuild our perceptions of reality.

      LenoxReid

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Dawes Act

Article Review “Dawes Act”

      The article “The Identified Full-Blood in Mississippi: Race and Choctaw Identity 1898-1918” written by Katherine M.B. Osburn of The Tennessee Technological University explains the trials and tribulations of the Mississippi Choctaws to claim land provided by Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The paper documents the Mississippi Choctaws campaign for inclusion on Choctaw National roles and how they used the ideologies of “Indian Blood” as evidence to prove claim for lands. The Mississippi Choctaws claimed citizenship in the Choctaw Nation by virtue of their “unadulterated” ancestry, ethnicity, United States allies, and treaty rights. The Mississippi Choctaw distinguished themselves from pretenders with use of language that blurred boundaries between racial and cultural characteristics of ethnic identity. The strategic use of the “Full Blood” status removed the possibility of a dispute regarding race. The tactic became a significant weapon in their fight to reclaim lands guaranteed by the 1830 Treaty of Dancing River Creek. The “Full Blood” status was also a form of political currency in their drive for tribal growth in the 20th century. Congressman John Sharp Williams in 1901 petitioned the Dawes commission about enrollment procedures for determining which Choctaws living in Mississippi were eligible for inclusion to the rolls of the Choctaw Nation of Indian territory. The Indians at the heart of the dispute refused removal and now were hoping they could claim allotments in Mississippi under article 14 of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The government had failed to follow this article of the treaty and in 1898 and the Mississippi Choctaw were dispossessed of their lands. Allotment of tribal lands in Indian Territory appeared to be a way to reclaim the dispossessed lands. The Dawes commission wanted applicants to produce evidence of descent from article 14 claimants, which the Choctaws of Mississippi did not have. Williams maintained

  that “ordinary eyesight” is the best proof testimony possible. Racial phenotypes were proof to claim full blood, half blood, and quarter blood in Williams’ estimation. Among the qualifications to be considered a Choctaw Indian by the Choctaws was the matrilineal line, so as long as the mother is a Choctaw the child is a Choctaw, another qualification could be the participation of a person in the cultural life of the Choctaws. The remaining Choctaws in Mississippi sent a delegation to Washington in 1836 to complain of the failure of the government to uphold Article 14. The fight for their lands created a division between the Choctaw Nation and the Mississippi Choctaws because an interpretation of Article 14 awarding land. Only the Mississippi Choctaws did not accept removal and not considered part of the Choctaw Nation, because they did not live on Indian Territory. The Choctaw Nation did recognize the citizenship of the Mississippi Choctaws by reason of blood, but the Mississippi Choctaws still maintained their citizenship by reason they bought and paid for their right of residency in Mississippi as well as the privilege of Choctaw citizenship, reserved in Article 14.

      The 1887 Dawes Act divided land of nearly all tribes into tracts that were given to Indian families and remainder auctioned off to the whites. Indians who accepted the farms and “adopted the habits of civilized life” would become full-fledged citizens. The policy was a miserable failure leading to the loss of much of Indian tribal lands and the degradation of Indian cultural traditions. Indians that participated in the “Ghost Dance”, which looked ahead to the removal of the whites and restoration of the buffalo, at Wounded Knee were massacred by U.S. troops. Most of the casualties were women and children of the 150 to 200 slain. The confrontation put an end to four centuries of conflict between the native population and European settlers.

      The history of the relationship between Indians and Americans is an important lesson for all of us today. The mutual respect for abilities and respect for the land in the beginning, that deteriorated to the point of dispossession of land, destruction of natural resources, and the slaughter of both Indians and

Americans. How would our world be different today, if we could have co-existed peacefully and responsibly?

LenoxReid  

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WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?

mom and dad lived in a duplex when I was 2