Allegory by Mac September 5, 2007

In “Allegory in the Cave” by Plato there was a series of events that were testing what was reality and what wasn’t.  I feel that the people who left the cave are the people in todays world that are making changes they are the ones taking the risks in life they are the people that are helping discover new things such as technology, land, food, recipes, etc.  These people are the risk takers in life.  I think this distinction is important because it makes a connection from Plato’s time to modern day.  It is a connection made between modern day and that time involving risks and the difference between false reality and true reality.  That is what i got out of the story.

Newman by Mac September 5, 2007

B) I think that Newman is saying that enjoyment is the key to seeking knowledge and that if you enjoy learning you will want to learn more.  In my opinion i think that enjoyment in education is for the value of learning.  The more you enjoy learning the more meaningful the information you are given will be.  The value of education can only be determined on what you make of it that is why i say ejoyment is more for the value of education.

Erik’s thoughts on Newman. September 5, 2007

We can see Newman’s opinion on enjoyment comes from a quote from the fifth chapter of the first book of Aristotle’s Rhetoric. “Of possessions, those rather are useful, which bear fruit; those liberal, which tend to enjoyment… by enjoyable, where nothing accrues of consequence beyond the using.” Enjoyment is important when seeking education. I myself looked at my past to try and see where this fact has shown through. In High school I took AP classes, not because i enjoyed them, but because they would have the most benefit for my future. Now in college I’m forced into taking classes that pertain to my major instead of those that I would like to take. Sadly I would have to say that I believe learning to be enjoyable for it’s use value. I wish that it were different. The classes I’m taking are pseudo-enjoyable, but I wouldn’t be taking some of them if I could afford to go to extra years of college. It’s sad that money is my deciding factor when it comes to a formal education.

Kyles’ view of Newmans knowledge September 5, 2007

John newmans interpretation of knowledge is rather interesting, the thought that a person must commit themselves whole heartedly to the process of learning is rather shocking, when considering the man who is stating it. Newman seemed to be a incredibily learned man, but his views of life seem to had been thwarted by his countless hours of reading and study. Enjoy with me the irony that I see when one thinks of Mr. Newman standing in a lecture hall asspousing his passion for learning, and his disstain for all those men who aren’t learned “gentalmen”.  While the students sit and pay large amounts of tender to hear this man about waste of potential that working people give away. At the same time his lecture hall is cleaned by a man who uses his knowledge of sterilization to keep the hall looking good. Or the restaurant that Mr. Newman would eat at, the chef is not an “educated gentleman”, but i am sure that Mr. Newman appreciates the mans knowledge of sandwich making. So if one can see that it takes all sorts of education to have the world go round, then they can take the time to see that Newmans’ desire to have a better educated community is a valid thought. The people do need educate themselves, and it does take self-motivation to do this. But I would say let the people achieve a level of education that will allow them to enjoy thier life.

Rocky and Newman love coffee September 5, 2007

Newman’s essay “From Knowledge Its Own End”, stresses the importance the learning of not just practical knowledge but also liberal knowledge for enjoyment sake.  He quotes Cicero “for we are all of us dwawn to the pursuit of Knowledge; in which to excel we consider excellent,whereas to mistake, to err, to be ignorant, to be deceived, is both an evil and a disgrace.”(Newman 515)  I agree with that statement because with all the things I have learned or been taught, there has been a good proportion that I have never applied in life.  I am still glad that I have learn those things even though I have not used them.  Maybe someday I’ll put that knowledge to good use.  I also find it pleasurable to be able to say sometimes ”I know what you are talking about”, about a random subject.  Therefore I am always willing to learn something new, practical or not, except for math, which just confuses me.

Ross: Enjoying Knowledge September 5, 2007

Why do we pursue knowledge as we do? Through Newman’s eyes it all has to do with the enjoyment we receive by simply attaining it. While he does say that knowledge does have its uses in practical purposes he feels that knowledge is it’s own reward. That it is pursued because understanding is what all of us strives for and that we attain satisfaction in the acquisition of truth.

In my opinion I would have to agree with Newman. Though it is often difficult and frustrating I find that every piece of information I attain helps me to understand my life and the world around me. If this were not true I would definitely not be here.

Marie: Newman post September 5, 2007

This text has many things about it that make me respect Newman. First of all, he changed his religion in the midst of a time when catholicism was not socially acceptable in England, but still managed to succeed with his life and his goals. He still wanted to teach, but just in a different method, so he opened a school. These accomplishments show me that even though Newman had obstacles, he was never brought down and this “Catholic Education” theory was very interesting. The text quotes on page 513, “Newman understood “Catholic” in it’s broadest sense, including the meaning “universal” and he believed that a “Catholic Education” involved all branches of knowledge.” This idea led him to open his own private Catholic school so that he could teach others his revolutionary education system.