The Long Awaited Philosophy Journal

Alright people! I'm in my Communications Technology class and my teachers is not here, so we have a substitute, and my normal teacher hasn't put up any new work to do. So, I FINALLY have time to write up my journal.

Alright, so this entry was based on a thought experiment in the book:

It's the end of the school day, and you promised your friends you would meet with them outside. But wait, to get outside, you must first get to the door. To get to the door, you must first reach a halfway point corresponding to the door. But to get to that halfway point, you must first pass through a halfway point of that, and another, and another, and another, until you have an infinite amount of halfway points, which in theory, would take an infinite amount of time to cross. But alas, you don't have an infinite amount of time, your friends are waiting for you outside, right now. If we don't have an infite amount of time which we would use to cross these halfway points, how do we get from point a to point b? Does movement even exist? If we don't move, then how do we remember getting from one place to another? Does some super being plant us with memories of a non-existing movement? If a super being is controlling our thoughts, would it want us to believe, or know about it? Or would it let me thinnk for myself, and let me come up with this thought to confuse me and lead me away from the truth? The truth that I am not in control of my own life?

Say I'm not in control of my own life, and there is no superior being telling me what to do, is this world real? Or is it maybe just some highly advanced advanced computer program made to hide the truth like in the movie the 'Matrix'? Is there an evil daemon that would be sent to kill me if I learnt the truth? Is the movie in question something created from someone 'outside' the program, trying to show us the truth?

Or is it like Plato's cave allegory? Are we stuck in this simple world, like those in the cave, unable to see past what is infront of our own two eyes? It takes something special to go beyond our beliefs, and search what the truth. Is there an invisible world beyond this material one in which we live? How come we can't see it? How come we are blind to the truth? Is it not one of our natures to ask questions and attempt to learn the truth? If that's the case, and there is a world beyond this one, why hasn't anybody found it and show it to the rest of us? Is human greed so powerful that we won't share the truth with our kin? Or is it that someone has found it, and has tried to show us, but has been locked up or disposed of? The answer to that I think, lies with the heads of authority, our government.

We all know, or at least believe that the government keeps secrets. Could it be that the thing they are hiding from us is that invisible world? Where all pain and sadness is but a memory. Are they holding back that knowledge to keep us out? To block us and keep us out of their 'gentlemans club'? I don't know for sure, but I do know it needs to be questioned, and investigated.

Now, all of these questions have no answer. The reason I'm asking them is to bring to your attention that we have no idea what the world is like. No one can know for sure, and no one will know, for a very long time.


I hope you enjoyed this, I know I loved writting it.

-Will-

Boo

Alright people, here's the deal.

26 days left in the poll, make sure you vote. So far, only 8 people have voted, and me NOT dying my hair seems to be the winning option. Tell your friends about my site, and tell them to vote. What ever!

About my absence:

I've found it really hard these past few weeks to make time, and to feel motivated to blog. I'm trying to make time, as well as find the motivation, so bare with me.

Expect a full detailed post on my philosophy journal, I got it back, and I got a mark for it, even though he said they weren't going to be marked. Oh well, no biggie.

I invite you all to check out the links at the bottom of my page which lead to Jimmyr.com, a website devoted to using google.com to download music, pdfs, free university courses, ringtones and large files such as albums. All of this is done through google and is therefore only barely stepping over the legal terms. It also downloads music faster than ANY and ALL P2P networks. Doesn't get much better than that, now does it?

Also, make sure to check out my sisters blog, The Life and Times of Ren And-Then-Some. It's a great blog, funny, and intelligent. So if you're bored with my blog, feel free to check it out.

I'll be putting up some new links, specifically a site called 'The Fischbowl' which I think is just wonderful. Once it's up, you'll all just have to go there and see what it is.

In a less serious matter, I won't be blogging till at least monday. I've gotten my boss to lower my hours to about 9 a week (Hot dawg! That's awesome!) But in light of people not being to work, I'm doing him a favor and working 21 hours this week, most of it during the weekend. So, I figure he owes me something. ;)

If you see weird tags in my posts, (tags being search items, or referrence notes) don't be alarmed. I learned from my sister, that the best way to get hits on your site is to put tags with commonly used searched. So, if you see sexy, or large *explitive deleted* sometimes, do not worry! It's all for the greater good.

Thanks for being understanding, and I look forward to posting again soon.

Just an Update

Hey everyone. Sorry, just another update.

With 14 hours to go in 1 poll, it looks like I will be keeping my name as Pie Guy Will instead of changing it to Pi Guy Will. Now none of you can complain, because we handled this situation like adults and had a vote. The outcome of this vote was 0 for the pros (changing my name) and 5 for the cons (keeping it pie).

I'm hoping to put a new post up sometime soon, but there are several things that are keeping my attention recently.

Thanks for reading,

-Will-

Sorry everyone. It's been a while since my last post, and today it won't be any different. Just keeping you all in the loop.

Work and school, as well as friends have been keeping me busy of late, so I haven't gotten around to thinking up more ideas, theories, or stories. With any luck this week will be a little less hectic.

I'm hoping to get my journal back this week, but who knows with that crazy Mr. Murdoch?

Speaking of which, I guess I DO have a theory to share with you.

Now, as you all know I've been waiting for my journal for some time now. I asked my teacher Mr. Murdoch about it, he said he had read it, and was done with it, but when I asked him for it, he refused to give it to me, without providing an explanation, not one! It could be that he's waiting to finish all the others to give them back, but if that's the case, why didn't he just say so? I believe myself to be a reasonable guy, I'm not a monster who'll rip your head off if I don't get what I want.

So in light of recent events, and Mr. Murdochs reluctantness to return my journal to me, it is now my belief, as well as a few others, that he is indeed plagiarizing my work, and using it to further his career as a high school teacher. Naughty naughty Mr. Murdoch. You will soon learn that it takes more than changing the conversation to not give Will what he wants. I expect my journal back sometime this week, or else I will make my theory public.

-Will-

Update

Alright, so without keeping to the general theme of my blog, I'm going to answer a couple of your questions. I'm posting about this, because said people did not leave their names, and therefore, I cannot approach them in RL (real life) and discuss the ever so interesting questions they have asked. Anyhow, here's the answers.

Number1: No, my buddy never did find his glasses, but he had spares, and is getting some new ones soon.

Number2: I am feeling much better now thank you, was just a slight fever and sore throat, but thank you for your concenr.

And that's all of them. Thank you again for posting, but please, it is important that you sign your name at the end of the post so I know who you are. Thanks so much, come again soon.

-Will C-Marshall-

Please, do me this small favor

Thank you all for commenting on my posts. But if it's not to much trouble, sign your name at the end of each comment, that way I KNOW who you are.

My sister suggested I change my name to Pi Guy Will. I'm going to see if I can make a second poll. If I can't, please just approach me and let me know what you think.

Regards,

-Will-

A common mistake

So, I stumble across this in MSIP, just after my MSIP teacher Mr. Stone questioned what I was doing. I found it quite funny, and yet, sad, all at the same time. Hope it makes you smile.

MSIP Mayhem

Today in MSIP, after doing my math I listened to Dream Theaters 42 minute song Six Degrees on Inner Turbulence, as I do everyday. Now, this song recounts the story of 6 people with mental disabilities. The disabilities are bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stess disorder, schizophrenia, post-partum depression, autism and finally dissociative personality disorder.

Now, my philosophy teacher Mr. Murdoch asked the class last month to write 5 different theories which we would explain philosophically. One of mine touched on the idea, and then delved deeper into the thought of, people who have mental disabilities, more precisely schizophrenia. If they are living in a world of fantasy, and aren't in this world, which world is the real one?; Is it that only a select few people can tap into this unseen world, and truely live life? If that's the case, why do we treat them as crazy people, when it's really us who don't have a clue, and are unable to see the real world? Or is it that, the world that we, those without this dissorder live in, is the real world?

I don't have my notes here with me, because my teacher, after a month, hasn't gotten around to reading and grading out journals. But once he does get around to it, expect me to write them all up and share them with you.

It is my intention in this blog to help people to open their minds and learn to think, because in this day and age, people don't think, instead, they obey.

-Will-

Philosophical Thought

Thought:


Luke wants pizza pops.
But Luke cannot have pizza pops
Why not?
Because he is in class.
But that's not fair!
But what is fair?
Is fair fair?
Yes. Furthermore, we have microwaves downstairs... and Mr. McDonald wouldn't care... well... Luke might have to share
But, does Luke even have pizza pops?
Pizza popos? Nice. But no, Luke does not. But Luke has money, lots of free time, and a discount store downtown.
Thought: Who wants pizza pops?
Answer: Luke does, DUH!

Written by: Luke Cree/William Cabana 'Handcramp' Marshall

My philosophy project

Hey every one (meaning all three of you). I'm back from my hiatus because I was sick, and I have a new post! This post is a project that I did for my philosophy class on informal fallacies. What is an informal fallacy you might ask? Well, let me tell you!

Here is a description found on the internet using google:

'An informal fallacy is one that is not formal, that is, it is a type of fallacy in which the content of the argument is relevant to its fallaciousness, or which is fallacious for epistemological, dialectical, or pragmatic reasons. Typically, informal fallacies occur in non-deductive reasoning, which relies on content as well as form for cogency. Also, because content is important in informal fallacies, there are arguments with the form of the fallacy which are cogent. For this reason, when forms for informal fallacies are given, this is for identification purposes only, that is, one cannot tell from the form alone that an instance is fallacious. Rather, the forms will help to differentiate between distinct types of informal fallacy.'

Alright, now that's a bit high end, so I'll give you my version of it:
An informal fallacy occurs when an argument isn't based on reason, but it instead tries to cleverly persuade by other means.

Much easier I think. Now, there are three categories of informal fallacies, which I'll mention, but won't go into great detail, because like myself, you'd all fall asleep.

The three categories are:
-Fallacies of Relevancy
-Fallacies of Presumption
-Fallacies of Ambiguity

I'm sure you could piece together what each category covers, for you are all intelligent.

Anyhow, our assignment was this: Create an argument using informal fallacies. 7 at the least, 9 at the most.

So, I did the project. Here it is:

This is a situation where Jason, is about to ask his boss for a raise. The boss wants Jason to explain why he thinks he deserves a raise. Here is his argument.


Jason: Hey Terry, can I talk to you about something?
Terry: Hey Jason, yeah sure, what’s on your mind?
Jason: Well, to be honest Terry, I want a raise.
Terry: A raise? Do you want to explain to me why you think you deserve a raise?
Jason: Well, I’ve been here for over a year now, at the same pay. And I work really hard, and hard workers deserve a reward.
Terry: I see. And how many other employees are hard workers?
Jason: Well, at the store I work at, 1 or 2, maybe.
Terry: Then what makes you think you deserve a raise more than they do? If you’re talking about who I think you’re talking about, they’ve both been here longer than you.
Jason: Well yeah, they have been here longer than me, but I’m the one here asking you for a raise. If they don’t’ have the courage to ask you for one, they don’t deserve one.[1]
Terry: Well that’s not a valid reason Jason. You are a hard worker, but so are many others. Just because you found the guts to ask me for a raise, doesn’t mean other people don’t deserve one. Do you see what I mean?
Jason: I do Terry, but that’s not the point. The point is that I work hard, I stay late, I do all my work, every time I’m working, and I do it well. No one puts as much work into this job as I do. Well, a few, but this isn’t about them, it’s about me.
Terry: Jason, that’s not fair. You don’t see the others stores, and the other employees. How do you know you’re the hardest worker?
Jason: Because, I’m dedicated to this job, and I work so hard to be good at my job.
Terry: Jason, you’re not giving me a good reason to give you a raise. You’re just bringing down others.
Jason: Well, the thing is, I love working here, you’re a great boss, you keep your employees happy, and keep things running smoothly. And, I want to keep working for you, but I think with the amount of time and work I put into this job, I deserve to be rewarded for doing my job, and meeting your expectations. You yourself told me I show great leadership, work well with others, always do my job, and others seem to respond to me, and work better when around me.[2]
Terry: You’re right Jason, I did say those things. And I like to think I keep my employees happy.
Jason: And the truth is, I’m trying to save some money for college, and that isn’t cheap. And at the wage I’m at right now, it will be extremely hard to get by, because my parents don’t have money to help me, and I really want to go out there and find out what I want to do with my life. And I need to go to college to expand my education to find out what I DO want to do.[3]
Terry: That’s all well and good Jason. But there are ways to get through school without lots of money.
Jason: I know there is, but it’s so hard to get scholarships when you work as hard at a job like I do. There isn’t any time for scholarships when you’re at work dealing with maniac customers ready to chop your head off because their food doesn’t look like the picture![4]
Terry: What are you talking about?
Jason: Forget about that, I work hard, right? Don’t I?. I’ll keep working hard no matter what.[5]
Terry: If you get the raise, I expect you to work hard, if not harder.
Jason: Well yeah, of course I would.
Terry: Well, I’ll think about it, alright Jason?
Jason: Terry, you’re not listening to me! You never listen. You’re always talking about how fair you are, but how can you be fair if you won’t even listen to my reasoning? I’ve given you more than ample reasoning, but you haven’t even considered giving me the raise. You’re too cheap for your own good![6]
Terry: Jason, now you’re out of line. I promise you I will think about giving you the raise, but it remains to be seen if you deserve one.
Jason: I am out of line, and you don’t see a reason to give me a raise. Just because you don’t see one, doesn’t mean there isn’t. Therefore I deserve a raise.[7]

Footnotes:
[1] Attack on a person: He is attacking the courage of the other employees to look better.
[2] Appeal to Authority: He is repeating things said to him by Terry to try and persuade him to give him the raise.
[3] Appeal to Pity: He’s trying to guilt Terry into giving him the raise so he can go to college.
[4] Accident: Jason made up a random situation that could occur, but has nothing to do with him getting a raise.
[5] Complex Question: The premise of the question is that Jason works really hard, and the conclusion is that he works really hard.
[6] Appeal to Force: Jason is trying to bring Terry down and anger him into doing something he’ll regret, which he can then use against Terry, to get a raise.
[7] Appeal to Ignorance: Jason says that because it’s not proven that he shouldn’t get a raise, he should get a raise.

Anyhow, I got this back the other day, and got an A+ on it. Hurray me!

Theme

Alright, so as my sister was driving me home Sunday, we were talking about blogs and it has now been said that a blog, needs a theme. So, my theme is now philosophy as well as story telling. This might change in the future, but for the time being, that's what it is.

Anyhow, I will be posting some more things in the near future, but I am sick at the moment and wish to recuperate.