The Appreciative Stranger

"w.out knowing who anyone is, i simple say: thanks. philosophy and theology both in my past, and future, your site was unexpected gift. not meaning to trespass, just exploring this blog thing and finding there is, in the famous words of calvin and hobbes (of comic strip fame) "there's treasure everywhere!"an appreciative stranger. "

-did anybody else see this comment? This comment really made me feel good inside, and to avoid embracing a metaphysical explaination for my elatedness, I am publishing it to get each of your perspectives. It actually made me feel good to know that our work has an impact outside of the mere grade that we are being given. I have had fun writing and posting and engaging with the material. This cannot be purely Hobbsian can it? I mean, I must get some innate satisfaction just from the greater comprehension of the texts at hand. But, when I think about it, perhaps I am only happy because someone out of our blog sphere has recognized and highlighted our achievement. Am I happy merely because I have made somebody else happy?That is really sweet to think, but I cannot actually claim that. The author of this comment appreciates our blog not for it's theology etc, but because it jives with a particular way of viewing life. He likes philosophy, and this post engages with philosophical text, and thus as a Hobbsian it gives him greater power to know that he has the ability to also engage with this text, and understand what we are talking about. I don't know...I want some ideas from you guys on this....

Love as a Guise

While the notions of Love, caring and sharing are sentiments that society deems as important and critical for the population to value, I would argue that they are not as dominant in the literature as one might initially imagine. The contest between love and power is perfectly highlighted in Harry Potter, and probably a lot of other primary children’s literature. Presenting Metaphysical notions in these children’s books does not actually impose these as guiding principles for children to live by, but like any children’s book, is meant to be didactic in its most basic literary form, while at the same time providing some sort of entertainment to ensure the reader stays attentive and focused. Using and presenting metaphysical notions can be read then as merely a narrative and literary tactic to ensure that children continue to stay focused on the book. Using metaphysical ideals to ensure the reader skills at reading grows, as what child would actively seek to read stories about the true nature of the world. At four and five years old, I would argue that learning these sentiments is merely the precursor to ensuring one’s success in a world which claims to highly value these sentiments. One has to be raised with an appreciation for and knowledge of these ideals. I have gone into my 10 year old sister’s room and have randomly selected two books from the shelves, in which to analyze for Hobbsian content.

Book number one, Scamp Learns a Lesson. Wow, you can just feel the love radiating from that title eh? No, this book highlights the importance of listening to a power greater than yourown. The little puppy is curious and wants to run around town exploring. He sees the world as nice, and open to him to navigate through it unbounded and unchecked. In his world there is no murder, or thievery, as people do not do things merely for the good of themselves when left to their own devices. The author of this book is quick to embrace and enforce Hobbsian ideals, scolding the puppy for going on his own as it caused worry and strive for the rest of the family. The greater good of all the puppies is held over this one puppies self-interest.

Book number two. Big Sarah’s Little Boots. First sentence, “Sarah loved her boots”…uh oh, I can see this book was written by someone claiming to embrace metaphysical ideals. Let’s see if it detracts from these sentiments. AS the book continues we see that Sarah is growing up, as she can no longer fit into her boots. From a child’s naïve perspective, she is presented as thinking that her boots have shrunk, instead of her own growth. Throughout the book Sarah is forced to realize this, and give up her old boots for a newer more practical pair. What is more Hobbsian than this. The child is not allowed to wallow in her fantasy land, nor is she able to continue to play in the boots that she loved. She is forced to give them up, and along with that comes the realization that “love” is not something constant and real (ok, maybe that’s pushing it…perhaps it wants to show children that material wealth should not be embraced…, but whatever!). This child has to give up the boots that she loves because they are too small and she needs bigger boots to be able to be effective in her world.

Thus, just by this little random sample, it becomes apparent that Hobbsian values are dominant from an early onset, even if concealed under the guise of Love.