Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Blog Posting #5
Honestly, I think Humanism is the most difficult concept we have discussed this far in this class. Especially when you try to determine whether or not humanism should be recognized as a religion. Humanism doesn’t seem all that different to me that the way a lot of people practice religion. If humanism ultimately means seeking out personal happiness and happiness for others, I think that is the way a lot of people view religion on the surface. I understand that the bible sometimes asks you to overcome difficulties and to take the “hard” path in order to avoid sin and this will not always make you happy but I see a lot of similarities, too. If you describe humanism simply it doesn’t seem that abstract—I mean isn’t everyone trying to obtain happiness and most people enjoy making others happy too. The part that confused me is I think this is more a way of life than a religion. But then it makes me question, isn’t religion a way of life? Composition allows humanists to get their ideas out into society and to further their thoughts. Without composition people could still verbalize their ideas, however as we have already learned nothing reaches as many people or survives history like written work. As far as choosing an artifact for our rhetorical analysis… I haven’t decided on one yet. I was hoping to read everyone’s’ blogs to get some ideas. There are a lot of things that I think are persuasive but I’m struggling to find one that interests me. I think this assignment could be a lot of fun if you choose an artifact you actually care about. I welcome any suggestions you aren’t using!
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Before reading your article I hadn't really considered the points you made about the comparison between relgion and humanism. I just had it in my mind that there was no comparison but, especially in what you said about isn't religion a way of life as well, really brings a valid point. Humanism and religion both can be looked at in the same way, as a way of life and beliefs so therefore maybe humanism could take the place of religion? Your post made me think more deeply into the subject!
ReplyDeleteyeah lindsey i agree with you. for one i do not fully understand humanism up to this point, and then trying to connect that as some sort of religious ideal, ideology, i can not see it.
ReplyDeleteas for your rhetorical analysis i tried to look at objects that i find mundane yet interesting at the same time. for one day i just made a list of all the material items, objects that i thought would be interesting to write and think about for the project.. read my blog and tell me if you have any ideas to help me on mine!! hahah :) thanks!
I wonder, if religion/humanism is a way of life, is writing a "way of life" as well? Walter Ong has a great book about how writing changes people into thinking about the world in terms of "literacy" rather than "orality." Writing apparently changes the very way that we think.
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