How do I know what Iknow?

There are three majors factors that go into education and knowledge life-wise. The three factors are: what you are told, what you see, and what you do. The first is the most common. People are told what to do and what not to do from infancy. Either your mother of your father always told you to stop doing something that they did not think you should be doing. Clearly you counld not understand what they were saying at the time, but you somehow knew that there was a problem with what you were doing by the impression that your mom or dad showed. This understanding eventually leads to actual recollection of knowing what is and is not allowed. The second factor is what you see. Many people in the world learn best by visual interpretation. You remember and register what you see better, rather than you are told or what you hear. If you see someone walk into the street without looking and they are either hit or close to it, then you realize that you could possibly have the same outcome if you were to duplicate those actions. This can also go back to the first factor. Sometimes parents use visual depictions when trying to explain something to their new born baby or young child. Finally, the third factor is what you do. Experience is the best teacher, because there is no way to think that something will change with the same variable if you, yourself, saw it happen. You know that no one can rightly dispute something you saw if they didn't see it themselves. Naturally, what you know has happened will be the ultimate determining factor in making a decision. This is how I know what I know.

Our Meaning

In the book, "Candide" the main character, Candide himself wonders what the true meaning of mankind is. He goes searching high and low for an answer that will suit him and be in agreeance with his own views. However, this is the wrong way to go about it. You can't always think that the answer to a question will benefit you or you will have a very unhappy and dissatisfying life. Anyway, Candide asks an old man what he believes is the meaning to mankind. This man tells him that he should not be asking such questions and slams the door in his face. Needless to say, this was not what he expected. Then, Candide comes across a family of an old man and his young son and daughter. When Candide encounters them on his journey they are tilling their farm uncessantly. Candide asks the old man why they insist on constantly working. The old man tells him that it is the only way to keep from becoming content with life. This, the old man says, is the meaning to life. It is to never become content with life so as to always have goals in life and to never be overcome with eternal boredom. I believe this to be true to a certain extent. Some people find joy in endless inactivity. I, however, need some kind of stimulation every now and then to be truly happy with life. Once again, your meaning to life will always depend on the type of person you are and your personal mentality.

God In 2009?

Every new era or generation, the question of God's existence arises again and again. No matter what has happened in the past, proven or not, people will always wonder if there is a God or not. This question will arise despite what people have said before and what people will say after an event has happened that will get people talking about God. Personally I don't know if there is a God or not. I'm not saying there is a God and I'm not saying there isn't one. There haven't been any significant events in my life that has pushed me to either side of the question. This usually necessary in someone's life in order for them to answer the question themselves. However farfetched it may sound, it happens a lot. It can either be a natural disaster or something as simple as a personal "sign" that someone has seen in their life. A lot of people say Hurricane Katrina was enough to determine God's existence. However, you have the topic of whether or not God wants to punish us or protect us. I believe that this continuous back and forth questioning keeps people from living their natural life instead of them constantly thinking of their spiritual one. A lot of people would probably think that what I just said is wrong, but they will be saying it with a troubled conscience. They will always be wondering if God is really watching them or not.

Candide's Punishment

I believe that Candide's punishments do adequately fit his crime. He disgraced the honor, as well as the trust, of the Baron by deflowering his daughter. I'm sure that anyone would react the same way. I know I would. It's even more degrading, in my opinion, because of the fact that they're related. If I were to hear about my daughter having relations with any male without my permission, or at least my approval first, then I would be pretty upset and want to banish that person too.