Blog #11 Final Draft

Elizabeth Linares

ENGL 101-0768

Dr. Vasileiou

Essay 3

12/3/12                      

     In a world , as shown in the movie “Minority Report” , where people are punished before they committed any type of felony, things go wrong. But in our world , many different types of crimes are committed daily. In the article , “Free Will and Determinism in the world of Minority Report” , debates the issue of having free will and if determinism is true. If like the movie , we are able to find a way to reduce such crimes without worrying about any type of consequence , it would bring disorganization to the system. Since this would happen, I disagree with using the system if it were true.

     The movie “Minority Report” gives us a introduction of what free will and determinism is. They are 3 psychically gifted humans who can for see the future and can predetermined if a person is going to commit a crime. All situations and events are made by using Determinism because criminals are prosecuted with a perfect system called “PreCrime” there future is already predetermined and they have no choice but to accept their fate. This not so perfect system helps reduce crime rate in the state of Washington D.C and the U.S government is awarded with creating this type of system. But not every system is infallible, John Anderton the main character is the first to realize himself why this system is fallible and that anybody like himself could change there destiny. This movie gives us an understanding on that freedom of will does exist, regardless of if there is determinism or not.

     According to the article “Free will and Determinism in the world of Minority Report” Michael Huemer lists two ways for free will to exist. First he says it's alternative possibilities, and next it's self control. By supporting the alternative possibilities reason people must believe god is all-knowing, “ If god is all-knowing then he must know everything that is going to happen in the future. But if God already know what is going to happen, then it seems that there are no alternative possibilities; events must unfold as God has foreseen them” (104-105). This tells us that if only God is one we're counting

on predicting future events then there are no alternative possibilities. By using “Self-Control” it's defined as someone who in control of of all of it's actions and it's alternative possibilities are up to them to realize. “Many scientists and philosophers have thought that the laws of nature are deterministic, to say these laws are deterministic is to say that, given the state of a physical system at some time, the laws prescribe a unique future evolution”. (105) These type of laws will provide us with a different type of evolution into our lives. Huemer's is arguing against determinism, & how we always have free will & how we should be the one predestined to our fate.

     If a Pre-Crime system as is shown in the movie ever existed in our world I would be against it. I disagree with it because as the director Steven Spielberg of the movie said “I would be against a PreCrime system if it were ever possible, as I believe that if it did exist, those in control of it would undoubtedly abuse its powers”. I agree with him because the government will be the one deciding our fate they would already eye-seen our future and will punish those who haven't committed the crimes they were intended to. It's as they were playing the role of god just to prevent murder. Nobody will have no type of free will because they would be immediately accused and would not be allowed no type of way to defend themselves.

     Security has had to be increased because of recent attacks in our country. During the past few years because of recent terrorists attacks like for example airport security imagine having a system like Pre-Crime in our society today many will agree this system would be an invasion of our freedom and our rights. Since the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks body scanning are used regularly in airports as a method to determine if you're carrying things you're aren’t suppose to carry. While this is a way to improve our security in airports many have argued that these such equipments used can be very risky for our health and may abuse our human rights .

   The the book “Constructing Crime” by Christiana Gregoriou can relate to why I am against it. According to the book “argues that today’s fear is instead a social and cultural construct, central to which is ‘the belief that humanity is confronted by powerful destructive forces that threaten our everyday existence” (20). We are put into a fear into our eyes that anything could happen at any moment in time. If we were ever to find a better way or a technology to help us catch terrorist or any type of criminal who might do anybody harm beforehand It would cause more chaos to our society. A system like that is going to corrupt more and it would fallible.

     While I may disagree with creating a new system that would be used not caring about the ways things will be done, many will agree that this will be a good idea. Many will approve that it's in our best interest for us to have a system that will make our society as far safer as it could possibly be. Regardless of what has to be done, to reduce crime or another type of threats we should have a system not considering the means they would use. One major reason they will have is that even if they will have to punish people that are yet to be convicted of doing any wrong doing, will should just put them away because this way we could prevent any future heartbreaking loss from a family. This would also put fear away from our society because we would be living in a safer environment.

     Furthermore, the Pre-crime system in the movie was proven to be fallible having it's own faults. Technology is improving and we're becoming more advanced in learning new ways to improve ourselves and the environment. There are going to be new ideas in which many people will disagree on. Ideas that are going to be use to improve our crime rate, in which it may be cause more corruption than any good. But we should consider these changes and think about if it's going to show more improvement in our society or more damage.

Blog #10 (First Draft)

Essay 3

     In a world , as shown in the movie “Minority Report” , where people are punished before they committed any type of felony, things go wrong. But in our world , many different types of crimes are committed daily. In the article , “Free Will and Determinism in the world of Minority Report” , debates the issue of having free will and if determinism is true. If like the movie , we are able to find a way to reduce such crimes without worrying about any type of consequence , it would bring disorganization to the system. Since this would happen, I disagree with using the system if it were true.

The movie “Minority Report” gives us a introduction of what free will and determinism is, they're 3 psychically gifted humans who can for see the future and can predetermined if a person is going to commit a crime. All situations and events are made by using Determinism because criminals are prosecuted with a perfect system called “PreCrime” there future is already predetermined and they have no choice but to accept their fate. This not so perfect system helps reduce crime rate in the state of Washington D.C and the U.S government is awarded with creating this type of system. But not every system is infallible, John Anderton the main heroine is the first to realize himself why this system is fallible and that anybody like himself could change there destiny. This movie gives us an understanding on that freedom of will does exist, regardless of if there is determinism or not.

    According to the article “Free will and Determinism in the world of Minority Report” Michael Huemer lists two ways for free will to exist first he says it's alternative possibilities, and next it's self control. By supporting the alternative possibilities reason people must believe god is all-knowing, “ If god is all-knowing then he must know everything that is going to happen in the future. But if God already know what is going to happen, then it seems that there are no alternative possibilities; events must unfold as God has foreseen them” (104-105). This tells us that if only God is one we're counting on predicting future events then there are no alternative possibilities. By using “Self-Control” it's defined as someone who in control of of all of it's actions and it's alternative possibilities are up to them to realize. “Many scientists and philosophers have thought that the laws of nature are deterministic, to say these laws are deterministic is to say that, given the state of a physical system at some time, the laws prescribe a unique future evolution”. (105) These type of laws will provide us with a different type of evolution into our lives. Huemer's is arguing against determinism, & how we always have free will & how we should be the one predestined to our fate.

     If a Pre-Crime system as is shown in the movie ever existed in our world I would be against it, as the director Steven Spielberg of the movie said “I would be against a PreCrime system if it were ever possible, as I believe that if it did exist, those in control of it would undoubtedly abuse its powers”. I agree with him because the government will be the one deciding our fate they would already eye-seen our future and will punish those who haven't committed the crimes they were intended to. It's as they were playing the role of god just to prevent murder. Nobody will have no type of free will because it would be immediately accused and would not be allowed no type of way to defend itself.

 Security has increased during the past few years because of recent terrorists attacks like for example airport security imagine having a system like Pre-Crime in our society today many will agree this system would be an invasion of our freedom and our rights. Since the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks body scanning are used regularly in airports as a method to determine if you're carrying things you're aren’t suppose to carry. While this is a way to improve our security in airports many have argued that these such equipments used can be riskful for our health and may abuse our human rights .

     According to the book “Constructing Crime” by Christiana Gregoriou “argues that today’s fear is instead a social and cultural construct, central to which is ‘the belief that humanity is confronted by powerful destructive forces that threaten our everyday existence” (20). We are put into a fear into our eyes that anything could happen at any moment in time. If we were ever to find a better way or a technology to help us catch terrorist or any type of criminal who might do anybody harm beforehand It would cause more chaos to our society. A system like that is going to corrupt more and it would fallible.

     Furthermore, the Pre-crime system in the movie was proven to be fallible having it's own faults. Technology is improving and we're becoming more advanced in learning new ways to improve ourselves and the environment. They're are going to be new ideas in which many people will disagree on. Ideas that are going to be use to improve our crime rate, in which it may be cause more corruption than any good. 

Blog #7 Allegory Of The Cave

 Allegory Of The Cave

 

 

 

     The Allegory of the Cave by Plato, shows us how in our life in reality all we see are illuisons or refelctions and what we want to see. We have acknowledge these things for so long that we usually accept things this type of way and it's makes it hard to view it differently. A moderen example of an illusion is the goverement. The goverments role in our society is to keep some type of regime and tranquility in our country. It's like they sort of have to watch out for there people, and know what's the right decisions to make. But thats not always the case the goverement are people who are of higher power memebers in our society which means they are more capable than many others of controlling everybody. The goveremnt will be always have there rights to do something and while they might think it's making things better, it will actually make things worse. There is no obligiation for them to look out for us, but because they are considered more important than anybody else and have more control they are the higher adaptable memebers. We often believe everything we hear and we are greatly influenced in what we hear through the media. But this is what we had always believed and learned it what we will always see and will never actually open our eyes to see what is actually happening in reality. It's like we don't really have to bealieve what a politican in the goverement is really trying to say is the truth, he may be lying half the time. We don't really know what true or not. This is why we have to better ourselves on facts and try to understand more on what is really going on. 

Blog # 6 Free will and destiny?

     Blog 6 – Free will and Destiny In Oedipus

     Since Oedipus was born his fate has always been to kill his father and marry his mother Jocasta. Since learning this Oedipus will do everything to escape from his own land unfortunately, running away does no good for him and no matter how much free will men he gets his fate will already determined. Oedipus tries everything to avoid the various prophecies made about his but in the end is a victim of his own fate.

     Oedipus destiny will always catch up to him no matter where he goes to or hides. He unknowingly kills his own father by doing this he had already will fulfill part of the prophecy without even knowing it.  He then weds his own mother and has children with her again not having any clue he is accomplishing the prophecy he thought he forever escaped from. I think Oedipus has no free will and will always be a victim of his own destiny, knowing that prophecies do control your fate Oedipus should have been smarter in making the choices he made. He already knew what was going to happen so he should have never killed just any man in the street out of anger, and married just any lady and has kids with her. He should have avoided these conflicts and should have seen the resemblance with this and his destiny.  

     Blind Tiresias told Oedipus his visions from the gods. He says “I say you are the murderer of the king whose murderer you seek”. Oedipus at first doesn't believe him but quickly finds a way to avoid it. Oedipus being arrogant makes fun of Tiresias for being blind but he responds with "You have your eyes but see not where you are in sin, nor where you live, nor whom you live with" Meaning he is shown his prophecy, and has to believe it. Without knowing it later on him will fall into his own fate, and he will learn that it will be impossible to get out of. Oedipus is taught that the way you will react to your destiny is a matter on your free will and making better choices will result is a better outcome.

     

     

Blog #5 Final Draft

Elizabeth Linares

ENGL 101 – 0768

Dr. Vasileiou

Essay 1

10/08/12

Gattaca A Dystopian Society

     The movie Gattaca shows a futuristic world where a new form of genetic discrimination has mount, called genoism. It’s a society where science has taken over. Technology is more environmentally advanced and humans are genetically engineered. In this world unlike ours there is no type of prejudice against gender, religion, or its ethnicity but against the person’s own genes. In a world where a person’s career and life depends on his/her genes, by trying to create a more Utopian lifestyle in which reproduction is controlled and it’s not a natural process anymore which leads to more devastation than perfection.

     In Gattaca even though it has improvements in aspects of the environment such as many new environmental friendly technologies like for example cars which are electrically powered its showing a better perfect world. However it is a Dystopia, because even though it’s considered a perfect world it’s only great for those who are genetically gifted. Perfect for the people who are born with no type of disabilities or diseases, while genetic discrimination is prohibited by law you could see a lot of it going on this world. Just by the simple fact that not anybody can work in specific higher class jobs and live a normal lifestyle.

     According to the article of Annas in our world Genetic engineering is dominated by our government which controls every aspect of it. In Gattaca everything is determined by genetics, people whose genes have been engineered have been given “the best of their parents”. They’re freed from any harmful diseases if conceived this way. In our world the method cloning has only been used in animals. Regardless, this is a very touchy subject because not many agree on this being a good thing and being against our own religion. But if this is researched more it can even help us later in our environment and many other aspects of our lives. Many agree that if you have a perfectly engineered body you will automatically live a better happier life many have wanted to explore more of this research in depth.

    People are placed into two categories in Gattaca you’re either a Valid or an In-Valid. Those who are considered to be Valid are people with great genetic profiles and are put into more superior level jobs while In-Valid’s in lower-standard work only. Their genes are considered to be inadequate; and are never given a chance to actually prove themselves to society. This happens because from the start babies are chosen in this world and its unwanted factors are genetically eliminated before birth. They are considered to be more enhanced than whoever is In-Valid.  While they were many accomplishments with this new technology not everything came out picture perfect were many mistakes in which a genetically engineered person came out to have faults, but while they were thought to be genetically inferior these people came out with health issues but can’t speak up because of the injustice in the society.

     This Society may not seem like it but it is more controlled than ever. Vincent Freeman is the main protagonist in the film; he may look healthy from the outside but was actually born with many genetic problems. The doctors even determined how much he would of lived which would have been 30 years. He will always be considered to always be an in-valid because he unlike others was conceived without any help of any technology which was being used. Vincent has who always dreamed of going into space but was always discouraged because of his disabilities by everybody. Vincent has a younger brother who is always going to be more superior in him because he was conceived with the help of genetic selection. This shows how they are always going to be a conflict between the brothers because one will always be considered to better than the other. Vincent later on will prove everybody wrong by fulfilling his dream of going into space by impersonating someone else’s identity. This shows how many obstacles you have to surpass to accomplish your dream in which he was always put off of because he was never given a chance to show how capable he was. The discrimination in this society is wrong and should not be accepted but many people have.

     There are many technologies rising up and they’re many new good ideas to make our world much better. While we are trying to make our world into a more utopian kind we have to realize that not all that is being produced is going to be helpful for us and might not even benefit us. The film is a very good example of this because trying to come up with many new technologies and having the concept of genetic engineering it did not make it a far better world. Some Things should be meant to stay as it is.

    

Blog # 4 Gattaca A Dystopian Society

Essay 1 (Complete Draft)

ENG 101 – 0768

Dr. Vasileiou

Gattaca A Dystopian Society

     The movie Gattaca shows genetic discrimination and a society which DNA plays an important role. This movie takes place in the future and a very much different world then ours, in which science has taken over society. The technology is more environmentally advanced and humans are genetically engineered. In this world unlike ours there is no type of prejudice against gender, religion, or its ethnicity but against the person’s own genes. In a world where a person’s career and life depends on his/her genes, by trying to create a more Utopian lifestyle in which reproduction is controlled and it’s not a natural process anymore this I think leads to more devastation.

     In Gattaca even though it has improvements in aspects of the environment such as many new environmental friendly technologies like for example cars which are electrically powered its showing a better perfect world. However it is a Dystopia, because even though it’s considered a perfect world it’s only great for those who are genetically gifted. Perfect for the people who are born with no type of disabilities or diseases, while genetic discrimination is prohibited by law you could see a lot of it going on this world. Just by the simple fact that not anybody can work in specific higher class jobs and live a normal lifestyle.

     According to the article of Annas in our world Genetic engineering is dominated by our government which controls every aspect of it. Many have wanted to explore more of it in depth. They have used the method cloning which has only been used in animals to find more about this method. Regardless, this is a very touchy subject because not many agree on this being a good thing and being against our own religion. But If this is researched more it can even help us later in our environment and many other aspects of our lives. Many agree that if you have a perfectly engineered body you will automatically live a better happier life.

    People are placed into two categories in Gattaca you’re either a Valid or an In-Valid. Those who are considered to be Valid are people with great genetic profiles and are put into more superior level jobs while In-Valid’s in lower-standard work only. Their genes are considered to be inadequate; and are never given a chance to actually prove themselves to society. This happens because from the start babies are chosen in this world and its unwanted factors are genetically eliminated before birth. They are considered to be more enhanced than whoever is In-Valid.  While they were many accomplishments with this new technology not everything came out picture perfect were many mistakes in which a genetically engineered person came out to have faults, but while they were thought to be genetically inferior these people came out with health issues but can’t speak up because of the injustice in the society.

     This Society may not seem like it but it is more controlled than ever. Vincent Freeman is the main protagonist in the film; he may look healthy from the outside but was actually born with many genetic problems. The doctors even determined how much he would of lived which would have been 30 years. He will always be considered to always be an in-valid because he unlike others was conceived without any help of any technology which was being used. Vincent has who always dreamed of going into space but was always discouraged because of his disabilities by everybody. Vincent has a younger brother who is always going to be more superior in him because he was conceived with the help of genetic selection. This shows how they are always going to be a conflict between the brothers because one will always be considered to better than the other. Vincent later on will prove everybody wrong by fulfilling his dream of going into space by impersonating someone else’s identity. This shows how many obstacles you have to surpass to accomplish your dream in which he was always put off of because he was never given a chance to show how capable he was. The discrimination in this society is wrong and should not be accepted but many people have.

     There are many technologies rising up and they’re many new good ideas to make our world much better. While we are trying to make our world into a more utopian kind we have to realize that not all that is being produced is going to be helpful for us and might not even benefit us. The film is a very good example of this because trying to come up with many new technologies and having the concept of genetic engineering it did not make it a far better world. Some Things should be meant to stay as it is.

    

Blog #3 First Draft

Elizabeth Linares
First Draft.
ENG 101

 

The movie Gattaca shows genetic discrimination and a society which DNA plays an important role. This movie takes place in the future and a very much different world then ours, in which science has taken over society. The technology is more environmentally advanced and humans are genetically engineered. In this world unlike ours there is no type of prejudice against gender, religion, or its ethnicity but against the person’s own genes. In a world where a person’s career and life depends on his/her genes, by trying to create a more Utopian lifestyle in which reproduction is controlled and it’s not a natural process anymore this I think leads to more devastation. 

        I think its shows that it's more Dystopia because if you want to work in a certain place you have to be physically and mentally fit to do so. In this movie it shows Vincent Freeman who always dreamed of going into space but was always discouraged because of his disabilities he was even told he was only going to live for 30 years. He was although always determined to find a way for people to not see him differently. In the Gattaca Aerospace Corp they're frequent space travel too different places and superior technology used.

   According to the article of Annas in our world Genetic engineering is dominated by our government which controls every aspect of it. Many have wanted to explore more of it in depth. They have used the method cloning which has only been used in animals to find more about this method. Regardless, this is a very touchy subject because not many agree on this being a good thing and being against our own religion. But If this is researched more it can even help us later in our environment and many other aspects of our lives. Many agree that if you have a perfectly engineered body you will automatically live a better happier life.