Rayjay’s Blog

Tolstoy means that we see art as something that can affect us like an emotion that portray our feelings. Tolstoy explains that communication is one of the main needs in art because if the artists cannot communicate the emotion or feelings of their piece to the audience, then the piece is not considered art. Artists needs to be able to explain their emotion through their art and needs to make a physical reaction on their art so that it can be considered as “art” which is also called “infectiousness”. With just emotions the piece is not considered art. Tolstoy also states that without any art in this world humans would be so illiterate of their own and others emotions, therefore making society barbarians. Tolstoy conditions of infectiousness are

“1. on the greater or lesser individuality of the feeling transmitted;

2. on the greater or lesser clearness with which the feeling is transmitted;

3. on the sincerity of the artist, i.e., on the greater or lesser force with which the artist himself feels the emotion he transmits”

These three is how Tolstoy suggest we apply to evaluate art.

I believe it can be useful to viewing art. I say that because I rarely look at art and try to find the meaning of it. If I just see a painting, I would just be like wow that is a cool painting if I am being honest, but reading this made me realize that artists put their time and effort into creating their own unique master piece. I feel that art is something that is very important in the world and without it we would be very different. I do not think that it would be different is a good way though. 

I choose this because of the situation we are all in as of right now. Some of us are just saying “f*** it” and not caring about what is going on and the others are losing their marbles due to being quarantine. I do believe that this image matches Tolstoy definition of art because of the emotion that the image provides.

 “Art is a human activity consisting in this, that one man consciously, by means of certain external signs, hands on to others feelings he has lived through, and that other people are infected by these feelings and also experience them.” #11

The film plays a part in Plato hierarchical scheme of reality where the virtual reality game is the same as Platos “flawed reflections of real form, the ideal form exists in the mind of the creator.” As the movie or game continues the people playing the game starts to realize that they have been thinking that the game is starting to become actually real. You can tell that the game is still continuing because the sudden shift of moments, and forms of identity. What made it feel like reality was the constant asking of fixing the game with different types of pods.

The game TRancendenz fit because the characters couldn’t tell the difference between reality and virtual reality. It relates to platos saying of “They will wonder if other things are real or illusions.

It is the sense of power attached to a sense of knowledge that makes men desirous of
believing, and afraid of doubting. This sense of power is the highest and best of pleasures when the belief on which it is founded is a true belief, and has been fairly earned by investigation.

Sense of power and knowledge makes men afraid of their beliefs

The highest pleasure is attached with true beliefs and earned with investigation

C- Men with sense of power and knowledge is the highest pleasure but is afraid of their beliefs.

What practical significance does Clifford’s thesis have?

It is important for everyone to question their beliefs and assumptions. The wisest people in society are those who question their own motivations and beliefs to get the sense of power and knowledge. They will continue to learn and question which makes humanity/society evolve.

Do you see any fallacies in Clifford’s reasoning?

Clifford claims that “What hurts society is not that it should lose its property, but that it should become a den of thieves; for then it must cease to be society” Clifford 6

1. Begging the question: Everyone wants the new play station because it is faster than any other xbox.
2. Ad Hominem: All shoes are meant to be worn and destroyed. You only say that because you do not know how to dress and take care of your shoes.
3. Equivocation: Playing basketball is cardio, but since cardio is a workout, that means basketball is a workout
4. Slippery Slope: Me: Hey dude are you okay because I see a big cut on your arm. Dude: Yeah bro I fell and the stick cut me. Me: Are you sure your house isn’t possessed? Dude: Nah I recently just had the priest come to my house. Me: A priest should not have to come your house so therefore your house is haunted and you need to get out
5. Straw Man: Elon Musk: “Self-driving cars are the natural extension of active safety and obviously something we should do.” Opponent: Self-driving cars aren’t safe! Did you hear about the self-driving Uber SUV that killed a pedestrian in Arizona?
6. Tu Quoque: Cousin: Aye dude i think you should stop smoking vape because of all the bad news about it. Other cousin: Why? You still smoke cigarettes after you stopped vaping
7. Non-sequitur: My dog needs to poop. Wait I could have sworn this was a sunflower not a rose.
8. False Dichotomy: Do you believe in of God or Buddha? You are not religious because you weren’t born into one
9. Argument from ignorance: Big foot isn’t real because people would have been able to find him with heat vision
10. Red Herring: Me: Mom I am depressed I need to see a psychiatrist . Filipino mom: Psychiatrist? Talk to god he is free, who would pay to talk to a psychiatrist.
11. Scope: The play station can play multiple games so that means it is the best. The xbox can play the same games as them. C: The Xbox can be the best too
12. Gambler’s: The 2 dices are rolled for total of 12 times landing on 7 and 11. I predict that the dice will land on 7 or 11.