Cerebral Thoughts

Got a lot of feed back from my last entry. A lot of people were surprised that I wrote something like that. Well, all I could say is that people are multi faceted and sometimes what we see is not an accurate representation of the whole person. Sometimes there are things about that person that you wouldn’t expect, something that might surprise you.

* * * * * * * * * *

I bought a copy of Sophie’s World from Powerbooks last week. I sneered at the idea of buying this book way back when I was still in college. Being a Philosophy student, I considered Sophie’s World as something beneath me. We were trained to read the actual text written (often translated into English of course) by all these renowned philosophers, and it was very good training. At that time it just seemed absurd to read a book like that because I saw it as overly simplified. But after watching the Matrix Trilogy again, for like the nth time. I found my self, trying to remember who said what and asking what was that theory called again… I definitely still know more about philosophy than the typical person on the street but I guess I need a quick reference guide, something like “A complete idiots guide to Philosophy”. I had to take a deep breath and eat some pride but I did it. Now if only I have the time to read it…

* * * * * * * * * *

While on the subject. I had a mid term exam today. I don’t think I did very well because I really did not have enough time to study due to the fact that I also had a report to prepare for. In any case one of the readings we had to read was this paper by Michael Todaro on Education and Development One of the points he raised was the fact that the educational system of a lot of developing countries were not producing the kind of graduates that these countries really need. If he was to have his way we’d have more engineers and scientists, preference would be given to courses that have more practical uses like nursing, computer science, and business courses. These courses actually prepare you for a particular career by giving the skills you would need. Now I wouldn’t recommend Philosophy for everybody but I am thankful for my classical education in this particular field of study. I believe that skills (i.e. computer skills, business skills, etc.) are easily learned but developing your mind to think a certain way (rational and logical) takes more effort and time but it definitely has its benefits. Philosophy sharpened my ability to grasp complex concepts, it introduced me to a world of ideas that a lot of people could only vaguely understand, and my ethical moorings are now grounded on solid principles. I think it has served me well, it helps define who I am, and I think I am a better person because of it.

I love Philosophy and History, and most of the other Social Sciences. These may not get me a good paying job or may not be a good topic of conversation in a social context. I don’t think you can talk about these things to impress a girl but hey sometimes knowledge about these things are good enough reasons in themselves.

Anyways… Enough of this… I must seem so weird and boring by now. Oh well…

I just remembered… I still have a paper to write… I am already three weeks late and I still haven’t started it. The topic is: Why is the Philippines underdeveloped? Seems simple enough, but the usual answers don’t seem to really answer the question. If anybody has any bright ideas please do post a comment.