For this weekend's reading, I gave you summarize of four ancient thinkers' ideas on change. Check out these videos as a supplement to the readings, then give your take on the key question: Is change a reality? And if so, is there a purpose behind the change?
-Heraclitus and Parmenides, two pre-Socratic Greek thinkers, argued over whether or not change was an illusion. Heraclitus believed reality essentially was change, while Parmenides thought all time was an illusion caused by the limited human perspective on eternity. -Laozi, the (possibly mythical) founder of Taoism, agreed with Heraclitus that change was fundamental, but emphasized the Way (Tao), a positive force beyond it all. The Tao gave a purpose to the hange, which played out in natural cycles with which we could harmonize. -Siddhartha Gotama, the historical Buddha ("awakened one"), took the view that change was only the product of cause-and-effect (karma). There could be no meaning to it, and we would suffer from disappointment until we accepted that all things are impermanent and insubstantial.
47 Comments
Henry Ehlers
9/11/2016 08:21:37 am
To me, yes. change is a reality, but no, there's no purpose behind it. Although sometimes It's comforting to think that the world will work itself out, that there's some sort of fate for us all, I just can't believe it. out of the philosophers listed above, I side the most with the Buddha. His understanding that everything is meaningless is calming, because it helps me focus on what's really important: Being a good, hard working person. if everything is insubstantial, then everything is able to be changed. That means we can all be who we want to be and do what we want to do, as long as we remember to be good people.
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Biggs
9/11/2016 11:41:47 am
Regardless of the truth of the question, I'm always impressed by people who can face even the possibility of meaninglessness. I like how you connect the idea that everything is meaningless with the ethics of having a positive impact. If there is no Purpose, then we can give things purpose. This idea will resurface much later as Existentialism during WWII in France.
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Olivia Smelas
9/11/2016 08:56:05 am
I love Laozi's way of regarding change, which to me is absolutely a reality. Even though it is cliche, I do think that everything happens for a reason, everything that happens has a pre-decided purpose and function in this world. I don't exactly know who decides this, but, nonetheless, it's what I believe. I do think that most change has a purpose. As Laozi believed, all changes result in some kind of positive harmony. This is certainly an optimistic belief, considering that horrible things that happen in the world every day. I think Buddha's system of change is more realistic, if philosophy can even be considered realistic. Karma is an interesting concept, one that I would very much like to fully believe in. Humans are insubstantial, and I believe in the "middle-life" where Buddha claims true happiness and enlightenment can be found. Even though humans are so insubstantial, I do think there is still a purpose to change, whether it be karma-related, or related to the lasting positivity and harmony of the human race.
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Michael Deitz
9/11/2016 10:07:11 am
Is change a reality, well maybe but what defines reality? Of we are stating reality as a way of life then no change can't be a reality because it affects the way of life, the way of life isn't changed because it changes. Change can't change change. That's a complicated sentence for sure. But if reality is how we view life then yes, by all means change is reality. Reality is how we exist, and with that comes the fact that we exist as ever changing things in an ever changing world. When we sleep our hair grows, we are different from the day before, if you cut yourself then you are also different, everything and everyone around you is constantly changing both internally and externally. So my view is more like Heraclitus, life is like fire because both never stop moving and never stop changing. The purpose behind change is to keep moving forward, nothing is the same so you can't dwell on the past because you're different, it's sorta like an anxiety nightmare. Everything changes, then how can you be the same so does same exist, change happens constantly for the purpose of life. To influence us as people, to make us grow height wise and mind wise, to shape the world, to advance us as a species or just make a person who they should be. With constant change there is never really an answer, because as soon as you find one, the question is already different.
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Michael Deitz
9/11/2016 10:09:26 am
That answer may be a bit rambly, and there are one or two spelling mistakes, but y'know. Whoops.
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Biggs
9/11/2016 12:03:28 pm
Change doesn't change; none of us can "change" that. Ha! That's very true. Your view is definitely close to Heraclitus, who sees "unchanging change" as the law of the universe. He thinks we need to constantly be adapting to new situation, because "everything transforms (over time) into its opposite": night into day, hot into cold, etc.
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Michael Deitz
9/11/2016 02:32:09 pm
We live how we do now. Right? I mean if we are constantly changing into our opposite, in this case young to old, ignorant to wise, then I say use that time to its fullest. Nothing is wrong with living in the now, as it will never be the same as the past or the future. This everchanging life we lead should be met with open arms, there's not much you can do about it anyway, and realizing that can lead to a more relaxed life. Or it can just lead to a more interesting one anyway, providing a lot of stories and conversations to be had, allowing us to grow and form relationships that are always changing with each word exchanged. To me relationships and our interaction with others are why we should live life and are very important, so just enjoy the journey it takes. The destination is always much blander in the end.
Ryan munzlinger
9/11/2016 10:45:12 am
No change is not a reality it is an illusion. I'm on the side with parmenides. It is all about how we perceive things around us. It is all in our thoughts or head. If you where to receive one million dollars. I'm sure you would instantly feel happy, and I'm also sure if the doctor told you that you have one day left to live then you die. You would become a little scared nervous and sad. But those feelings are just illusions created in our mind. Thoughts are more powerful then people think they can. They way you think can change your reality. If you think happy thoughts. You'll be happy if you think sad thoughts you will feel sad. So if we where happy and something where to change in our life's for the bad. Like your boyfriend or girlfriend just broke up with you. You would instantly feel heart brooken empty lonely so on and so on. But if you where to not think about the break up and distract your mind from thinking about it you can be happy and it won't bother you. Change is an illusion
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Max Lowrey
9/11/2016 11:03:45 am
Change is a reality, but, unless you're religious, the only purpose behind it is our own changing minds. I agree mostly with Heraclitus, and his oxymoron that "everything is in a permanent state of change." Permanence doesn't actually exist- everything always becomes something else with time. Even the long standing 7 Wonder of the World are slowly fading. But what do we do then? If nothing is permanent, what should be done? Well, that's easy- we need to change for better, rather then (impossibly) stay the same.
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Izzy Halloran
9/11/2016 11:15:55 am
Contrary to the theories of both Heraclitus and Parmenides, I do not think that the world can be reduced to one fundamental thing like fire, nor do I believe that everything from the beginning of time to the end of time is set(which is a pretty scary thought). As Heraclitus stated, change is a reality and my beliefs lie somewhere between Daoism and Buddhism. It is not possible to follow a set of rules like the Dao to lead your life, because unexpected change happens to us constantly. It is difficult for me to trust that there is one specific way to virtue, happiness, and harmony. However, I agree with Lao Tzu in his theory of change, that it happens on its own schedule. Similar to Buddha, I view change as the effect from an action, it is as meaningful or as meaningless as you make it. Buddha's theory of the four noble truths is fascinating. I'm not sure if I fully believe that "attachment is the root of all suffering," because attachment is necessary to live happily. Buddha was very wise in saying that we must change our outlook, not our circumstances to live in happiness. That is why I believe that change is a reality, but there is no purpose. We hold the power to do what we want with it.
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Biggs
9/11/2016 12:06:25 pm
This is a well thought-out response. Excellent work! If there is no one way to virtue, happiness and harmony, then is there any advice people can follow in terms of shaping their outlook? It seems that a lot of people find the thought of having the power to make decisions a little frightening and want some kind of guidance through life. If there is no Tao to follow, is there something else, some kind of method for making good choices, that people can use for ethical guidance in an ever-changing world?
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Dahlia Mozino
9/11/2016 11:34:56 am
I've always had this thought of we as humans are not very powerful and only accounted for an itty-bitty fraction of the universe. I never knew that there was a whole belief system about that that has existed for a very long time. So thanks to the great and powerful Mr. Biggs, I start reading this really long set of articles and start watching all the videos. Eventually, I come across the Laozi page and read that. I think to myself, "Hey, that's the thought process that you've had since you were a young bab! And you were thinking it was your original idea!" Then I keep reading and we get to the meat; the idea of change. Laozi believes that the universe has a set path and that we are all made to follow it because as stated before, we're nothing special. However, there is some sort of power, which we have to come to know as free will, that allows us to break this path. At this point I know I have a new belief system, because I completely agree. The idea of us being so small, yet having moderate power is really interesting. It's kind of like how ants can carry 5,000 times its own weight. Small but powerful, a deadly combination
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Paige Whittle
9/11/2016 01:38:57 pm
Yes, change is a reality. Change occurs in our everyday lives. The position of the sun changes every minute of each day, everyone's school pictures from our awkward stage to today show change, and just by taking this course, our outlooks and perception of ourselves and the world are changing and will continue to with time. From a scientific standpoint, our muscles start out small and underdeveloped, then grow through adolescence, and then degenerate over time, which is evident change. Most changes happen naturally, so there is no clear purpose of them. Technological changes have a purpose, as this is how humans continue to expand their horizons. Humans strive for change because we constantly look for improvement and how to understand the world around us, which leads to change. Change is constant and all around us, but as Laozi points out, we have to put aside the reality of change and live in the moment.
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Paige Davis
9/11/2016 01:46:26 pm
In my opinion yes change is a reality and there is purpose behind change. Change is something that is happening constantly and everyday for some people. Sometimes your style changes or your hair changes and in that moment you think there is purpose behind it maybe to make you look mature or maybe you just want to change to keep things interesting. I'm not saying all change has a purpose but majority of change does. For example, when you get older you change and it can make you more mature and maybe even change you into a better person. Also when technology is constantly changing the purpose is to make our lives easier and to turn the world more tech savvy but I think that change is a reality and that majority of change has a purpose.
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Max Portman
9/11/2016 02:53:19 pm
I believe that the purpose of change is to remind us that we cannot control every aspect of our lives. What we do with that knowledge then becomes our reality. The idea that nothing stays the same forever can be scary to dwell on, but I think happiness can come from acceptance of that fact and wisdom can come from how we proceed with our lives when change, extreme or not, happens to us. This goes back to Lao Tzu's belief that wisdom comes from a true understanding of yourself which I agree with wholeheartedly because understanding the nature of my being helps me understand the actions and thoughts of other's. To me, perspective and understanding is enlightenment.
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Michelle Mazzucca
9/11/2016 04:11:53 pm
Change is definitely a reality. I am a strong believer myself that everything happens for a reason whether we know the reason why or not. For the most part, change is for a good reason. Throughout life, you will meet different people. Each person is going to have some type of impact on your life. One of your closest friends can surround you with positivety by spreading happiness and treat you as family. Later on in life that person might not be the same person you were once familiar with. They might make rude remarks. They might also stop treating you as family for no particular reason. You can go from talking to them and hanging out with them everyday to barely seeing them at all. Being treated like this may either be upsetting or frustrating. Before you know it, that person turns into a complete stranger. This change in someone's life can be depressing and hard to deal with, but later on things get easier. It is a change that is not understandable until you realize how much better you are without being treated poorly. Change is good and we do not necessarily always know the answer as to why things change, but there is a reason as to why things happen the way that they do. In the end of it all, there is always a positive purpose behind change.
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Emily Fitzgerald
9/11/2016 05:25:06 pm
I believe that change is a reality. As humans, we experience change on a daily basis, on all sorts of scales. I am one of those people who is a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, no matter how good or bad the event be. Because of this, I probably side most with Laozi's theory, because I see the positivity behind all change. Even if something terrible happens to me, I always find that with time I understand why it happened and how it has put in a better place in some aspect. I think that the purpose behind change can vary based on the person and situation, but there is a purpose behind change.
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Emma Vollmuth
9/11/2016 05:58:27 pm
Yes, change is not only a reality but it is a necessity. In order for our bodies to rejuvenate and refresh itself, we need to change. All humans can not be the same as we were 10 years ago, if among our lives, we didn't change we would never try new things, learn new things, or develop our sense of worth. As the ancient Chinese people believed, "changes are cynical, continually moving from one state to another such as from night to day, summer to winter, and so on. I agree with this 100%, change happens whether we like it or not, and it makes the world a better place in the process.
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Jennifer Spinelli
9/11/2016 06:03:11 pm
I think change is just change. It's a reality, yes. But it's not fate or destiny. I don't really think anything happens for a reason. However, there is a purpose behind change. Change evolves you into a better person. And sometimes when you're hit in the face with a big change, it can be scary but you always come out stronger.
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will weaver
9/11/2016 06:04:27 pm
Change is reality change happens all around us. Everything changes whether its physically, mentally, or emotionally everyone goes through change. But also nature is constantly changing. Look at evolution for example animals throughout millions of years changed so they can better fit there environment. This also proves that change cant also be detected right away but nevertheless it happens.
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Adam Fioretti
9/11/2016 06:22:15 pm
Yes, change is a reality. Things are changing constantly all the time whether its dead or living, rapidly or slowly what ever it may be its happening. Change can be good or bad. For instance, a bad change would be something like Global Warming because in many many years Jersey Beaches might be under water. The reason why I don't think its the human's fault is because I believe this change was already somehow pre-determined to happening during Earth's life, we may just be hurrying the process. Now a good change could be a child growing up to adulthood. This was also pre-planned/determined to happen I believe and growing up isn't a bad thing unless you look at the negative aspects but even that is opinion. All of these changes happening all around us 24/7 are all for a purpose. What the purpose is, well I can't really answer that question but all I know is there are many possible answers.
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Julia Maier
9/11/2016 06:44:09 pm
I believe that change is reality. Change is something that happens to everyone, whether we like or not. I do think that change happens for a reason. Change causes you to adjust to something new and then it becomes a reality to you. Eventually that change will cause something that was meant to be in life to happen. We can never be sure of how our life turns out but all the changes the occurred leading up to the end cause it to be the way it is. Life is full of many changes and it is an ongoing thing we just have to live with and make it reality.
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Tara Erving
9/11/2016 06:54:39 pm
I think that change is an illusion. It's a hard idea to prove because people will argue that you can change color, location, emotion, height, etc. but you aren't changing the thing itself. Sad or angry its still and emotion, black or blonde its still hair, Ohio or Mexico its still a place, 5ft or 6ft its still a height.
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Kaitlyn Viola
9/11/2016 07:12:51 pm
I believe that change is a reality that can be perceived as either a scary of comforting thing. Depending on one's level of contentment with their life, this truth could be a blessing or a curse. Being that change is such a constant thing, it can embed a sense of hope into our view of the future. If one is not content with the way things are at the moment, one can find hope in the idea of change. Things are constantly evolving into something new, and nothing ever truly stays the same.
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Sofia Fernandes
9/11/2016 07:16:18 pm
I completely agree with the Buddha’s view of change. I believe that everything happens for a reason. When something bad happens, it is always followed by something good that is connected in some way. For example; if a person had the unfortunate luck to get bitten by a shark, they would get taken to the hospital. The incident would most likely be shown on the news and seen by millions of people. An old friend of the person may end up seeing the news broadcast and reach out to the attacked person, thus reconnecting the strings of their lost relationship. The Buddha would agree that some good always comes out of the bad. The most important result of the bad things that happen for their mainly inexplicable reasons is the unity of the human race. As people live their own individual lives and intertwine with one another’s lives lightly, the bonds between us are not very strong. We get distracted by our seemingly important daily activities and overwhelming thoughts. We coast through our lives bumping into our own personal walls once in a while. We lend a hand or two every now and then to help someone else through a rough time, but most people focus mainly on themselves. Sometimes it takes a huge catastrophe to snap everyone back into reality. Today is a perfect example of that, being September 11th. On the morning of 9/11/2001, everyone was going about their regular days; going to work or school and most likely rushing there. After the plans hit and everyone realized that something terrible was happening, a wave of suffering slid across the United States and washed away any remnants of insignificant daily activities and thoughts. Everyone was unified by both grief and sympathy. This proves that no matter how much people try to make their lives seem normal and happy, those are not the things that make us human. As Siddhartha Gotama would say, suffering is what makes us human and unified and that change is inevitable.
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Jack McNally
9/11/2016 07:19:53 pm
Change is a reality from the perspective of a human individual, but maybe not from the perspective of the universe. All in all, nothing is ever added or taken away from the cosmos. There have always been the same amount of atoms, and there always will be, because the universe itself is a finite mass. Atoms can move from one place to another, and bond with each other, so if that is what you consider change, it does exist. I don’t believe there is truly any way of knowing if the future has already been determined or if we create it through our own decisions. If the future has already been set in stone, concepts like free do not exist. However, if we as humans determine the future through our own decisions, then we can have absolutely no certainty about what the future holds. Both of these possibilities are equally terrifying.
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Tyhler Harty
9/11/2016 07:34:07 pm
When thinking if change is real in the universe I look to what is around me. What I see around me is my room and all of the things I own in it. Now if I where to move from my chair wouldn't that be considered me CHANGING my stance from sitting to standing? Also if I were to leave my room wouldn't that be CHANGING my environment by moving from my room to the living room? All of the things above would prove that change has to be reality since any thing can be considered change.
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Phoebe Carr
9/11/2016 07:51:33 pm
Whether change is reality or illusion, we as people still experience it every day. Personally, I think that change is constant and that the realities of life tend to materialize as they happen, but if I am wrong, does that change the fact that I never know what could happen next? Parmenides argued that change is a human concept because time is a human concept, but I think time generally being an illusion invalidates his point to a degree. Time not being real makes everything subject to shift – I could sit in one place for days and days indefinitely, or I could stand up right now and there would be no difference, because time is not real. Therefore, everything is constantly moving and changing because there is nothing else for it to do. What would people do as a species if not grow and change? The object of change is progression towards ultimate prosperity.
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Nelly Gomez
9/11/2016 08:05:42 pm
I mean I believe change could be a reality since change happens everyday. I feel like there is a purpose to change because if we live everyday doing the same thing over and over again, you eventually get tired of doing it which is where change comes in. There is a purpose to everything but sometimes you can't understand what that purpose is, and even if you did understand it you will always question it.
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Erin
9/11/2016 08:08:17 pm
Change happens regardless of whether or not we believe it happens for a reason. I think that's kind of a silly reason to think that the world is made of fire or that the world has a similar concept to that of a brick that will always have a beginning and and end; but I do sort of side with Buddha and Laozi in the fact that change is what follows an action and that facing change head on/accepting change and harmonizing with it will lead to a healthier outlook on life and change itself. Someone made a point in class not too long ago that when something big happens in your life, good or bad, it affects you in someway. You may not even notice it but you will come out of it changed in some way, whether you think it happens or not. Grief is one of the prime examples of the cause-and-effect aspect of change. You lose someone in your life—that's a very big change. Avoiding grief makes it fester and boil up inside of you until it's too much to handle. Facing grief as it comes is the most natural way to move on from the situation with a new spin on life and a definite change from who you were before.
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Nora Fraser
9/11/2016 08:10:22 pm
Change is a reality. Although matter can't be created or destroyed, atoms are continuously reassembling themselves into new things, so it is true that fundamentally, everything stays the same. However as far as what we perceive, physically and emotionally, the world is in a state of continuous motion. However, I don't believe that there is necessarily a purpose behind this. I don't think that anything is pre-planned, or that things are meant to happen in life, but I can't prove that this isn't true. The belief that everything happens for a reason can be comforting, but I think it's based off of people's actions and random occurrences.
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Allie Talavera
9/11/2016 08:13:54 pm
I believe that change is a reality in the way that it shapes us as human beings. If we spent our whole lives living under the same conditions and living the same experiences, then I would be the same person I was 16 years ago. As you go through life, almost every aspect of your life changes. You experience new things, meet new people and go new places which all brings you to where you are now. Without the change that happens in everyday life, life would be boring and nothing would ever be interesting. Ultimately, change is a reality in which the purpose is to bring us new experiences and give us something interesting in life.
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Meghan Pawlak
9/11/2016 08:16:25 pm
Change is very much a reality, and it's purpose is why some things exist today and why some don't. Everyday we wake, change our clothes, change our hair, change the status of our teeth, stomachs and so on and so forth. Change has caused diseases to do less harm, change has caused more love to be felt. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that our plan for life is the exception from change. How can one change what is already changing? we are only here cause of the changes of space or the change in our parent's mind to have sex which created us. The purpose of change is to benefit our lives, to teach us something, and to adapt. Simply put, without change nothing might not even exist.
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Bella Glidden
9/11/2016 08:21:48 pm
To me change is a reality. We cant control what goes on around around us because its always changing and thats why I believe it is a reality. Change that is something that happens every day around us all the time and we don't even notice it because we are so used to it. Change happens wether we like it or not and that it who I agree with Gotama and his belief on karma that it is a cause and effect thing. When we do one thing there is always an effect on it. Its not always bad but when you do something bad i do believe that Karma will come to you because it is a change that you cant control. It is very hard to control your whole life exactly how you want it because things will always happen that you didn't plan for and thats just how life works. You cant make everything perfect about your life because in reality its always changing and you don't know what could happen tomorrow.
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Kiera Lee
9/11/2016 09:11:27 pm
There is purpose behind everything, I believe, evidently bringing me to the conclusion that change is a reality, and it also has purpose. Everything around us is constantly shifting as consequence of events happening and the actions of people and nature. One quote from Lao Tzu's teachings that stuck with me was, "nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." I believe this rings true in the universe as well as in our small, daily lives. Everything must run its course, and change and evolve in whichever way it will, and we have to learn to become at peace with and accept this. This is the purpose behind change. The realization that nothing is set in stone, and that patience is a fundamental key to our peace and happiness. Not to say that we should wait for things to happen and not do them for ourselves, but that we should be at peace with the fact that change is inevitable, and we cannot rush nor prevent this. Change is key to sanity, in a way. It is constant around us, but we are a part of it as well, developing and evolving at the pace which this is all meant to happen.
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Bijou Chunn
9/11/2016 09:18:13 pm
Is Change reality ? I will try to answer this question to the best of my ability. In my opinion change is reality. People change everyday rather it be mentally , spiritually or even physical change. No matter what change it is, it really does happen. People are given the choice to change, once they get into there mind they are ready for a change,that is when the change begins, That is when the change become a reality when it physically happen. We cannot control what goes on around us, we cannot control change, change just a happens. Sometimes change does not happen by choice, change is all around us and it happens so often we don't even think about it. We do not wake up thinking "Well ready for change" if that was the case , it would not be considered change, it was be considered "the normal" If change was not reality what would it be ? Change happens all around us. It hard to keep that constant control all your life, it is hard to avoid change. You cannot control your reality. If that were the case people would not have everyday problems. If change was not reality there would not be good and bad people in the world. Change is very simple that its almost scary how fast if happens. How fast the tiny world we build for ourselves can quickly change right in front of our eyes. In my opinion change is good. Change is needed. Change is what makes us human. If we do not except change into our lives , i feel it would drive us crazy. The reality of it is, people need change that is what separates us as individuals and makes us who we are.
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Young
9/11/2016 09:36:29 pm
I don't agree that everything is made up of just one component or elements such as fire or any of the others, the theory of Heraclitus, but I partially agree with the theory of Parmides, which describes that life is set in stone and everything is already decided for you. My way of understanding change is near the middle both Taoism and the theory of Parmenides. I believe the choices and the decisions you are given are set in stone. What I don't believe is that the decisions and opinions are already chosen for you and your life is set. I believe that the choices you are given and the decisions you make send you on a path, similar to the beliefs of Taoism. I do believe that change is a reality, but the purpose behind it is to continue your path and the decisions and options you take are what trigger the change.
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Dixie O'Connell
9/11/2016 11:37:56 pm
I agree with Laozi that change is all related. I like that this is essentially an expansion of Heraclitus's philosophy in the sense that instead of something changing in to something else while remaining the same thing, something just changes and the two things relate to each other. For example, having four seasons instead of one long evolving one. Not all change exists. There are certain things that will just remain constant, but change itself is a reality. Change is usually little and builds up and the transition is not clear until after the shift is over. In reality if nothing ever actually changed there would be no growth. Change is necessary and in the long run I believe that its in a positive way. It is optimistic but with all the fear and loss in change good will come even if its not immediate.
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Giulia Dostie
9/12/2016 02:46:57 am
I believe that change is a reality and that everything changes with a purpose. Much like Laozi, I believe that everything has a specific purpose in life and it was put on this earth to fulfill that purpose. I don’t necessarily believe that God is the creator in all of this, and I can’t really explain why I feel this way but I definitely believe that no one can leave this earth until their duty is fulfilled. I really enjoy how Laozi believes everything lives harmoniously with each other, and as much as I want to agree with that, there is a small part of me saying that this can’t happen because there are so many people in this world suffering, and that is where Buddha comes into play. I also agree with Buddha that without suffering, there is no existence, no life, and that suffering comes from all the desires you want. Whether this suffering is from a mental illness, or fighting for your educational rights, you have the desire to not feel the way you do, or you wish to live in a country where education was free, and wishing for what might feel impossible is what causes us to suffer. Without suffering, you wouldn’t know how to be happy and therefore wouldn’t be able to live your full life. I also believe in Buddha’s The Eightfold Path because I do believe that suffering happens everywhere, and what you can’t have or wish for causes suffering, but I don’t agree that getting rid of desires will end your suffering, because even if you fulfill one of your desires,there is always something in the world that will knock you down. I believe suffering is an ongoing cycle.
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Edith T.
9/12/2016 03:06:35 am
To answer whether change is a reality, one must first settle what they think change is. In my opinion, change is when something that was once obvious is no longer that way. It is when everything one does makes them do something else. Even if they do not want to do that something else, it comes back and reminds them that the have to choose what they want next. Yes, change is real. Even if you do not notice it is, change is molding you into the person you are and the world/environment around you into the way that it is. I see the purpose of change stemming as a combination of Daoism, Buddhism, and Heraclitus's Monism. We never really stop changing, even though that is not always what is most important. We also do not need to commit to ambitious actions, or be paralyzed by our suffering. In many ways these ideas all go hand in hand. Change is meant to help life progress and mostly in a productive way, where everyone may be puzzled, yet worth something, in the end.
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Marissa Seely
9/12/2016 03:38:57 am
Change, as Heraclitus and Laozi point out, is most definitely a reality. It is happening constantly. Change is really all we know and are familiar with. Our bodies change, our opinions change, things in nature change with the season, etc. Life and change are a package deal. I do, however, agree with Siddhartha Gotama that all of these changes may end up having no meaning. But meaningful or not, change will always exist in everything. In my opinion, it's important to come to terms that everything in your life is temporary, even and especially yourself. This is the greatest reality I've come to know thus far.
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Kelly Farley
9/12/2016 05:22:17 pm
I agree with Lao Tzu's ideas that we need to let go of all out complex thoughts and just experience the world. He believes that nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. I like this thought of living everything middle way and not living to the extreme or completely without anything. Lao Tzu says that things such as grieving, growing wiser, and developing a new relationship happen in their own time. I agree with his views of change, however I think the Buddha's ideas on change are very interesting. He believes in everything being cause and effect (karma). I do agree with this idea sometimes, but the Lao Tzu seems more realistic in my opinion.
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Katherine
9/14/2016 03:58:07 pm
Yes. i believe change is reality. We are always changing along with all the elements around us. We aren't the same person we were at birth and we will not be the same person when we die. without change would anything exist? we would just be robots. I lean more towards Laozi's philosophy. Tao, is said to be the positive force behind it all. In life, we do go through bad experiences but we should take the positive aspects from it, those experiences contribute greatly to the person we are today. Change is a fundamental part of life. There are things in life that we cannot control , for example when the sun sets and the moon comes out, then we start a new day. I believe everything happens for a reason. We learn must to adapt and accept change. We should just go with the flow of the river of life.
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Parizaad Mohammadi
9/15/2016 02:14:04 pm
Yes. I do believe that change is real and there is a reason behind it. We are constantly growing and changing, become more mature and having a more distinct personality as the years go by. Without that we very well could be 20 physically but still act like we're 5. And without growing physically we will never improve in stength or body stucture. Also changes in study fields have led to great medical and technology break throughs. All of us are constantly changing and that's a good thing. We all have to learn to accept and cope with these changes, good or bad.
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Corey Van Huff
9/15/2016 04:30:29 pm
Change is absolutely a part of reality and perhaps it is the greatest thing to happen to mankind. Change helps keep us interested in life and most changes are positive in the long run. Change can help change a person for the better and it normally does. There is no such thing as bad change. Change happens for a reason and that is so humanity can advance. If we never went forward we wouldn't have some of the great things we do today such as internet where brilliant minds from around the world can all get together from where they are or so a little girl can video chat her father who is in the service. These advancements are the result of change. Complacency is not a good thing as thing become monotonous and people get stuck in one mindset. If people never changed by learning from there mistakes they would be doomed to repeat the same error multiple times in the future. So change is impossible to avoid and it is what keeps the world turning.
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Holly Braverman
9/17/2016 09:44:11 pm
Is change a reality? According to the pre-Socratic Greek thinker Parmenides, change is not a reality, it is an illusion. His branch of thought falls under the category of eternalism, or rather, the theory of the “block universe”. This theory states that the universe is akin to a block, in which the past, present, and future are predetermined and unalterable (this renders the concept discordant with the idea of free will). I argue however, that change is indeed a reality. Say, for the sake of the argument, that the theory of the block universe is true. We, at this present moment, would be at a specific POINT on that block, akin to a timeline. Regardless of the preset or non-preset nature of the future, moving forward would have change. As per my reasoning, I believe that Parmenides’ assessment of the block universe as a whole entity is utterly short-sighted.
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Emily Clarke
9/20/2016 04:09:19 am
I believe change is a reality, we are always growing and developing. While I can see the other side of the argument, I can't get past the fact that we physically change constantly. Our cells are being replaced everyday. And we're obviously not the same person we were when we were a baby. Our minds develop as we learn from the people around us. It's not like we are completely independent beings with no influence from the others around us. We change more and more the more people we meet.
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