Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Synthesis Activity

Use your wisdom quotes to synthesize a hypothesis for one of the questions below.


Question:

How can one attain true knowledge?
Is humankind sinful by nature?
To what extent is one's quality of life affected by self-interest or ambition?  And to what extent does one's quality of life benefit from fear?


Directions--In the comments below:
  1. List the question you're answering
  2. List the quotes you are referring to 
  3. Write your synthesized hypothesis which includes excerpts from quotations and elaboration on the relationship between the quotations.
  4. List your name
Sample Entry:


Question:  How does one attain success?

Quotes:
"At the working man's house Hunger looks in, but dares not enter."
"He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night."

Ben Franklin detested laziness and saw industry as the road to prosperity.  According to his maxims in Poor Richard's Almanac, hunger "dares not enter" an industrious man's house--perhaps because the busyness of the working man drives hunger away.  In a similar maxim, Franklin praises the value of rising early and implies that procrastination leads to needless stress and frustration.  The man who rises late he says "must trot all day" and barely gets his work done before evening.

~Student Name

18 comments:

  1. Question: How can one attain true knoledge?

    Quotes: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise."
    "The fear of the Lord is the beginnning of knoledge."
    "My son, forget not my teaching, but let thy heart keep my commandments; for legth of days, and years of life."

    Although the Bible was about the story of God, it has many lessons for life hidden inside of the text. The certain lesson that I am referring to is knowledge. The Bible says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” This means that if you fear the Lord than you will learn to do what is right. On the other end of the spectrum, the bible also says things about following wise men, and never forgetting the teachings of a father. These two passages are much nicer then the first because they are more innocent. In the end it does not matter which one a person chooses, because they both will lead one to knowledge.

    -Kendall

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  2. Question: How does one attain true knowledge?

    Quotes: "Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it -- that is knowledge."
    "Immediatly carry into practice what you hear."

    When Confucius tells his students the significance of the lesson, then it is important for them to know how to obtain the knowledge of it. He quotes, "When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it..." he says to discover new things while you obtain what you already know. When it comes to obtaining that knowledge, one needs to practice what he has learned for him to remember it. He also says, "Immediatly carry into practice what you hear." He means it is best if one puts what he has learned into practice. His explanations contain the wisdom that can teach others to know how to learn and live in reality.

    -Josh

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  3. Question: How can one attain true knowledge?

    Quotes:
    "My son, forget not my teaching, But let thy heart keep my commandments; For length of days, and years of life." "In the multitude of words there [doth not lack] transgression; But he that refraineth his lips is wise."

    The chapter of Proverbs in the Bible tells us that God's teaching is the only way one can receive true knowledge. When one keeps God's commandments for their whole life, they learn to refrain from talking with sin or transgression because keeping the commandments results in extreme wisdom. The true knowledge is simply keeping God's commandments and teachings because it will result in wisdom when you are surrounded by a group of people talking with transgression.

    -Grace:)

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  4. Question: Is humankind sinful by nature?

    Quotes: "Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice."
    "He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books."
    "He that would like to live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows, nor judge all the sees."

    Ben Franklin, who is a true believer in humanity's ability to reason and think for itself, tells us that people are not born as sinful beings. He instead says that we have a choice to be either good or bad people, and offers advice on how to be virtuous. Franklin seems to respect the hard-working man who earns every penny that he has, without stealing or cheating to get by. If Franklin believed that humanity was innately bad, he would not say things like "avoid dishonest gain" or to be "composed," as he would know that nobody would listen to him anyway. "People decide how they want to live" is what I believe Ben Franklin is trying to tell us.

    - Chris

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  5. Question: How can one attain true knowledge?

    Quotes:
    "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
    "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise."
    "In the multitude of words [doth not lack] transgression; but he that refraineth his lips is wise."

    The Bible contains many inspirational proverbs/quotes, some of which tell us how to gain knowledge. The three quotes that I mentioned above are all similar because they advise one how to become knowledgable. The quote, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," is telling the believers to "fear the Lord." By doing that, one would follow the rules, thereby allowing him or her to not get in trouble/ gain knowledge.

    On the other hand, the two remaining quotes do not directly address knowledge, rather they mention what makes a wise man. The Bible states that a wise man "walketh with wise men," and that a wise man, "refraineth his lips." Although these three quotes may seem to be telling different messages, they are all spreading the basic idea of how to attain knowledge.

    ~janelle :D

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  6. Question: How can one attain true knowledge?

    Quotes:
    -"At the working man's house Hunger looks in, but dares not enter."
    -"Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice."
    -"The Way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason."

    Through the maxims in Poor Richard's Almanac, Ben Franklin conveys the genuine actions of attaining true knowledge. To attain true knowledge, one must allow the desire of hunger for truth to enter into his or her life, yet at the same time, be cautious of it. However, true knowledge does not come on its own, it takes a "working man" or industrious and diligence man to strive and search for it. Likewise, in ways of attaining true knowledge, one should not gain through dishonesty because these attainment are blinded by falsehood. Correspondingly, "the Way to see by Faith," which is the true knowledge, is to isolate from all distraction of reality and strive a person's one and only goal.

    -Esther

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  7. Quotes: "Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?" "Let him preside over them with gravity-then they will reverence him. Let him advance the good and teach the incompetent-then they will eagerly seek to be virtuous." "At first my way with men was to hear their words and give them credit for their conduct. Now my way is to hear their words and look at their conduct..."

    Though Confucious's answer to the question of whether or not humankind is naturally sinful may not be obvious in his proverbs, he does adress the answer in his own way. Confucious says people will "eagerly seek to be virtuous. This means however, that humankind-to begin with-is sinful by nature. They lack virtue, therefore they seek virtue. Although humans may be born with sin, they strive to live virtuously and free from this "original sin." Humans are ABLE to live free from the manacles of sin. He also states that a man who "feels no discomposure though men meay take no note of him" is truly "a man of complete virtue." This shows the capablitiy of mankind to live with good character. Lastly, in Confucious's eighth proverb, he explains a recent shift in behavior. Previously, Confucious would "give them credit for their conduct." (Them being humans) Now however, Confucious has to "look at their conduct." Perhaps this new attention towards mankind's conduct is a repercussion of our own actions. Perhaps we have lived sinfully for too long.
    In conclusion, Confucious believes that mankind is a sinful species by nature, however we do strive for integrity and virtue. Sometimes however, we are punished or monitored due to the negative things we have done.

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  8. How can one attain true knowledge?

    "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
    "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise."

    There are many great qoutatuions from the “Proverbs of the Bible” but the two above are closely related. These two quotes talk about how to attain knowledge. However, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” only tells us how to start our knowledge. When the quote "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise" tells us how to expand our knowledge and become wise. Therefore for one to truly attain knowledge we must fear the Lord so we have respect for God’s power. Also to expand it we must work with others to increase our intelligence.

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  9. Question: How can one attain true knowledge?

    Quotes: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise", In the multitude of words there [doth not lack] transgression; But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

    Though "20 Proverbs from th Bible" provided me with a numberous amount of qoutes the one's that I have chosen provided the answers I need ed to answer the question. One quote stated "he that walketh with wise men shall be wise", which basically means one that follows the teaching will be a teacher. The other quote that the article provided stated " In the multitude of words there [doth not lack] transgression; But he that refraineth his lips is wise." Both of these phrases suggest a way of learning or processing, but they teach different teachings.

    Sheldon

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  10. Just checking in...so far, I like what I'm seeing. Many of you are taking the extra step to make connections between what you read. It's not always easy, but as many of you have found, such thinking often leads to the insights that bring our writing to life.

    ~Mrs. Uecke

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  11. Question: Is humankind sinful by nature?

    Quotes:
    -"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
    If they say: 'Come with us,
    Let us lie in wait for blood,
    Let us lurk for the innocent without cause...
    Let us all have one purse,'
    My son, walk not thou in the way with them...
    These lie in wait for their own blood. They lurk for their own lives."
    -Who can say 'I have made my heart clear, I am pure from my sin?'

    In the first quote, the proverb is stating that people are sinners by human nature. The Bible explains that people are sinners by nature and they entice the lives of others, but are afraid of what their own lives will become. The proverb is also warning people to not fall into the trap of sin because anyone prone to displaying sinful nature. In the second proverb, the Bible asks a question. This questions basically answers the question stated above. Although people repent and ask God for forgiveness, they are still sinful. Because of original sin, all humans are affected by being able to sin. Through both these quotes, the question is clearly answered that yes, humankind is sinful by nature.

    -Siena

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  12. ?- How can one true knowledge?

    -"None but a well-bred man knows how to condess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error."
    -"He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books."
    -"Hear reason, or she'll make you feel her."


    From these three quotes, Ben Franklin is saying that to attain true knowledge, one must be able to admit one's mistakes and learn from them. He also says that being able to compose yourself is more important then academic knowledge. Reason is also important in attaining true knowledge because in many instances, reason IS true knowledge.

    ian~

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  13. How can one attain true knowledge?

    "Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous."

    "Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - that is knowledge."

    These two phrases said by Confucius explain how one can attain true knowledge. The quote, "learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous", but learning while thinking leads to learning from mistakes. One can make a mistake and learn from it, rather than doing it over and over again. "When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it." This means if you know something well keep it and it will be past knowledge that you will always remember. While new things that come to you will be new knowledge that will be add with the odd knowledge to be combined in the back of one's mind. This is how Confucius explained how one achieves and attains knowledge.

    Logan.

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  14. Question: How can one attain true knowledge?

    Quotes: -“Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it;
    and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it—that is knowledge.”
    -“Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.”

    The master in the analects of Confucius quoted “When you know a thing, to hold that you know it” means that when a person has obtained true knowledge of a specific subject, he will always keep what he has learned forever and never forget it. “When you do not know a thing, allow that you do not know it—that is knowledge.” This part of the quote means when a person has not acquired knowledge of a specific subject when approach, just admit that you don’t know it, but is open and willing to learn new things. Broadening your horizon is true knowledge. Another quote relating to true knowledge is “Learning without thought is labour lost, “ This part of the quote means if a person is learning without giving any thought to what he is being taught, he will tend to not have any interest and forget. “Thought without learning is perilous” This part of the quote means if a person gives thought to what he is learning but has no understanding, it is worst than not giving thought to what he has learned but he understands what is happening.

    -Kirstie :O

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  15. Question: How can one attain true knowledge?

    "Who has deceiv'd thee so oft as thyself?"
    "Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice?"

    Benjamin Franklin, one of our founding forefathers, explains that true knowledge is not solely based upon facts but involves understanding oneself. By understanding ourself, we overcome our greatest adversary, ourself, for "who has deceiv'd the so oft as thyself?" We set our own limitations. By overcoming ourself, we "avoid dishonest gain." Instead of cheating ourself and later feeling the "pangs of vice," which nothing can soften, we are true to ourself and work towards our goals, gaining true knowledge in the process. We obtain true knowledge through being honest with ourself and overcoming our shortcomings to accomplish things with hard work. It is not the facts that are important; it is the aspects of ourself and the lessons we learn that matter.

    -Stratford

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  16. How can one attain true knowledge?

    -"He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against."
    -"Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it-that is knowledge."
    -"Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous."

    From these three quotes Confucius says a lot when trying to attain true knowledge. He tells you in the first quote that one who is selfish will be looked down upon so dont be selfish. In the second quote he says that when you know something remember it, when you don't, don't fool youself and just admit that you don't know it so you can learn from others. The final quote says that one who learns without thinking won't gain anything. One who thinks without learning is like learn from your mistakes or it may be dangerous. By following these rules you may attain true knowledge.
    -jordyn

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  17. Is humankind sinful by nature?

    Quotes:
    "Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice."
    "He that would like to live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows, nor judge all the sees."
    "He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books." (kinda unsure)
    "He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night."

    Ben Franklin says that Humans nature is not living a sinful life but trying to have an an honest life. In the first quote its said that you cannot buy concious back after having commited sin. If you are sinful than you "must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night." Its easier and harder living your life without sin.

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  18. How can one attain true knowledge?

    “At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for reception of truth….” “ ….When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it—that is knowledge. “

    Confucius is saying that during his younger years, his main goal was to study so that he can learn more. As he got to his thirties, and forties he didn’t focus as much on learning but more on experiencing life. He didn’t have any doubts on what to do next or what he believed but instead he kept learning while he was getting older. By living and experiencing life, one can attain true knowledge. Confucius also states that when you know something, then believe that you know it and when you do not know something then just let yourself believe that. This way, everything that you do not know, you can figure out instead of wasting time trying to prove that you know it when you really don’t. Someone who can do this will be able to live their life, attaining true knowledge by “learning from experience”.

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