(no subject)
so, I'm supposed to be writing an essay, but I cant think right now. I'm too tired.
the essay I'm supposed to be writing though is about this guy, Natsume Soseki, a Japanese author who died in like 1912 or something. he was very into individualism and the responsibility that goes along with that. bit he uses individualism in two different ways, so its a hard essay to write. one way he uses it he is talking about individuality, and the strength not to conform, and the other way he uses it is freedom. actually, come to think about it there is a third meaning that I see in his talk of individualism, and that it egotism. not egotism like thinking that you are the most important person ever to everyone, but just thinking that each person is supposed to think of themselves above all others. like, each person should serve themselves, not their country and not thier families, and by serving themselves they will serve their country and thier family. his example is a bean-curd seller, whatever that is. he says, "A bean curd seller does not go around selling bean curd for the nations sake. He does it to earn a living. whatever his immediate motives may be, he does contribute something necessary to society and in that sense, perhaps, the nation benifits indirectly."
Although Soseki does make it clear that everyone should be doing stuff for themselves, he doesnt fail to mention the responsibility that every man (he was terribly sexist) has to feel to each other. "freedom without a sense of duty cannot exist in society."
Sosaki also says a lot about the lonliness that accompanies true individuals, because by going your own way and letting every other person go his or her own way unhidered, there is a high chance that no one will go your way. but I dont know if I think that is true. can't people live together and discuss and have close relationships if they disagree? I dont know. I guess I'm just not as lonely as Soseki was, so how can I really know anything about the causes of his lonliness? eh, whatever.
ok, so I know what this man thinks and all, but how do I write a 7 page essay about it, tying in two books by him that I read? boring! also, due tomorrow at 5 pm. blah!
the essay I'm supposed to be writing though is about this guy, Natsume Soseki, a Japanese author who died in like 1912 or something. he was very into individualism and the responsibility that goes along with that. bit he uses individualism in two different ways, so its a hard essay to write. one way he uses it he is talking about individuality, and the strength not to conform, and the other way he uses it is freedom. actually, come to think about it there is a third meaning that I see in his talk of individualism, and that it egotism. not egotism like thinking that you are the most important person ever to everyone, but just thinking that each person is supposed to think of themselves above all others. like, each person should serve themselves, not their country and not thier families, and by serving themselves they will serve their country and thier family. his example is a bean-curd seller, whatever that is. he says, "A bean curd seller does not go around selling bean curd for the nations sake. He does it to earn a living. whatever his immediate motives may be, he does contribute something necessary to society and in that sense, perhaps, the nation benifits indirectly."
Although Soseki does make it clear that everyone should be doing stuff for themselves, he doesnt fail to mention the responsibility that every man (he was terribly sexist) has to feel to each other. "freedom without a sense of duty cannot exist in society."
Sosaki also says a lot about the lonliness that accompanies true individuals, because by going your own way and letting every other person go his or her own way unhidered, there is a high chance that no one will go your way. but I dont know if I think that is true. can't people live together and discuss and have close relationships if they disagree? I dont know. I guess I'm just not as lonely as Soseki was, so how can I really know anything about the causes of his lonliness? eh, whatever.
ok, so I know what this man thinks and all, but how do I write a 7 page essay about it, tying in two books by him that I read? boring! also, due tomorrow at 5 pm. blah!