Is Socrates dissatisfied better than a pig satisfied?
By Travis Galloway <hyperdedo@hotmail.com>
I feel as if this topic may need some brief setup before we get to the meat of the matter. I am going to look at this statement as a symbolic case study about all creatures as not to offend anyone. I will assume that Socrates represents an educated, knowledgeable creature who understands and feels complex emotions and has the ability to think in an abstract manner. I will then assume that the pig represents an ignorant, simple creature who does not grasp neither the concept nor the value of complex emotion and abstract thought. (Notice that I am not assuming that pigs are ignorant of these things. The way I see things, we could think two ways: Pigs are ignorant, or Pigs are not ignorant. If Pigs are ignorant we have nothing to lose and bacon to gain. If Pigs are not ignorant, we have bacon to lose and nothing to gain. Also, if Pigs were conscience of our opinion of them as ignorant, they could taint our daily pork rations and rule the free world. Keeping this in mind, we shall continue…)
“So what does all of this mean?” you may be asking. Well, we shall start like this: Is it more important to not know what life has to offer and be content with your limited existence, or is it better to know what is out there and never be able to achieve it. Is Socrates dissatisfied better than a Pig satisfied? For me, I want to know what is in that shiny box. I want to know what that growling noise in the fruit cellar is. I want to know what makes those shadows in the back of my cave. Ignorance may be bliss, but do you know what bliss spelled backwards is? Ssilb… “That makes no sense!” you say… “Exactly!” I reply…
I suppose what I am poorly trying to illustrate is that there are more important things in life then being content. A “Pig” would never be satisfied with its existence if it knew about the gift of choice.
Although by simply knowing we could give up this limited happiness, one cannot achieve true happiness until one does dismiss this cloak. The satisfaction a pig feels is but a cage. One must break from their cage, explore, and be content knowing what is outside before one can truly be satisfied. To not know and be satisfied is to be adequate. To know and be satisfied is an achievement. Oink Oink….
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Eric Howell <grayghost13@hotmail.com>You know this is a damn fine paper. I think you covered the topic well, and the added humor was nice. you know Bacon is nice, but you might not want to know what is growling in the fruit cellar.
Karen Long <karen_long@email.com>I don't know what to say.... that's beautiful man! Damn fine job, get the hell out of my class!
Heather Renfro <jewel@emeraldis.com>That was a really fun paper to read! You covered your topic very well, and made it fun at the same time. Great Job!
nichole vernon <nichole317@excite.com>damn good job! i am impressed!
nichole vernon <nichole317@excite.com>damn good job! i am impressed!
Matt Wright <surfski8@hotmail.com>good job
Kimberly Pitts <KLP103@hotmail>I enjoyed reading your paper! I like the way you expressed your thoughts.
Danny Frady <garydfrady@hotmail.com>As always, you are right on the money!
jason stansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>Good job on your paper! I really enjoyed it!
jason stansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>Good job on your paper! I really enjoyed it!
Eric Doyle Knight <frruita@htmail.com>Well I'm speechless. Damn fine job. I tend to agree with you strongly. It is better to face reality, its hardships and horrors, to fully attain its pleasures. Some would say that once one has faced the harsh truth one can find true freedom, and only then.
"Can I go swimmin', can I go swimmin', can I go...."
Cynthia Glanton <cynthia_glanton@hotmail.com>That was a really fun paper to read! Good job!
Tally Loyd <Tally_Loyd@Hotmail.com>Enjoyable reading. I always appreciate humor in literature. Too many people take everything too seriously. :)
cindy bourret <lucy12241979@hotmail.com>i never understood socrates anyway
Chris Graham <collge-guy@inetgenesis.com>Awesome paper
Crystal Gray <cgray32@hotmail.com>Nice paper. I enjoyed reading it.
Will Mulkey <wrmulkey@hotmail.com>You did an excellent job.
Chad Williams <czm_1@hotmail.com>A string of papers that seem to have effort put into them? You people are trying to make it so I have something to live up to! Nice use of the pig, by the way.
Heather Ferguson <AddysmomF@netscape.net>SWEET!!!
Amanda Thompson <amandat211@yahoo.com>what a great paper! I loved reading it
missy kergosien <missc4@hotmail.com>Good Paper!
Wendy Garner <wlg51@backroads.net>good paper
Comments Closed <11.28.01>Further Comments are Voluntary.