John Keat`s Romantism Essays - Romanticism, German Idealism

John Keat`s Romantism Identify and discuss the elements of Romanticism as given expression in John Keats' poem Lamia and William Wordsworth's excerpt from The Excursion. The term'romanticism' is used to describe the aesthetic movement during the period from about 1776-1834. It was a revolutionary movement because it focused on ideals which in stark contrast to the 'Classical' movement, The Enlightenment, which preceded it. More importantly however is the fact that it reflected the social climate of the period which with the development of the French Revolution was in itself revolutionary. Rationalism, empiricism, materialism and mechanism were the central were the central philosophies of The Enlightenment and was therefore a period in literature that focused on the precision of the form and content of the piece rather than its inspiration (******). In contrast, Romanticism brought the attention back to the individual. The era of reason was replaced with a new passion for mystery and the supernatural, freedom of thought and expression, an idealisation and pantheistic belief in nature, and the affirmation of the creative (and divine) powers of the imagination. Truth could be arrived at through imagination and emotional faculties rather than reason.(Kitson, 1996). Romanticism can therefore be viewed as a "reaction of emotion against reason, nature against artificiality, simplicity against complexity, faith against skepticism" (lecture 10/3/00). Rene Wellek beautifully and succinctly describes the spirit of Romanticism in his assertion, "Imagination for the view of poetry, nature for the view of the world, and the symbol and myth for poetic style" (lectures, 2000). The catchcry for the period therefore shifted from "I think therefore I am (Descartes) " to "I imagine therefore I am human". The value placed upon expression of these notions in the works of those such as John Keats and William Wordworth, effectively marked their poetic contributions as part of the 'voice' of the Romantic movement.

cooperation vs. competition essays

cooperation vs. competition essays Which process is stronger and more important? Which process we shall encourage and which discourage? A competition which makes sure that humans are still going forward or cooperation which assures that we are still human beings and can solve common problems together. A dilemma that has always existed, a natural choice that human beings has been confronted. Fortunately it was the greatest skill of humans to combine these two paradoxically contradictory processes to produce th world we are living now and to keep improving it. Competition can be defined as a process where one being rivals the other in reaching certain objective faster and smarter. It is a force that has been given by nature and has assured that only those who deserve to survive will be able to do it. Long before the human beings have appeared on earth other creatures were competing with each other for a single aim of survival. Advent of humans didnt change the basic import of competition. They started to compete not only with other animals environing them but also with animals of the same kind, namely, humans. Competing with environment allowed humans to take control of it and produced improvements, innovations and modernizations that humans have enjoyed throughout their evolution. However, competition and cooperation are merely one side of the same coin. When competition is a rival between two or more to reach an aim, cooperation is an agreement to reach that aim together. Competition makes sure that only strongest survive regardless of the purpose, cooperation insures that that the survival is adhered to the purpose. An organization of people to reach a common aim can be narrowly called as a society, and society was enabled only by cooperation. Cooperation is a force that assured a leading role of humans on this planet, a continuation of a progress of human beings. For instances, in our everyday life we compete ever ...

Are science and religion in conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Are science and religion in conflict - Essay Example Modern science began taking its true shape in the 16th century, while religion was around for a much longer period. The relation between these two great forces at times proved to be confusing, many-faceted and tumultuous.The real authority of religion lies on person or tradition or books. Truth behind religion is treated as universal and eternal, essentially a question of faith, and widely accepted and not challenged or questioned in general. In case of science, the authority is based on evidence and reasons. It is always open to challenges, it tries to arrive at a conclusion to a question by findings and evidences and application of pure logic. The most significant question that is answered in this paper is whether science and religion are at conflict or at concord. (Religion and Science, 2010)Science made it possible for human beings to have a different outlook, where questions are asked and attempts are made to answer them. But religion always remained unquestionable to all. For e xample, when it comes to the precious gift of life, it is argued whether it has been designed by the almighty or just emerged from evolution – that can be explained by science by putting forward various scientific theories. Christianity lies at the forefront of Western Civilization, which at times has been successful in discarding the scientific rationale behind the evolution of life. The undeniable and reasonable explanations of science often challenge religious ideas – the later is an expression of social emotion and as such much more sensitive. Science indicates advancement in terms of progressive thinking for the betterment of life but religion remains as a faith, deeply rooted in the society and the minds of many human beings (Padgett, 2007). In terms of the fundaments and the basic essence science and religion are in conflict. Part Two – Argument A number of philosophical, scientific and historical evidences demonstrate that the two concepts of science and religion are often in conflict with one another. Science is the study of the nature based mainly on evidences, whereas religion deals with faith, the powers of deity. So it can be said that one is dealing with faith and the other is dealing with logic often lead to contradiction of ideas. In the case of the â€Å"Galileo affair†, the acceptance of geocentric model by the Roman Catholic churches and their consequent opposition to heliocentrism which resulted in the death of the great philosopher and scientist is a burning example of the conflict between science and religion that occurred ages back. The concept clashed with the religious story of Joshua, but his antecedent Copernicus found more evidence and tried hard to prove it but little acceptance was possible at that point of time as this was a contradiction to the concepts preached by the churches (Levinson, 2006, pp.423-424). Another example that highlights this tension is the burning in the stakes of Giordano Bruno, be cause of his insistence on the correctness of heliocentric model of the universe. Again as per Charles Darwin’s epochal on the origin of the species, three important features were pointed out by him – common ancestry, specification through variation and natural selection. Being in contradiction to the preaching of the biblical authority, the theologians rejected to accept Darwin’s ideas. The concept of ‘survival of the fittest’ was seen as an undercutting to morality in human relation. Contrary to the popular opinion, it was found that the religious leaders were divided among themselves on the reception to Darwinism. A number of religious minded leaders supported Darwin as his theories were consistent to the Biblical teachings of mankind have a common ancestor. But the conservative theologian continued with their version, and could never agree to the concept that human race evolved from beasts. This conflict in accepting the