Argue w/Me and Socrates

How does one increase control, especially if they are young like my kids Mila (8) and Lennon (6).  When we don't get what we want, we tend to get frustrated, emotional, and throw tantrums.  The author states that if we can learn to argue effectively, that is, use reason and justification for our beliefs, we might be able to exert more control over our environment.  The author using the following example: his son wanted to wear shorts to school in the middle of winter.  The dad said no because pants help legs from getting chapped; the son responded logically by saying they are his legs and he wants to wear the shorts and will accept the consequences.  The dad said he would look stupid with shorts on in the winter; the son responded that he likes the way it looks and doesn't care what people think.  The father eventually relented, and the son's teacher declared Short Day on his birthday.  In short, by using reason to address the father's concern, the son ended up getting what he wanted and avoided frustration.

Two similarities to Socrates:

1) Socrates used a rational method to try to determine whether a thing is true or not, which is the idea of finding counter examples to revise a thesis, until it cannot be revised any further.  If a thesis cannot be revised, then it is said to be justified.  The author says that if one can provide reasons for what one believes, then it is said to be justified and hence more likely to be believed by others.

2) Both Socrates and the author claim that thinking is egalitarian, which means that it is everyone's responsibility to think and justify their beliefs.

Essential Question for New Unit

Read document with four quotes, and think back to what you saw and heard today.  Do two things in this blog: 1) what is the problem that is common to the four quotes? 2) How would you state the question that we might be trying to understand/solve based on these four quotes?

My New Agreement

The only way to create new habits is to lay down new tracks in your brain.  To think differently requires you to act differently.  Start new practices.  In a paragraph, explain a new agreement you will make to yourself and practice everyday that will allow you to live Amor Fati.  It won't happen by listening to the topic in class or watching a film.  Read two other people's agreement.

Anger and Frustration?

Describe a few things in your life that happen day in and day out that make you frustrated and angry?

Amor Fati Makeup

In a solid and complete paragraph, answer the following: “How does Amor Fati enable one to achieve greatness?  Make sure you connect your answer to what is stated in the Marshmallow Test, namely, that successful people are able to control what they think about.”

My Cold Shower

In the comment area below, recount your experience taking a cold shower.  This means that you will reflect on what you were thinking and feeling while doing it or not doing it.  If you didn't do it, why?  Be honest and unpack the reasons that motivated your decision.  If you did it?  Why?  How did it feel, what did you experience.  Be as careful and reflective as possible.  Lastly, I'd like Imani, Adam, and Kate to read all the comments before class and be prepared to summarize the feedback.