Elmo Recio

polywog@drexel.edu

1/1/99

Assignment 1

Socratic Irony are twists of words or is a statement which conveys the opposite meaning of its literal definition, usually used to underscore a conclusion by taking the opposing viewpoint ad absurdum. It differs from lying in that, the person conveying this statement is aware that his audience understands it as being literally false (that the opposite is being inferred.)

For example, if there is a horrible thunder storm outside, and my friend walks into the room drenched from the rain, I would say to him, "it's a beautiful day, isn't it?" He would probably give me a snide remark, or funny face. He knew that I was not being serious about the remark, and knew that I meant the total opposite from what I said.

The elenchtic method is a dialogue between two individuals such that one is attempting to conclude an overall argument with the other via a question and answer session. The elenchtic method usually ends with the answerer or person with the opposing viewpoint, contradicting himself.

Socrates uses this method to 'debunk' the opponent, by a set of leading 'rhetorical' questions and simplistic arguments. When enough arguments have been laid down to draw a parallel between his metaphors, and similarities then he 'connects' the dots. This usually leaves his opponent contradicting his own statements and conclusions arrived at before the onset of this 'dialogue'.

Dogmatism and nihilism both demonstrate a type of 'giving up' for those whom seem to attach themselves to one side or the other. Dogmatism and nihilism may be placed as extreme opposites, both being on either end of an imaginary scale. Humans wish to strive towards a happy medium of these two extremes, yet oft times find themselves uncomfortably centered on this scale.

Dogmatism is the staunch belief in a rule or set of rules, with or without a solid premise, such that no further investigations seem necessary. Prime examples of dogmatists are people who blindly subscribe to most forms of religion, or beliefs in their god(s). Specifically, this becomes apparent in the Catholic Church. People are told to believe and take certain things for granted without questioning why these things are so. In the secular world, dogmatism may materialize as racism or stereotypes. Believing that a subset of society is inferior to any other due to this subset's associated stereotype. This is a form of giving up to rules.

Where dogmatism is the stanch unquestioning belief, nihilism is the absence of a belief structure at all. Nihilism may be seen in many people(s) based on personal 'traumatic' experiences (I.e.: suicidal individuals.) They find no point in living, or questioning anything. Hence, they take an apathetic view of life, where nothing matters anymore, and anything they do has no purpose in life. This is another form of giving up according to Kundera and Camus.