Philosophical Perspectives

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Philosophical Perspectives

Question One

Tolstoy’s view of art refers to art as an asset that one uses in communicating with each other through human history. Basing on Tolstoy’s view, Salvador Dali’s paintings can be considered art. Dali’s art works utilize the aspect of symbolism with a surreal nature in deriving meaning in his paintings. In this perspective, his art works do communicate a message to the audience involving specific aspects just as Tolstoy defines art.

Question Two

In the “Existence precedes Essence” statement, Sartre means that the nature of a being is more significant than its existence whereas in the “Human Being is the being through whom nothingness comes into the world” statement, he means that the being grew out of nothingness. In his statements regarding existentialism, the meanings of Sartre’s statements are closely linked since the being in the conceptualization stages comes out of nothingness, meaning he or she has no knowledge about anything. However, with time, it is up to a person’s effort to add inherent value or identity to the being. Henceforth, human beings are free from any ties in their existence.

Question Three

According to Thich Nhat Hanh Buddhist’s view, the sheet of paper explains the need for inter-being. One thing cannot exist without the other. Therefore, everything in existence has some form of emptiness, which translates into the meaning that there is no death and birth in life. Furthermore, since there are neither births nor deaths, the soul and mind are also non-existent and they are just but ideas created in the mind, which cannot be in reality.

Question Four

Descartes’ arguments, involving the dream is subject to suspicion and doubt. According to his point of view, dreams cannot be distinguished from reality and thus, there is reason to doubt. In the evil genius argument, he proceeds with his notion that it is impossible to distinguish the existence of a superior being from its non-existence. Thereby, he proclaims that, “I think, therefore I am” because only the self is sure of existence and no one else is.