Metaphysics, Epistemology and Orwell's 1984
Since the beginning of recorded time, philosophers have pondered questions of metaphysics (what exists, what is real) and epistemology (how we know what exists and is real, our proof). However in George Orwell's 1984, the need to answer these questions no longer exists for the majority, as the ruling party has created a new reality for its citizens, one in which what is real and what truly exists cannot be questioned. But on the flip side, the protagonist of 1984, Winston Smith, finds himself constantly searching for what is real in his life, and in a larger sense, in the society and world that surrounds him.
In its simplest terms, metaphysics can be seen as a question of what it is that we know to be real, what truly exists. In a deeper sense, as defined by Aristotle, metaphysics attempts to understand the fundamental nature of all reality. Closely related to metaphysics is epistemology. Epistemology looks to define what knowledge is, how it is obtained, and what it is that makes anything knowledge at all. It serves to establish proof, a warrant for what we consider to be real, thus validating our knowledge of our own reality.
Within 1984, Orwell, or rather "The Party" has created Big Brother, a larger-than-life character known to all citizens, uniting and influencing all of Oceania. To the citizens of Oceania, there is no question that Big Brother does not exist. To them Big Brother is real, he exists in the flesh just as the rest of the citizens of the nation. Almost no one entertains the proposition that he is merely a character, created to enforce party agendas and goals. His face appears in movies, on posters; he is virtually everywhere. Citizens are ...
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...are being told. They will never know if what they are being told is the truth and will never distinguish between what is actually true and what is just mindless babble and propaganda.
Works Cited
Anderson, Alan. "Metaphysics: Multiple Meanings." April 14, 2000. May 31, 2000.
Floyd, Nathan T. "Rhetoric & Epistemology." November 29, 1995. May 31, 2000.
Khoury, Jonathan A. "1984 in 1996: How Orwell's 1949 Classic Describes our Government." May 31, 2000.
Orwell, George. 1984. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1949.
Hyperlinks
http://websyte.com/alan/metamul.htm metaphysics
http://www.lcc.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/terms/epistemology.html epistemology
http://members.aol.com/jonkhoury/1984.htm 1984
Having studied George Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four', I intend to discuss the type of Government envisaged by Orwell and to what extent his totalitarian Party, 'Ingsoc', satirises past regimes. I will also discuss Orwell's motive in writing such a piece and how his writing style helps it become clear.The main theme of Nineteen Eighty-Four concerns the restrictions imposed on individual freedom by a totalitarian regime. Orwell shows how such a system can impose its will on the people through manipulation of the press, the elimination of democracy, constant supervision (courtesy of the Telescreens) and more. Orwell also shows how the state has more subtle methods for imposing its authority, such as the manipulation of language and control of the media.
George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four portrayed a fictional character named ‘Big Brother,’ whom acted as the enigmatic dictator in a totalitarian state (Orwell, 1949). In the society where every citizen is under the surveillance of ‘Big Brother,’ most conform to the rulings and orders of the authorities out of fear, with the exception of a few.
In the book 1984, Orwell uses the ominous Big Brother to depict what a government with all control would feel like; giving the reader a real sense of how powerless a population would really be under an all-controlling regime. Winston, the main character in the novel, sees posters throughout London with a man gazing down underneath contains the words “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.” Even though Big Brother is virtually everywhere, Winston secretly questions whether or not he actually exists. Orwell uses Big Brother to symbolize the vagueness of a totalitarian government, what it is like to leave all power in the hands of government officials, and then just simply take their word for what they say or what they do. Although the term Big Brother can in one way be considered as a reassurance of protection, the following words “big brother is watching you” also insinuates that he is an open threat. Although this story takes place after Big Brother has risen to power, Orwell does not fail to emphasize that this power was not taken; it was given, as power always will be. The only way Big Brother, or a totalitarian government can truly work, is only after we give them the power to take that kind of control. When looking back at history, we can see similar situations as with Adolf Hitler...
The fictional world of 1984 is best described as bleak. In the aftermath of the fall of capitalism and nuclear war, the world has been divided among three practically identical totalitarian nation-states. The novel takes place in London, which has become a part of Oceania, the nation state comprising the Americas and western Europe. A state of perpetual war and poverty is the rule in Oceania. However, this is merely a backdrop, far from the most terrifying aspect of life in 1984. Oceania is governed by a totalitarian bureaucracy, personified in the image of Big Brother, the all-knowing/ all-seeing godlike figure that represents the government. Big Brother is best described as a "totalitarian socialist dictator, a political demagogue and religious cult leader all rolled into one." So great is the power of Big Brother that the reader is unsure whether he actually exists or is simply a propaganda tool of the government. The party of Big Brother, Ingsoc (English Social...
Drab,B.(2005) Deterniments of Nominal Exchange Rates, Unpublished paper, International Financial Management, Harvard Business School, U.S.
Big Brother may seem reliable to the reader solely based on his name; however, he is manipulative and controlling over the society of 1984. He is portrayed as a nice, older guy who is there to protect the society and has their back, no matter what. Orwell states, “Big Brother is watching you” (Orwell 3), which symbolizes how protective Big Brother is over the citizens of Oceania. This quote also represents him watching over everyone keeping them safe. Big Brother can also be controlling and not so brotherly at times. Authorities and “telescreens” constantly watch each citizen with the expectations of them breaking the rules, and “Big Brother Is Watching you” is posted everywhere reminding them to behave. This is a form of propaganda, persuading others to believe that Big Brother will always have the societies best interest at heart, which turns out to be not so true. Furthermore, Orwell writes, “War is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength” (Orwell 14). This quote symbolizes the not-so-brotherly side of Big Brother. It emphasizes that their government expresses that; when they are at war there is peace, with slavery comes freedom, and while being ignorant, they show strength. Basically, Big Brother is constantly manipulating people into thinking that he is on their side when in reality he
In the novel 1984, Orwell produced a social critique on totalitarianism and a future dystopia that made the world pause and think about our past, present and future. When reading this novel we all must take the time to think of the possibility that Orwell's world could come to pass. Orwell presents the concepts of power, marginalization, and resistance through physical, psychological, sexual and political control of the people of Oceania. The reader experiences the emotional ride through the eyes of Winston Smith, who was born into the oppressive life under the rule of Ingsoc. Readers are encouraged through Winston to adopt a negative opinion on the idea of communist rule and the inherent dangers of totalitarianism. The psychological manipulation and physical control are explored through Winston's journey, and with Winston's resistance and ultimate downfall, the reader is able to fully appreciate O'Briens reasoning, "Power is not a means, it is an end."
Works Cited for: Orwell, George. 1984. The 'Standard' of the ' London: Penguin Books, 2008. Print. The.
The use of visual supports in special education has long been a practice in developing individualized educational support systems. Visual supports are tools that are used to increase the understanding of language, environmental expectations, and provide structure and support for individuals with disabilities. Visual supports are flexible enough that they can be provided in a variety of ways, and across multiple settings. Since the rise of inclusive classrooms, students with disabilities have been included in the general education classroom for a portion, if not a majority, of their school day. These visual supports help students access aspects of general education that they may otherwise have difficulty accessing. There have been many studies proving the efficacy of visual supports in special education; one of the most prominent visual support systems is picture exchange communication, or PECS. Several studies on the effectiveness of PECS will be reviewed.
Daniel M. Chin., Preston J. Miller. (1998). Fixed vs. floating exchange rate: A dynamic general equilibrium analysis. European Economic Review 42 (1998),
Wang, Jing 2008, ‘Why Are Exchange Rates So Difficult To Predict’, Economic Letter, Vol. 3, no. 6.
At one point or another in one’s life you are faced with God, eye to eye and you know it. You can feel the Holy Spirit’s presence, like a humming sound that’s too low to hear, but it’s there and you can feel it, a feeling that you are not alone. For some, this feeling lasts for eternity, and for others God works within them again and again because the Lord’s love is persistent. The feeling I had came and went, for it was not strong enough as a child. But now, I am the strongest I have ever been.
According to the literature, 80% of the human relationships with the world is using sight. It is essential to have all the visual sensory apparatus (eyes, optic nerves, brain optic pathways and the occipital visual cortex) to live fully in our society, emotionally, socially and professionally (Brasil, 2008). The vision loss is partially offset by other senses such as hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Thus, the visually impaired people perceive the world around them through these remained senses (e.g., Braille reading) (Rangel,
Blindness does not mean that the child is totally without usable vision. Most of blind children have varying amounts of vision, which can be quite helpful. “Legal blindness” is a term you may hear. It means that a child has 10% or less of normal vision. Teachers need to know that many factors affect what, and how much, a child may see at any particular time. Type of eye condition, fatigue, lighting, excitement, etc. all affect a partially sighted child’s vision.
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