Fallacies Blog Entry

Our Moral Footprint
By VACLAV HAVEL
Published: September 27, 2007
OVER the past few years the questions have been asked ever more forcefully whether global climate changes occur in natural cycles or not, to what degree we humans contribute to them, what threats stem from them and what can be done to prevent them. Scientific studies demonstrate that any changes in temperature and energy cycles on a planetary scale could mean danger for all people on all continents.
It is also obvious from published research that human activity is a cause of change; we just don’t know how big its contribution is. Is it necessary to know that to the last percentage point, though? By waiting for incontrovertible precision, aren’t we simply wasting time when we could be taking measures that are relatively painless compared to those we would have to adopt after further delays?
Maybe we should start considering our sojourn on earth as a loan. There can be no doubt that for the past hundred years at least, Europe and the United States have been running up a debt, and now other parts of the world are following their example. Nature is issuing warnings that we must not only stop the debt from growing but start to pay it back. There is little point in asking whether we have borrowed too much or what would happen if we postponed the repayments. Anyone with a mortgage or a bank loan can easily imagine the answer.
The effects of possible climate changes are hard to estimate. Our planet has never been in a state of balance from which it could deviate through human or other influence and then, in time, return to its original state. The climate is not like a pendulum that will return to its original position after a certain period. It has evolved turbulently over billions of years into a gigantic complex of networks, and of networks within networks, where everything is interlinked in diverse ways.
Its structures will never return to precisely the same state they were in 50 or 5,000 years ago. They will only change into a new state, which, so long as the change is slight, need not mean any threat to life.
Larger changes, however, could have unforeseeable effects within the global ecosystem. In that case, we would have to ask ourselves whether human life would be possible. Because so much uncertainty still reigns, a great deal of humility and circumspection is called for.
We can’t endlessly fool ourselves that nothing is wrong and that we can go on cheerfully pursuing our wasteful lifestyles, ignoring the climate threats and postponing a solution. Maybe there will be no major catastrophe in the coming years or decades. Who knows? But that doesn’t relieve us of responsibility toward future generations.
I don’t agree with those whose reaction is to warn against restricting civil freedoms. Were the forecasts of certain climatologists to come true, our freedoms would be tantamount to those of someone hanging from a 20th-story parapet.
Whenever I reflect on the problems of today’s world, whether they concern the economy, society, culture, security, ecology or civilization in general, I always end up confronting the moral question: what action is responsible or acceptable? The moral order, our conscience and human rights — these are the most important issues at the beginning of the third millennium.
We must return again and again to the roots of human existence and consider our prospects in centuries to come. We must analyze everything open-mindedly, soberly, unideologically and unobsessively, and project our knowledge into practical policies. Maybe it is no longer a matter of simply promoting energy-saving technologies, but chiefly of introducing ecologically clean technologies, of diversifying resources and of not relying on just one invention as a panacea.
I’m skeptical that a problem as complex as climate change can be solved by any single branch of science. Technological measures and regulations are important, but equally important is support for education, ecological training and ethics — a consciousness of the commonality of all living beings and an emphasis on shared responsibility.
Either we will achieve an awareness of our place in the living and life-giving organism of our planet, or we will face the threat that our evolutionary journey may be set back thousands or even millions of years. That is why we must see this issue as a challenge to behave responsibly and not as a harbinger of the end of the world.
The end of the world has been anticipated many times and has never come, of course. And it won’t come this time either. We need not fear for our planet. It was here before us and most likely will be here after us. But that doesn’t mean that the human race is not at serious risk. As a result of our endeavors and our irresponsibility our climate might leave no place for us. If we drag our feet, the scope for decision-making — and hence for our individual freedom — could be considerably reduced.

Appeal to Force: This article doesn’t contain any Appeal to Force relevance fallacies. This is because these fallacies use force, threat, or some other unpleasant backlash to make the audience accept a conclusion. The author uses the complete opposite of this; he calmly exposes his reasons and writes in a very persuasive and convincing way.

Genetic Fallacy: Considering genetic fallacies are types of fallacies that claim an idea, product, or person must be untrustworthy because of its racial geographic or ethnic origin this article does not relate at all with this type of fallacies either. For the contrary the author expresses that we are all equal and that our resources are limited for everyone no matter the race, ethnic origin etc. He said that when they are all over they will be over for all of us. And that we all waste them for equal and are not contious.

Personal Attack: A personal attack is generally when the author is praising the people who make an argument, rather than discussing the argument itself. This doesn’t happen in text, considering that the author is very general about the topic, he not only addresses one person but the whole world. He is not pointing any person or group of persons but instead is making the world realize the damage it is doing to itself.

Abusive: Abusive fallacies argue that proposals, assertions, or arguments must be false or dangerous because they originate with atheists. This goes completely out of the theme because in this article the author doesn’t involve any religious group. I think it is very good because it makes it not-biased, or inclined towards one position or religious view.

Circumstantial: Once again this text doesn’t contain Circumstantial Fallacies, which are fallacies that include person’s circumstances in their lives. The author expresses his point of view that is very clear. But he doesn’t involve any personal circumstances or events.

Argumentum ad Populum: This kind of Fallacies is very common, they give when feelings and enthusiasm arouse from the multitude instead of building a solid and strong argument. I don’t think this occurs here, because he does state the point of view of other people like scientists etc. But he does build a solid argument to I think the Argumentum ad Populum fallacy would half-apply to this text.

Bandwagon Approach: This is when the majority of people believes an argument or chooses a particular course of action, the argument must be true, or the course of action must be followed, or the decision must be the best choice. I think that this kind of fallacy could certainly be applied to this article because the author says that we have to make the world better and it is our one and only choice, and that this is the action we all must take. Also most people believe this, so it applies perfectly to the kind of text.

Patriotic Approach: This argument is about when certain stance is true because it is somehow patriotic, and those who disagree are unpatriotic. Personally this doesn’t apply to the text, considering in no part of the text the author mentions one single country. He is not specific he just talks about the world in general.
Snob, Approach: It is a type of fallacy his name explains it all. It says that all the best people are doing it. Once more the author doesn’t mention any names or social classes therefore it does not apply.

Covering Oneself in a Cross: This is when a certain political or denominational stance is true or correct because it somehow is Christian. I don’t think this occurs in this text simply because as I said before the author doesn’t involve religion in this case.

Appeal to Tradition: It asserts that a premise must be true because people have always believed it or done it. In part this is true because the author explains that for many years now people have been trying to be more careful and “reserved” with the world issues. He says that many studies have been done therefore this is what people must do because “The human race is at a serious risk”.

Appeal to Improper Authority: This type of fallacy attempts to capitalize upon feelings of respect or familiarity with a famous individual. It also often mentions movies and famous people. This doesn’t happen, because the author is just focusing in making the world realize the damage it is doing to itself, and he doesn’t he off topic.
Appeal to Biased Authority: When the authority is knowledgeable about the subject. This doesn’t happen again because he doesn’t involve any specific person, either the authorities.

Appeal to Emotion: When the argument is from pity and emotional appeal, often feelings are involved. This certainly happens in the text, because he is using feelings to make us realize the world issue we are having right now.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (10)

Myths Read: 1.Nisus ans Syclla 2. Echo and Narcissus 3. Meleager and Atlanta

Nisus and Scylla: Nisus was the king of Megara and Scylla was his daughter. The problem was that Scylla was in love with King Minos, who was the King of Crete. Crete and Megara were in a war at that time so they couldn't be together. One day Scylla escaped from the palace and went to King Minos with the keys of his fathers castle and told him that she loved him and would betray his father for him. At the end Minos rejects her and she and her father are turned into eagles.

• I dont think there is much relationship between this myth and Gilgamesh considering the two main "topics" of this myth are: betrayal and love. And in Gilgamesh none of these are manifested.

Echo ans Narcissus: Echo was a nymph that was in love with Naricissus. But she could only talk to him if he talked first. But he never did, one day he talked to Echo but rejected her, after she died. Then Narcissus fell in love with himself, thinking it was another person he loved himself and didn't understand why "that other being" didn't talk to him. He died thinking that that person didn't love him.

• I think this myth I can relate it not with Gilgamesh but with human kind. We love who doesn't love us, and don't love the person who really loves us. We are never happy with what we have and want more and more. It is like a vicious cycle in which we are not content.

Meleager and Atlanta: Meleager is a warrior who's destiny is written and since little they said he is going to die young. One day when goes to war, Meleager encounters with Atlanta, a beautiful girl that is going to war too. They love truly in love, but at the end as destiny was written Meleager dies.

• This is a perfect relation to Gilgamesh because as Enkidu Meleager dies. And Gilgamesh and Enkidu ans Meleager and Atlanta are both soul mates and need each other. But at the end sadly one of them has to die.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (9)

Myths Read: 1. Midas 2. Bausis and Philemon 3. Vertumnus and Pomona

Midas: This myth treats about a king called Midas who was granted a wish, anything he could possibly think of would be given to him. He decided he would wish that everything he touched
would be turned into gold. At first he thought it was very fun because very rich and all of his possessions were gold. But as time went by he realized that he couldn't eat beacuse the food he touched turned into gold. So he was starving. At the end they don't specify what happens to him, but they comment that many generations after his story was told.

• I can relate this to Gilgamesh because like Midas Gilgamesh was a king, and also to gain more power and fame,m he put in risk Enkidu's life by exposing him to Huwawa. After he died because the Gods decided it that way. They both asked for unnecessary things they didn't need and got bad consequences.

Bausis and Philemon: Bausis and Philemon were a happy couple that were very poor and humble. They were very kind and one day some visitors came over to their house saying that they didn't have any shelter and asked them if they could spend the night in their hoose.They off course agreed ans accepted their company. While they were serving the wine, they realized that it was renewing itself in the pitcher. Suddenly they realized who their guests were: the Gods! The Gods told them that considering that they had been so kind they should leave their house and take their belongings. They, later named them keepers of the temple.

• This myth relates to Gilgamesh because as Bausis and Philemon Gilgamesh was a good and kind man and wanted the best for everyone.

Vertumnus and Pomona: Is about a man called Vertumnus who loves a nymph called Pomona. She loved to grow apples, trees, plants etc. Vertumnus insists her but she doesn't want anything with any man. So he decides to disguise himself as an old woman and go to her garden considering that no men can enter to this garden. So she dresses up as an old lady and starts telling her that she should pay attention to Vertumnus. She even tells Pomona a story about a man and a woman in a similar situation. At the end the disguise falls and his true identity reveals.

• The one relationship I can see with Gilgamesh in this myth is that in Gilgamesh is that in Gilgamesh there is also a goddess that is in love with Gilgamesh but he doesn't want anything with her. Instead in this myth it is the woman who doesn't want anything with the man. How contradictory!

Pardon poor Larry Craig

Pardon poor Larry Craig
By Frank Rich

This article is about the recent problem senator Larry Craig from Idaho , had in a restroom at the airport in Minnesota . The fact was that this senator apparently was making sexual insinuations to a man that really was a policeman, he was not uniformed. Senator Craig made some signs with his hands and also stood in a ccertain way that let the other man (the policeman) that he wanted to have sex with him. He was arrested and now he is in serious risk of loosing his seat in the Senate of the United States.

My analysis of this article is that it touches so many aspects of human ethics that are very imoportant. To begin with it has a lot of blame to this man, every one has been feeling free to judge him guilty for doing inmoral acts in a public place, in fact he felt so guilty (PATHOS) that at first he confessed these acts and offered to abandon his political position, he was not assesed by a lawyer at that point. Moral values are very much important too, because homosexuality has never been openly accepted in our society and many times considered to be bad, even though the law in the United States does not consider anymore ilegal sex between two persons of the same sex if it is a consensual act between two adults, if we see from this point of view, he did nothing wrong, as the author says , the onle thing he could be condemned of is to be flirting , which is also very common in a gay bar for example. (Logos)
The article is based in a fact that is happening in the present, but could have repercusions in the future of the gay community.
The author also tells the opinion of other members from the gay community and tells us that this man has been used maybe as a political tool to talk against Republicans, and the hypocrisy not only in general population but also in the government, because in the last years many gay scandals have been in the news, also some other kind of sex scandals involving prositutes hired by politicians that defend the family and marriage as the center of our society. "Being in the closet" is still the conduct of many homosexual politicians, because unfortunately society does not accept them and would not let them have a successful political carrer. All these facts are demosnstrative of the hypocrisy taking place in the government of the United States according to the author. (Ethos)
In the next days there will be a hearing of the arguments of the senator thet will give the basis for deliberating and taking a decision, the decision is going to be at all levels, legal, political and to the public opinion that in some way will have to decide about the acts of the Governor, because a person may not agree with someone action but it doesnt mean necesarilly it is a law offense or make s him unsiutable for a public position.(Ethos)

Fallacies Entries

To make a fallacie entry, I first needed to know what a fallacie was, this is what I found:

• A fallacy is, very generally, an error in reasoning. This differs from a factual error, which is simply being wrong about the facts. To be more specific, a fallacy is an "argument" in which the premises given for the conclusion do not provide the needed degree of support. A deductive fallacy is a deductive argument that is invalid (it is such that it could have all true premises and still have a false conclusion). An inductive fallacy is less formal than a deductive fallacy. They are simply "arguments" which appear to be inductive arguments, but the premises do not provided enough support for the conclusion. In such cases, even if the premises were true, the conclusion would not be more likely to be true.

Bibliography: nizkor.org/features/fallacies/

An example of a Fallacie that I found in the New York Times was an article by Paul Krugman here is the page but I am going to give the main points and summarize the article a little bit: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/opinion/21krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin.

The article mainly talks about that politically it is now possible for all American to have assured medical health inssurance. He sais that people have overcome the fear that they had to Clintons failed plan. Kruger sais to consider Hillary Clinton's evolution and her new plan for medical enssurance. Right on that moment I found an example of a fallacie when they ask Clinton how is she going to handle the costs she answers the following:

“It depends on what kind of system you’re devising. And that’s still not at all clear to me, what the body politic will bear.”

I dont think this is politically correct and it is an example of an inductive fallacie., which states that the person arguing doesnt have enough information. Also in several part of the text, Kruger defends Bill and Hillary Clinton´s ideas without even knowing them well or explaining the main concepts.

At the end Kruger finalezes his article woth this sentence:

"It’s good to know that whoever gets the Democratic nomination will run on a very good health care plan"

Tjis is another example of Fallacies mainly it is an inductive fallacie. beacuse along the text he didnt give enpugh support and arguements to justify this. But it could also be a deductive fallacie beacause it conatins some premises right and has a false conclusion.

In conclusion this text contains a lot of Fallacies. I think that Fallacies arent wrong or right but people should be more carfel to not show their political possision or any possission they have when writing an article for an important newspaper. Somrtimes it is very biased and it is evident that Kruger is a democrat who wants to justify both Clinton´s actions. Withput knowing if they will turn out right he is saying that it is the best choice for everyone.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (8)

Myths Read: 1. Orion 2.Aurora and Tithonus 3. Acis and Galatea

Orion: Orion was a hansdome guy and was a hunter. He was in love with Merope, but Merope's father didn't agree with this, and started watching them closely. He noticed that Orion tried to gain possession of the maiden with violence. So one day he cast him and blinded him. After this Orion got a guide to guide him and tell him where he was going. This way he met Diana the huntress. Apollo his brtoher (Dianas brother) didnt like Orion. But Orion and Diana were about to marry. So Diana decided to kill him, but then she regreted him and honored him for the rest of her life.

• This myth is similar to Gilgamesh because like Orion, Gilgamesh thought he could do as he pleased and the truth is that he couldn't. Beacuse they were kings or important persons they thought they can do whatever they want without getting any consecuences. A clear example is when Orion tries to make Merope fall in love with him by violence. Also when Gilgamesh sais something, he thinks it has to be done inmediately.

Aurora and Tithonus: Aurora was the Godess of dawn, and she liked mortals a lot. But especially she liked Tithonus, son of the king of Troy. They met, married, and eventually had children. But when Tithonus started getting old Aurora rejected him and turned him into a cricket, and locked him up in a tower. They had a child called Memnon who became a Trojan warrior. His mother always watched from the sky, but she was always worried about him and that something would happen to him. One day he died ans she remained unconsolable for the lost of her son.

• I think this myth DIFERENCES from Gilgamesh beacuse in most of the myths I have read so far I have seen that most of them deal with love and couple issues. Two people that love each other mostly a woman and a man. But in Gilgamesh it is about two frinds that love each other. In resume each myth has different kinds of love. Though most of them deal with this feeling.

Acis and Galatea: It basically talks about two women called Galatea and Scylla who tell their stories to each other. Scylla had many admirors and they all went after her. And she didnt want anything with anyone. Instead Galatea didnt have anyone and really wanted a person who she could spend her life with. Acis was in love with Galatea, but again she didnt correspond her love to him. I think the qoute "No one is happy woth what they have" totally applies to this situation, because neither Galatea or Syclla are happy with what hey have.

• This relates to Gilgamesh beacuse like Galatea and Sycclus they are not happy with what they have. Gilgamesh is not happy with just killing Huwawa, he wants mora and more. Also Galatea and Syclla are not happy with what they have.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (7)

Myths Read: 1. The Sea-Monster 2. The Wedding Feast 3. Pegasus and the Chimaera

The Sea Monster: Perseus was flying one day and landed on the country of Ethipoans, were Cepheus was king. Cassiopeia was his queen and she was very beautiful. But she dared to claim herself as "more beautiful than the sea-nymphs". Mad and discouraged the nymphs sent a sea-monster. Cepheus was told by the oracle that his daughter Andromeda should be exposed and devoured by the monster. Perseus saw her chained and sad and came to give her support. But then the gigant monster appeared. Perseus defended Andromeda and fought with the monster. Finally he killed him, and in return won fame honor and Andromeda.

• This myth is simalr to Gilgamesh beacuse they both deal with heroes that kill a monster and in return gane great things, In this case Perseus fought the beast and won fame, honor, and the girl. And in Gilgameshs case it was Gilgamesh and Enkidu, they fought Huwawa and became famous and recognized.

The Wedding Feast: Perseus and Andromeda were going to get married, and they were in their wedding banquet feast. But as in every myth or real life story, there had to be a but. Suddenly Phineus entered raged and shouting saying that he was the one who should marry Andromeda. Cowardly Perseus run and hid. The guests started fighting and it was a commmotion. At the end Perseus turns into a mass of stone.

• I can compare this myuth to Gilgamesh beacuse as I was reading this myth I came to realize that in most of the myths I have read, no one ends happy or with the person they loved or wanted to be with. A great example is that Gilgamesh and Enkidu didnt end up together and neither did Perseus or Andromeda. Also in most of the stories there has to be a BUT that ruins it.

Pegasus and Chimaera: Pegasus was a winged horse that was formed when Perseus cut off Medusas head. Chimaera was a fearful monster, breathing fire and his body was composed with that of a lion and a goat. The king Iobates decided that his on-in law was the perfect to destroy him. He wanted him dead beacuse he was jealous of him. His name was Bellerophon, and they told him that for this mission he needed Pegasus. He went and looked for him, and he did. They became good partners and when it was time to fight Chimaera it was a piece of cake and they killed him. Iobates was very mad, so he assigned him several missions for him to get killed but it was impossible he was very strong. Then he gave Bellerophon his daughter in marriage. After they killed Pegasus and he died misserably too.

• This myth is similar to Gilgamesh beacuse like most warriors, Bellephorus had a companion, which was Pegasus, he was there for him in good and bad times and always helped him in everyting. In Gilgamesh the companion was clearly Enkidu, they fought together and did everything together, they where great friends. Also a good comparition is that they both died when their partner died. Maybe Gilgamesh did not die textually, but he died in soul. And so did Bellaphorus who died when Pegasus died.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (6)

Myths Read: 1. Hebe and Ganymede 2. Daedalus 3. Castor and Pollux

Hebe and Ganymede: Cup-bearer to the Gods. she didn't want to marry Hercules, but it was her destiny. one day she met Ganymede and fell in love. But they weren't meant to be together.

• This myth relates to Gilgamesh because it talks about two people who couldn't be together even though they wanted to. they were force to be apart in Gilgamesh's case Enkidu and Gilgamesh were destinies to be apart even though they were soul mates.

Daedalus: Daedalus constructed the minotaur labyrinth for king Minos. but the king didn't want the work to be acknowledged to him. so he locked him up in a tower with his young son Icarus. one days they decided they would escape flying away. They made wings with animal feathers by pasting and waxing them. when they were finally ready to take of flight Daedalus said to Icarus not to fly to close to the sun or t know. but his soon didn't follow his instrucitons and flew very high. the sin melted his wings and he fell and died. he grieved him but kept on with his life. he trained his nephew Perdix but realized he was more intelligent than him. so one day he killed hi. the goddess Minerva then turned him into a bird.

• This myth is similar to Gilgamesh because both Gilgamesh and Daedalus at the end got what they wanted. They got fame and freedom. also they wanted to be recognized and acknowledged fr their work. but at the end they weren't exactly happy. They needed something else, and that was love.

Castor and Pollux: Talks about two brothers who were inseparable they fought together and did almost everything together. "They were united by the warmest affection and inseparable in all their enterprise". I think his quote almost describes all the story. At he end , in a battle one of them gave its life for the other. They received divine honours and even the their names became the names of stars.

• Obviously this myth relates to Gilgamesh because of the relationship pf Gilgamesh and Enkidu.. They were inseparable and even Gilgamesh came to wonder of he had to live or die along with his brother.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (5)

Myths Read: 1.Pygmalion 2. Venus and Adonis 3. Apollo and Hyacintuhus

Pygmalion: Is a lovely story about a man named Pygmalion, he was a sculpture and fell in love with one of his creations. Pygmalion had never wanted to marry or have children he was more interested in creating master pieces and taking car of them. His true passion were his sculptures and that as the only thing he loved. He gave them presents, jewelry, and treated them with careful. But there was one in particular who he felt more affect towards, and this was the Ivory Virgin. he kissed her and loved her, he even called her his wife. On a festival he made a wish, and wished that this beautiful "woman" would become real. When he got to his house it certainly became real! When he got home the magnificent sculpture was alive. they eventually married and had children . they lived very happily for he rest of their lives.

Venus and Adonis: Venus was playing with cupid one day and she got hurt by one of his arrows. the wound was very deep and it was more serious than what she had thought. She beheld Adonis and was captivated with him. Adonis became the most important thing in her life. She rambled through the woods dressed like a huntress. She had dogs and many animals that defended her, she called them her troops. she told Adonis to beware of such dangerous animals in the forest. But one day Adonis did not follow Venus´s rules and a beats attacked him. Venus grieved him until the end . His blood became a flower and was called Anemone.

Apollo and Hyacinthus: Hyacinthus always accompanied Apollo in everything he did. Whether it was sports, hunting or just a simple walk. Hyacinthus was like Apollo's escort or bodyguard. one day they were playing quoits and Apollo the the ball very far away. When Hyacithus tried to catch it it fell on his forehead and killed him Apollo decided to make a flower in his honor he named it Hyacinthus.

All these Myths relate to Gilgamesh because all of them when someone dies they are remembered and honored. For example when Enkidu dies Gilgamesh remembers him in memory and in works of art etc. In these myth they remember people in flowers or in sculptures but they always remain in each others heart.

Rhetoric

These are fragments of speeches and news published at sometime in the New York Times:

1. “We have to go ahead and recognize the strain on the military forces and give them the tasks that they can do so well,” said Mr. Reed, a former Army captain, “but within the capability of their resources and the best interests of the United States.”

• I would classify this quote as Ethos, beacuse the speaker is trying to convince the government of USA to take an action towards military forces and their needs and reputation. This segment of the speech is rhetorical beacasue Mr. Reed is trying to be persuasive about political issues that he thinks should be considered in a near future.

2. “We need a new direction that redeploys our troops from Iraq, rebuilds our military and refocuses on fighting terrorism across the world".

• This quote could be in the section of Ethos beasue she is trying to regain other peoples confodence and trustworthy. This is rhetorical beacuse she is stating her opinion in a very discrete way but at the same time is persuading people to stenghten military forces across the world.

3. "While the focus is to save lives and fight diseases, it is also important to address underlying risks, such as solid and liquid waste, industrial chemicals, sewage treatment and the salinization of drinking water. The damage to ports and industrial infrastructure may be severe, with untold risks to human health. Likewise, revitalizing local communities and their livelihoods will require rehabilitating and protecting vital natural ecosystems, in particular mangrove forests and coral reefs,” Mr. Toepfer said estos for nearly a year during a work project at the building.

• I classify this quote as pathos kind of retoric because it was part of a speech given by the United Nations Environmental programme , after 2004 tsunami. It was clearly moved by dessperation and the difficulty in helpin those thousands of people damaged, dead or sick because of the earthquake and the tsunami that came after it and killed almost 300.000 people.

4. Sept 11 2001, 1:15 p.m. – Bush departs conference room for Air Force One in a camouflaged Humvee. Talks to Cheney againen route to Nebraska air force base and schedules a 4 p.m. meeting of his national security staff. Also talks toNew York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki. "I know your heart is broken and your city is strainedand anything we can do, let me know," Bush says.

• This is part of the speech given by the President of the United States 9/11/2001 it can be classified as pathos because it was driven by emotions of grief, impotence and anger caused by the terrorist attacks that killed almost 3000 thousand people, these word were told to Rudoplh Giuliani , mayor of New York at that time.

5.Today we know that most ulcers are caused by Helicobacter infection. A chronic infection that involves the entire stomach also increases the risk of stomach cancer, the second most common of all forms of cancer. People are infected in their early childhood years and then carry the infection throughout their life. Half of humanity is infected, but luckily most people have no symptoms of the infection. Helicobacter pylori lives only in the human stomach. From the standpoint of both the bacterium and its human host, ulcer disease, cancer and death are to be regarded as a failure in an otherwise long and relatively harmonious relationship.

• This is a fragment of the Medicine Nobel Prize winner in 2005, explaining the audience ofthe importance of studying peptic ulcer disease and one of its complications caused by a germ called Helycobacter Pylori. This fits in a logos type of retoric because uses logic and scientific method to convince the listeners of what he is talking about and its relevance for science and mankind.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (4)

Myths Read: 1. Calisto 2. Diana and Actaeon 3. Latona and the Rustics

Calisto: There was a woman named Callisto who was very beautiful. But she was in love with a man who turned out to be Jupiters husband. So Jupiter decided that there would not be any woman more beautiful than her and turned Callisto into a bear. One day when Callisto was wondering around the woods she saw her sun all grown up. When she was approaching he shot her an arrow. Jupiter places them in at the heaven as The Great and Little Bear. Now a days they are in heaven.

Diana and Actaeon: Actaeon was the King Cadmus he was a strong warrior and everybody followed him. Instead Diana was the sacred huntress queen. One day they met, but Diana was naked and he saw her. Suddenly she said some words kind of like a spell and he turned into a strange crteature. After Actaeons troops came looking for him and they found this animal they soon attacked him beacuse they thought it was dangerous. But off course Acateon couldnt defend himself so they killed him. The story ends when all the troops start looking for him and he doesnt appeaear. Diana is very satissfied.

Latona and the Rustics: Latona was a godess and everybody feared her, but one day she went to drink water in a river and there were some persons which she called "clowns". She asked them permission to drink water, even though she was the God and they said no. She begged and begged and they kept denying her some water. Then she got raged and pulled a spell on them in which they would stay on that pond forever no matter what. With time,they became strange species. I think this was how crocodiles emerged according to the story.

All of these three myths are related to Gilgamesh because of a very interesting reason. This is that in all of them the gods decide what to do with other peoples lives. They decide the destiny of others. Whether it is to die or to turn into hideaous creatures. In Gilgamesh the Gods decided Enkidus faith and they didnt even consult with him. They dont care about if they agree or not they just do it because of a very vague explanation. Most of the time they cast the spells in a moment of rage, when the other person does something they dislike. They dont stop and think. They just do whatever they want beacuse they believe they have absolut power over everyone and the truth is that hey have it...

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (3)

Myths Read: 1. The Sphinx 2. The Centaurus. 3. The Pygmies

The Sphinx: A man named Edipus was left by his parents when little. When he was a grown up the Sphinx who was a creature who told riddles (if you accerted you "passed" if you didnt you would die) asked him the same that poepla could never answer. But actually he did answer it correctly, everyine gave him gratitude and love. he later married the queen (not knowing that she was his own mother). But years later the secret was discivered and they both ended up with thier lives.

The Centaurus: Talks about the centaurus and how important they were at that time. Chiron was one of them, he was instructed by Apollo and Diana. was clearly known for his skills in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of phropecy. One day he got killed and considering he was the wisest and most fair he was placed in the constellation as a star at the constellation Sagitarius.

The Pygmies: Deals with a nation of dwarfs or pygmies that lived near the sources of the nile. Their ferocious enemies are the Cranes and they always fight for land and honor. These theme is important because it is used to create several works of art.

All these three myths are similar to Gilgamesh beacause they deal with monsters and satrnge creatures that either poeple hate or love. A great example of this in the book Gilgamesh is Huwawa it is a being that everybody wanted ot fight, but was very dangerous at the same time. Mthological creatures like Sphinks also are metioned and they a really influential in the writinf now a days. Most of the time the end up killed by a big warrior like Gilgamesh and Enkide di to Huwawa and the Centaurus ended uo dead too. But these creatures willl always be remembered and known.

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (2)

Myths Read: 1. Apollo and Daphne. 2. Cephalus and Procris 3. Dryope

Apollo and Daphne: Is about a man called Apollo who cupid stroke with an arrow. But the problem was that he falled in love with the most unconvinient person: Daphne. She didnt like guys and didnt desire them. She wasnt interested in getting married or having any kids. Apollo always tried to impress her or make her fall in love with him. One day she was turned into a tree by the Gods and Apollo decided that he would take care of her for the rest of his life.

Cephalus and Procris: I liked this myth a lot beacuse it dealt a lot with misunderstanding, and that happens a lot in life. Cephalus was a man who liked to speak with the wind. One day his lovely wife heard him and thought she was talking to another woman and suicided herself.

Dryope: This myth was very sad beacuse it was about a mother who was feeding her child and accidentally toook a petal out of a flower and it was a nymph! She was cursed and was converted into a tree with her child in her hands.

All these myth realte to Gilgamesh beacuse they end up with life. All of the characters in this myth end up dying beacuase of irrelevant things and the same happens with Enkidu. He dies not beacuse he did anyting wrong, but beacuse the Gods decided his faith would be this way. Most of the times in myths either they start life or end up with it...

Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh

Myths Read: 1. Clytie 2. Hero and Leander 3. Perseus and Medusa

Clytie: Talks about a nymph called Clytie who is in love with Apollo but he has never payed any attention to her. She starts not eating or drinking beacause she is very sad and discouraged about this. She looks at the sun so much that she starts seeing Apollos face in the sun. One day she becomes a sunflower, and off course she has to look in the sun (apollos) direction all day long. At the beginning she was so obsetionated with him and it was like a dream come true.But then destiny got in charge of making Clyite see him forever. This la ter became a sort of curse considering shell be "standing up" with him forever.

Hero and Leander: Treats about how Hero and Leander (a lady and a man) lived each one in one extreme of the ocean. They were in love with each other and always liked to visit each other. But one day in a huge storm Leander dies on his way to visit his loved one Hero. When Hero sees his body floating in the ocean she throws herself from a tower, and dies.

Perseus and Medusa: A king named Polyderes sends Perseus to kill a woman called Medusa. This is because she has done many evil and harm to him and was very powerful. Also the godess Minerva was jealous of the fact that Medusa was prettier than her. So Perseus ends up killing her.

The three stories are related to Gilagmesh beacause they all contain mixed feelings: either love, hate, jealousness, hapiness, sadness etc. In Gliglamesh there are a lot of feelings expressed. Also superior beings exist among these myths. For example gods and godessess. Also beings that peolpa look up to nad respect.

How Much Shall We Bet? Blog

The story "How Much Shall We Bet", by Calvino talks about two persons talking before the world has even created. They are always gambling and betting who will win. But what can they win if there is nothing to get? Soon they start piling up their gambling and loose the count (considering there are no numbers it is very difficult). The two persons refer to each other as (k) y K and Dean. Bit from my point of view (k) y K was much smarter than Dean. He knew how to control his money better and was very careful on his bets. Instead Dean always contradicted him and never knew what he was talking about. For many years they kept gambling and eventually came to lose track of their bets. At the end, when the world is formed, they describe them both as unsuccessful men siting in offices with charges of no importance. Dean becomes paralytic, and (k) y K looses his interest in betting.


I think this myth was very interesting and like nothing we have ever read. I likes how Calvino mixes myth creation with two normal men. Though sometimes I came to doubt if they were Gods. It is one of the greatest creation myth I have ever read. Eventough sometimes they could have specified things better. But i like the main idea. I also liked how the two characters bet on things that will happen to the universe with such naturality...

Gilgamesh Final Entry

When I finished reading Gilgamesh and took some days off to analyze it, and I realized that it had very important messages that you can apply to real life. A great example of a message that the book Gilgamesh transmits is brotherhood. For example when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh felt guilty, beacause he thought he was the one who should have died and not his brother Enkidu. So he went to Utnaphistm and asked him if his destiny was to die with his brother. He always honored him and remembered him as a brave and corageous man. He talked about him as the man who fought wolfes and climbed mountains. When they were fighting Humama they said one of the most "powerful" and amazing quote I have ever heard: "Two people, companions, they can prevail together gainst terror". This is a quote that I will never forget, simply for the reason that it is totally true. It tells you that even though if you are facing great danger, but you have the suport of someone it will be less complicated or tragic. It, in some way relates to the quote that says "Two minds work better than one". Which I totally agree with, because though their minds can work different, they make ideas and contributions that can be very useful when put together.

At the end when they re-encounter they talk and Enkidu describes him how was it in the underworld. But they never mention if they end up together again or not. What is true is that they were ment to be companions for life...