1. Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
2. Choose one metaphor that Pope uses to describe the universe and explain its significance. Which of these metaphors appeals to you the most? Why? What other metaphor might you use to describe the universe?
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
4. According to Pope, what place do human beings have in the universe in relation to other creatures?
5. What can we extrapolate from this text about Pope’s views on scientific innovation and exploration?
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
I believe that “whatever is, is right” means that God, or a higher power always has a plan set in stone for us. Even if it may seem that our world is literally coming down on us and all hope is lost, God always gives us what we are able to tolerate. For example, like a fairy tale, in instances the protagonist is faced with obstacles that seem be the end of them, but in reality their obstacles are just puzzle pieces coming together to form a bigger picture and ultimately the moment of a moral epiphany. Knowing this, an individual might learn to appreciate and take charge of the situation at hand as opposed to crumbling to pieces. They will fight long and hard knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel and that everything happens for a reason. There is a saying in Spanish that says, “No hay mal que por bien no venga” which basically means, there is no bad situation if there is no good bound to come out of the situation. So, knowing that everything plays out perfectly in the end, a person could see these obstacles as opportunities to grow and empower not only themselves but others around them as well.
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
Leonard Bernstein (with Comden, Green, and Wheeler) adapted Voltair’s Candide. In the opening musical number, the professor teaches the pupils that “all’s for the good in this best of all possible worlds.” Young Candide objects; he asks “what about war?” The professor responds:
There is a certain absurdity in pretending that all is good in the world, yet that is exactly what Pope argues. In the second part, he concludes (v. 60-73):
This is not so much a philosophical argument as it is a theological assertion. It doesn’t use reason based on experience to articulate an outlook or ideology, it uses the idea of a Creator and the goodness of an unfathomable Creation to assert a doctrine of fatalism.
I personally think it’s patently ridiculous to dismiss the duality of creation by arguing that even the evil in the world is actually a good. Ironically, Pope is casting the enlightenment as destructive; this is an assertion that is contrary his espoused fatalistic theology.
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
“Whatever is , is right ” is adressing to believers that everything that comes to them or happens they have to accept it without no condition and complaint because it is what God wanted that happens. It calls believers attention that no matter the situation or condition they are or they will be put it in they have to accept that is God will.
That can increase the mediocrity in people behavior and push them not to force anything .it also can limit their reflection and expose them all kind of domination.
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
When Pope wrote “Essay on Man,” it was during the Scientific Revolution. In class, Professor Sylvor discussed the idea of intellectual groups of people rising in the hierarchy. People started using science and reason to explain ideas and concepts that religion was used to explain for centuries. This shift in thinking may be the motive as to why Pope decided to write this piece of literature to critic mankind. When Pope says “the vindicate the ways of God to man,” he’s saying that he feels the need to justify God. Vindicate means to justify and through this literature, Pope is hoping to justify God and why people should use religion as an explanation to phenomena versus using logic and reason. Pope, as stated in class, is a loyal believer of God. When he sees that people are starting to challenge God and his power, he feels the need to step in and justify why God does what he does. Throughout the poem, he critics mankind, in saying that they are living in the moment and not looking at the bigger scope of things. He also says that Man is giving himself more value and by doing so, he is putting himself before God and challenging his authority. To Pope, this should never be the case.
2. Choose one metaphor that Pope uses to describe the universe and explain its significance. Which of these metaphors appeals to you the most? Why? What other metaphor might you use to describe the universe?
Page 345 line 7 states “A wild, where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot.” In this metaphor Pope is saying there is no plan in the world, it’s all unpredictable. This metaphor appeals to me the most because as described in class today, it means the world has no definite answer and we have to figure out a way to describe it. One of my favorite parts of the metaphor stems from the phrase “weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot.” Promiscuous means in any which way. The weeds symbolize the bad of the world while the flowers symbolize the good. I believe the universe, and definitely even Earth follows this idea. Just like natural catastrophes in Earth and asteroids in the universe, it’s unpredictable when the good or bad will happen. I wouldn’t say there is another metaphor I’d use to describe the universe because I believe it’s a “wild” that is constantly changing.
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
“whatever is, is right” is something that has been referenced by people of faith, through the bible, explaining that God doesn’t make mistakes and all that happens in within God’s plan. We find it hard to understand events that cause pain, sadness and displeasure. When such events occur, we are to look for the lesson instead of dwelling on the situation. We are also to look for the blessing that would follow. As man, who is not perfect, we will never physically understand why God does things; only God does because he is perfect.
“Say first, of God above, or Man below,
What can we reason, but from what we know?
breaks down how God, who is perfect in anything and everything, is “above” man, who is “below.” “What can we reason, but from what we know,” is telling us that we can only make sense out of something that we may have experienced, researched, etc., but that we are limited in knowledge and wisdom. We can only come up with conclusions through are own knowledge, which is nothing compared to God.
Pope was attempting to provide an example of how man’s short comings, or imperfections, can alter the reasoning and understanding of God’s actions. It’s meant to get people to think out of the box and see things as close to God’s plan as possible. Sometimes we act in accordance to what we know, in reaction, instead of trying to see the bigger picture. I believe the text is trying to tell us to see things the way God would want us and to have faith.
Decided to answer this second question as well. Very interesting subject…
Choose one metaphor that Pope uses to describe the universe and explain its significance. Which of these metaphors appeals to you the most? Why? What other metaphor might you use to describe the universe?
I have discussed this topic many times in the past.
“See worlds on worlds compose one universe,
Observe how system into system runs,
What other planets circle other suns,
What varied Being peoples every star,
May tell why Heaven has made us as we are.”
“Observe how system into system runs, what other planets circle other suns,” tells us as the planets in a solar system evolves around its sun and that man and all creatures evolve around God. The sun keeps the planets in orbit in order to maintain the structure of the solar system. So by that definition, man should be drawn to God in order to keep the structure designed for us.
“What varied Being peoples every star, May tell why Heaven has made us as we are,” provides an explanation of either why every person is different, and or why every being or creation is different. Each planet in the solar system shares certain characteristics but are different in many ways. Every being on earth shares that same attribute but the purpose of the text, to my understanding, is that we all came from God. I also gathered that Pope was leading us to where we should look for answers. The question of who we are, why we are here, and our purpose are frequent. Those in faith have an understanding that we should look to God and his word, the bible, for answers. Look to the stars is like looking up at God and asking for answers.
A metaphor that comes to mind, in the context of Pope’s poem, is…
“The Sun, Moon and Stars are the the Creator, the Facilitator, and the learner.” Meaning the sun provides light to the moon, and in turn, the moon provides light to the earth. God, Jesus, and man.
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
To vindicate means to be right, reasonable, or to be justified. Pope puts various ideas of the human self into the perspective of how our surroundings work. He integrates the way of science and molds into the concept of God by showing that science is a creation of it. There is a divide between God and science but Pop does not put it this way. God is good and is evil. God is just and unjust. At times God singles us out. Pope is critiquing the human flaws to ourselves, to nature, and to each other as a society. We, as humans, like to think that God serves us only but that is wishful. We think of ourselves much higher than our surroundings but we are only disappointing ourselves by putting faith into this higher power being. To vindicate God is to not reason or find to find much more meaning in its actions. In other words, do not think about it much and whatever is or is not, maybe is right in this God.
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
When Alexander Pope uses the word “vindicate”, it means to justify or to prove correct. This introduces the concept of science and reason which during this time, was a revelation for those who were devoted to God. Throughout the poem, Pope’s religious views vary, which becomes a little confusing to the reader. Pope tells us that we shouldn’t question the power or existence of God. He believes that everything happens for a reason and we should maintain everything as God created it. However, he also thinks that God is the reason for all the good and bad things that happen in the world.
1. Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as to “vindicate the way of God to man” which means he is trying to justify or make reasonable God’s plan to man. The context of which the poem was written was a time of straying away from faith and towards science and reason. Pope is essentially critiquing the fact that individuals are seeking empirical evidence as opposed to religion based. When Nicolas Copernicus proved the heliocentric system, that the earth revolved around the sun, it contradicted with what was originally known through religion. People began looking for scientific reasons for almost everything and trying to go beyond the boundaries that God set. In his poem, Pope is trying to justify to man of God’s greater plan and how everything is made the way it is for a reason. Pope writes, “Is the great chain, that draws all to agree, and drawn supports, upheld by God, or thee?” Pops asks a rhetorical question about whether the universe is upheld by God or man, knowing the answer is evidently God. In this way he is criticizing that man is trying to go beyond something they have no control over. Pope believes that God created everything as is and it should remain that way. Pope asks, “Why has not man a microscopic eye?” He answers, “For this plain reason, man is not a fly.” Pope is providing reason for God’s ways by showing that every being on earth is made with everything they need for living and nothing more.
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
If someone believed that whatever happens, happens; they would not think twice about anything since they would assume that there is a reason behind everything. This could negatively affect one’s behavior because they would not put any effort into trying to change the outcome of anything that happens. If a student receives failing grades on their tests and they believe that ‘whatever is, is right’, they probably wouldn’t study harder in the future to try to change those outcomes. They believe that there must be a reason they failed and that’s one way that could lead to bad decisions in the future.
3. What would it mean to belive that “whatever is, is right?” How would it affect one’s outlook or behavior?
“Whatever is, is right” means that people are going along with whatever is happening in the world without questioning or explaining whatever it is thats happening. This is because they believe that an outside force chose for things to be the way they are and they conform with that. This would affect someone’s behavior because hey would be ignorant about certain things and would not even try to explain the cause and/or effects of things that happen in their lives and the world. Some times, our beliefs and faith helps us explain things, but there are also times where people who you trust gives you wrong information.
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
The section X shows how devoted Pope is to God. He believes that everything that happens to you is God’s plan. Pope mentions, “All Nature is but Art, unknown to thee; All Chance, Direction, which thou canst not see; All Discord, Harmony not understood…” which can be interpreted into everything that happens to someone, bad or good, God is behind it and it is something beyond human understanding. Pope ends section X with “WHATEVER IS, IS RIGHT.” meaning that you need to accept your fate and shouldn’t challenge what is right or wrong since God has already determined your fate and everything is working in harmony that no human can understand.
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
Pope’s principle for understanding God is that God creates the “Great Chain of Being” in this world. “Great chain of being” orders all creation according to God’s will. As a human being, we are a part of his large perfection, but we are limited to understand God’s perfect plan. Basically, God creates everything, but there is no direct God’s intervention in this world. I think Pope wants to say that even though we are living in God’s perfect plan, we should find our own way to follow his plan.
To justify God’s ways, human should understand relations to all other things that God created and try to find the best and rational ways to live by themselves.
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
To believe that “whatever is, is right?” is like believing that everything happens for a reason. Whenever we are at our lowest there is always that one person who tries to lift us up by saying, “everything happens for a reason and god has something better for you.” This can have both a negative and a positive affect on a persons outlook and behavior. On the positive side, people who believe “whatever is, is right” tend to be more optimistic, which spreads good vibes. However, on the negative side if a person does not get the job they wanted and they think it happened for a reason then they may not be motivated to improve themselves and try harder for that job because they believe god has a better plan for them. If they rely on everything happening for a reason then they won’t push themselves to try harder because they believe that if something is meant to happen then it will.
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
In my opinion, in writing “whatever is, is right,” Pope tried to tell us that all which occurs is for the best and that everything happens through God’s plan. Although many may not be able to understand this, whatever happens goes according to God’s ways. Many may seem indifferent in trying to live through this outlook as many of us are skeptic and like to know a planned outlook on life and/or our actions.
3. What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
I think that “Whatever is, is right” means that whatever god decided and planned is right. He created and plan things to do certain things, act in certain ways for a reason, and is meant to be accepted. In our world, everyone is different. Some have better lives than others. Some people face many obstacles in their lifetime and think that their life is unfair compared to those who dont have to suffer, but god already knew. He planned for those people to combact obstacles because they are capable and strong. With this belief, I think people will learn to be more confident and positive.
They trust god and whatever he already planned for them to face. When they face challenges, they know it was meant to be. They are prepared to fight because they know they can win and strive for the better things in life. Everyone has ups and downs because no one is perfect . We have to explore around and stand strong on what fate and god has planned for us in our journey called life.
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
When Pope describes his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man”, it means that God have a justifiable reasoning behind everything in his creation. As discussed in class, this was written during the time of scientific revolution and the Age of Reason. Many might start to question the existence of religion and God, but Pope in the poem shows that if God’s orders and beliefs are broken, the whole world would be destroyed. Pope tries to justify that man should submit to God’s power and creation in order to stay safe. He shows that because of science and the search for reasoning we become ignorant to our existing connections with God. Pope ultimately is trying to show that whether it’s a good or bad thing, it is all importance pieces that God has created to keep man safe in this world.
4. According to Pope, what place do human beings have in the universe in relation to other creatures?
According to Pope all humans are like other creatures in the sense that all were created with exactly what they were required to have, anything you were not born able to do, or with the right adaptations to do you are simply not meant to do so. This becomes clear when Pope states “Nothing to add, and nothing to abate/ Each best each insect happy in its own:” and when he later says “Why has not man a microscopic eye? / for this plain reason, Man is not a Fly.” Pope believes humans should not be searching for more than they already have, instead they should be grateful for what God has given them, that if they were meant to do more God would have created them that way. This all relates back to Pope’s idea of “Whatever is right, is right,” the idea that all things in the universe are meant to be as they are, not questioned or changed.