Author Archives: Christopher Toohey

What does Wollstonecraft have to say about marriage? In her view, what would allow a woman to be a good wife and mother?

Mary Wollstonecraft talks largely about the role of women in society, and mocks the view of the men in her era. Society in the 18th century believed that a women’s only role was to please. But if someone cannot derive happiness through anything but pleasing others and not herself she will never really be able to please anyone to her fullest capabilities because she herself is not happy.

For Rousseau, what is the relationship between feeling and thinking?

Rousseau clearly states is ability to feel before think. He developed these feelings at a young age, essentially thinking with his heart and not his mind.  He said that feelings come more naturally than thinking. I personally think that thinking and feelings go hand in hand. How could you feel something without thinking about that feeling?

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” implies that you think that whatever happens is happening for a reason, and that reason is out of your control. Implying there is a higher power determining your faith, which is highlighted in this story. Pope talks about how God is determining your faith. On one hand I agree with what he is saying, that everything does happen for a reason. On the other hand if you lived your whole life like that, that can be a great excuse for laziness and failure to live the life you truly desire.

Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?

I think people like ghost stories and tales of the supernatural because there’s a little bit of uncertainty involved in the topic and I think that sparks an interest in some people. I also think it also lets people escape the repetitive nature of reality, and discover the more creative side of their imagination. They also used it to pass time because they didn’t have the things we have today to keep ourselves entertained.

Hi everyone, my name is Christopher Toohey. I am 21 years old and this is my first semester at Baruch. I am a transfer student from Westchester Community College majoring in Finance. I live just outside of the city in Harrison where I grew up. It is about 40 minutes from the city, so the commute isn’t bad at all. It is great being so close to the city but also being able to get away from all the chaos. Throughout elementary school and middle school I played many sports: baseball, hockey, soccer, football, wrestling and basketball. I am a very active person and you can always find me at the gym! One of the few things I absolutely hate is being bored at home, I always try to keep myself busy with different activities. I enjoy outside activities, during the summer I like to go on hikes (Bear Mountain & Anthony’s Nose is a great place!), runs in the woods and riding quads with my friends. During the winter I snowboard – I have been snowboarding since a young age, I started skiing but after a couple of years I picked up snowboarding and fell in love with it. I go to Hunter Mountain often and whenever I find the time to I take the trip to Vermont for the weekend.

When it comes to school, my strength lies in mathematics and communication. Now that I am in a different college I look forward to being more involved in student activities as well as in my classes. I was an orientation leader at WCC and I had an amazing experience being involved on campus so I am hoping to have the same, if not a better experience here. I am also looking to join some clubs around campus, being involved makes studying that much better! I’m excited to be going to school in the city and making new friends. I’m a very outgoing person and I love to meet new people and get to know them! I also love to help people whenever I can, I am always willing to lend a hand when possible.