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.
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?
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 attempts to prove that all things which are above man and his understanding explains the true position man holds in this world or universe so to speak. In his poem, Pope exudes the numerous ways in which man is only a small fraction of a larger system and should act as such and refrain from judging nature and the heavens. He hopes to prove to men that are described in the poem, as being prideful that God is above us in the greater order of things. He is the true author of our fate and allows us only to hope of what each day may bring with absolutely no great or real control over the worlds gradation. An example of this opinion is highlighted when pope says “Presumptuous man! the reason wouldst thou find, why form’d so weak, so little and so blind?” Pope hopes to prove in his poem that though men believe that God has fallen short in some areas to their displeasure, he is actually unfolding this in away that is best suited to his own liking. Regardless of how important man feels their own needs are. He aims to justify the natural order of things.
Pope describes the purpose of his poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” What do you think he means by this?
The work “An Essay of Man” is a well structured essay composed in the eighteenth century during the Enlightenment era. This poem by Alexander the Pope, redefines the relationship of man and God in 10 specific parts to send the people a message of the significance of God. In the poem, he mentions how God is superior to all and every individual should not question his works. For example in section 8, he mentions how every creature and species has its own specific purpose, and if they died out it would cause a unbalanced system in society. This proves to justify the creations of God. In addition in section 5, he mentions how God has created illnesses, floods, volcanos and venomous insects, but it is not our business to know what for. Despite encountering difficulties in the world, the pope tries to convey the message that it’s God’s plan and intentions. Therefore, society should rather follow than question as God is the inferior and has a order in society. Alexander the pope justifies nature’s order and what’s expected to follow as that’s the will of God.
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?
In some way, the statement is an absurdity. God’s ways do not have to be vindicated to man, both because man has no say in the ways of God, but also because whatever God does is Good by nature. There is nothing that God must redeem itself or apologize for, rather that is the essential mission of Christian humans since the fall (so the story goes). However, there is a necessity within most historical epochs to reorganize religious faith and spiritual doctrines as to recreate justifications that both possess a historical continuity with the ongoing religious history, but also can explain the world through the perspective of the modern people. Pope’s nebulous poem is an attempt to create that contemporary explanation, especially in an England that was lacking progressive religious voices. Pope’s exploration of nature, specifically plant and animal life in particular, marks God’s presence among the beings that the natural sciences had grown focused on. His adages to the galaxy and the “milky way” are not only gestures to astronomy, but an assurance that despite the fact the Earth had been untethered from its center point in the Universe, God remains absolute and fills the gaps we have now recognized. Reassurance that the comforting presence of God exists within the newly discovered gaps in our knowledge is a critical task of the artist.
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 to believe that the present moment is meant to be happening and is in some ways perfect. It can be to appreciate the circumstances surrounding someone at the moment and to trust that that person is in the right place, in this case referring to Pope’s “Essay on Man” that God has put you in the right position and to not question if you should be there at that moment or not. Pope is saying that people should not question their situation because it is right. They were meant to be there by God. This could affect someone’s outlook in life in both a positive and negative way. Someone may feel less stressed about their future because they acknowledge that they have a a life planned out ahead of them and trust God’s plan. This can also be seen as negative. Individuals strive to be better and would like to believe that they have control over their own lives and should put more effort in their life.
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?
What I think the pope means is he describes the poem as a lesson and ways man can live rightfully by the teaching of God. The “ essay on man “ construct 10 messages that God has for a man based on the subject of life. An example that supports my explanation is “ His soul, proud science never taught to stray far as the solar walk, or milky way, yet simple nature to his hope has given.” This quote shows that a man’s journey can not be explained by science but in gods in nature.In addition , gods nature doesn’t reflect science .
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior
Even though we may not understand everything that happens within the universe we should accept it as it can be seen how God intended. Now many sought out answers through the enlightenment and found evidence and explanations on how the universe was created and how things operate in nature. Though not everything is concrete and solvable where in the terms of religious faith could argue that the only answer is god himself. To follow and believe “whatever is, is right” has much to say, when speaking about natural disasters we can not predict them but is this what god planned? In situations and ideologies like these it may be best to follow the order it may have been intended to be.
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 to believe that everything that happens, no matter the circumstance, is meant to happen for a greater purpose… This purpose being God. Pope believes in this ideology, because although he knows that recently many inventions have been happening, these inventions are happening, because God himself wanted this to happen. This quote is a good way to acknowledge all that is happening, while recognizing that God is also there giving a reason for everything that’s happening on Earth.
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
In his essay, Pope argues the existence of God and man’s place in the universe. When he says “whatever is, is right” he means that everything happens for a reason as a part of God’s plan. There are moral and immoral people, good and evil exist, but everything is ordained by God and humans can not begin to understand the reason behind everything since we are mortals.
This outlook on life would make one bias towards the belief that things are fated or predestined. If everything is determined, then we can conclude that that everything happens for a reason, even if we are not aware of said reason. Under this belief, one’s behavior would express a fatalistic stance. They may feel powerless to change certain events and feel that bad outcomes can’t changed. Additionally, they could feel like they can’t change their behavior or suffer from the belief that they lack free will.
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How could that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
The pope is saying that humans question what is right or not without knowing the whole picture. Take for example a natural forest fire, yes it’s destrcutive and one could argue against God for the unfairness of it. However, a natural fire it part of the process and the forest grows back stronger. Humans have short life spans, limited tools and there are many things we can’t see or measure. Science cannot answer all questions.
The outlook really depends on the person and where they are in their life. The outlook can be used to be passive in life and not struggle for what we want. Or it can used as a way to gather patience. After all, the saying “whatever is, is right” doesn’t mean things can’t change.
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” can mean that anything that happens to you, or anything that occurs in the universe, happens for a reason. The fact that it has a reason, we should not question it or try to change the course of events. “Whatever is, is right” refers to the natural forces of the world beyond human control. If one were to believe in this saying, he or she may have a more positive and idealistic attitude. One would not allow uncontrollable events effect their thoughts and actions negatively since they know that these events are beyond their control. One would also seek reasoning in each event that occurs.
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 described the purpose of the poem as “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” This could mean several things but one thing I think Pope is trying to explain is that he is trying to justify the things god does. Another meaning behind this is to explain why things are the way they are to people that are losing their faith. Pope seems to think that people are no longer believing in God as much and that they are losing their faith so he is writing this essay in order to clear suspicion that God is not real and show give people an explanation.
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?
I agree with r.hoffmann when he explains that Pope is trying to justify the things God does. I also believe that he is trying to explain to the people who lost faith in Him, that he is real. The main point that statement is trying to explain that God does what he does because he has a plan and that plan will never be figured out by man, but that people should have faith and believe that it is fate that things happen to them. The audience that Pope tries to appeal to is those who have begun to lose faith in God and tries to make them believe again by sharing and “vindicate the ways of God to man”.
In the poem “An Essay on Man,” written by Alexander Pope, the supposed main purpose of the poem is as Pope states: “to vindicate the ways of God to man.” In saying this I believe he means that his poem is in some ways a method of justifying some of the actions God takes upon man whether they be good or bad. Throughout the poem it is stated that man should not question God or his plan because in the grand scheme of things we are just small parts of a larger plan that He has for us. Many people have difficulty wrapping their mind around some of the reasonings for actions taken by God, this poem is purposed for justifying those reasonings.
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
In his essay , pope suggest that universe works accordding to a good design, which indicates existence of god-like perspective. Thus, the meaning of “whatever is , is right “is pretty clear. To illustrate, from a god-like perspective, anything happens in the universe is designed and the god let this happen for a reason(though we might fail to see it).
It will affect one in both positive and negative ways. “whatever is, is right”helps people to get sad things relatively easier, say, one’s relative pass away. On the other hand, this setence may weaken people’s desire to alter his condition, because he might think that he is in his current position for a good reason and there is no need to change it.
What would it mean to believe that “whatever is, is right?” How would that affect one’s outlook or behavior?
Alexander the Pope expresses the significance of God and humans in this universe through “An Essay on Man”. He hopes to prove that questioning god’s ways and his works is no good as “He sees the whole at once, and saw its just proportions in the womb of time; but man, who can only inspect disjointed parts, finds many things wrong.” (A Vindication of The Rights of Women) Therefore, “whatever is, is right” to many humans and would affect one’s behavior such that they believe that nature and life have their own plans for them. Nevertheless, it can affect one’s outlook in a negative way as well because there are many who believe that they have control over their lives can shape their lives their own way by putting more effort.