Searching the most empowering and uniting ideal that America, in general, possess.
2007-05-20 10:27:52 · 9 answers · asked by Joeri 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Most Americans are pragmatists.
2007-05-20 10:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What we have in common is really a combination of having one thing, and lacking another.
1. What we have - The ideal that man is connected directly to his creator, without the need to go through an intermediate source like a church or a government to connect to this creator.
And, that this creator has provided an unlimited source of opportunity and natural resources which we have a right to access by combining our work ethic and building it into our dream. This is what is often referred to as "The American Dream."
2. What we lack - The USA has been somewhat insulated from an evolution of thought which has influenced and captivated Europe. This would be the philosophical influence after John Locke. It is largely a body of philosophy built upon relativity and pessimism. Its influence erodes belief in The American Dream. Consequently, the idealistic power of (1) above remains intact since this influence has been mitigated for various reasons.
Shockingly, most people are completely naive and unaware of the historical and intelectual roots which make us believe what we believe (The source of 1 above).
Even fewer people are aware of 2, the insulatory factor.
2007-05-20 11:00:12 · answer #2 · answered by M O R P H E U S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Originally superman was conceived and written as an alien from a planet with far more gravity. This is the reason he was so strong (like lifting a boulder on the moon, less gravity means things are lighter) and he could jump so high (he couldn't fly, but rather was able to leap over tall buildings due to his strength). This concept evolved as the writers gave superman more and more powers (flying, heat vision, etc.) which then needed some reasoning (the yellow sun gives him power). There is no truth in superman in that their are no super men. However, creating a character that is apart from (and above) humanity allows the writer to reflect a mirror on our species and show a subjective picture of us. As Bill from Kill Bill said, "Clark Kent is supermans critique of mankind." Through superman a writer can show humanities intrinsic weekness, as well as its capacity for both good and evil. We can also see a reflection of the best parts of humanity in the superman character. Brave, caring, self-sacrificing..... all uniquely human traits reflected in our desire to be like him.
2016-05-22 03:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Few are the persons that actually have a disagreement with the American people. Most are with our government and specifically our foreign policy. We are a generous people with a genreous heart.
2007-05-20 10:42:53 · answer #4 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we need to get some of the philosophical people out of the senate and congress as they're not accomplishing anything on the hill these days.
2007-05-20 18:34:41 · answer #5 · answered by sophieb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Faith and Enthusiasm
We are "polly anna" and "mark twain", its a part of our basic nature to aspire to greatness and to share that process and reward with others.
2007-05-20 20:44:32 · answer #6 · answered by mrsmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgive and Forget
Hakuna Matata??? LOL
2007-05-20 10:31:50 · answer #7 · answered by ♥TruBlu_13♥ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The American dream: life. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
2007-05-20 12:18:44 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bombs work.
Our culture is good, yours sucks.
Bombs work really well
2007-05-20 10:36:50 · answer #9 · answered by philip_jones2003 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋