Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Sociological Mindfulness in Walter Pater's "The Renaissance"

For AP English, we had to read Walter Pater's conclusion to "The Renaissance" and see how his philosophy is reflected in The Picture of Dorian Gray. When I was reading, I noticed how Pater talked about embracing new ideas by "curiously testing new opinions and courting new impressions." He also says that "Philosophy is the microscope of thought" because it lets you see and appreciate theories that would otherwise pass unregarded. I believe this quote sums of sociological mindfulness because if you are sociologically mindful, you can learn and respect new ideas that you find in philosophies. Pater also talks about how experiences help us "see and touch" these theories. By being sociologically mindful, you spread what you learn and experience to others. Pater is being sociologically mindful by telling his readers to take time and experience the philosophies because "to burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy [of pleasures from learning and observing new things in life], is the success in life." Although I am not sure how well this relates to The Picture of Dorian Gray (besides going into hedonism and Lord Henry's myriad of philosophies), I do know that this article is all about sociological mindfulness!

2 comments:

  1. Haha - that's funny! Your English class makes more sense in sociology! :-) I like that quote by Pater - I think it relates to soc a lot. You have to be curious, and test new ideas and be opinion to different ways of seeing the world. Cool.

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  2. I definately agree how being sociologically mindfull, you can spread more knowledge to others and in a positive way!

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