|
| Author |
Message |
|
Liz
|
Post subject: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values  Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:41 pm |
| JDZ Moderator |
 |
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 10563
Location: The Left Coast
|
|
“Cheshire-Puss,” she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider. “Come, it’s pleased so far,” thought Alice, and she went on. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—“ said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“—so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
In Note 7 of this chapter Martin Gardner talks of John Kemeny’s book, A Philosopher Looks at Science (1959), in which the author places the Cheshire Cat’s answer at the head of his chapter on science and values. Gardner:
“The Cat’s answer expresses very precisely the eternal cleavage between science and ethics. As Kemeny makes clear, science cannot tell us where to go, but after this decision is made on other grounds, it can tell us the best way to get there. I am told there is a passage in the Talmud that says: “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.”
What do you think is the purpose of this passage in Alice.
_________________________________________________________
The only thing that matters is the ending. It's the most important part of the story.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
gemini
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 7:28 pm |
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:28 pm
Posts: 3494
Location: Florida
|
|
I think Carroll being one of these men of math and science who like solving puzzles and theories wanted to get Alice or his readers to think about the meaning of what they ask. Children love to ask open questions like “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here"? The type of question puts the responsibility of the decision making on someone else, usually older. Carroll seems to have been trying to get Alice to think. The Cheshire cat answered her with a correct answer but still leaving the decision up to Alice.
_________________________________________________________
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nebraska
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:22 pm |
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:15 pm
Posts: 6071
Location: Nebraska
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
deppaura
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:33 pm |
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:27 am
Posts: 436
Location: kensington ca
|
|
I think it's a bit philosophical. I read somewhere that the Cheshire Cat was one of the few characters who seemed to at least communicate with Alice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liz
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:47 pm |
| JDZ Moderator |
|
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 10563
Location: The Left Coast
|
|
Well, I think it is all of the above. Philosophical, spiritual, logical all wrapped in one. That Carroll was a brilliant guy. I think he made use of puzzles to make the kiddies happy (but also the adults and himself) but also added things that were deeper in meaning…..to stretch one’s mind, as it were.
_________________________________________________________
The only thing that matters is the ending. It's the most important part of the story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buster
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:19 am |
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:07 am
Posts: 288
|
|
Carroll obviously loved intellectual play, and encouraged it in others. As someone who is often caught between science and art, I appreciate his vision.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DeppInTheHeartOfTexas
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:08 pm |
| JDZ Moderator |
 |
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:43 pm
Posts: 9428
Location: Austin
|
|
It also reminds me of the saying "no matter where you go, there you are".
_________________________________________________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
Wow! What a ride!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buster
|
Post subject: Re: Alice Question #7 ~ The Cheshire Cat on Science and Values Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 4:22 pm |
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:07 am
Posts: 288
|
|
No words here.
The Hatter and Alice will suffice
Ohh!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
