Core Course: Terrorism & Counterterrorism: A European Perspective (T&CT)
As a Political Science student who believes that the purpose of Political Science is to achieve the greatest happiness and fulfillment of their citizens, I am keen to learn more about terrorism and counterterrorism.
What drives people to react with terrorism? Is it despair? Is it righteousness? Are they restless? Do they feel silenced and powerless? What is the intrinsic and extrinsic deficit that leaves them with no choice, but to seek power for security? To be clear, it’s not the lacking of humanity.
A friend of mine shared with me a quote from the Adventures of Merlin, episode: A Herald of a New Age: “The unjust nature of his death has denied him” of the peace he so craved, and drove him to sought revenge even after death. Although we might see their actions as terrorism, what do they see it as? What are their actions the consequence of? How do we as a whole respond appropriately?
Elective Course: Concept of Evil in Contemporary Culture (CECC)
In order to better inform my thoughts about Terrorism and Counterterrorism, I also enrolled in Concept of Evil. At the same time, I doubt there’s a better class to take for an English Literature student, as well as an avid gamer and lover of all types of lore.
Good and Evil are two sides of the same coin. Under different circumstances, our roles may be switched.
My main question and interest lie in: What is evil? Exactly who decides what evil is? Often times it seems like ‘evil’ is when people react in ways that harm others. It becomes evil when the consequences of someone’s actions become too painful. But, isn’t the enactor too suffering from pain, implicit or explicit? Is the person ‘evil’? Is the act ‘evil’? Or is ‘true evil’ the circumstances of which the person has suffered to have left them with no other path, but destruction? How might contemporary culture help us understand that “all things are fair, good and just, but men suppose some things are unjust, some just”? (B102, Heraclitus) More importantly, how do we look past the personal and general injustices that that blind us from listening and seeking understanding?
Elective Course: Religion and Politics in Europe
Again, who decides what evil is? For a period, the church was considered the ultimate good. However, as time went on, secularism, the idea that religion and politics should be kept separate, emerged. As we disinherit a model for supposed good, how do we develop our moral compass? Considering the current political adversities, who is to be saved or persecuted? No, that’s not quite it; isn’t our duty to listen and seek an understanding?
Why is religion linked to politics? How exactly does religion affect our culture, our politics, and our daily conduct? I guess, what I’m most curious about is how politics creates its own religion or religion creates its own politics.
In our society of abundance, neither a sense of crisis nor devotion will spread without an impeding threat. That’s why we desperately cling to things. Unless driven into a corner, people won’t cling to religion.
–Carlo Zen, Youjo Senki
Elective Course: Philosophy of Love
What if we lead the world to ruin because we love like fools? At the core, love for the self creates and guides Politics. Politics is a process of decision making for the human community that should aim for the greatest happiness and fulfillment of its citizens. In order to reach that happiness and fulfillment, we must understand love.
Why? Because without love, people choose an unsatisfying, unfulfilling, false happiness. To reach a wholesome love for thyself, they must become self-aware, and break the perpetual cycle of self-sabotage.
At least… that’s briefly, what I think. I hope to learn as much about love and self-awareness as possible. Cultivate self-awareness, and eventually self-love in order to be self-secure enough to listen, love, understand, and guide others to their happiness.
It is through universal love that we can seek an understanding from those who have been labeled as ‘evil,’ and listen to the underlying reason behind their actions.
Do you agree or disagree? What do you think? I’d be interested in hearing another perspective. Write a note in the comments section and I’ll return your message as soon as possible.
Beneath the Wings of Knopsvane 