Thursday, January 31, 2008
Really, really expensive shampoo
I layered Burberry London for Men & Terre d'Hermes, and most surprisingly, got Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
My wish list
Ok, I added a wish list (see sidebar), which is absolutely something I should have done ages ago. It'd be nice if you guys could get me any one of those (understatement. I'd actually love you till the end of time), but I don't really expect it and foresee I'll have to spend my own money (horror!) on them. Nevertheless, at least the list ought to keep my focused and prevent me from buying other stuff when that money could have gone to any of the items on my list.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
how a library can kill you
I'm dying here... I've been spending days alone in the library flipping through books that, as interesting and entertaining as they were initially, are probably going to get drier and more boring as I go along. I can't surf the net or watch videos while working, there's no one to talk to, I can't MSN and work at the same time, and I can't even listen to music because I'm in such a music mood these days, it's hard to listen to music that induces brain-implosion and work simultaneously, and music that doesn't induce brain-implosion is not listen-worthy when I'm in this mood.
Hours and hours and days and days and weeks and weeks of flipping through books without anything else to do.......
I could cry with sheer frustration and boredom.
Hours and hours and days and days and weeks and weeks of flipping through books without anything else to do.......
I could cry with sheer frustration and boredom.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
In the news
Carla Bruni avoids protocol issue
Carla Bruni, the girlfriend of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has told a leading French newspaper that she will not travel with him to India this week.
The decision means that Indian officials do not have to resolve protocol issues of how to treat a head of state's girlfriend.
Carla Bruni, the girlfriend of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has told a leading French newspaper that she will not travel with him to India this week.
The decision means that Indian officials do not have to resolve protocol issues of how to treat a head of state's girlfriend.
Officials said there was no precedent for a head of state visiting with their girlfriend and there is no mention in the rule book about where she should be accommodated or seated.
Officially, the foreign ministry refused to comment on the visit, but in private many diplomats hinted at the "protocol confusion" that gripped the government.
This amused me to no end.
Maid finds boss is missing father
A Vietnamese woman who travelled to Taiwan to find the father she had never met, ended up working for him without knowing it.
Ms Tran had travelled to Taiwan a few years earlier to search for her father. Her only clues were a gold ring and a photograph of him as a young man.
He had given the mementoes to a Vietnamese woman he had fallen in love with in Hong Kong in 1967. She had returned to her home country to care for her mother and he later returned to Taiwan.
The woman gave birth to Tran Thi Kham, but died two years later. The child was brought up by her aunt - whom she thought was her mother until the day of her wedding, at age 21. On that day, her aunt revealed the true story and passed on the ring and the photo.
This was terribly amusing too. Oh come on, the drama... the drama...
I love the BBC for all the wrong reasons.
Monday, January 21, 2008
a bit of joy in a lot of work
I put on my jacket and realised I can smell my perfume on my jacket.
I've never, in all my years as an NUS student, spent this much time in the bloody library.
I've never, in all my years as an NUS student, spent this much time in the bloody library.
Ring-a-ring-o'-roses,
PM urges world institution reform
Gordon Brown has called for reform of international institutions, including the United Nations and the World Bank, on the final day of his trip to India.
A pocket full of posies,
In a keynote speech in New Delhi, the prime minister said it was time to build a "new global society".
A-tishoo, a-tishoo,
Mr Brown also called for the expansion of the UN Security Council and the establishment of a World Bank fund to combat global warming.
We all fall down.
Gordon Brown has called for reform of international institutions, including the United Nations and the World Bank, on the final day of his trip to India.
A pocket full of posies,
In a keynote speech in New Delhi, the prime minister said it was time to build a "new global society".
A-tishoo, a-tishoo,
Mr Brown also called for the expansion of the UN Security Council and the establishment of a World Bank fund to combat global warming.
We all fall down.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
insecurity
This very very serious post was inspired by this post at a blog I always visit cos the guy's funny and ten kinds of nice in a good way.
My friends often say that I seem to expect very little of them and not miss them at all when they're away. Which is absolutely true. I think it's because of that that I don't really get into major tiffs with friends. I don't get all worked up thinking that someone's being insensitive or uncaring or someone doesn't appreciate me as much as he/she should, and it's perfectly alright if friends disappear for months for whatever reason as long as I know we're still friends. Which is why I really don't understand why certain quarrels are so hard to resolve. (ahem :P)
I figure that since I spend most of my time not thinking or caring about my friends, there's no reason why I should expect any of my friends to spend any significant amount of time thinking about me. Most of my mental (and a large part of my emotional) effort goes into the constant inner struggle over whether I should finish up that chocolate bar in my fridge. (there's always a chocolate bar in the fridge) So I fully expect my friends to be more concerned about dinner than about me, and I fully expect them to contact me only when they're bored/ need help/ need company. And it's ok.
In the same way, because I'm never able to remember faces and names, if I have met someone only once or twice, I expect him/her to have forgotten me, and am pleasantly surprised when he hasn't. (and very embarrassed because 99% of the time, I've forgotten who he is. Also, when I introduce myself again, they're like, dude, I know who you are.)
On the other hand, for those people (read: LSB) whom I think about only slightly less than chocolate, I feel terribly devastated when I find that no, LSB has not been thinking of me at all, omg why doesn't he think about me does he still love me?!?!?! *silent scream, pulls hair out* And if he still hasn't remembered my birthday you better take a step back cos I don't know what I might do. But you know, it puts a lot of pressure on the relationship when I'm like that. Well, at least I know that I'm more than a bit neurotic when it comes to LSB and I'm trying my best to take a more laid-back approach and to expect less of my boyfriend-who-is-an-utter-caveman-and-not-a-SNAG-at-all. *sigh*
Ok, I took a nap just now and woke at 1am, so many more sleepless hours to go...
My friends often say that I seem to expect very little of them and not miss them at all when they're away. Which is absolutely true. I think it's because of that that I don't really get into major tiffs with friends. I don't get all worked up thinking that someone's being insensitive or uncaring or someone doesn't appreciate me as much as he/she should, and it's perfectly alright if friends disappear for months for whatever reason as long as I know we're still friends. Which is why I really don't understand why certain quarrels are so hard to resolve. (ahem :P)
I figure that since I spend most of my time not thinking or caring about my friends, there's no reason why I should expect any of my friends to spend any significant amount of time thinking about me. Most of my mental (and a large part of my emotional) effort goes into the constant inner struggle over whether I should finish up that chocolate bar in my fridge. (there's always a chocolate bar in the fridge) So I fully expect my friends to be more concerned about dinner than about me, and I fully expect them to contact me only when they're bored/ need help/ need company. And it's ok.
In the same way, because I'm never able to remember faces and names, if I have met someone only once or twice, I expect him/her to have forgotten me, and am pleasantly surprised when he hasn't. (and very embarrassed because 99% of the time, I've forgotten who he is. Also, when I introduce myself again, they're like, dude, I know who you are.)
On the other hand, for those people (read: LSB) whom I think about only slightly less than chocolate, I feel terribly devastated when I find that no, LSB has not been thinking of me at all, omg why doesn't he think about me does he still love me?!?!?! *silent scream, pulls hair out* And if he still hasn't remembered my birthday you better take a step back cos I don't know what I might do. But you know, it puts a lot of pressure on the relationship when I'm like that. Well, at least I know that I'm more than a bit neurotic when it comes to LSB and I'm trying my best to take a more laid-back approach and to expect less of my boyfriend-who-is-an-utter-caveman-and-not-a-SNAG-at-all. *sigh*
Ok, I took a nap just now and woke at 1am, so many more sleepless hours to go...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Bimbotic post - shoes & dresses
Guys, witness the height (depths) of my bimboticness...
I need to re-organize my wardrobe. As much as I'd like to ignore her, my mum is right. I have too many pieces of clothes that I don't wear.
Let's ignore the large quantities of tops and pants because I can't really count past 100 (I'm afraid I don't have that many skirts) and start with the dresses.
I have:
- 1 blue dress (worn twice)
- 1 dark blue shirt dress (never worn)
- 1 black dress with floral embroidery detail (never worn)
- 1 black empire layered dress (worn once)
- 1 black cotton dress, empire cut (worn twice)
- 1 black dress, waist detail (never worn)
- 1 black + floral design dress, flutter sleeves (never worn)
- 1 black sheath dress (worn once)
- 1 black tube dress (worn once)
- 1 silver dress with belt (worn once)
- 1 brown dress with ribbon (worn once)
- 1 white & brown floral dress (never worn)
- 1 casual dress, white + floral design (worn many times)
- 1 turquoise retro dress (yes, I finally remember which dress this is) (never worn)
- 1 pink satin dress (never worn)
- 1 purple short cheongsam (worn once)
2 dresses worn twice, 6 dresses worn once, 7 dresses never worn, and only 1 dress worn many times. The stats are damning. The pink dress & the cheongsam were, unfortunately, bought when I was much slimmer *sniff* and so I'd have to lose some weight in order to wear them again. Even though I'd love to wear the cheongsam again. Even though I have no occasion to. Even though it is kind of too short and channels all kinds of slutty. Especially since it's kind of too short and all kinds of slutty. ;)
And yes, too many black dresses.
Note to self: no more black dresses.
Shoes.
- 1 pink crocs slippers (worn too many times)
- 1 cream sandals (worn many times)
- 1 dark green pumps (going to wear! it's still new)
- 1 lime green pumps (worn once)
- 1 black stiletto pumps (worn once)
- 1 black patent pumps (worn once)
- 1 white & silver heels (worn a few times)
- 1 black with gold details heels (worn many times)
- 1 beige wedges (worn many times)
- 1 pink satin peep-toes (never worn - this was probably the biggest mistake of my life, but can be remedied once I'm willing to wear tonnes of bling)
- 1 grey denim slingbacks (worn once)
- 1 black heels with metal chain (worn many times)
- 1 black strappy heels (worn a few times)
- 1 silver wedges (worn a few times)
Ok, this is not the whole list. I'm pretty sure I've a few pairs that I've completely forgotten. Anyway, the shoes that I've only worn once? It's the pain. All you gals should understand. But I've discovered a new way to break into shoes! If it works I'll tell you all.
Also, the lack of flats? It's cos it's so difficult to find pretty flats, and cos the moment I get flats, I wear them till they break. So I only have 1 pair of flats at any one time. (and at the moment it's my crocs. *the horror*)
Again, too much black. And surprisingly 2 greens. Me thinking my next pair (which will hopefully be far far in the future) should be something reddish. And it'd better be devoid of pain.
Argh......
I need to re-organize my wardrobe. As much as I'd like to ignore her, my mum is right. I have too many pieces of clothes that I don't wear.
Let's ignore the large quantities of tops and pants because I can't really count past 100 (I'm afraid I don't have that many skirts) and start with the dresses.
I have:
- 1 blue dress (worn twice)
- 1 dark blue shirt dress (never worn)
- 1 black dress with floral embroidery detail (never worn)
- 1 black empire layered dress (worn once)
- 1 black cotton dress, empire cut (worn twice)
- 1 black dress, waist detail (never worn)
- 1 black + floral design dress, flutter sleeves (never worn)
- 1 black sheath dress (worn once)
- 1 black tube dress (worn once)
- 1 silver dress with belt (worn once)
- 1 brown dress with ribbon (worn once)
- 1 white & brown floral dress (never worn)
- 1 casual dress, white + floral design (worn many times)
- 1 turquoise retro dress (yes, I finally remember which dress this is) (never worn)
- 1 pink satin dress (never worn)
- 1 purple short cheongsam (worn once)
2 dresses worn twice, 6 dresses worn once, 7 dresses never worn, and only 1 dress worn many times. The stats are damning. The pink dress & the cheongsam were, unfortunately, bought when I was much slimmer *sniff* and so I'd have to lose some weight in order to wear them again. Even though I'd love to wear the cheongsam again. Even though I have no occasion to. Even though it is kind of too short and channels all kinds of slutty. Especially since it's kind of too short and all kinds of slutty. ;)
And yes, too many black dresses.
Note to self: no more black dresses.
Shoes.
- 1 pink crocs slippers (worn too many times)
- 1 cream sandals (worn many times)
- 1 dark green pumps (going to wear! it's still new)
- 1 lime green pumps (worn once)
- 1 black stiletto pumps (worn once)
- 1 black patent pumps (worn once)
- 1 white & silver heels (worn a few times)
- 1 black with gold details heels (worn many times)
- 1 beige wedges (worn many times)
- 1 pink satin peep-toes (never worn - this was probably the biggest mistake of my life, but can be remedied once I'm willing to wear tonnes of bling)
- 1 grey denim slingbacks (worn once)
- 1 black heels with metal chain (worn many times)
- 1 black strappy heels (worn a few times)
- 1 silver wedges (worn a few times)
Ok, this is not the whole list. I'm pretty sure I've a few pairs that I've completely forgotten. Anyway, the shoes that I've only worn once? It's the pain. All you gals should understand. But I've discovered a new way to break into shoes! If it works I'll tell you all.
Also, the lack of flats? It's cos it's so difficult to find pretty flats, and cos the moment I get flats, I wear them till they break. So I only have 1 pair of flats at any one time. (and at the moment it's my crocs. *the horror*)
Again, too much black. And surprisingly 2 greens. Me thinking my next pair (which will hopefully be far far in the future) should be something reddish. And it'd better be devoid of pain.
Argh......
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
China's middle class
Well-heeled protests hit Shanghai
Rarely have protests in China been so well organised, or the protesters so well-dressed.
Rarely have protests in China been so well organised, or the protesters so well-dressed.
The residents of Pingyang district, in the south of the city, say their health is at risk and their homes will become worthless if a planned extension to Shanghai's futuristic maglev railway goes ahead.
They are part of China's new middle class. Many of them bought their first homes here, capitalising on China's new economic freedoms.
I haven't done this in a long time.
1. What time did you get up this morning?
930am? Thanks to LSB.
2. Diamonds or Pearls?
Anything. Just give it to me. But if I had to choose... diamonds. (are you guys surprised?)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
My Blueberry Nights. Hmmm seems like my cinema phase has died down quite a bit.
4. What is your favourite TV show?
Scrubs. I wish I could say something more brainy, but this is it. Honest injun.
5. What did you eat for breakfast?
Sliced fish noodles. (or whatever it translates to)
6. What foods do you dislike?
Pretty much nothing? No, serious. I have a mood for every food ;)
7. Your favourite potato chip?
Sour cream & onions.
8. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
No favourite CD. Not in music mood today.
9. What kind of car do you drive?
No car, don't drive. Yet. ( and that's a promise!)
10. Favourite sandwich?
Oooh. So many... Hmmm almost anything with honey mustard. And olives.
11. What characteristics do you despise?
The despicable ones? Too lazy to think of what I despise.
12. What are your favorite clothes?
Currently, my blue dress! I've worn it twice and I only bought it a month(?) ago!
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Japan? *hint hint* New York or the UK.
14. What color is your bathroom?
White?
15. Favourite brand of clothing?
Erm no favs.
16. Favourite time of day?
There's a mood for every time of the day.
17. Where would you want to retire to?
Somewhere Mediterranean-ish. Don't do cold very well.
18. Favorite sport to watch?
Don't watch sports.
19. Coke or Pepsi?
Yucks neither.
20. Are you a morning person or night owl?
A mood for every time. Damn I do repeat myself.
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
I made NY resolutions! But maybe I'll talk about those next time.
22. What did you want to be when you were little?
Author.
23. What is your best childhood memory?
Sitting in car at night while parents drive through Malaysia.
24. Nicknames?
Yes, but I don't see the point of publicizing them myself.
25. Piercings?
1 in each ear.
26. Eye Color?
Dark brown.
27. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday!
28. Favorite restaurant?
Too many.
29. Favorite ice cream?
Lemon sorbet.
30. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Wow. Maybe at a school registering for courses.
31. Bedtime?
Probably 5am despite my best efforts. Sigh.
32. What are you listening to right now?
Hum of the laptop that's giving me a headache.
33. How many tattoos do you have?
Zilch.
34. Next film you'll see?
No idea.
35. Tag someone?
Blah.
Ok, that was boring. Even for me.
930am? Thanks to LSB.
2. Diamonds or Pearls?
Anything. Just give it to me. But if I had to choose... diamonds. (are you guys surprised?)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
My Blueberry Nights. Hmmm seems like my cinema phase has died down quite a bit.
4. What is your favourite TV show?
Scrubs. I wish I could say something more brainy, but this is it. Honest injun.
5. What did you eat for breakfast?
Sliced fish noodles. (or whatever it translates to)
6. What foods do you dislike?
Pretty much nothing? No, serious. I have a mood for every food ;)
7. Your favourite potato chip?
Sour cream & onions.
8. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
No favourite CD. Not in music mood today.
9. What kind of car do you drive?
No car, don't drive. Yet. ( and that's a promise!)
10. Favourite sandwich?
Oooh. So many... Hmmm almost anything with honey mustard. And olives.
11. What characteristics do you despise?
The despicable ones? Too lazy to think of what I despise.
12. What are your favorite clothes?
Currently, my blue dress! I've worn it twice and I only bought it a month(?) ago!
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Japan? *hint hint* New York or the UK.
14. What color is your bathroom?
White?
15. Favourite brand of clothing?
Erm no favs.
16. Favourite time of day?
There's a mood for every time of the day.
17. Where would you want to retire to?
Somewhere Mediterranean-ish. Don't do cold very well.
18. Favorite sport to watch?
Don't watch sports.
19. Coke or Pepsi?
Yucks neither.
20. Are you a morning person or night owl?
A mood for every time. Damn I do repeat myself.
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
I made NY resolutions! But maybe I'll talk about those next time.
22. What did you want to be when you were little?
Author.
23. What is your best childhood memory?
Sitting in car at night while parents drive through Malaysia.
24. Nicknames?
Yes, but I don't see the point of publicizing them myself.
25. Piercings?
1 in each ear.
26. Eye Color?
Dark brown.
27. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday!
28. Favorite restaurant?
Too many.
29. Favorite ice cream?
Lemon sorbet.
30. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Wow. Maybe at a school registering for courses.
31. Bedtime?
Probably 5am despite my best efforts. Sigh.
32. What are you listening to right now?
Hum of the laptop that's giving me a headache.
33. How many tattoos do you have?
Zilch.
34. Next film you'll see?
No idea.
35. Tag someone?
Blah.
Ok, that was boring. Even for me.
Friday, January 11, 2008
*yawnz*
I'd forgotten how tedious & boring library research can be.
Is Starbucks McCigarettes a horrible name for a (toy) dog? Why does everyone oppose it? I happen to think it's the right and delectable mix of wanton capitalism and health-destroying narcotics (nicotine + caffeine anyone?). Maybe if I tone it down and call him Starbucks McCiggy?
Is Starbucks McCigarettes a horrible name for a (toy) dog? Why does everyone oppose it? I happen to think it's the right and delectable mix of wanton capitalism and health-destroying narcotics (nicotine + caffeine anyone?). Maybe if I tone it down and call him Starbucks McCiggy?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Tumultuous days
*spotlight*
Much has happened since the last time you heard from me. *gazes pensively at starry sky*
I... *gust of wind picks up*
I... am no longer the same person. *sakura petals fall*
My love... I'm still waiting for you to return... *cries solitary tear*
Anywayz, I have to assure all of you that although I sounded as if I was nursing my nth drink in an empty bar on NY's Eve, listening to mournful songs, and ignoring all the bartender's subtle attempts to persuade me to go home, this was not the case. In fact, I was at home watching random tv shows with my family and didn't realise it was 2008 until my mum burst out of her bedroom scattering NY greetings & kisses.
This has really been the season for the past. I just got a call from a PRC kid I tutored a long time ago, and he's now in Sec 3! He was only in primary school then! I was really quite fond of him, and the call quite made my day.
Much has happened since the last time you heard from me. *gazes pensively at starry sky*
I... *gust of wind picks up*
I... am no longer the same person. *sakura petals fall*
My love... I'm still waiting for you to return... *cries solitary tear*
Anywayz, I have to assure all of you that although I sounded as if I was nursing my nth drink in an empty bar on NY's Eve, listening to mournful songs, and ignoring all the bartender's subtle attempts to persuade me to go home, this was not the case. In fact, I was at home watching random tv shows with my family and didn't realise it was 2008 until my mum burst out of her bedroom scattering NY greetings & kisses.
This has really been the season for the past. I just got a call from a PRC kid I tutored a long time ago, and he's now in Sec 3! He was only in primary school then! I was really quite fond of him, and the call quite made my day.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy New Year and blah
Happy 2008 blah blah blah, countdown blah, party and drinks blah blah blah. Yeah, whatever. Too old for all this nonsense.
*bad mood*
I think I'll just curl up and read an old novel and maybe everything will pass me by.
*bad mood*
I think I'll just curl up and read an old novel and maybe everything will pass me by.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Postcards and Food
Me is quite tired.
This has been a month for long-lost friends. I got a surprise email from a friend I've lost contact with for 4? years. I got a surprise email from an ultra-elusive friend whom I've not heard from for 2? years. And I got a surprise postcard from Oslo from a friend who replies to emails with postcards. Although he's German he keeps sending postcards from everywhere except Germany (eg. Cairo, Prague). It's kind of amusing, but damn, is he on a permanent holiday? (Like me?)
Why am I helping out for a concert just because this guy who only contacts me once a year asked me? (Btw, he also asked me if I wanted to play, and I firmly declined citing overall rustiness lolz.)
I think I should stop offering my services FOC. So this is the deal, guys, if you need any more help with applications, letters, presentations, emails, interviews (you know who I'm looking at), you'll have to feed me in exchange. I demand fair payment for my services! I don't really care what type of food you feed me as long as you feed me! Food is important to me! I will keep working as long as you keep feeding me! My loyal service can be bought with food! (Pls spread the word. I'm fairly serious about this. Unless of course, you wish to pay me in dollars/gold/stock options instead.)
This has been a month for long-lost friends. I got a surprise email from a friend I've lost contact with for 4? years. I got a surprise email from an ultra-elusive friend whom I've not heard from for 2? years. And I got a surprise postcard from Oslo from a friend who replies to emails with postcards. Although he's German he keeps sending postcards from everywhere except Germany (eg. Cairo, Prague). It's kind of amusing, but damn, is he on a permanent holiday? (Like me?)
Why am I helping out for a concert just because this guy who only contacts me once a year asked me? (Btw, he also asked me if I wanted to play, and I firmly declined citing overall rustiness lolz.)
I think I should stop offering my services FOC. So this is the deal, guys, if you need any more help with applications, letters, presentations, emails, interviews (you know who I'm looking at), you'll have to feed me in exchange. I demand fair payment for my services! I don't really care what type of food you feed me as long as you feed me! Food is important to me! I will keep working as long as you keep feeding me! My loyal service can be bought with food! (Pls spread the word. I'm fairly serious about this. Unless of course, you wish to pay me in dollars/gold/stock options instead.)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
shoulda known
I finished all the stuff I had to do today quite early, then all of a sudden there was nothing to do and my mind just couldn't wrap itself round the idea that there was nothing that needed to be done.
Granted, I've not been so busy that I have not been able to watch movies or shop. Far from it. But there's always something that is waiting to be done.
And then without warning, there was nothing.
So I wafted through the house like a lost spirit, feeling empty and listless, and finally settled down like a layer of dust in front of the tv. (How else could it end?)
I should have known it wouldn't last. *stress*
(Still holding up my side of the equation and hoping it'll make a difference.)
Granted, I've not been so busy that I have not been able to watch movies or shop. Far from it. But there's always something that is waiting to be done.
And then without warning, there was nothing.
So I wafted through the house like a lost spirit, feeling empty and listless, and finally settled down like a layer of dust in front of the tv. (How else could it end?)
I should have known it wouldn't last. *stress*
(Still holding up my side of the equation and hoping it'll make a difference.)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Leibniz (tbc)
Argh! I discovered another book on my table that just might be LSB's, and the explanation of Leibniz is A LOT clearer... So it appears that I had a number of mistakes in my previous post on Leibniz. Sigh.
Ok, I promise myself that soon (SOON) I'll write another one on Leibniz that I'm satisfied with.
Thank goodness most philosophers are dead, else I shall be obliged to kill them.
Ok, I promise myself that soon (SOON) I'll write another one on Leibniz that I'm satisfied with.
Thank goodness most philosophers are dead, else I shall be obliged to kill them.
Leibniz
Ok, I promised myself to write this after I read up on Descartes and Spinoza. However, I've delayed for several months now, and I think it's probably because some primal, intuitive part of me screamed 'Do Not Go There!'
Oh well, no more procrastinating!
From:
- Roger Scruton's A Short History of Modern Philosophy: From Descartes to Wittgenstein, 2nd ed.
- The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Leibniz
The starting point: Spinoza & the individual
- Recall Spinoza's argument that individuals are mere expressions of God (modes of the substance).
- Spinoza also argued that therefore, immortality for humans means "[surviving] in part, and [dispersing] in the infinite mind of God." (Scruton, 65)
- Leibniz thought that if individuals are mere expressions of God, then they are
not truly individuals, and immortality has no meaning if the human does not remain an individual.
- Problem: how to reconcile the notion of the 'individual' with the notion of the 'divine substance'?
Ok, now let's start with certain principles first:
Principle of Contradiction
- If something is self-contradictory, then it is false
- Anything that is the opposite of the false is true.
- The Principle of Contradiction identifies truths of reason.
- Truths of reason are necessary.
- A necessary truth/truth of reason is true in all possible worlds.
- A necessary truth/truth of reason is knowable a priori by finite minds.
Principle of Sufficient Reason
- We can find no truth without there being a sufficient reason why it is so and not otherwise, even though most of these reasons can't be known to us.
- The Principle of Sufficient Reason identifies truths of fact.
- Truths of fact are contingent.
- A contingent truth/truth of fact is only knowable a posteriori by finite minds, through experimentation and investigation.
- Only God knows contingent truths a priori.
- While acknowledging the existence of contingent truths, Leibniz still wanted to base these truths on reason, avoiding 'pure' contingency.
The Predicate-in-Subject Principle
- In every necessary or contingent truth, the concept of the predicate is included in that of the subject.
- In other words, one who understands the subject perfectly would also know that the predicate belongs to it.
Ok, now we move on.
Monads
- Entities are either composite or simple.
- Composite entities are divisible and extended.
- Simple entities are Monads.
- Monads:
- are indivisible (true substances)
- cannot be extended
- can be distinguished from each other by their predicates (properties)
- can't be created/destroyed by the natural course of things -- can only be created/destroyed by a miracle
- Every monad has a Complete Notion.
- A complete notion is a complete list of its predications.
- Each monad's complete notion is unique -- while it might share some of its predications with other monads, no monad shares a complete list of predications.
- A living force (vis viva) generates monads' perceptions.
- The living force also allows us to individuate monads even if we do not know their complete notions.
- An example of a monad is the human soul.
Leibniz "rejects the dualist position that the universe must therefore be bifurcated into two different kinds of substance, thinking substance, and material substance. Rather, it is his view that the world consists solely of one type of substance, though there are infinitely many substances of that type. These substances are partless, unextended entities, some of which are endowed with thought and consciousness, and others of which found the phenomenality of the corporeal world." (S1, para. 15, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz-mind/)
God
- God is a monad.
- God is a perfect being.
- Therefore God's complete notion can contain no negative predications. (would violate Principle of Contradiction)
- God has to exist because the existent of contingent things cannot be found in other contingent things (first cause argument - God as an entity that 'carries the reason for existence within itself')
- This world is the best of all possible worlds - God being perfect, cannot create a world that not as good as it could have been.
Problem: Contingent vs Necessary Truths
- Consider the statement 'Caesar crossed the Rubicon'
- The complete notion of 'Caesar' includes the predicated 'crossed the Rubicon' (Predicate-in-Subject Principle)
- One who did not cross the Rubicon cannot be Caesar.
- 'Caesar crossed the Rubicon' is a necessary truth. (Principle of Contradiction)
- In that case, all statements that are not illogical satisfy the Principle of Contradiction, and become necessary truths.
- How do we distinguish between contingent and necessary truths then?
Leibniz:
- If Caesar's existence was a necessary truth, that Caesar crossed the Rubicon would be a necessary truth.
- But since Caesar's existence is contingent on God creating him, there is the possibility that Caesar might not have existed and therefore might not have crossed the Rubicon, and therefore, that Caesar crossed the Rubicon is not a necessary truth.
Leading to the next problem...
Problem: Divine Freedom
- Since God is by nature perfect, he has to create the best possible world.
- Therefore God has no freedom to create a world other than this world.
- If this is so, why should humans thank God for making a decision in which he has no choice?
The crux: 2 conceptions of freedom:
1. Freedom as being free from external interference - no one intervened in God's decision to create this world and therefore, God freely made this world.
2. Freedom as being free to choose one decision or the other - God would not have been able to choose a lesser world without retaining his complete perfection and therefore, God did not freely make this world.
The implications for Caesar: (this is my extrapolation, so pls pls pls tell me if something is wrong)
- That God created the best possible world is a necessary truth.
- This best possible world contained Caesar, so Caesar's existence is necessary.
- Since Caesar's existence is necessary, Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon is necessary.
- Therefore we return to the same quagmire of distinguishing between necessary and contingent truths.
[Note: Leibniz's phrase that God's motives 'incline without necessitating' means that although God's nature makes his actions necessary, but this doesn't mean his actions are necessary (as opposed to contingent - see above Principle of Contradiction and Principle of Sufficient Reason).]
Living Organisms: Mind and Body
- A living organism is an aggregate of many monads.
- "For something to be a genuine unity, it must be a simple, indivisible entity. [ie. monads]" ( S1, para.11, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz-mind/)
- Therefore while a living organism is an aggregate, it is a 'well-founded phenomena' in that it is constituted of monads (genuine entities).
- Leibniz believed that mind and body are separate, but also believed that they were created by the same sort of entity (different types of monads).
- Leibniz rejected Descartes' claim that the mind can influence the body, or that the body can influence the mind.
- Since an individual is an aggregate and not a true unity, and individual cannot have a perception/consciousness.
- Hence, Leibniz rejects any causal relations between mind and body.
- Leibniz recognizes that our minds and bodies seem inter-related.
- But he suggests that a state of mind is caused by a previous state of mind, and a state of body is caused by a previous state of body.
- Leibniz posits that at our creation, our monads (in both mind and body) were programmed to coordinate with each other.
- Hence, the appearance of causal relations between the mind and body is merely the result of God's Pre-Established Harmony of all monads.
- Because all monads evolve in harmony with each other, each monad is like a mirror of the universe.
Perception and Appearance
- Monads cannot be extended, and therefore they do not occupy time or space.
- The physical objects appear to follow natural laws of time and space, but these natural laws don't operate at the 'genuine' level of monads.
- Therefore, the appearance of the world is organised and understood in ways that don't represent the underlying reality. (Scruton)
- But the world of appearance is a by-product of activities of monads (which act according to the pre-established harmony).
- Hence, the world of appearance is not just mere appearance. It is systematic appearance, the result of the harmonious activities of monads.
Back to the Beginning
- Leibniz tries to address the problem of the disappearance of individuals.
- He ends up saying that most of what looks like a unity (an individual) is not truly a unit but an aggregate.
________________________________________________
)#(@!*^%)#@!_$#
I'm not at all sure of any of the above. I nearly killed myself trying to get this far. I left out the stuff on whether there IS a best possible world, or whether there're worlds that are neither better nor worse nor equal to each other etc.
Anyone out there, please, if I've made an mistake or if you think anything can be clarified, please please please tell me.
Oh well, no more procrastinating!
From:
- Roger Scruton's A Short History of Modern Philosophy: From Descartes to Wittgenstein, 2nd ed.
- The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Leibniz
The starting point: Spinoza & the individual
- Recall Spinoza's argument that individuals are mere expressions of God (modes of the substance).
- Spinoza also argued that therefore, immortality for humans means "[surviving] in part, and [dispersing] in the infinite mind of God." (Scruton, 65)
- Leibniz thought that if individuals are mere expressions of God, then they are
not truly individuals, and immortality has no meaning if the human does not remain an individual.
- Problem: how to reconcile the notion of the 'individual' with the notion of the 'divine substance'?
Ok, now let's start with certain principles first:
Principle of Contradiction
- If something is self-contradictory, then it is false
- Anything that is the opposite of the false is true.
- The Principle of Contradiction identifies truths of reason.
- Truths of reason are necessary.
- A necessary truth/truth of reason is true in all possible worlds.
- A necessary truth/truth of reason is knowable a priori by finite minds.
Principle of Sufficient Reason
- We can find no truth without there being a sufficient reason why it is so and not otherwise, even though most of these reasons can't be known to us.
- The Principle of Sufficient Reason identifies truths of fact.
- Truths of fact are contingent.
- A contingent truth/truth of fact is only knowable a posteriori by finite minds, through experimentation and investigation.
- Only God knows contingent truths a priori.
- While acknowledging the existence of contingent truths, Leibniz still wanted to base these truths on reason, avoiding 'pure' contingency.
The Predicate-in-Subject Principle
- In every necessary or contingent truth, the concept of the predicate is included in that of the subject.
- In other words, one who understands the subject perfectly would also know that the predicate belongs to it.
Ok, now we move on.
Monads
- Entities are either composite or simple.
- Composite entities are divisible and extended.
- Simple entities are Monads.
- Monads:
- are indivisible (true substances)
- cannot be extended
- can be distinguished from each other by their predicates (properties)
- can't be created/destroyed by the natural course of things -- can only be created/destroyed by a miracle
- Every monad has a Complete Notion.
- A complete notion is a complete list of its predications.
- Each monad's complete notion is unique -- while it might share some of its predications with other monads, no monad shares a complete list of predications.
- A living force (vis viva) generates monads' perceptions.
- The living force also allows us to individuate monads even if we do not know their complete notions.
- An example of a monad is the human soul.
Leibniz "rejects the dualist position that the universe must therefore be bifurcated into two different kinds of substance, thinking substance, and material substance. Rather, it is his view that the world consists solely of one type of substance, though there are infinitely many substances of that type. These substances are partless, unextended entities, some of which are endowed with thought and consciousness, and others of which found the phenomenality of the corporeal world." (S1, para. 15, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz-mind/)
God
- God is a monad.
- God is a perfect being.
- Therefore God's complete notion can contain no negative predications. (would violate Principle of Contradiction)
- God has to exist because the existent of contingent things cannot be found in other contingent things (first cause argument - God as an entity that 'carries the reason for existence within itself')
- This world is the best of all possible worlds - God being perfect, cannot create a world that not as good as it could have been.
Problem: Contingent vs Necessary Truths
- Consider the statement 'Caesar crossed the Rubicon'
- The complete notion of 'Caesar' includes the predicated 'crossed the Rubicon' (Predicate-in-Subject Principle)
- One who did not cross the Rubicon cannot be Caesar.
- 'Caesar crossed the Rubicon' is a necessary truth. (Principle of Contradiction)
- In that case, all statements that are not illogical satisfy the Principle of Contradiction, and become necessary truths.
- How do we distinguish between contingent and necessary truths then?
Leibniz:
- If Caesar's existence was a necessary truth, that Caesar crossed the Rubicon would be a necessary truth.
- But since Caesar's existence is contingent on God creating him, there is the possibility that Caesar might not have existed and therefore might not have crossed the Rubicon, and therefore, that Caesar crossed the Rubicon is not a necessary truth.
Leading to the next problem...
Problem: Divine Freedom
- Since God is by nature perfect, he has to create the best possible world.
- Therefore God has no freedom to create a world other than this world.
- If this is so, why should humans thank God for making a decision in which he has no choice?
The crux: 2 conceptions of freedom:
1. Freedom as being free from external interference - no one intervened in God's decision to create this world and therefore, God freely made this world.
2. Freedom as being free to choose one decision or the other - God would not have been able to choose a lesser world without retaining his complete perfection and therefore, God did not freely make this world.
The implications for Caesar: (this is my extrapolation, so pls pls pls tell me if something is wrong)
- That God created the best possible world is a necessary truth.
- This best possible world contained Caesar, so Caesar's existence is necessary.
- Since Caesar's existence is necessary, Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon is necessary.
- Therefore we return to the same quagmire of distinguishing between necessary and contingent truths.
[Note: Leibniz's phrase that God's motives 'incline without necessitating' means that although God's nature makes his actions necessary, but this doesn't mean his actions are necessary (as opposed to contingent - see above Principle of Contradiction and Principle of Sufficient Reason).]
Living Organisms: Mind and Body
- A living organism is an aggregate of many monads.
- "For something to be a genuine unity, it must be a simple, indivisible entity. [ie. monads]" ( S1, para.11, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz-mind/)
- Therefore while a living organism is an aggregate, it is a 'well-founded phenomena' in that it is constituted of monads (genuine entities).
- Leibniz believed that mind and body are separate, but also believed that they were created by the same sort of entity (different types of monads).
- Leibniz rejected Descartes' claim that the mind can influence the body, or that the body can influence the mind.
- Since an individual is an aggregate and not a true unity, and individual cannot have a perception/consciousness.
- Hence, Leibniz rejects any causal relations between mind and body.
- Leibniz recognizes that our minds and bodies seem inter-related.
- But he suggests that a state of mind is caused by a previous state of mind, and a state of body is caused by a previous state of body.
- Leibniz posits that at our creation, our monads (in both mind and body) were programmed to coordinate with each other.
- Hence, the appearance of causal relations between the mind and body is merely the result of God's Pre-Established Harmony of all monads.
- Because all monads evolve in harmony with each other, each monad is like a mirror of the universe.
Perception and Appearance
- Monads cannot be extended, and therefore they do not occupy time or space.
- The physical objects appear to follow natural laws of time and space, but these natural laws don't operate at the 'genuine' level of monads.
- Therefore, the appearance of the world is organised and understood in ways that don't represent the underlying reality. (Scruton)
- But the world of appearance is a by-product of activities of monads (which act according to the pre-established harmony).
- Hence, the world of appearance is not just mere appearance. It is systematic appearance, the result of the harmonious activities of monads.
Back to the Beginning
- Leibniz tries to address the problem of the disappearance of individuals.
- He ends up saying that most of what looks like a unity (an individual) is not truly a unit but an aggregate.
________________________________________________
)#(@!*^%)#@!_$#
I'm not at all sure of any of the above. I nearly killed myself trying to get this far. I left out the stuff on whether there IS a best possible world, or whether there're worlds that are neither better nor worse nor equal to each other etc.
Anyone out there, please, if I've made an mistake or if you think anything can be clarified, please please please tell me.
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