argument: a declaration with a set of reasoning (evidence)

conclusion: thesis or “intent” of argument

premises: the truth in the reasoning regarding the conclusion of an argument

Prompt: “What kinds of imitation does Aristotle identify in poetry and tragedy? Does Aristotle convey a positive sense of the role of imitation in art? Do you think that his understanding of art in terms of imitation provide a useful way to understand what art is?“

Aristotle begins the writing by saying, “Epic poetry and Tragedy, Comedy also and Dithyrambic poetry, and the music of the flute and of the lyre in most of their forms, are all in their general conception modes of imitation” (Aristotle). Essentially saying art and literature use imitation as a creative process. Though they imitate each other, they are not identical for the “medium, the objects, [and] the manner or mode of imitation” are interchanged making each piece unique. He speaks on the term ‘harmony’ and how it is present in various works of art and poetry.

Aristotle starts Part IV discussing how imitation is born into humans from birth; it is instinctual. He speaks fondly of the role of imitation in art. Early poetic, Homer’s work Margites is compared to great works of tragedy including Odyssey and Iliad.

I think as Aristotle describes imitation, he sheds light on how art may be interpreted or ‘defined.’ He talks about the differences in one painting and how within the painting, many interpretations can form.

After reading “Poetics,” the statement that resonates with me the most regarding imitation is once again, “they differ, however, from one another in three respects- the medium, the objects, the manner or mode of imitation, being in each case distinct” (Aristotle). This statement can help explain how works of art are imitated, but it can also be a blueprint for how we define art. We take into account the medium (a painting, a sculpture, a dialogue on stage, a piece of furniture, etc) and how the medium makes us react. We also analyze the “objects.” I interpreted the objects being whatever the piece of art is depicting. Lastly, the “manner or mode of imitation” is to me, the psychological aspect of art: how does it make us feel, what feelings does it spark, etc. Using Aristotle’s viewpoints on imitation in art gives us an idea on art itself.

Post reading, “Ethics of Belief,” a story of WK Clifford’s relationship with an old boat, I have encountered multiple philosophical topics. As we are focusing on arguments, I came across a simple, yet telling argument that begins the short read. In standard form:

1. The ship has been through many previous voyages.
2. The ship has weathered so many storms.
3. ”Idle to suppose she would not come home safely from this trip also” (Clifford). Though the boat is old, it is trustworthy in Clifford’s eye.

The story begins discussing the ship’s trustworthiness and continues to try Clifford’s trustworthiness and honesty. He knew sending the crew on a treacherous trip could have bad outcomes, yet he chose to put his faith in the previous argument. The argument itself is an inductive argument as it uses words such as “suppose.” It is a valid argument, yet not entirely sound. There are other ways the argument can turn and other outcomes, therefore it’s not sound.

Within WK Clifford’s read, there are a couple fallacies. One fallacy, “complex question,” is present. The story introduces Clifford’s assumption without concrete knowledge of the boat’s ability to go on the mission and make it home.

1. argument with false conclusion:

1. college students are tired
2. having a newborn prevents sleeping
3. all college students have newborns

2. sound argument:

1. Paul likes mint ice cream
2. Brandon likes strawberry ice cream
3. Paul and Brandon like different flavors of ice cream

3. weak inductive argument:

1. February is in the season of winter
2. winter is cold
3. February is always cold

4. strong inductive argument:

1. gaining knowledge requires studying a subject
2. cumulative exams require knowledge
3. studying a subject prepares you for an exam

My name is Lucie Scantlebury! I’m Sacramento born and raised and this is my second semester at Sacramento City College. I grew up in the Oak Park area of Sacramento with my mom who is a third grade teacher. My whole life has been just my mom and I, against the world. Growing up with a single mom with a teacher’s salary was not always great, but I think I turned out okay.

At age two and a half my mom put me in a ballet class where I soon found my passion for dance. I started competitive dance at age nine and finished out at seventeen. My whole adolescent life was dedicated to dancing seven days a week, up to eight hours a day. My dance studio, Leighton Dance Project, was very competitive so my sophomore year of high school I started online, independent study through Visions In Education. Most of my dance friends also did online school because we were always at the studio rehearsing. I graduated from Visions In Education with the class of 2019.

I feel I have always had a “gift” for the arts. In middle school, I attended Natomas Charter Performing and Fine Arts Academy where I got to study dance, visual arts, acting, and music. Though I mainly focused on dance throughout my childhood, I’ve been trying to get back into other art forms. Currently, I want to pursue a career in Interior Design, which I believe is a stem of the visual arts.

As far as my “struggles” go, I think I’ve lived a pretty content life, though my younger childhood years were difficult. When I was two or three, my dad had a progressing drug addiction, so my mom kicked him out. My mom and I moved from apartment to apartment while struggling to pay rent, pay for food, etc. As soon as I got serious with dance, I was too busy to focus on any negativity in my life.

In 2018, I got my first job at Raley’s! I started as a bagger then got promoted after a few months as a cashier. Working my first job allowed me to buy my first car and pay my car insurance. When I promoted to a cashier, my hours increased to about full time depending on the week. On average I worked 35-40 hours a week then went to class at night. I kept that up until December of 2019, when I quit Raley’s to work at Jack’s Urban Eats. Moving to Jack’s allowed me to work evenings and on weekends so I could take classes during the day.

Currently I am still working at Jack’s about 30 hours a week, and taking 13 units at Sac City.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.