Idealism vs. Realism

(1) What is idealism? What is realism?

Idealism is when you want things to be the way you want them to be not the way things are. It is when you believe in something that is not there, it is thinking of something better. Realism is when you only believe in what you see. You think logically, you view the way things really are.

 

(2) Were Machiavelli, Vasari and Savonarola idealists or realists? Why?

Machiavelli was an idealist at first, he wanted the Republic to defeat the Medici’s/Pope’s Militia. He thought they could win. After they brutally lost the battle he became a realist. He became a realist because he knew that you were what you were and you yourself had to fight for what you wanted, you didn’t get it. When he wrote the book The Prince for the Medici, thinking that he might be invited back from exile, nothing happened. His quote was “The only important thing is reaching your goal, getting what you want; it doesn’t matter what you do to get there” He wants people to be real and live in the present and real world not dream land.

Vasari was a realist. I think he was a realist because if he didn’t obey his masters, the Medici, they would fire him or jail him. He had to make them happy and obey them. He is very intelligent for praising his masters. He might not have said what he thought but he kept his job and honor. Things would have been different for him if he told the Medici what he thought of them. He is a Sycophant.

Savonarola was an idealist and a realist. First of all he was an idealist because he wanted the people to wake up and not get controlled by these brutal reckless Medici’s; he thought that he was powerful and that he could win. He was a realist because he knew that it would take a lot risk. He also created plans to have the people on his side. If he excommunicated the people they would have no afterlife, they had to be on his side.

(3) What’s your opinion of these 3 people?

I think that these three men were intelligent men. They had their own way of thinking and some expressed it and others hid it. Vasari was a safe man but Savonarola and Machiavelli were more daring. These three men were intelligent and smart in their own ways.

How Machiavellian are you?

I sometimes tell myself that it won’t happen. I am scared of the truth. I do believe that you should stand up for yourself. I think he was very depressing. He thought very liberal.

What do you think of Vasari – is it ok to say and do whatever necessary for your own self-preservation?

I think that Vasari was a cautious man. He knew that he would have a good and wealthy life if he stayed loyal to the Medici. I think that you should protect yourself but you should also express yourself. Sometimes you should decide what to do.

 

What do you think of Savonarola – was he just a medieval man fearful of change or was he right to be concerned about the changes happening in his society?

I think that he was afraid of change and the power the Medici had. I think that he was a monk he wanted to stay with the old ways. People started favoring themselves and their needs over God. He wanted order I think he was a medieval monk but he was also fearful of change.

(4) Are you an idealist or realist? Should we be idealists or realists? Why?

I am an Idealist and a realist. I am not just one thing. I think that we should be a mix of both. Sometimes reality protects your hopes, but without idealism there would be no dreaming of something better. Being an idealist can give you a shove in the right direction it is a motivation. Realistic people are more cautious.

 

The 25 Best Givers Article Reflections

In this Article they state that they choose ‘The World’s Top 25 Philanthropists’ on the efficiency and the effect it has on the cause. It is not chosen by the amount of money given. For example Miranda and Bill Gates gave 34 billion dollars to education and health problems while a small organization in Ethiopia saved the poor had a bigger impact than the Gates organization. Also while the Gates foundation gives money for vaccines against illnesseIn this Article they state that they choose ‘The World’s Top 25 Philanthropists’ on the efficiency and the effect it has on the cause. It is not chosen by the amount of money given. For example Miranda and Bill Gates gave 34 billion dollars to education and health problems while a small organization in Ethiopia saved the poor had a bigger impact than the Gates organization. Also while the Gates foundation gives money for vaccines against illnesses the Ethiopian foundation cleaned the water so the water was drinkable. The Gates foundation is placed at 7. A lot of celebrities donate a lot of money such as Brad Pitt and donate too; they normally donate for the publicity. The top two philanthropists were Pierre Omidyar and Jefferey Skoll. They had the biggest impact. Pierre omidyar focuses on micro finance and supporting a social group. The second philanthropist is Jeffery skoll and his foundation. He played people to train rats to sniff landmines in war zones. This has had a huge impact. There are more people but these are the top two. This article is mainly about how the top philanthropists aren’t the ones who donate the most money they are the ones who have the greatest impact on the cause. The Ethiopian foundation cleaned the water so the water was drinkable. The Gates foundation is placed at 7. A lot of celebrities donate a lot of money such as Brad Pitt and donate too; they normally donate for the publicity. The top two philanthropists were Pierre Omidyar and Jefferey Skoll. They had the biggest impact. Pierre omidyar focuses on micro finance and supporting a social group. The second philanthropist is Jeffery skoll and his foundation. He played people to train rats to sniff landmines in war zones. This has had a huge impact. There are more people but these are the top two. This article is mainly about how the top philanthropists aren’t the ones who donate the most money they are the ones who have the greatest impact on the cause.

 

Kiva

(A) Explain what micro-finance is

(B) How kiva makes it possible for even ordinary people to act as patrons or philanthropists.

(C) Explain why an ordinary person, like you and me, should participate in something like kiva.

A)     Micro Finance is when small institutions make small loans to the very poor people. They do this is developing countries, such as Africa, Tanzania etc.  This money is loaned because these people want to start a business. Sometimes this even includes finance, savings and credit.

B)     As a normal person we can act as patron by donating a small amount of money to an individual who wants to change his life. You send money to the bank of the individual and when they have the money they pay you back. As an ordinary person you read about the person who wants to start a job and you read about their life, their situation and what their needs are. More than one person can give loans to an individual. It is very easy to do. You choose who you loan to.

 

C)     We should participate in kiva because it is very easy and you can help a person without a lot of crazy business also you loan someone you do not donate money. It is also very easy and it is good for lazy people. You get your money back.