Search Our Writing:
Do Emotions Distort Knowledge Pt. 2
Sept 16, 2016 | By He Li TD '17
This danger of distortion, however, is only present when emotions sway the receptive mind during the reception of an idea. If the listener does not heed to such temperaments during the receptive process, then he is at no risk of obtaining distorted knowledge. The active and receptive intellects necessarily correspond with each other when they are free from emotion. The intellect is in fact the only receptive faculty used in human communication. Emotional faculties do not receive emotions; they respond to input received by the intellect by producing emotions.
Do Emotions Distort Knowledge Pt. 1
Aug 20th, 2016 | By He Li TD ‘17
When we communicate with one another, we wish by nature to do so in a manner that is not subject to distortion. We desire to attain an exact image of another person’s thoughts, just as they exist in his mind. Not only do we intend to understand the other person’s intellectual workings, we also wish to be fully receptive to the emotive aspects of his message.After all, sway of the heart may play just as crucial a role in a message as does sway of the mind. The active communicator often melds these two components together to form a complete idea.
I first saw it in the gnats.
Oct 21, 2012 | By April Koh TD '14
Freshman year -- I stared at the first one with an offended grimace. Where was that thing from? Was there a pile of dung festering somewhere in my room?
Upon following it with my eyes, I soon discovered its source -- a half-finished cup of coffee left unattended for a mere few hours.
I soon learned that Yale gnats detected even the smallest hint of food and attacked every perishable drop in these dorms. This did not happen in my room back at home. I could leave dirty dishes from midnight snacks piling in my bedroom -- yes, guilty, I'm sorry -- and I would never encounter a fly, at least for a few weeks. A fly at home meant serious business and usually prompted a frantic search for its cause--which was usually something big, like a gallon of sour milk left in the sun in the living room. Something wild like that.
Agape: The Call to True, Radical Love
Feb 14, 2014 | By Tori Campbell, MC ‘16
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it
does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record
of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” (I Corinthians
13:4-8)
Lay My Head Down
From Taylor Leonhardt's album River House, the understated song "Lay My Head Down" struck me for the simplicity and honesty of its lyrics, along with its soothing chord movements. "Lay My Head Down" speaks to the overworked, anxious Yale student (me), who is constantly being badgered by internal voices questioning self-worth, meaning and ultimate purpose. The unusually direct and honest opening lines of the song that call out this voice of pride catches the listener somewhat off-guard, and opens us up to the realization that the "climb to progress", a truly tautological wordplay, is a road to nowhere.
Father or Friend: Take Your Pick
Oct 17, 2012 | April Koh TD ‘14
One of my favorite parts of Mass is the "Our Father" prayer.
I love reciting a common, divine prayer, once uttered word for word by Jesus himself, with a large congregation. I love the communal pauses and the unified beats in the rhythm of the words. I also love the content of the prayer. I love the prayer's simplicity and humility beginning with: "Our Father, who art in Heaven..."
This phrase brings to mind families and in particular, fathers, especially with the social issues in politics these days. You hear "the institution of marriage" or "institution of family" a lot.
Upcoming Events:
-
Weekly Meetings
THURSDAYS 5-7PM, Branford College Trumbull Room
Discuss with us what it means to think Christianly and write for our publication.
-
Philosophy of Everyday Life Seminar
THURSDAY SEPT 11TH 6:15-7:45PM, Elm Institute
Join us at the Elm Institute for a private version of the Elm’s popular seminar “The Philosophy of Everyday Life”. Readings will be focused on Friendship. No prior reading required. Food provided.
-
Divinity School Private Archival Tour
THURSDAY SEPT 18th, 9AM, Yale Divinity School
We will be looking at the Yale Divinity School’s missionary collection, specifically focusing on letters from international ecumenical movements from America to China. We will be looking at how these relate to our theme of freidnship in a more nuanced way. We will be walking up from cross-campus at 8:30 am, but you can also meet at the YDS gates at 9 am.
-
William Blake Private Exhibition Tour
THURSDAY OCT 2ND, TIME TBA
Peter Wicks of the Elm Institute will guide us through the traveling exhibition ‘William Blake: Burning Bright’ at Yale Center for British Art. No previous experience with art or William Blake required.