Gilgamesh Personhood Essay
Nam Vo
EQ Class
“The most important philosophical attributes of personhood are emotions and responsibility”
Each person possesses distinct qualities from each other, which then explains why people make different decisions and act differently. In my opinion, the most important philosophical attributes of personhood are emotions and responsibility, because those are the two basic characteristics that often shape people’s behaviors and life outcomes.
First of all, emotions can be defined as: “A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one 's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others” (Oxford Dictionaries Online, 2010). Emotions are inherent in every living creature. Emotions could arise from almost everything around us: circumstances …show more content…
Emotions help us realize our needs and then act to fulfill our needs. In the book “Gilgamesh” by Stephen Mitchell, Enkidu’s death has provoked some incredibly strong and conflicting emotions inside Gilgamesh. Although Gilgamesh does not fear to die in battles, he fears to die in the same manner as Enkidu, a death that is wholly uncontrollable and destined by Gods. His brotherly love for Enkidu and his fear of mortality have helped him to realize the need for a quest for immortality. That is to say the basis of Gilgamesh’s infamous quest for immortality is largely determined by emotions. Furthermore, Gilgamesh’s emotions are so powerful that lead to his relentless and extraordinary efforts throughout the journey. Gilgamesh shows an invincibly ardent passion to achieve what he wants, and even though he does not succeed, he still deserves appreciation for his relentless spirit. Another example of how emotions can lead to significant actions is in the monster character in the novel “Frankenstein”. As reflected from the monster’s confrontation with Victor, the monster is an entity that has emotions and masters human language. It knows that it is an ugly physical being that is feared and rejected by human society. It therefore feels desperately sorrowful and lonely because society does not recognize its identity. The monster’s deep frustration has rendered it determined to convince the cottagers of its human identity. Unfortunately, the cottagers reject the monster and the monster then develops a new emotional feeling, that is, the deep hatred towards Victor. The fierce hatred has prompted the monster to murder William, Elizabeth and Henry. Therefore, it is clear that the monster’s actions in the novel are greatly influenced by a complex system of
EQ Class
“The most important philosophical attributes of personhood are emotions and responsibility”
Each person possesses distinct qualities from each other, which then explains why people make different decisions and act differently. In my opinion, the most important philosophical attributes of personhood are emotions and responsibility, because those are the two basic characteristics that often shape people’s behaviors and life outcomes.
First of all, emotions can be defined as: “A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one 's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others” (Oxford Dictionaries Online, 2010). Emotions are inherent in every living creature. Emotions could arise from almost everything around us: circumstances …show more content…
Emotions help us realize our needs and then act to fulfill our needs. In the book “Gilgamesh” by Stephen Mitchell, Enkidu’s death has provoked some incredibly strong and conflicting emotions inside Gilgamesh. Although Gilgamesh does not fear to die in battles, he fears to die in the same manner as Enkidu, a death that is wholly uncontrollable and destined by Gods. His brotherly love for Enkidu and his fear of mortality have helped him to realize the need for a quest for immortality. That is to say the basis of Gilgamesh’s infamous quest for immortality is largely determined by emotions. Furthermore, Gilgamesh’s emotions are so powerful that lead to his relentless and extraordinary efforts throughout the journey. Gilgamesh shows an invincibly ardent passion to achieve what he wants, and even though he does not succeed, he still deserves appreciation for his relentless spirit. Another example of how emotions can lead to significant actions is in the monster character in the novel “Frankenstein”. As reflected from the monster’s confrontation with Victor, the monster is an entity that has emotions and masters human language. It knows that it is an ugly physical being that is feared and rejected by human society. It therefore feels desperately sorrowful and lonely because society does not recognize its identity. The monster’s deep frustration has rendered it determined to convince the cottagers of its human identity. Unfortunately, the cottagers reject the monster and the monster then develops a new emotional feeling, that is, the deep hatred towards Victor. The fierce hatred has prompted the monster to murder William, Elizabeth and Henry. Therefore, it is clear that the monster’s actions in the novel are greatly influenced by a complex system of