Assignment 7 - Richard Shusterman

Richard Shusterman

Aesthetics class

Kerry Keith Murdock

I believe Richard's views regarding the concept of interpretation is an interesting one, in which he believes that the views of the world are such as the product of interpretation. This may inevitably ring highly true but one must also keep in mind that while the interpretation comes from the product, the product does not all come from the same location, upbringing, or batch. What is known as yellowish-red to one is listed as orange to another. And while these sets of individuals are looking at, and interpreting, the same thing, it may be a different aspect altogether to get them to admit it.

            Take, for example, the 30 year old argument of, 'which is better, Star Wars or Star Trek?' This is the classic example of which way the word should should be pronounced, 'tomAto' or 'TOMato.' In both epic universes space travel is applied, scientific fundamental principles applied, futuristic technology used, and advanced laser weaponry. But at any convention, comic book shop, or bus stop the Trekkies would claim Star Trek is better and Star Wars fans would claim their series is better. The Trekkies would claim their world is better because they have phasers, teleportation, and Spock. The Star Wars fans would say their world was better due to The Force, the Death Star, and lightsabers. However, the truth remains that every Star Wars fan knows about the Star Trek universe and vice versa. More also, each group of fan base has more than likely seen all of the other's films. This could fall more into the ying-yang concept, which accepts that there is some of one in the other and again, vice versa.

            My other big argument is one regarding interpretation vs. assumption, which in my mind would be an incorrect interpretation.  Often times in society we have a lack of communication that leads to a misunderstanding of intent. The end result is a misinterpretation that can lead to some serious arguments and conflict. While the aggressor intended to do something good but it ended in harm either out of ignorance or accident, the recipient is forced to make a judgment call without having all of the evidence. In novels, tv plots, and movies it's where we get a lot of our plot developments and compilations. Unfortunately, it is something we all can also relate to.

            Another argument regarding this concept is in the form of perception regarding the interpretation of a situation. In some cases, and even martial arts disciplines, we could very plainly have the obvious intention placed before us. However, due to a choice to alter our perception a more positive attitude could be taken to view the situation. This is an example of the old phrase, 'when life closes a door, it opens a window.' I recently saw a film that personified this angle of perception very well, when a martial arts sensai told his rising, and troubled, student that he controlled the outcome of his fights. He told him that whether or not he fought was his 'fault,' as it were. The troubled student argued that the aggressor aggravated him to fight. But his sensai warned him that he chose to be aggravated.

            Along these same lines a man could be released from his current position. As far as his interpretation goes he has a few options placed before him: he could chose to believe that the company was out to get him and felt threatened, his quality of work was low so they didn't like him, or the universe was rewarding him for a job well done by providing for him the opportunity to search for something much better.

            In the end the question remains, how will you interpret your situations?