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Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. Everything has been figured out, except how to live. One always dies too soon or too late. And yet, life is there, finished. The line is drawn, and it must all be added up. You are nothing other than your life. There is only one day left, always starting over. It is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk. We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are, that is the fact. When you live alone you no longer know what it is to tell a story: the plausible disappears at the same time as the friends. You let events flow by too.Suddenly you see people appear who speak and then go away; you plunge into stories of which you can't make head or tail. You'd make a terrible witness. It is true that people who live in society have learned how to see themselves in mirrors as they appear to their friends. Luckily, I only have a few...

Dr Shaw is a lecturer in Further Education at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk. She also offers philosophy courses at the School of Continuing Education, Lifelong learning, at the University of Liverpool. In 2015, she has completed her Doctorate in philosophy with a focus on existentialism, the equilibrium doctrine and narrative. She has worked as a teacher of English and Comparative literature and Philosophy at The American University in Cairo, Egypt where she also obtained her BA (Hons). Dr Shaw has an MA in Philosophy and Literature from the University of East Anglia where she also taught on a number of humanities subjects. Whilst working in North Wales in Further education, she gained a PGCE aimed at teaching in FE and HE sectors. Dr Shaw moved to Liverpool in 2010 where she now resides.

Interests: Existentialism, Narrative, Comparative Literature, Feminist Thought, Public Speaking, Arab Existentialism, Philosophy of Education, Art, Music, Film and Theatre, Greek Mythology, Existential counsellor and psychotherapist.

https://liverpool.academia.edu/ShereenHamedShaw


Friday 7 January 2011

A New Year, A New Start

Today we decided that living alone just the two of us is getting boring and we need something new to brighten our days and cheer us up. So we decided to give the RSPCA shelter here in Liverpool a visit. Looking for a pet can be the most stressing thing- am I gonna like "it", what shall I get? Do I want a cat, a kitten, a puppy or a dog...or a reptile..a hamster perhaps? Argh! choices choices. Sadly New year is the busiet time the shelters get because people who buy pets as Christmas presents tend to give them away or realise that they got the wrong pet home and end up abandoning the poor thing. Well really, it is not the pets fault, not at all...There are many beautiful animals who are worth of our love, care and affection. It is such a shame that they end up neglected and in bad conditions. Being in a shelter is indeed difficult. Anway, so after a long walk through the Cat's section- we found a cat who seemed very affectionate, yet I was still wary of their sudden movements. It is the most difficult thing when you don't know what their next move is. Whilst stroking her gently, I felt teeth on my finger. Although she was being playful, I thought to myself, do I really like being scratched ? Nahhhh I am a dogs person really... Just a shame I couldn't keep my dog throughout my childhood and had to give it to someone else who is allowed to keep it in their house. So after going to the dogs section- we suddenly fell in love with the cutest looking Rottweiler. Yes I know, first instance is ah dangerous dogs who look kinda scary. But no not at all. She looks totally stunning with distinct features and has a very nice calm temperment. The shelter said she is called Chelsea. But what's in a name..... She never answered to the name Chelsea anyway. We took her home at the end and called her "Bella"- our own lovely "Bella Donna" as Deian calls her sometimes. Excellent name for a beautiful looking 18 months Rotti- only to discover today by chance that she does not recognise herself in the mirror!! How can a dog not realise that it is "her" in the mirror! No not another dog on the other side- a mirror on the wall!! How can she go crazy looking for the "Other" dog in the next room (behin the mirror as she thinks it is) I was stunned. Now the questions remains: How can I make my dog recognise her reflection? THAT is a philosophical questions that I will be looking into.
If anyone believe he/she got the answer, please help :)


Posted by SS at 16:24 0 comments
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