Critical Thinking

Michael Hopkins

April 27, 2018

Eng. 111 and ENF 3

Critical Thinking Journal for Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho wrote, “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”

Paulo Coelho was born 24 August 1947 in Brazil. His Father was an engineer and wanted Paulo to follow in his footsteps by having him enroll in law school and have a professional career. As a teenager Paulo informed his mother of his desire to become a writer. At 17 his parents had him committed to an institution for introversion and opposition to following a more tradition path. He was released from the institution at 20. While he was held against his will, he actually escaped three times. To appease his parents, he enrolled in law school and dropped out after one year to live his life as a hippie. His dream of becoming a writer was always in his heart and in 1982, he published his first book. He has since published 30 books, a collection of essays, and newspaper columns. In December 2016 he was listed at number 2 in the list of 200 most influential authors in the world by United Kingdom based company Richtopia. Paulo Coelho currently post up to three times a week at his blog and has millions of fans on Twitter and Facebook.

Paulo Coelho has had many famous quotes that are known around the world. One of the most influential quotes was, “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” Paulo Coelho was always told by his family what they believed he should do with his life. Yet Paulo was able to reach his dream of becoming a writer after enduring much hardship and little support from family. He has lived his life the way he thought was best for him. The experiences he gained by his life choices has lead him to a very successful career has a writer. Paulo is known all over the world for his beliefs and convections about a wide range of topics.

I believe that we all have opinions about everything that life throws are way. I believe it is our actions that make a difference, not just our words. It is much more powerful leading by example and to help our fellow man, by doing what is right when no one is watching. Paulo Coelho followed his heart and is very successful. I too followed my heart and became a military man, when friends and family wanted me to return to Ohio and follow a different path.

Work Cited

Wikipedia contributors, 'Paulo Coelho', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 27 April 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paulo_Coelho&oldid=834153654 accessed 27 April 2018

Michael Hopkins

April 28, 2018

Eng. 111 and ENF 3

Critical Thinking Journal William Penn

William Penn said in one of his famous quotes, “Justice is the insurance which we have on our life’s and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.”

William Penn was born October 14, 1644 and passed away on July 30, 1718. He is famous for being the founder of the English North American colony the Province of Pennsylvania. It was under his leadership that the city of Philadelphia was established. William Penn was a Quaker, philosopher and a successful real estate entrepreneur. William Penn was English, being born in London, England and attended school at Chigwell School Christ Church, Oxford. In 1668 he was very critical of all religious groups in England, with the exception of Quakers. He went as far as branding the Catholic Church as “the Whore of Babylon" and defied the Church of England. During the same year, Penn was imprisoned in the Tower of London for writing an article blasting the Catholic Church by the order of the Bishop of London. His crime was classified as blasphemy in a warrant by King Charles II. Penn did not have any remorse for his firm stance against fighting the wrongs he perceived by the Church and the King. It was Williams father who gained his freedom. Admiral Sir William Penn was dying and agreed to pay his sons fines and thus was set free. The Admiral was very impressed with his son’s integrity and courage and determination to continue his pursuit of justice.

William Penn’s inspiring quote, “Justice is the insurance which we have on out lives and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.” This quote justly states how William Penn lived his life and instilled the qualities that each person strives to achieve. One major way his quote mirrored his life, was his willingness to spend time in prison and stay true to his beliefs.

I strive each day to live my life with the justice for all men. Living our life as just men and women comes through work, to be obedient and stead fast in doing what is right. This lesson is one we should all live to illustrate and pass on to the next great generation of Americans. I have lived my life believing in justice for all Americans , which lead to me serving in the military for 26 years.

Work Cited

"William Penn." Wikipedia: The free Encyclopedia. 28 Apr. 2018

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Penn.com

Michael Hopkins

April 28, 2018

Eng. 111 and ENF 3

Critical Thinking Journal Heraclitus of Ephesus.

Heraclitus of Ephesus, “Opposition brings concord: Out of discord come the fairest harmony.”

Heraclitus of Ephesus was a Greek philosopher from 535-475 BC. Heraclitus was raised by an aristocratic family in Ephesus, in the Persian Empire. This area is now known as Efes, Turkey. He was known by his contemporaries as a ‘dark’ philosopher, due to the difficulty to understand his views. He is well known for his belief that life is in flux. Simply meaning that everything or all things change. Heraclitus made it his mission to be different than his contemporaries thought process. However, he was very influenced by his predecessors by their thought process and the language they used to express ideas. It seemed that his unusual approach to philosophy was to influence readers of his work to have a proper grasp of the world and their place in it. He stressed that sound thinking was by far the greatest virtue and have the wisdom to speak the truth and to live by understanding the nature of things. He was different from his peers by his independence and break away form the mold of contemporary thought.

Heraclitus of Ephesus believed that, “Opposition brings concord: Out of discord comes the fairest harmony.” I believe Heraclitus thought that people must work together when facing an enemy or just a common goal they want to achieve. When discord happens to force people apart from there goals, they will work even harder to achieve that goal. Surly discord will give way to harmony. Heraclitus believed that chaos can’t sustain itself and in return this will cause harmony.

I believe that struggle and chaos in one’s life helps us to overcome and reach harmony in our life. It can haven in our work place, where a task is assigned and people come together to work it out. It can happen in our home life by all means. Much can be accomplished when a husband and wife work together to achieve their goals. We must work together as one unit to have a life full of harmony and purpose.

Work Cited

"Heraclitus." Wikiquote, 4 Apr 2018 . Accessed 25 Apr 2018, <https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Heraclitus&oldid=2379976>.