Are we born to want freedom and equality? If not, why have countless people spent their entire lives pursuing them throughout the ages? If so, from what day in our lives did we forget this?
I have always been interested in the French Revolution and the American Civil War. I feel that these are the highlights of human history, and they are worthy of detailed analysis, and related literature is often read and often new. The French Revolution was the largest and most thorough revolution in the modern history of the world. It destroyed the French autocratic monarchy, shook the feudal order of the entire European continent, and spread the progressive ideas of freedom and democracy. The "Declaration of Human Rights" promulgated during the period and the "Civil Code" (later renamed "Napoleon Code") promulgated during the Napoleonic Empire are known as the birth certificates of the new society, which have had a profound impact on world history. The Civil War brought the United States into true unity. Although the direct purpose of this war was not to maintain the freedom of blacks, in the process of fighting between the North and the South, the black slave system eventually collapsed. Since then, the United States has established a relatively consistent economic pattern, removing obstacles for further economic development. After the implementation of the Homestead Act, the United States further accelerated the development of the western land and resources. By the end of the 19th century, the United States had become the most advanced industrial and agricultural capitalist country in the world. Speaking of the Civil War here, the analysis of the Civil War and Lincoln’s own writings is overwhelming. At any point in the course of the war, several books can be published. The point I am most curious about is that in a class society, no matter whether it is from whatever From the perspective of education or social reality, it is a matter of course that everyone is unequal. This is just like drinking water when you are thirsty and sleeping when you are sleepy. It is common sense in common sense. In such an environment, why do some people recognize that everyone is equal, and where does this idea of "equality" come from? Slaves awakened spontaneously and decided to fight to the death for their rights. Although it is difficult, it is not impossible. After all, the oppressed are more likely to feel pain, and the privileged class itself can think of this, and believes that society needs to change, and even needs It's really not easy to give up some of your own privileges. How should you act after realizing this? The most difficult thing is, in the movie, how should Lincoln practice his ideals when many people do not recognize it? A compromised peace, or an inner morality? End slavery, or end war? What is the future of the country?
If a person puts forward the idea of "everyone is equal", then the first question TA has to answer is "Why is everyone equal? Is there any basis? I have a large cotton field, many factories, my ancestors are still nobles, and they are rich enough to rival the country. These black people have been slaves of my family for several generations. Apart from picking cotton, they don’t even know a big character. If you say we are equal, there must be some convincing evidence. How should you answer this question? If you recognize people Human beings are equal, so what force makes you think so? Obviously, if God exists, this question is relatively simple, because we are all God's children, so we are born equal and do not accept refutation Such an answer has a kind of childish innocence. We can continue to ask, why are all the people of God, and everyone should be equal? What are the characteristics that we are born with that make us equal? Because we are Have the five senses? Can walk upright? Can speak, communicate? The Stoics are very interesting in thinking about why everyone should be equal. The Stoics believe that "logos" is an immortal reason that runs through all things , human beings, like nature, are produced from the highest reason - Logos, which leads to the conclusion that everyone is equal. The Stoics appeal to a larger whole, that is, the universe. The individual is a small universe, The small universe must fit the big universe of Logos. So human relations are composed of natural law. Seneca said: "Slaves are people, their nature is the same as that of other people, and in the soul of slaves, they are also endowed with other people's characteristics. Pride, honor, bravery, and nobility are those qualities, regardless of their social status. "The ancient Greeks believed that the so-called reason was expressed as "one" rather than many. So the ancient Greeks realized that reason is trying to grasp the unity of the world. And if we go back to the unity of the world, that extreme, it must be It is one who decides oneself. The process of determining oneself is the process of freedom. Therefore, people can achieve freedom through reason. Therefore, they believe that in the state of speculation, they exclude all utilitarian things and enjoy them exclusively. This state of self-determination is the state of freedom. Therefore, a rational existence is a free existence. Therefore, the Stoics said at this level, a slave with a shackle may also be free, a The arrogant and lustful emperor may also be a slave. In fact, it can be seen here that the role of "logos" is actually very similar to that of "god", the so-called "world rationality" , is divinity, it is the master of the world, and the individual is only a part of the whole of God. This is a good answer to the question of "why everyone is equal", since we are all part of "logos", of course there is no distinction between high and low, everyone can use reason to decide who they are, of course Everyone is free, so what is the difference between a slave and an emperor?
In the movie, Lincoln did not make a very complicated argument to others on the topic of "all men are equal". On the contrary, he subtly borrowed "quantities equal to the same amount are equal to each other" in "Elements of Geometry" to answer this question. question. Lincoln in the movie is indeed like a saint. He is not impatient, firm-willed, unpredictable, and treats relatives and friends with angelic patience and goodwill. Many people think that the film is too heavy on the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, there is no big war scene, and it is not enough to burn, but I think that a film of more than two hours should have a choice. Sometimes, the smaller the theme, the more in-depth digging can be. Characters do not need to be exhaustive. Most people are familiar with Lincoln's life, and this very small segment selected in the film can fully demonstrate Lincoln's extraordinary courage, determination and fearlessness, and the pursuit of truth. The large lines are very cleverly designed, and there are overtones everywhere. The voting section is very, very burning.
"Freedom, equality, fraternity" has never been a simple slogan. Throughout the ages, countless people have paid the price for this with their lives, and they firmly believe that the world will become better and better. It's been 156 years since Lincoln died, and I'm still crying for the idealists.
Attachment: "Lincoln's Address at Gettysburg"
Chinese:
Eighty-seven years ago, our ancestors founded a new nation on this continent, conceived of freedom, and they believed that all men were created equal and dedicated themselves to it.
Now we are in the midst of a great civil war, a war that will test the longevity of this nation, or any nation like ours, conceived in liberty and living up to its claims. We gather on one of the great battlefields of this war and dedicate a piece of this battlefield as the final resting place for those who sacrificed their lives here for the survival of this nation. It is entirely appropriate and correct for us to do so.
In a broader sense, however, we cannot consecrate the land - we cannot consecrate it - nor can we glorify it. For the warriors who fought here, living and dead, have consecrated this land far more than our meager might can add or subtract. The world will not pay much attention, much less long remember what we say here, however, they will never forget what these warriors did here. On the contrary, we who are alive should devote ourselves to the unfinished work of the warriors, which has been carried forward heroically by those who fought here. We should devote ourselves to the great task that lies before us - because of their glorious sacrifice, we will be even more dedicated to the cause for which they gave their last everything - we will make up our minds that those who die will not die in vain - we will make this The nation, under the grace of God, is given a new life of liberty - we want to keep this government of the people, by the people, and for the people from disappearing from the face of the earth.
English:
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field , as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives to that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate we can not hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long re-member what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work, which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under 6od, shall have a new birth of free-dom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
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