Cartas Marruecas Flashcards
why did he write them? quote
HAIDT - written and motivated by a concern for his national character
- ‘el asunto más delicado que hay en el mundo, cual es la crítica de una nación.’
Kitts - the use of the three characters
2
- they provide a coherent picture of his ideology and feelings towards life and society in Spain
- they are a reflection of his multiple identities as a member of the nobility, soldier, literary & ilustrado.
Nuño
- Spanish, seen as the protagonist, most of the ideas are his even though they are expressed through Gazel
Gazel
- Moroccan = foreign, helps in terms of impartiality
- emphasis on impartiality
Ben-Beley
Gazel’s Moroccan mentor, the primary receiver of the letters. His views and ideas broaden the context out from Spain to more universal questions.
- the hombre de bien is founded on the doing of good
Letter about nobility
CARTA VII
Nuño mocking the education system, people only know one thing. As a member of the nobility this man has responsibility and should be allowed to mess around with the lower class who have no expectations within society
what is the justo medio
HAIDT
- the hombre de bien must adhere to the justo medio in order to make use of his reason.
what are the three approaches taken to the mean according to Haidt
Gazel - through the cultivation of unprejudiced observation
Nuño - through the reflection on the human potential for intemperance (lack of moderation) and excess.
Ben Beley - through the exercise of virtue.
Gazel’s first letter to Ben
HAIDT
- Gazel won’t describe Spain until he has acquainted himself thoroughly with Spanish culture.
- wants to avoid the rendering of Judgement
- –> example of bullfighting , wants to distance self from emotions before reaching a final opinion.
Gazel on varying accounts
3
HAIDT
- importance of diverse opinions for impartiality. Through the reading of other’s work - ‘creo que en ella podré fundar el dictamen más sano’
- sends his opinions to Nuño
- once opinions are taken into account as well as immoderations & extremes, he will arrive at ‘uni razón media’ - a reasoned judgement rendered according to the mean
Fama póstume & Ben-Beley quote
3
- legacy left after you die, gives an example for the future to follow.
- Ben says the only fama postuma worth having is that of an hombre de bien
- he wants to be remembered as - buen hijo, buen padre, buen esposo, buen amigo, buen ciudadano.
Aristotle on virtue friendships (HAIDT)
3
HAIDT
- friends bound by their virtue are called ‘other selves’, they are fundamental to living a rational & ethical life.
- this friendship is a model for the national ethical restoration
- the friendship makes the men better, he can overcomes subjectivity and become objective
what is virtue according to Aristotle (HAIDT)
2
- done through action, through virtuous deeds one cultivates a virtuous character - through conscious rational doings.
- its a state involving a choice
According to Nicomachean Ethics how is the greatness of the soul determined
- by the presence of reasoned choice
Nuño quote about excessive patriotismo
‘el amor de la partía es ciego como cual quiera otro amor … puede muy bien aplaudir lo malo, desechar lo bueno…’
Nuño - quote about love for the past
‘cariño por la antigüedad’
Ben-Beley quote on hombre de bien & fama postume
‘ninguna fama póstuma es apreciable sino la que deja el hombre de bien’
Nuño - quote about what an hombre de bien must do for their nation
‘Patria, voy a sacrificarte mi quietud, mis bienes y vida.’
according to Nuño - how does an hombre de bien find strength a purpose to undertake necessary acts of bravery
‘el noble entusiasmo del patriotismo’
Kitts: Cadalso & bravery 3
- Cadalso going against the indifferent attitudes (criticised in letter 71)
- declared aim ‘la crítica de una nación’ - Cadalso grasps the heroic aspect of the present (Foucault).
- Cadalso disturbing personal tranquility for public good
Kant: Cadalso & bravery
- expected that Cadalso would obey - soldier
- his attitude is one of ‘resolution and courage’
Gazel, only enviable life quote
‘es la unica que me parece envidiable’
carta 70
what is an hombre de bien?HAIDT
- The hombre de bien is recognised through his having lived a life of reasoned and temperate choices
who draws the reader towards a non-ethnocentric position
SCARLETT
Gazel - the Moroccan counterpart is meant to draw the reader towards a non ethnocentric (evaluating other cultures according to the preconceptions from your own culture
