Meaningful Deception In Cat's Cradle

Any useful religion can be based on lies. Religion is an establishment that provides communal ties, morality, and hope, even if it lacks truth. Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut conveys this message through the lies of Bokonon. Bokonon provides teaching and hope to those in the underdeveloped country of San Lorenzo. He also provides the narrator with a sense of understanding about the world around him. The narrator, John, recognizes the impact and power the lies of Bokonon had on the citizens of San Lorenzo. The religion united the people of San Lorenzo but ultimately sentenced them to their death.

Within the article titled “The Mistrust of Science” by Atul Gawande, the article is a written document of an address at the California Institute of Technology and describes the connection of science to every single human on Earth. This is done because the presenter defines science as “a systematic way of thinking” since science allows humans to contemplate beyond the information being given to them at any time, such as the questions may follow of how, when, where, why, and how? The presenter states the opinion that, no matter what major you are declared as or the type of occupation you hold, science is embedded into the way you are living, despite you not having any knowledge of certain science topics.

Deception According to Hyman (1989) deception implies that an agent acts or speaks so as to induce a false belief in a target or victim. Deception can occur in everyday life. Whether it is telling someone they look nice or not telling them that they look fat. This is an important process for forming relationships and general social interaction.

What is religion? There is no one correct answer, however, one definition that seems to cover every aspect of most established religions is, "…the most comprehensive and intensive manner of valuing known to human beings" (Pecorino). In Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, Vonnegut takes this definition and creates his own religion in order to satirize all others. Bokononism, Vonnegut's contrived religion, is built on foma, or harmless untruths. Bokononists believe that good societies can only be built by keeping a high tension between good and evil at all times, and that there is no such thing as absolute evil (Schatt 64). They have created their own language with words such as karass, a group of people

Many people of 20th century though, turned for truth in the logic of science. It had made many things simpler for them and had offered them a better standard of living. Even so, as Cat’s Cradle demonstrates, their is both a good and evil side to science. When it is used with careless negligence, the results of manipulating nature can be formidable. It is a tool, and must be used with respect for others. Because of this, there is ultimately a limit to the truth many people search for in this field; although we can advance through science and exploration, it doesn’t take into account human ethics and morals. It therefore doesn’t offer meaning, and it doesn’t offer happiness. One must search for those realizations from

Religion has influenced an entire range of changes in the elongated history of the world. The alterations that have taken place in the past are clear and concise evidence that the underlying and ultimate influence is religion. Religion has been apart of a plethora number of events in the past because, religion gives humans a clear source of origin of the universe, and carries an everlasting assurance that provides protection and happiness among the permutations in life. Religion also served its purpose in all aspects of life, especially during the events between the 1600’s and 1800’s.

Throughout history, scientific advancements have been viewed as having a positive impact on the lives of all people. No matter how large or small the discovery is, few see it as possibly having a negative effect on society. Too much time has been spent throughout history on praising scientists and their new works; however, how these advancements affected society when eventually used is often overlooked. Kurt Vonnegut attacks this ideal and provides a story that reveals how scientists do not care about how their findings could impact society in a positive or negative way. He exemplifies the importance religion can have on a population when everyone follows its scripture strictly. How a leader can have control over an entire population through

Science only provides facts to society and does not care about other people or their emotions. Science primarily focuses on discovering more and more. In a discussion between the main character, John, and a woman named Sandra, John asks,

Science is the truth. It is unwavering and absolute. As a result, it is objective and free of imperfection. As such, Steven Weinburg, a theoretical physicist, once stated, "The laws of nature are as impersonal and free of human values as the rules of arithmetic. We didn 't want it to come out that way, but it did." Weinburg explains that science, like arithmetic is ultimately an objective discourse—free from subjectivity and emotion. However, in Evelyn Fox Keller’s novel Reflections on Gender on Science, she argues against science as being an objectivist ideology. She asserts that science does not encompass the complete truth, but is rather a perverted, masculine discourse. Keller critiques Weinburg’s assertions as faulty, where she argues

` Vonnegut often compares science and religion in Cat's Cradle. He characterizes science as a form of discovering truth, and he characterizes religion as a form of creating lies. Despite this negative depiction of religion, the characters none the less follow them. Vonnegut's criticisms are for science and its goal of discovering truth. Vonnegut attacks the idea that truth is innately desirable and good.

“Live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy” (Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle). Many people adhere to the idea that because something is true, it must be in a sense good. Vonnegut often compares and contrasts science and religion in Cat’s Cradle. He defines religion as a form of creating lies, while he defines science as a form of discovering truths. While religion is negatively depicted in the novel, the most severe criticisms are used for science and the endless pursuit of truth.

A lie told in desperation is less wrong than a calculated, merely convenient lie. For a regular every day life, it is important to be truthful and not lie for personal gain. For those who are in public eye, they sometimes do not have a choice but to lie in order to keep their private life private. It is easier for us to be honest because our lives are not being publicized and criticized. Maybe Bill Clinton lied about Monica Lewinsky because it was not a public matter for everybody to discuss. This does not necessarily mean that Clinton lied about other things. A convenient lie told for personal gain can possibly hurt others, whereas a lie told in desperation can possibly make matters better. For example, telling a child that going to the dentist

According to one article, Karl Marx, who is a religious critic, says that “[r]eligion is the opiate of the masses”(as cited in Cline, 2017). For example, Marx says that “religion's purpose is to create illusory fantasies for the poor”(as cited in Cline, 2017). It is said to give unrealistic dreams to the poor. In addition, religion helps to forget suffering. Pain relief is good, but it does not solve the underlying problem(as cited in Cline, 2017). “Similarly, religion does not fix the underlying causes of people's pain and suffering — instead, it helps them forget why they are suffering and gets them to look forward to an imaginary future when the pain will cease”(as cited in Cline, 2017). Finally, Marx says that religion is addictive like

Other phrases throughout the first four pages use words like "nightmare", "destroy", "haunt", and "anguish" to attract readers to how seriously society takes awareness of science. These phrases get readers to feel the urgency of the views against science in society. The dark phrasing successfully shows that society has taken a responsible view against incorrect scientific application.

As people, we come with earlier knowledge and understandings on subjects and topics of study, “Science” being one of them. We make presumptions, based on either reasonable evidence or that our thoughts and ideas are known as true by others. Through this we have come to understand and define science as its aims, leaving its definition, whether consciously or unconsciously, unchallenged. We have taken advantage of the label that we have set for science, as well as its goals, and failed to look at them further.