...Adrian Lurie 12/13/11 Per. 1 Self-Evidence In 1776, the Deceleration of Independence was signed by our founding fathers. This document had been previously written to break free from the grip of Britain and become an autonomous nation. It obtained the most fundamental ideas of our country, and helped shape what it is today. The most important group of ideals in this Declaration was the self-evident truths, which stated essential laws about man and its organization. These self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence were derived from the ideals of natural rights, an undefined Creator, and establishing government. Throughout the history of the world, natural rights have been widely believed in, and were a large factor in the creation of our country. One source that shares the ideas of the Declaration is Cicero’s De Legibus, in which Cicero wrights that man, “has been given certain distinguished status…” This directly relates to the self-evident truths, meaning that Man has been given special rights and is therefore above all the other animals. Another example of natural rights in history is the signing of the Magna Carta. The king acknowledged that he had been repressing people’s natural rights, so they created the Magna Carta to protect them. This is yet another example from which the Declaration of Independence claimed ideas. Finally, the famous philosopher John Locke, “called the new-born mind a tabula rasa, a blank slate.” He believed that all men were created...
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...the methodological skepticism, a person can test a belief by asking the question “Could it be false?” If the answer is “Yes,” the belief is not necessarily true and is not considered knowledge. This is the perfect tool for presenting a foundationalist conception of knowledge, unless there is an omnipotent being who can deceive people to think wrongly about these basic principles. Therefore, the existence of an omnipotent God and proof that God is not a deceiver is then presented in order to reject all doubts about the foundationalist conception of knowledge. A foundationalist conception of knowledge is a conception of academic discipline: one can only trust real knowledge that is based on basic principles. If a principle is wrong sometimes or is possibly wrong, it is not basic. If the principle is self-evident, showing its own truth, or is justified without appealing to any external ideas or facts, it is basic. Also, if the principle is clearly and distinctly perceived, and one cannot help but assent to it, the principle is necessarily true, or is self-evident. Senses are not necessarily true because they are “sometimes deceptive” in the cases of “very small” and “distant” things (Descartes, 18). Location in space and time are also possible to doubt because of dreaming. For example,...
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...Philosophy 3 December 2013 The Existence of God: Theories of Thomas Aquinas and St. Anselm Everyone has a fundamental idea of God that they have thought of believing it or not believing it. Throughout history many theologians have tried to conjure up ideas and theories to prove the existence of God. In this essay I will explain two different philosophers ontological approach to proving the existence of God, and how their theories relate and compare to one another. The first philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas explains the existence of God in five different proofs. The first argument he attempts to prove the existence of God through, is the "unmoved mover" argument. He claims that since there is motion in the world, and motion has to be caused by another thing, which has to be caused by another thing, leads to the original mover, God who caused the first motion. The argument can be broken down like this: 1. Nothing can move itself. 2. If every object in motion had a mover, then the first object in motion needed a mover. 3. Movement cannot go on for infinity. 4. This first mover is the Unmoved Mover, called God. Aquinas motion includes any kind of change or growth. Aquinas argues that things that are at rest is the natural condition for them. Something that is moving is unnatural and must have been put into that state of motion by some external force.(Higgins) In the second argument for the existence of God, Aquinas bases it on the theory of Causation. He claims...
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...scholar Thomas Aquinas. In Thomas’ book Summa Theologica, he proves that the existence of God is self-evident using this. Thomas offered The primary question that will be made an example of will be Question 2: The Existence of God. Seeing the Scholastic Method in these three articles will be an easy feat. With reading what he writes about and paying close attention to how he writes it, one can see strong elements of Scholasticism in his method of proving that God exists. Article One states the objections of the existence of knowledge, that God is “known”, as well as the existence of truth. Thomas gives these objections as examples proving that God’s existence is self-evident. He also states possible counter-examples so he may effectively counter the counter-examples with his “I answer that”. This statement of counter-examples show Scholasticism by making an agreement between two sides of the argument. Which is why he uses counter-examples as the “other side” of the argument that God’s existence is self-evident. Another form of the Scholastic Method is other books and or philosophers. Like one quote, Aquinas uses the verse Hebrews 11:1 which says “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” in his first objection to demonstrate that knowledge of God’s existence requires some form of faith. In Article 2 Thomas Aquinas asks whether it can be demonstrated that God exists. Now this is dipping a bit into the Scientific Method that relies on actual tangible...
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...Is God Dead and Have We Killed Him? An Argument in Defense of Nietzsche's “Madman.” “Incipit tragoedia,” Nietzsche exclaims at the closing of The Gay Science, but what stands before this tragedy? What has happened to usher in such a fatal turn to the “goat song”? The answer lies in Nietzsche's claim that, “God is dead! God remains dead! And we have killed him!” (Nietzsche 141-142). There can be little argument that these enraged words of Nietzsche are reveled by atheists and agnostic alike. On the other hand, theists acquainted with his writings revile them. Are there grounds to be correspondingly joyous and offended? Does the announcement carry any concern? Can the proclamation carry both joy and offense? What if the passage is being taken too literally? This is what needs to be investigated! The real question then is what exactly Nietzsche means when he asserts, “God is Dead...And we have killed him!” (Nietzsche 141-142). In order to answer these questions, I intend to argue, through a critical exposition of Nietzsche’s claim, that God - that is the “cause” of Him - although not completely...
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...contingently. This is based on the idea of the Principle of Sufficient Reason that states that every truth is either necessary or contingent, but the principle it follows is neither. The idea is that God is the only being that necessarily exists. (26) Sophie stated it the best by saying “A necessary truth couldn’t conceivably be false. It is, in that sense, self-evident.” (27) There must be a reason for the truth of every fact. It is either based on the idea of the facts it lies upon itself or based on some other true facts. Oscar did not buy into any of this. He felt as though everything seemed to good to be true. How can all these facts just depend on each other but do not explain anything? David added that either God exists or the universe is inexplicable (28), which Oscar then agreed upon. However if the universe is not inexplicable, then God exists. Therefore, is the universe explicable? David made a good point by saying, “The belief in God is irrational, but now it looks as if the universe itself is irrational if God doesn’t exist.” Sophie consulted and realized that there is no definite answer to this question. If God does not exist then the universe is indifferent to our sense of order and intelligence. If the Principle of Sufficient Reason is true, then God exists. Sophie concluded and said, “The Greeks gave us the idea of cosmos, which things happen for a reason...
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...Examine the cosmological argument for the existence of God. The cosmological argument is an a posteriori argument which intends to prove that there is an intelligent being that exists; the being is distinct from the universe, explains the existence of the universe, and is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and omnibenevolent. The basic notion of cosmological arguments is that the world and everything in it is dependent on something other than itself for its existence. It explains that everything has a cause, that there must have been a first cause, and that this first cause was itself uncaused. Many philosophers have explored the cosmological argument, including Aquinas, in much depth, through his Five Ways in the Summa Theologica. Thomas Aquinas rejected the ontological argument of Anselm, saying that had it been convincing, the existence of God would be self-evident to everyone. He argued that the fact people deny God’s existence is proof enough that it is not in fact self evident. Aquinas believed from faith that God existed and he believed that the real world contained enough evidence for this; Aquinas wrote the Five Ways in order to prove his beliefs. Each ‘way’ of the Five Ways is an exercise of reason, not of faith; they are the classical exposition of natural theology. The first three of the five ways are based on the cosmological argument. The first way that Aquinas proposed to support the cosmological argument regarded the ‘unmoved mover’; he stated that...
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...word of good news that would establish “an international network of transformed, peaceable, multicultural communities worshipping and obeying one true God” (pg. 22). Mentioning Paul’s transformation from adversary to apostle of Jesus Christ, the novel explores the missionary trips and letters of Paul—both disputed and undisputed—to the various Christian communities. In addition, hallmarks of the apostle are explained as well such as: inclusion of Gentiles, commitments to non-violence, the value in suffering, and reconciliation. Diverting to the heart of the novel, Gorman creates eight themes, or “Paul’s big ideas”, that are evident throughout Pauline texts. The eight “big ideas” Gorman presents surround God, Christ, us, and the bonds that exist between one another. The first four of these focuses on Paul’s ideology of the imminent end and the role Jesus plays in the transition. The first of these describes the phrase “In the fullness of time”. According to Gorman, “the event of Jesus Christ was God’s perfectly timed means of effecting the transition from this age to the age to come” (pg. 59). This age to come occurs on a timeline that encompasses (i.) the death and resurrection of Jesus, (ii.) the current overlap of the ages, and ends with (iii.) the new age to come in all its glory. The next theme, described as “The Gospel of God” shows how the law could not deliver people from the power of Sin, and so, by means of God’s grace and love, reconciliation is made possible. We are reconciled...
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...“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence). The idea that “all men are created equal” both initiated and propelled the Civil Rights and the anti-slavery movements, and alone creates rationale for racial equality. Differing philosophies prevailed in the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, but the prevailing teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr continues to impact even today. Dr. King’s famous quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that,” still sees use today. He passionately advocated for equality because it was God’s design; he said about this, “Every genuine expression of love grows out of a consistent and total surrender to God.” This approach differs from leaders such as Malcom X, W.E.B....
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...First I will explain Foundationalism and give examples to epistemically basic beliefs, then I will explain how coherentism refutes the idea of a basic belief and lastly I will examine how both stand in front of the regress argument, proving the existence of basic belief for the existence of knowledge. If there is knowledge it must have a starting point. Foundationalism is an epistemological view that suggests that the chain of justification of beliefs has a starting point, which is called basic belief. All our beliefs are justified by these basic or foundational beliefs and these foundational beliefs are self-justifying, meaning that it opposes the suggestion that the justification chain goes to infinity. It’s important here to distinguish between knowledge and belief. To Plato, knowledge is a well-justified true belief. In it’s various forms, these basic beliefs are self-justified which is exactly why it becomes solid enough to be assumed as an axiom...
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...peace. Peace within one’s self is gained through sacred meaning, and the diminishing of inner turmoil that restricts inner peace in which individuals require in order to achieve external peace within the world .Internal strife and peace will lead the restoration of peace in the outer world. In both Christianity and Islam, sacred texts are vital sources of information on all aspects of peace. They demonstrate principal teachings about peace, and teachings on inner peace as well as supporting the ultimate aim of world peace. Although man is unable to avoid conflict, they can teach themselves to respond in ways that avoid negative outcomes. The scriptural text, the New Testament is used as a sacred text among Christians as it is the key principal and foundational element of teaching. Peace is an underlying value that has been conveyed through the form of a message conveyed to Christian believers. Peace is at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry. The New Testament expresses peace as virtue as it a key element of the reign of God. Jesus himself is known as the “prince of peace”. Peace being a common notion throughout Christian scriptural literature emphasize’ the importance of peace, combating conflict in which derives away from peace. The New Testament encounters inner peace as it an imperative characteristic in which individuals strive to achieve. Inner peace can be obtained through distinct resorts involving prayer, gaining trust and closeness with God leading to one’s found inner...
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...This issue of immaturity and a lack of responsibility sheds light on the determining issue of the hippies. They, like all humans throughout history, do not love God. At birth, humans are enemies of God, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 ESV). They only sought for their own gain and comfort. In the natural heart of man, there is love for none but himself. Not only was their lack of love for God evident in their incessant protests of most everything, but it was also evident in their brazen, sinful lifestyle. The hippies are known today for their motto of “sex, drugs and rock and roll.” They are known for long hair, laziness, psychedelic, drug induced music, and “casual” sex with those who practiced their same beliefs. However, the drug use of the hippies is what they are most remembered for. The extensive use of and experimentation with drugs fueled the foolishness of the hippies....
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...People struggle with faith because they follow their perceptions of what is true rather than what they know to be true by faith. Although theology does involve human constructs, one must not think of God in herself; instead, she must think from a center in God in order to know and understand Him because if God is based off one’s self-knowledge, the content of Christianity changes. Theologians Karl Barth and Thomas F. Torrance raise questions concerning the understanding of the doctrine of the immanent Trinity today. Despite Barth and Torrance’s belief that theology must allow the unique nature of its object to determine what is said about the triune of God, the beliefs of Arianism and Gnosticism are wrongly evident in the thinking of some theologians in their attempts to understand the doctrine of the Trinity. Even though the Church has rejected the beliefs Arianism and Gnosticism, they still continue to threaten Christian theology. Arianism states that Christ was not truly divine, but a created being. Fourth century priest Arius believed if God is ‘one and absolute’ then Jesus, the Son, could only be considered divine in a ‘subordinate sense.’ If Arius thought of Jesus as God Himself, then he believed he was compromising God’s oneness. The Council of Nicaea condemned Arius, and declared the Son to be ‘of one substance with the Father.’ St. Irenaeus rejected the heresy of Gnosticism in the second century. The heresy states humans save themselves through knowledge that...
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...women of color in the southern United States and addresses numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture. Born in 1895, Celie who is the main character was raised on a farm in a small town in Georgia where formal education took a back seat to physical labor and household maintenance, and the Church was the main focal point of socialization among local town members. The Color Purple chronicles the startling tragedy and triumph of Celie in her struggle for self-empowerment, sexual freedom, and spiritual growth in the early twentieth century. Its winter 1909 and Celie is fourteen years old. Her step-father, who she thinks is her real father, sexually and verbally abuses her. He impregnates Celie and she gives birth to a girl, whom he steals and is later presumably killed in the woods. Celie has a second child, a boy, whom her father also steals. Celie’s step-father warns her about revealing what he has been doing to her: "You better not ever tell nobody but God. It'd kill your mammy." Celie’s mother becomes seriously ill and dies. Celie’s step-father brings home a new wife but, continues to abuse her. Raised in an...
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...The storyline of Amadeus was plagued with elements of competition, pride, talent, entitlement and arbitrary beliefs which ultimately composed the core theme-Identity. Seen most exclusively between Herr Mozart and Salieri, clashing identities formed feuds, which resulted in tragedy- Salieri, a gifted musician in his own right, wants nothing more than to praise God to exalt him with his music. But instead God choses Mozart- An insulant impenitent child to be his musical regent on earth. Salieri feels he has no choice not to only turn his back on God, but to actually punish God by killing Mozart, an act accomplished by driving the drunkard to work himself to death.(Sholder, Adam) Salieri’s identity was consistent with the Holy Virtues,...
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