FL 31-32
- Why do so many Americans believe Jesus is coming back before 2050? Do they all really believe it, or do many say it in order to conform to what they perceive as popular opinion? Do they think about it? 274
- What do you think of "blame-the-victims" storytelling? 277
- Why do so many Americans believe in "The Devil"? (And again, do they really believe it, etc.? -see the first question above) 281
- Why have Americans, compared to Europeans in particular, "rushed headlong back toward magic and miracles"? 288
- Why do so relatively few people in the U.K. and other European countries say they believe what Americans say they do? 287-88
- Do you buy the marketplace explanation of American religiosity? 290
WGU -122
- Is Hannah Arendt's emphasis on natality as important as mortality, in defining the human condition? Would it still be, if we ever achieved natural immortality? 80-81
- Is the US still a proud nation of immigrants, or more like those European nations "struggling with what they regard as the problem of immigration? 81
- Are there ways other than travel to "experience the world as babies do" etc.? 83
- Did your upbringing make it easier or harder for you to trust? 86
- "Once you start asking why, there's no natural place to stop." 88 So why do so many people stop, or else never start?
- How long would we have to live, to see this as Leibniz's "best possible world" 89
- Was Hume right about reason being slave to the passions? 93
- Was Thrasymachus right about justice? 94
- Do you agree with the cliche about socialism? 100
- Is Hume's strategy for dispelling melancholy good? 104
- Has the gap between ought and is narrowed in the world, historically?107
- Was Nietzsche right about stoicism? 113
- Is it childish to expect the world to make sense? 114
- How can philosophy help us grow up? 119
- Do we have a right to happiness? 122
Section 7
ReplyDeleteFL 31-32
1. What do you think of "blame-the-victims" storytelling? 277
- “Blame-the-victim” storytelling is a dangerous and unfair way of thinking, and yet it continues to happen and occurs far too often. Society has made many believe that the victim is somewhat to blame, which is backwards because how can you be to blame for someone else’s actions? Hopefully someday in the future everyone will agree that it is never the victim’s fault.
WGU -122
1. Is the US still a proud nation of immigrants, or more like those European nations "struggling with what they regard as the problem of immigration? 81
- It seems as though many have forgotten that our entire nation is made up of immigrants. Something we used to be so prideful over, appears to me more of a “problem” or “burden”. However, I can kind of understand their fear due to the current war on terrorism and drugs, but I don’t believe that to be a justified reason for that way of thinking.
2. Did your upbringing make it easier or harder for you to trust? 86
- It most definitely did, but I feel as though I’m not alone!
3. Is it childish to expect the world to make sense? 114
- I don’t think it’s childish per say, naive more than anything. Many things that have been scientifically proven to be fact make little sense to me, but clearly make sense to many others! What makes sense to one person may not make sense to another. I think it’s crucial to be able to understand that.
4. How can philosophy help us grow up? 119
- It forces you to look at things differently, to ask more questions, and to remain open minded. While reminding us that we in fact know so little about the world. It’s forces me to take a deeper look at what I believe, but more importantly why I believe it.
Did make it harder?
DeleteSection #4
ReplyDeleteDid your upbringing make it easier or harder for you to trust?
Id say my upbringing made it overall harder for me to trust as some members of my family where and still are very deceitful. I have gotten much better as I grew up and time has gone on by I still suffer from trusting new people with even the smallest amount of information or help. I most likely grew it as a defense mechanism from growing up with these relatives but it has also saved me from some bad situations but also hindered me in others.
Do we have a right to happiness?
DO I believe everyone should be able to find happiness? Yes. Do you have a right to this happiness? No. saying you have a right to something implies that it cannot be denied and must happen to you but unfortunately the world is unforgiving at times and there are people who live their whole lives in a state of unhappiness and dread. As the U.S declaration of independence states you have a right to the pursuit of happiness but don't always expect to find what you are looking for. Sometimes all it takes is reimagining what would really make you happy and not what you have held to believe for so long will.
Well, having a right to something doesn't mean its attainment is guaranteed. But no one has a right to deny you your pursuit of it.
DeleteI feel that depending on a certain person's view of happiness the all have the right to happiness. why would someone's happiness be more important than mine?
DeleteSection 4
ReplyDeleteIn some form or fashion, I think many people do believe that Jesus will come back before 2050. He was suppose to come back before everyone at the time of his first coming was dead. (I learned this in my project Why I Am Not a Christian (1927 by Bertrand Russell). Many people also see this as a necessity to be a Christian, to believe in this second-coming. Even though it is not. If they don't believe that he will come back, are they even Christian in the eyes of others? But I do think that there are more of them who just go along with the popular opinion. If other believers say he will then I guess he will. I do wonder though, why 2050? It seems like such a random year. If you truly believed, wouldn't you hope he would come back at any point?
I even heard people talking about how 2020 was his attempt.
that is a good point. why 2050? being christian, I am taught to always be prepared because Jesus can come back at any moment so we must always be prepared, so why are people putting a date on it?
DeleteOf course he's never really gone away, in the sense we were discussing in connection with what Ernest said about Emptiness and the continuing presence of those we revere and love. But if we're talking about a literal return to embodied existence on earth, and if he's God (in the trinitarian sense), then he shouldn't have had to make an "attempt" in 2020 -- an omnipotent being does whatever he wants. Right?
DeleteMarim Sameer (4/1)
ReplyDeleteSection 7
Discussion answer/ weekly essay
Did your upbringing make it easier or harder for you to trust? 86
I was brought up well with a family who loves me however my mom had the biggest impact on me growing up when it came to trust. My mom is extremely cautious when it comes to who she wanted me to be close to growing up. It was as if she didn’t even want me having close friends. She limited me even going out with friends unless it was school or church. I was always the friendly and social type, so for my mom to limit what I felt most comfortable with I started to question it. As a kid I kind of didn’t agree with what she was doing to me as a child. However, growing up not having close friends and being extremely wise with what certain type of information I can say to a person really did impact me today. I am more cautious that whatever you say cannot be taken back. that goes for the other person i am deciding whether to trust or not. I began to resonate with the idea that what one does to others they can do to you. That statement stays true up until a certain person shows me that they are worth being looked at different. I am kind of blessed with my mindset on trust just because it has eliminated me from getting in so much drama. I am cool with everyone but choose not to be too close because that is when the drama happens. My mom was right all along from the moment she proved how my first set of first were disloyal.
Your post reminds me of James Taylor's song "You've Got a Friend"... "People can be so cold, they'll hurt you and desert you, they'll take your soul if you let them" etc. But the moral of the song is, there's nothing more precious than a good friend. Sometimes you have to take a chance on people.
DeleteWhy do so many Americans believe Jesus is coming back before 2050? Do they all really believe it, or do many say it in order to conform to what they perceive as popular opinion? Do they think about it? 274
ReplyDeleteI am a Christian and I do believe in Jesus. I believe that He will return at some point, but I have no idea when. All I know, is that I am focused on walking with Jesus, learning more about Him, walking in purpose, and spreading His love to those around me. The Bible talks about the return of Jesus in the book of Matthew, it says this: “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36 NLT These words came from the mouth of Jesus, so at the time He didn't even know when He was going to be returning, so how are we supposed figure out the exact day?
People can speculate Jesus' return the same way it has happened for decades. People thought he was coming back in the year 2000 and we all know that didn't happen. It will be unexpected. People can guess and estimate, but no one truly knows. It's something I think people shouldn't spend time trying to figure out, and as a Christian I am most concerned with just having a life filled with faith in Jesus. That's my priority, walking in the way Jesus wants me to. The Bible also says that Jesus' return will be like a "thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). It could happen at any moment, and it'll be a glorious day when it does.
How can philosophy help us grow up? 119
Philosophy is all about asking tough questions and deconstructing one's beliefs. It helps us grow up because it forces us to figure out what we believe and why we believe in it. As a Christian, there have been a lot of philosophical ideas from a some of the philosophers that we have talked about that I do not agree with at all. However, this is still beneficial for my faith because it reinforces the reasons why I put my faith in Jesus. It has helped my faith in Jesus grow because I've gotten fresh perspective from other voices. On the other side of that coin, Philosophers like Kierkegaard helped add new perspective to my Christian faith and what it even means to have faith which has also helped me grow up. It is ways like this that philosophy and just sitting with one's self can help us grow up.
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Section 8
Delete"It could happen at any moment, and it'll be a glorious day when it does." Well, unless it interrupts Opening Day! Or whatever else I happen to be enjoying at the moment. That may sound flippant, but really that's how I try to live the moments and days of my life: to be so invested and immersed in what I'm doing that I would not welcome an interruption. And right now, in all seriousness, I'm here for Opening Day. I'm walking my walk, just as you're walking yours, not rushing the moment.
DeleteOne value of philosophy is indeed that it helps us clarify our own beliefs and commitments, but its ultimate value to me is that it illuminates other possibilities and sometimes brings me to consider altering (and improving) my beliefs and commitments.
Section 7.
ReplyDeleteMy upbringing made it easy to trust because I had a very supportive and reliable circle. However, I grew up to realize you can't 100% trust. I naturally trusted but I quickly learned WHO to trust and WHEN, you know. Had I had a rougher childhood & upbringing, I feel I wouldn't trust anybody. It is one of those many things where you're almost entirely a product of your environment.
I firmly believe everyone has the right to happiness. Moral happiness, to be specific. If murder makes you happy, I believe I'd have to prevent you from that. But in general, yes, everyone deserves and has the right to happiness.
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J.S. Mill's harm principle is a pretty good guide to the pursuit of happiness: do no harm, do what floats your boat, and try to do good and do right by your lights and those of our most virtuous peers.
DeleteI also had that problem when I was young where I naturally trusted and respected people especially adults, however, I also realized that it is just not a safe way thing to do.
DeleteSection 8
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of "blame-the-victims" storytelling? 277
I disagree. I don’t think that it was a purposeful act by God. A blame-the-victims horror-storyteller uses religion to scare people into believing. I think it’s extreme to think God killed all these people because of some of the population not believing, or not praying enough, or a pact with the devil?
"Once you start asking why, there's no natural place to stop." 88 So why do so many people stop, or else never start?
Because they fall complacent in the things they know now. Or along the way, more and more was expected from them, leading them to let their wonders take a back seat and try to focus on fitting in society as it is. Not as it could be, I agree that it is very important how you’re exposed to the world as a kid for it will bleed into the way you think of the world, problems, ideas, etc. It’s a building block of life.
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I think Kant summed it up nicely: "Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why so great a proportion of men...gladly
Deleteremain in lifelong immaturity, and why it is so easy for others to establish themselves as their guardians. It is so easy to be immature. If I have a book to serve as my understanding, a pastor to serve as my conscience, a physician to determine my diet for me, and so on, I need not exert myself at all. I need not think, if only I can pay: others will readily undertake the irksome work for me..." https://users.manchester.edu/Facstaff/SSNaragon/Online/texts/318/Kant,%20Enlightenment.pdf
Keylee Crutcher Section 8
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of "blame-the-victims" storytelling? 277
I think that the blame is not consistent so it's not true, people just cherry pick what they want to, but I see why people would want to believe it. It gives them a reason to be "good" and follow their moral rules.
Do you buy the marketplace explanation of American religiosity? 290
Honestly, I think it's pretty close to how people view religion nowadays. It's how everyone views everything, even their friends and spouses. Everyone is very egocentric and are basically set up to be sold products to. I feel like, especially my age group, no one really has strong religious feelings. They're easy to persuade.
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It gives them a reason to be "good"-
ReplyDeleteGlad you put that in scare quotes, it's hard to see the goodness in thinking a good god would punish his children with death, disease, and eternal torture for any reason.
section 7
ReplyDeleteIs it childish to expect the world to make sense? 114
I think it is semi childish to expect the world to make sense, but it is something that all of us have thought about. I don't really think it's entirely possible for the world to be utopian and perfect.
How can philosophy help us grow up? 119
Philosophy can help us grow up by giving us a better understanding or outlook on life. Personally, studying different philosophers and hearing their personal philosophies has giving be a lot of exposure to different perspectives on life, and I think a lot of their perspectives have some truth in them.
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ReplyDeleteSection 7
Do we have the right to happiness? 122
I believe that we don't have a right to anything besides freedom. We are all individual beings so we have the right to do as we please as long as it's not harming or affecting anyone else. With that being said if freedom leads to happiness then so be it but, I believe that we create our own happiness. When you learn how to control your moods to the degree where you won't allow things to get you down and realize that life happens regardless of how you feel about it, that's true happiness.
I also think that is an important thing to realize-that we can do whatever as we don't hurt anyone. I think most people forget that these days.
DeleteSection 7
ReplyDeleteWhy have Americans, compared to Europeans in particular, "rushed headlong back toward magic and miracles"? 288
I think Americans have always been very fanatical and prideful. The fact that we are such a young, but successful country does not help, in contrast with the old and established Europe. I also think that America is way more religious than Europe. I’ve read studies that show church membership is dropping incredibly fast there and the religious there are much less radical than here. That is probably the biggest contributing factor.
Did your upbringing make it easier or harder for you to trust?
My upbringing made it harder for me to trust. My dad would never tell us the reason he did things since he thought children did not deserve to know. I think they do. Anyway, this had the consequence of me not feeling like I was ever taken seriously and now it is hard to trust.
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Prophetess Turner, Section 4:
ReplyDeleteDo we have a right to happiness? 122
I believe that we all deserve happiness, but that it must be fought for because nothing in this world is given. I think that once we as individuals realize what makes and keeps us happy, we should fight to maintain it. At the end of the day, though other s may contribute or cause our unhappiness, it is ultimately up to us to restore our moods.
Sydney Davis Section 7
ReplyDeleteDo we have a right to happiness? 122
I fully believe everyone has a right to happiness. It's something that's fought for everyday by everyone whether they realize it or not, that's our motivation ultimately i believe. We just want to be happy, now what determines someone as happy is totally up to the person. Whether its to have a bunch of money, to be able to find the one they love and begin a family, it doesn't matter what it is, people strive to find happiness. Some people have to fight even harder to find happiness in their life, i believe that happiness is definitely a right, what else would we have for ourselves if it wasn't happiness.
What do you think of "blame-the-victims" storytelling? 277
ReplyDeleteI think the blame-the-victimes storytelling is common belief among Christians. However I am not sure how strongly I follow this. I grew up Christian and this theory reminds me of Noah and the Ark. Basically, the world at the time was so corrupt with sin that the Lord flooded the entire earth, punishing those who sinned and did not believe in him. This is similar to the book as Pat Robertson believes that Hurricane Katrina was caused by the passing of abortion laws. I guess I can understand where he is coming from, but I’m not sure if God works like this. I like to think that he punishes those who have sinned directly. If someone cheats on their wife, maybe they get fired from their job a week later. This seems more fair to me as hurricanes and other disasters impact those who love and believe in the lord.
Why do so many Americans believe in "The Devil"? (And again, do they really believe it, etc.? -see the first question above) 281
As someone who grew up in a Christian household, the concept of the Devil has always been around. Whenever I lied to my parents, or said a bad word I was told that Satan had tempted me and I gave way to this temptation. America was built around Christianity, and with this religion comes Satan’s presence. With this, it was taught generation after generation that the Devil is real and that he is everywhere, waiting to find you weak and vulnerable. I think most devout Christians really do believe in the Devil. He is mentioned throughout the Bible, and the word is to be followed. Additionally, one can see that evil and satanic ideals are practiced all throughout the world, and they revolve around the Devil. Overall, I think most people really do believe in Satan.
Section 4
Are there ways other than travel to "experience the world as babies do" etc.? 83
ReplyDeleteI would say another way to experience the world is by reading. I read and learned about so many topics just by reading a book. I can learn about different viewpoints and themes by reading. Although, babies don't read, they can watch videos, so I would say another way to experience the world is to watch informational videos.
Was Hume right about reason being slave to the passions? 93
I would say that we are all slaves to our passions. As a Christian, there are three main passions in this world: lust of the flesh,lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Everything that we want falls into those three categories. We are always doing what we want to do. If we want a fast car to flex on others, we buy it to satisfy that internal ego; we don't think I don't really need that car, I have a perfectly good car already. It takes a strong will power to overcome the selfish passions.
Why do so many Americans believe in "The Devil"? (And again, do they really believe it, etc.? -see the first question above) 281
I am a Christian and I believe in the Devil. I think first, many Americans believe in the Devil, because America's mostly a Christian country. Another thing, it is easy to blame the devil for when things that go wrong. That's not to say the devil isn't behind it; the devil can place the apple in front of you, but ultimately it is up to the person to take the apple. I think the that the strongest Christians believe the devil as a threat, but most people believe in the existence of the devil.
Ash Warner Section 7
ReplyDeleteIs the US still a proud nation of immigrants, or more like those European nations "struggling with what they regard as the problem of immigration?
The United States used to be the country that any immigrant from anywhere could come here at will frankly, but over the last hundred or so years since the industrial revolution the general public opinion is rather torn on the issue of immigration in the United States. A portion believes we should have stricter border policies that would lower immigration, and another portion wants to loosen immigration policies to allow more people to come here. I feel like America isn’t either or, I think America is honestly both. The current state of American politics is simply hostile. Its basically gotten to the point where its like 2 teams and only one or the other and each side is on the opposite side of the room from each other .
Section 4
ReplyDeleteIs the US still a proud nation of immigrants, or more like those European nations "struggling with what they regard as the problem of immigration? 81
America is betweent he two and is stuck at the tipping point with our previous president is looked like that is would have a problem with immigrants. The problem is not entirly on the immigrants themselves but on the system we are using. If it was able to work more effeinitly we would not be having as much difficulty as we are having right now with immigraiton.
Do we have a right to happiness?
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a basic human right to be entitled to happiness throughout ones life. Without happiness there isn’t motivation to do anything and will result in a sad meaningless life. I think we all have a right to happiness but I do not think that it is handed out. We all have different things that make us happy, some have success for example and others have their family to be happy with. Whatever it is that makes us happy we have to be sure to go out and chase it so that we really can have our right to happiness.