Freedom & Existentialism
|
|
- Baldwin Rogers
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Freedom & Existentialism 1. Existence Precedes Essence: You ve probably heard of existentialism. But, what is it? Sartre explains that its central tenet is this: Existence precedes essence. What is Essence? But, what does that mean? Traditionally, in philosophy, essence refers to the true nature of something the what it is of a thing. It includes all of the NECESSARY features of a thing i.e., features without which it could not exist. For instance, you have the property of being a mammal and being a student. If you lost the second property, you d still exist. But, it is impossible for you to lose the first property (and continue to exist). Being a mammal is a part of your ESSENCE. It s a part of the definition of WHAT YOU ARE. [Just fyi: Philosophers call the former property an essential property and the latter an accidental property of you.] Design: Sartre has a slightly broader understanding of essence in mind, and includes in a thing s essence also its PURPOSE, and facts about how a thing OUGHT to be. The Paper Knife: For instance, he gives an example of a paper-knife. [I think he means either a letter opener, box cutter, or exacto knife.] Anyway, the designer and maker of the knife had in advance a vision about what the knife would be like its shape, its sharpness, what materials it would be made of, its purpose, and even some ideas about what a GOOD paper-knife is versus a BAD one. In short, for this knife, its essence preceded its existence. We Have it Backwards: Sartre criticizes the tradition of all of history, which, (he thinks) has always acted as if essence precedes existence (rather than the other way around). Since forever, human beings have always acted as if or PRETENDED as if, according to Sartre WHAT YOU ARE has already been pre-established since before your birth. You were born into a world that told you: What you ought to value How you ought to act What your purpose is 1
2 In short, you were born into a world that already had a set view about what it is to be human. It is in this sense that he thinks society is structured so that essence precedes existence. Sartre thinks we have it all wrong. Atheism: One big reason that we got it wrong was theism. Theists believe that humans have a maker; a designer. That designer has a PURPOSE for us, and some ideas about what a GOOD human being is like versus a BAD one. In short, theism invites the belief that essence presences existence. As an atheist, Sartre rejects this worldview. There is no human nature ; there is no essence of mankind, says Sartre. You are simply what you make yourself to be. You come into existence as a blank slate, and then you invent yourself. He writes, What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence? We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world and defines himself afterwards. If man is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. Man simply is. Not that he is simply what he conceives himself to be, but he is what he wills 2. Implications: Here are some implications of Sartre s view: Abandonment & Moral Nihilism: Sartre believes that, if there is no God, then there is no morality; there is no universal purpose for human beings. No way that we ought to be. This realization leads to a sense of abandonment. However, Sartre finds this liberating. This only makes us MORE free. If moral truths exist, dictating how we ought to be, how we ought to act, then we are bound by those truths. (This would lend itself to our essence preceding our existence.) But, if there are no such truths, how we OUGHT to be has not been pre-determined for us. There is nothing OUTSIDE of ourselves to point to, to justify or excuse our behavior. Sartre thinks that people sort of hide behind morality, rules, laws, etc. They can always claim that they acted a certain way because that was what morality required, etc. If there are no such rules, there is nowhere to hide. You are utterly free, and unbound. God Authority Roles/Duties (abandonment) > Morality Expectations (nowhere to hide) 2
3 The Patriot/Loving Son: Sartre tells a story of a student who was torn between two choices: (a) Join the army to fight the Nazis, or (b) Stay home and take care of his mother. What should he do? Nothing was of any help: Morality The student sought the answer in ethics. Various moral principles say to be generous, unselfish, etc. But none of these axioms helped him decide. Feelings The student looked inside himself. We often think we do whatever we have stronger feelings or inclinations toward. But, how does one quantify, e.g., one s feeling of patriotism and one s feeling of motherly love, and then weigh them against one another? Sartre believes it is the ACTION which DETERMINES the strength of the feeling NOT the other way round. If you choose to join the army, then it is THAT ACT which makes you patriotic. If you choose to stay home and care for your mother, then it is THAT ACT which makes you loyal and affectionate to your mother. Authority The student sought advice from his professor (Sartre). But, still, we always have to choose WHICH authority to ask for advice. In the very act of choosing this, we know in advance what kind of advice we are seeking. (Consider at least 3 authority figures in your life e.g., a parent, professor, friend, priest, etc. and ask yourself what kind of advice each would give regarding some hard decision you ve had to make. Don t you pretty much know what sort of advice each would give in advance?) Alternatively, sometimes authority figures ORDER us to do certain things. You might try to put the burden of responsibility on others in these cases. For instance, when an angel of God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son; or when a general commands an officer to lead his troops into some battle the order comes from higher up, but ultimately it is still YOU who have to decide whether to follow it. And in following it, you are endorsing it. You cannot escape responsibility. Signs All the time, people say things like, I guess it wasn t meant to be, or God/The World is giving me a sign. Sartre tells a story of a young man who had fallen on some hard times, and took it as a sign that he was meant to leave the secular world and become a priest. But, Sartre points out, it is ultimately YOU who have to INTERPRET any sign. Another person could have just as easily interpreted the same signs as an indication that she ought to become a carpenter, etc. Not Deciding At All Later, Sartre points out that one cannot even hide from free choice by doing NOTHING. For, choosing NOT to decide is still itself a choice. 3
4 Condemned to be free: In short, there is NOWHERE TO HIDE. You can never appeal to any external reason for any of your choices (not rules, not psychological passions or feelings, not authority). There is just YOU and your action. You are utterly free, and utterly responsible. Sartre writes, there is no determinism man is free, man is freedom. [M]an is condemned to be free. Condemned, because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment that he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does. We are CONDEMNED to be free. It almost sounds as if freedom is a BAD thing. (And, in a way, it is. It s scary. And that would explain why people have gone to such great lengths to hide behind God, morality, their superiors, uncontrollable passions, etc.) But, Sartre really just means that it s the one thing we re NOT responsible for (namely, being born utterly free). Everything else about yourself is up to YOU. [Rejection of Determinism: Clearly, morality, meaning, & purpose are not pre-determined on Sartre s view. But, he seems to reject CAUSAL determinism too. He discusses how some people claim to be sometimes swept up by their passions, and use them as an excuse. Sartre says that man is responsible for his passion. Again, belief that all of your actions are determined is just another thing that people try to hide behind to avoid responsibility. Yet, elsewhere, he says, we are unable ever to choose the worse. What we choose is always the better. Isn t this all that the hard determinist is saying?] Anguish: Sartre says he s an optimist. He actually finds the abandonment LIBERATING. In fact, he thinks his view is the ONLY sort that makes man truly free, writing, this theory alone is compatible with the dignity of man. If essence DID come before existence and if we were NOT truly abandoned to make ourselves we would not be truly free. In the end, you are ONLY your choices, and nothing else. Man makes himself. Yet, this realization leads to a sort of anguish. You are utterly free. When you understand this, the burden is very great. Responsibility & Universality: Part of the reason for this anguish/burden comes from the fact that Sartre doesn t seem to think that you can make choices ONLY for yourself. Rather, every choice you make has implications for all humankind. Every decision you make, says Sartre, you make on behalf of all human beings. If you become a Christian, you are endorsing a worldview for ALL people. 4
5 If you marry, you are endorsing monogamy for ALL people. In short, every choice you make is a declaration about how all mankind OUGHT to be. Thus, you are not only responsible for yourself. In a way, you are responsible for EVERYONE: If, however, it is true that existence is prior to essence, man is responsible for what he is. Thus, the first effect of existentialism is that it puts every man in possession of himself as he is, and places the entire responsibility for his existence squarely upon his own shoulders. And, when we say that man is responsible for himself, we do not mean that he is responsible only for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men. [I]n choosing for himself he chooses for all men. For in effect, of all the actions a man may take in order to create himself as he wills to be, there is not one which is not creative, at the same time, of an image of man such as he believes he ought to be. I am thus responsible for myself and for all men, and I am creating a certain image of man as I would have him to be. In fashioning myself I fashion man. No Morality, But Self-Deceptive Errors: Sartre has presented a view which rejects the existence of all morality. Thus, nothing is wrong in the moral sense on his view. How could it be?, he asks. For, we make ourselves from nothing, like an artist who creates a painting on a blank canvas. It wouldn t make any sense to say to her, You re painting it wrong! There are no objective aesthetic rules. Similarly, there are no objective moral rules for Sartre. Nevertheless, he does believe that one can act inconsistently by deceiving one s self. He says, any man who takes refuge behind the excuse of his passions, or by inventing some deterministic doctrine, is a self-deceiver. He says that such people are acting in bad faith. To live an authentic life in good faith, you have to accept the truth that you are utterly free, utterly responsible, and that you entirely invent yourself by your own choices. [Some great videos about Sartre s view can be found here and here and here.] 5
Understanding the burning question of the 1940s and beyond
Understanding the burning question of the 1940s and beyond This is a VERY SIMPLIFIED explanation of the existentialist philosophy. It is neither complete nor comprehensive. If existentialism intrigues
More informationLECTURE NINE EXISTENTIALISM EXISTENCE & ESSENCE SARTRE
LECTURE NINE SARTRE EXISTENTIALISM Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 1980) Presents a view of what makes human beings unique We are beings for which existence precedes essence This makes us different from the rest
More informationThe Freedom to Live an Authentic Life
The Freedom to Live an Authentic Life Name of theory is derived from Jean Paul Sartre s claim that: Existence comes before essence.man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world and
More informationCHAPTER I INTRODUCTION. A. Research Background. being as opposed to society as a one organism (Macquarrie, 1973). Existentialism mainly finds
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Research Background Existentialism believes that philosophical thinking begins with a living, acting human being as opposed to society as a one organism (Macquarrie, 1973). Existentialism
More informationPart 1 NIHILISM: Zero Point. CCW: Jacob Kaufman
Part 1 NIHILISM: Zero Point CCW: Jacob Kaufman Introduction Nihilism is more a feeling Nihilism is denial Nihilism is the negation of everything Marcel Dunchamp Fountian Introduction But for a growing
More informationWho Has the Burden of Proof? Must the Christian Provide Adequate Reasons for Christian Beliefs?
Who Has the Burden of Proof? Must the Christian Provide Adequate Reasons for Christian Beliefs? Issue: Who has the burden of proof the Christian believer or the atheist? Whose position requires supporting
More informationIntroduction to Existentialism
Introduction to Existentialism Mr. Pogreba, Helena High School 2013-14 Historical Background of Existentialism 01 Historical Background While he never identified himself as an existentialist, the 19th
More informationOn Law. (1) Eternal Law: God s providence over and plan for all of Creation. He writes,
On Law As we have seen, Aquinas believes that happiness is the ultimate end of human beings. It is our telos; i.e., our purpose; i.e., our final cause; i.e., the end goal, toward which all human actions
More informationPrevious Final Examinations Philosophy 1
Previous Final Examinations Philosophy 1 For each question, please write a short answer of about one paragraph in length. The answer should be written out in full sentences, not simple phrases. No books,
More informationTake Home Exam #2. PHI 1700: Global Ethics Prof. Lauren R. Alpert
PHI 1700: Global Ethics Prof. Lauren R. Alpert Name: Date: Take Home Exam #2 Instructions (Read Before Proceeding!) Material for this exam is from class sessions 8-15. Matching and fill-in-the-blank questions
More informationSartre- Introducing Existentialism
Editor's note: This lesson plan was designed by Jonathan Gerkin for a 75-minute class at ESP's Junction program. It was intended as a challenging humanities seminar which hinged on students' willingness
More informationExistentialism English 1301: Composition I D. Glen Smith, instructor
Existentialism [ ] Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. That is the first principle of existentialism. And this is what people call its subjectivity, using the word as a reproach against
More informationEXISTENTIALISM. Wednesday, April 20, 16
EXISTENTIALISM DEFINITION... Philosophical, religious and artistic thought during and after World War II which emphasizes existence rather than essence, and recognizes the inadequacy of human reason to
More informationJudgment in the Third Heaven: My Testimony
Judgment in the Third Heaven: My Testimony This is a story I rarely share but my friend Dinah encouraged me to a while back, and in the interest of keeping the leaven out of our homes this week I am going
More informationToday s Lecture. Preliminary comments on the Problem of Evil J.L Mackie
Today s Lecture Preliminary comments on the Problem of Evil J.L Mackie Preliminary comments: A problem with evil The Problem of Evil traditionally understood must presume some or all of the following:
More informationFree Will and Morality. Can we people morally accountable for the actions? Do we really have a free will?
Free Will and Morality Can we people morally accountable for the actions? Do we really have a free will? Is Racism Morally Wrong? Is racism (as we saw in Eyes on the Prize) morally wrong? If not, why did
More informationA Rejection of Skeptical Theism
Conspectus Borealis Volume 1 Issue 1 Article 8 2016 A Rejection of Skeptical Theism Mike Thousand Northern Michigan University, mthousan@nmu.edu Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.nmu.edu/conspectus_borealis
More informationCommon sense dictates that we can know external reality exists and that it is generally correctly perceived via our five senses
Common sense dictates that we can know external reality exists and that it is generally correctly perceived via our five senses Mind Mind Body Mind Body [According to this view] the union [of body and
More informationDefinition: The denial of the possibility of knowledge, philosophy, and value in anything.
Christoph Koehler Roundtable of Ideologies Spring 2009 Nihilism 1 Definition: The denial of the possibility of knowledge, philosophy, and value in anything. Prominent Philosophers: Friedrich Nietzsche,
More informationIs There a God? Psalm 19 John Breon
Is There a God? Psalm 19 John Breon We re exploring some big questions about ourselves and life and God. We re walking along, poking around, turning over some rocks to see what s there. Last week, we looked
More informationHence, you and your choices are a product of God's creation Psychological State. Stephen E. Schmid
Questions about Hard Determinism Does Theism Imply Determinism? Assume there is a God and when God created the world God knew all the choices you (and others) were going to make. Hard determinism denies
More informationKant s Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals
Kant s Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals G. J. Mattey Spring, 2017/ Philosophy 1 The Division of Philosophical Labor Kant generally endorses the ancient Greek division of philosophy into
More informationGOD EXISTS: A DEBATE ABOUT THEISM. Two Statements: Atheist and Theist (1) Consistent Theism is Socially Undesirable. Paul Cliteur 1 (2)
GOD EXISTS: A DEBATE ABOUT THEISM Two Statements: Atheist and Theist (1) Consistent Theism is Socially Undesirable Paul Cliteur 1 (2) A Matter of the Heart More than of Reason Willem Ouweneel 2 (1) Paul
More informationApplying the Concept of Choice in the Nigerian Education: the Existentialist s Perspective
Applying the Concept of Choice in the Nigerian Education: the Existentialist s Perspective Dr. Chidi Omordu Department of Educational Foundations,Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Dr.
More informationWhat is Atheism? How is Atheism Defined?: Who Are Atheists? What Do Atheists Believe?:
1 What is Atheism? How is Atheism Defined?: The more common understanding of atheism among atheists is "not believing in any gods." No claims or denials are made - an atheist is any person who is not a
More informationThe Ordinariness of Love 11/15/09 Leviticus 19:17-18; Introduction
The Ordinariness of Love 11/15/09 Leviticus 19:17-18; 33-34 Introduction Today, I m going to preach about love and I begin by quoting a person who was a foremost authority on the subject, Mother Teresa.
More informationThe Problem of Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom
The Problem of Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom Western monotheistic religions (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) typically believe that God is a 3-O God. That is, God is omnipotent (all-powerful),
More informationJesus Christ Edict of Milan emperor worship paganism religio illicita = illegal religion ❶ the apostolic age (33 100) ❷ the persecuted age ( )
Humanism in History Theism in History The Roman Empire 33 313 Christianity Evangelical Jesus Christ Edict of Milan emperor worship paganism religio illicita = illegal religion ❶ the apostolic age (33 100)
More informationEvangelism #3: THEGODTEST
Evangelism #3: THEGODTEST Introduction: WHAT IS THEGODTEST? A tool that helps facilitate discussion of the critical issues of faith, skepticism, and the meaning of life. The central question is: Do you
More informationALTERNATIVE SELF-DEFEAT ARGUMENTS: A REPLY TO MIZRAHI
ALTERNATIVE SELF-DEFEAT ARGUMENTS: A REPLY TO MIZRAHI Michael HUEMER ABSTRACT: I address Moti Mizrahi s objections to my use of the Self-Defeat Argument for Phenomenal Conservatism (PC). Mizrahi contends
More informationestablishing this as his existentialist slogan, Sartre begins to argue that objects have essence
In his Existentialism and Human Emotions published in 1947, Sartre notes that what existentialists have in common is the fact that they believe that existence comes before essence or, if you will, that
More informationOf sin, the depravity of man, and the wrath of God (J. Peterson)
Of sin, the depravity of man, and the wrath of God (J. Peterson) 1. Examine Romans 1:21 within the context of its preceding verses. What do you observe? "For even though they knew God," man chose not to
More informationAnselm s Equivocation. By David Johnson. In an interview for The Atheism Tapes, from the BBC, philosopher Colin McGinn briefly
Anselm s Equivocation By David Johnson In an interview for The Atheism Tapes, from the BBC, philosopher Colin McGinn briefly discussed the ontological argument. He said, It is a brilliant argument, right,
More informationAtheism From the University to Society. Edwin Chong. April 2, 2006
Atheism From the University to Society Edwin Chong April 2, 2006 CTF, April 2 2006 Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
More informationNeo-Atheism on the University Campus. Edwin Chong. UniverSanity January 25, 2008
Neo-Atheism on the University Campus Edwin Chong UniverSanity January 25, 2008 UniverSanity, Jan. 25 2008 Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
More informationExistentialism. Some main points. Mostly Sartre s views. Adapted from Ms. Moon s Existentialism Power Point.
Existentialism Some main points. Mostly Sartre s views. Adapted from Ms. Moon s Existentialism Power Point. Background Popular philosophy between 1940-1965 Reaction to disillusionment felt from WWII After
More informationExistentialism Is a Humanism
Jean-Paul Sartre 1946 Existentialism Is a Humanism My purpose here is to offer a defence of existentialism against several reproaches that have been laid against it. First, it has been reproached as an
More informationDelton Lewis Scudder: Tennant's Philosophical Theology. New Haven: Yale University Press xiv, 278. $3.00.
[1941. Review of Tennant s Philosophical Theology, by Delton Lewis Scudder. Westminster Theological Journal.] Delton Lewis Scudder: Tennant's Philosophical Theology. New Haven: Yale University Press. 1940.
More informationBreaking the First Rule of Fight Club; An Existential Examination
Hussein 1 Alia Hussein Professor Poetker Philosophy B6A 20 November 2013 Breaking the First Rule of Fight Club; An Existential Examination A film with a title like Fight Club naturally leads viewers to
More informationPHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY
PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY Paper 9774/01 Introduction to Philosophy and Theology Key Messages Most candidates gave equal treatment to three questions, displaying good time management and excellent control
More informationSARTRE : MAN IS FREEDOM
CHAPTER 3 SARTRE : MAN IS FREEDOM Sartre was born on 21 st June1905, in French. Since his birth, Sartre has to struggle hard. But he immersed himself out of these situations. Later on, he becomes famous
More informationSimplicity and Why the Universe Exists
Simplicity and Why the Universe Exists QUENTIN SMITH I If big bang cosmology is true, then the universe began to exist about 15 billion years ago with a 'big bang', an explosion of matter, energy and space
More informationNON-RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHIES OF LIFE AND THE WORLD Support Materials - GMGY
People express non-religious philosophies of life and the world in different ways. For children in your class who express who express a non-religious worldview or belief, it is important that the child
More informationOUTLINE 1. What is Religious Pluralism 2. Why Study Religious Pluralism 3. Historical Perspective 4. Can all religions be True? 5. What is Truth? 6. I
Religious Pluralism OUTLINE 1. What is Religious Pluralism 2. Why Study Religious Pluralism 3. Historical Perspective 4. Can all religions be True? 5. What is Truth? 6. Is there only one way? 7. The Case
More informationThe Sinfulness of Humanity
The Sinfulness of Humanity Over the last couple of years we have witnessed some incredible events in our world. In Europe, communism has become a thing of the past. In South Africa, apartheid finally appears
More informationKindergarten-2nd. September 19-20, Elijah. I Kings 16-17; Phil 4:13. God provides when we obey him.
Kindergarten-2nd September 19-20, 2015 Elijah I Kings 16-17; Phil 4:13 God provides when we obey him. Connect Time (15 minutes): Five minutes after the service begins, split kids into groups and begin
More informationClashing Worldviews - Homosexual Marriage. Written by Rick Postma
Driving to Toronto a few months ago, I was encouraged to hear a number of people call in to a local talk show to argue that same-sex marriage is unbiblical. Unfortunately, the talk show host kept irritably
More informationLove and Duty. Philosophic Exchange. Julia Driver Washington University, St. Louis, Volume 44 Number 1 Volume 44 (2014)
Philosophic Exchange Volume 44 Number 1 Volume 44 (2014) Article 1 2014 Love and Duty Julia Driver Washington University, St. Louis, jdriver@artsci.wutsl.edu Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.brockport.edu/phil_ex
More informationMind and Body. Is mental really material?"
Mind and Body Is mental really material?" René Descartes (1596 1650) v 17th c. French philosopher and mathematician v Creator of the Cartesian co-ordinate system, and coinventor of algebra v Wrote Meditations
More informationExistentialism Is a Humanism
Jean-Paul Sartre 1946 Existentialism Is a Humanism Written: Lecture given in 1946 Source: Existentialism from Dostoyevsky to Sartre, ed. Walter Kaufman, Meridian Publishing Company, 1989; First Published:
More informationThe Cosmological Argument
The Cosmological Argument Reading Questions The Cosmological Argument: Elementary Version The Cosmological Argument: Intermediate Version The Cosmological Argument: Advanced Version Summary of the Cosmological
More informationVOL. 1 ISSUE 12 MAY 2015 ISSN An International, Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Monthly, Online Journal of English Language and Literature
LITERARY QUEST An International, Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Monthly, Online Journal of English Language and Literature Existentialism in Albert Camus The Stranger Dr. V. Hema Assistant Professor, Department
More informationNATURAL MORAL LAW 1.0 OBJECTIVES 1.1 INTRODUCTION
UNIT 1 NATURAL MORAL LAW Contents 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Data of Moral Consciousness 1.3 The Foundation of the Moral Order 1.4 Existentialist Humanism 1.5 The Human Order and the Moral
More informationPhilosophy 1100: Ethics
Philosophy 1100: Ethics Topic 3 - Religious Approaches to Ethics 1.Religion and Morality 2.Divine Command Theory (DCT) 3.DCT and Atheism 4.Why believe DCT? 5.Plato 6.Euthyphro 7.An Argument against DCT:
More informationRonald Dworkin, Religion without God, Harvard University Press, 2013, pp. 192, 16.50, ISBN
Ronald Dworkin, Religion without God, Harvard University Press, 2013, pp. 192, 16.50, ISBN 9780674726826 Simone Grigoletto, Università degli Studi di Padova In 2009, Thomas Nagel, to whom Dworkin s book
More informationKant and his Successors
Kant and his Successors G. J. Mattey Winter, 2011 / Philosophy 151 The Sorry State of Metaphysics Kant s Critique of Pure Reason (1781) was an attempt to put metaphysics on a scientific basis. Metaphysics
More informationUncomfortable What is Truth? July 1 & 2, 2017
Uncomfortable What is Truth? July 1 & 2, 2017 What is the goal? In essentials UNITY (Ephesians 4:1-6) In non-essentials LIBERTY (Romans 14) In all things CHARITY (Matthew 22:36-40; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter
More informationPLANTINGA ON THE FREE WILL DEFENSE. Hugh LAFoLLETTE East Tennessee State University
PLANTINGA ON THE FREE WILL DEFENSE Hugh LAFoLLETTE East Tennessee State University I In his recent book God, Freedom, and Evil, Alvin Plantinga formulates an updated version of the Free Will Defense which,
More informationTo be able to define human nature and psychological egoism. To explain how our views of human nature influence our relationships with other
Velasquez, Philosophy TRACK 1: CHAPTER REVIEW CHAPTER 2: Human Nature 2.1: Why Does Your View of Human Nature Matter? Learning objectives: To be able to define human nature and psychological egoism To
More informationExistentialism. And the Absurd
Existentialism And the Absurd A human being is absolutely free and absolutely responsible. Anguish is the result. Jean-Paul Sartre Existentialists are concerned with ontology, which is the study of being.
More informationAn Alternate Possibility for the Compatibility of Divine. Foreknowledge and Free Will. Alex Cavender. Ringstad Paper Junior/Senior Division
An Alternate Possibility for the Compatibility of Divine Foreknowledge and Free Will Alex Cavender Ringstad Paper Junior/Senior Division 1 An Alternate Possibility for the Compatibility of Divine Foreknowledge
More informationCAN WE HAVE MORALITY WITHOUT GOD AND RELIGION?
CAN WE HAVE MORALITY WITHOUT GOD AND RELIGION? Stephen Law It s widely held that morality requires both God and religion. Without God to lay down moral rules, talk of right and wrong can reflect nothing
More information2 FREE CHOICE The heretical thesis of Hobbes is the orthodox position today. So much is this the case that most of the contemporary literature
Introduction The philosophical controversy about free will and determinism is perennial. Like many perennial controversies, this one involves a tangle of distinct but closely related issues. Thus, the
More informationTWO VERSIONS OF HUME S LAW
DISCUSSION NOTE BY CAMPBELL BROWN JOURNAL OF ETHICS & SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY DISCUSSION NOTE MAY 2015 URL: WWW.JESP.ORG COPYRIGHT CAMPBELL BROWN 2015 Two Versions of Hume s Law MORAL CONCLUSIONS CANNOT VALIDLY
More informationVirtue Ethics without Character Traits
Virtue Ethics without Character Traits Gilbert Harman Princeton University August 18, 1999 Presumed parts of normative moral philosophy Normative moral philosophy is often thought to be concerned with
More informationSUPPORT MATERIAL FOR 'DETERMINISM AND FREE WILL ' (UNIT 2 TOPIC 5)
SUPPORT MATERIAL FOR 'DETERMINISM AND FREE WILL ' (UNIT 2 TOPIC 5) Introduction We often say things like 'I couldn't resist buying those trainers'. In saying this, we presumably mean that the desire to
More informationGetting To God. The Basic Evidence For The Truth of Christian Theism. truehorizon.org
Getting To God The Basic Evidence For The Truth of Christian Theism truehorizon.org A True Worldview A worldview is like a set of glasses through which you see everything in life. It is the lens that brings
More informationSufficient Reason and Infinite Regress: Causal Consistency in Descartes and Spinoza. Ryan Steed
Sufficient Reason and Infinite Regress: Causal Consistency in Descartes and Spinoza Ryan Steed PHIL 2112 Professor Rebecca Car October 15, 2018 Steed 2 While both Baruch Spinoza and René Descartes espouse
More informationToday we begin our discussion of the existence of God.
Aquinas Five Ways Today we begin our discussion of the existence of God. The main philosophical problem about the existence of God can be put like this: is it possible to provide good arguments either
More informationImmanuel, Matthew 1:18-25 (First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2017)
Immanuel, Matthew 1:18-25 (First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2017) 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together
More informationDoes Theism Imply Determinism? Questions about Hard Determinism. Objections to Hard Determinism, I. Objections to Hard Determinism, II
Questions about Hard Determinism Does Theism Imply Determinism? Assume there is a God and when God created the world God knew all the choices you (and others) were going to make. Hard determinism denies
More informationThe Rejection of Skepticism
1 The Rejection of Skepticism Abstract There is a widespread belief among contemporary philosophers that skeptical hypotheses such as that we are dreaming, or victims of an evil demon, or brains in a vat
More informationNotes on Moore and Parker, Chapter 12: Moral, Legal and Aesthetic Reasoning
Notes on Moore and Parker, Chapter 12: Moral, Legal and Aesthetic Reasoning The final chapter of Moore and Parker s text is devoted to how we might apply critical reasoning in certain philosophical contexts.
More informationJesus and Apologetics
Jesus and Apologetics Mark 12: 18-27 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19 Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man s brother dies, leaving
More informationARE YOU READY? 4/18/13
ARE YOU READY? LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR MIND Lecture 1 The Need for Apologetics in a World of Confusion We live in what may be the most anti- intellectual period in the history of Western civilization.
More informationSunday, April 23, 2017: God s Reconciling Love Commentary
Sunday, April 23, 2017: God s Reconciling Love Commentary April 23, 2017 Sunday, Lesson: Romans 5:6-11; 8:31-39; Time of Action: 56 A.D.; Place of Action: Paul writes from Corinth Golden Text: For I am
More informationBetter Never to Have Known, 2 Peter 2:20-22 (July 31, 2016)
Better Never to Have Known, 2 Peter 2:20-22 (July 31, 2016) 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
More informationGenesis 1 : 1-5, 26-31
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
More informationJUSTIFICATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
1 JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH TRADITION IS THE LIVING FAITH OF THOSE NOW DEAD; TRADITIONALISM IS THE DEAD FAITH OF THOSE NOW LIVING. Traditions are very good when they give us roots and ways of
More informationThe Goodness of God in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition
The Goodness of God in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (Please note: These are rough notes for a lecture, mostly taken from the relevant sections of Philosophy and Ethics and other publications and should
More informationNietzsche s Philosophy as Background to an Examination of Tolkien s The Lord of the Rings
Nietzsche s Philosophy as Background to an Examination of Tolkien s The Lord of the Rings Friedrich Nietzsche Nietzsche once stated, God is dead. And we have killed him. He meant that no absolute truth
More informationPHL340 Handout 8: Evaluating Dogmatism
PHL340 Handout 8: Evaluating Dogmatism 1 Dogmatism Last class we looked at Jim Pryor s paper on dogmatism about perceptual justification (for background on the notion of justification, see the handout
More informationBoundaries. Office Lighthouse Discussion Materials
Boundaries Office Lighthouse Discussion Materials 1 Chapter 1 - Defined Boundaries define us. They define the essence of me what I am and what I m not. A boundary shows me where I end and where someone
More informationGenesis 3C (2011) The fall of man and woman, and the curses of God. They knew they were naked and made effort to clothe themselves
Genesis 3C (2011) In the next part of the chapter, we examine what is easily the most important moment in Scripture, apart from the death of Christ The fall of man and woman, and the curses of God Gen.
More informationCJR: Volume 1, Issue Book Reviews. Sam Harris, Lying. Edited by Annaka Harris Kindle Edition. 26 pages. $1.99.
CJR: Volume 1, Issue 1 175 Book Reviews Sam Harris, Lying. Edited by Annaka Harris. 2011. Kindle Edition. 26 pages. $1.99. Keywords: Sam Harris, lying, truth, atheism Kyle Thompson Ph.D. student, Claremont
More informationThe Power of Image of God
Crystal Springs United Methodist Church Text: Genesis 1:27-28 2145 Bunker Hill Dr, San Mateo, CA By: Rev. Hee-Soon Kwon, Ph.D. Phone: (650) 345-2381 Date: 2013 and female. Genesis 1:27-28 God created humankind
More informationCan you trust the bible?
Can you trust the bible? Why would someone ask that question? Why is it important to trust some books more than others? For instance would you trust this book? 101 Uses for an Old Farm Tractor? Does it
More informationSpinoza s Ethics. Ed. Jonathan Bennett Early Modern Texts
Spinoza s Ethics Ed. Jonathan Bennett Early Modern Texts Selections from Part IV 63: Anyone who is guided by fear, and does good to avoid something bad, is not guided by reason. The only affects of the
More informationTEST: Monday Dec. 17, 8:00 10:00 a.m. (can leave if completed after 9:30 a.m.)
PHILOSOPHY Murphy Fall 2012 FINAL STUDY GUIDE TEST: Monday Dec. 17, 8:00 10:00 a.m. (can leave if completed after 9:30 a.m.) FORMAT: 20 Objective Questions 50% re-runs, 50% new = 40 points [15 minutes]
More informationPhilosophy & Religion
Philosophy & Religion What did philosophers say about religion/god? Kongfuzi (Confucius) - Chinese philosopher - secular humanism. Role of free will and choice in moral decision making. Aristotle - golden
More informationDoctrine of Atheism and Its Psychology
1 Doctrine of Atheism and Its Psychology 1. Secular Humanist once had a question they wanted answered among themselves. If there is no God, why are so many people around the world religious? 2. They concluded
More informationIntroduction to Christian Apologetics June 22nd
Introduction to Christian Apologetics June 22nd Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) The
More informationRomans. With or Without the Law Chapter 2:11-16
Romans With or Without the Law Chapter 2:11-16 S ecret Sins laid upon an enlightened, active conscience, unforgiven, are a source of great pain and suffering. David said, My sin is ever before me. An incident
More informationSERMON SERIES ON WHAT WE BELIEVE - We Believe That The Bible Is The Only Inspired, Infallible, And Authoritative Word Of God.
SERMON SERIES ON WHAT WE BELIEVE - We Believe That The Bible Is The Only Inspired, Infallible, And Authoritative Word Of God. INTRODUCTION I guess with so many streets, we ought to know that they re always
More informationWho or what is God?, asks John Hick (Hick 2009). A theist might answer: God is an infinite person, or at least an
John Hick on whether God could be an infinite person Daniel Howard-Snyder Western Washington University Abstract: "Who or what is God?," asks John Hick. A theist might answer: God is an infinite person,
More informationCOPLESTON: Quite so, but I regard the metaphysical argument as probative, but there we differ.
THE MORAL ARGUMENT RUSSELL: But aren't you now saying in effect, I mean by God whatever is good or the sum total of what is good -- the system of what is good, and, therefore, when a young man loves anything
More informationHow to Live a More Authentic Life in Both Markets and Morals
How to Live a More Authentic Life in Both Markets and Morals Mark D. White College of Staten Island, City University of New York William Irwin s The Free Market Existentialist 1 serves to correct popular
More informationAnd we begin to evaluate the effectiveness of our faith on how quickly it translates into practical results for the routine of our everyday lives.
1000 years of Rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Rev 20:1-10 Play song Coffee by Josh Woodward Friends do the words of this song feel familiar to you? They do for me A firm routine of work and sleep and
More informationCalvary Classroom WORLD RELIGIONS
Calvary Classroom WORLD RELIGIONS Definition of Religion A system of beliefs and practices that provides values to give life meaning and coherence by directing a person toward transcendence Winfried Corduan
More informationDuns Scotus on Divine Illumination
MP_C13.qxd 11/23/06 2:29 AM Page 110 13 Duns Scotus on Divine Illumination [Article IV. Concerning Henry s Conclusion] In the fourth article I argue against the conclusion of [Henry s] view as follows:
More information