Saturday, December 28, 2019

Platonic Philosophy Of Christian Theology - 1902 Words

Platonic Philosophy in Christian Theology Plato is undoubtedly one of the world’s most widely read and studied philosophers, as he laid the foundations of Western Philosophy and science—influencing the world generations beyond his time. His influences can be seen in a multitude of subjects—aesthetics, political philosophy, cosmology, epistemology, the philosophy of language, and even theology. Although Plato was Greek, and the Greeks are not inherently Christian, multiple aspects of his philosophy are compatible, even illuminative, of the Christian faith. Another name that will ring a bell of familiarity is St. Augustine—one of the most important and well-known theologians in the history of the Christian religion. As St. Augustine dedicated his life to studying and writing intellectual foundations of Christianity in the West, his established knowledge of the Christian faith credits him with a strong status of influence. Many Christian philosophers, such as Augustine, have been impressed with Plato ’s philosophy and its connection to Christian Theology. Although Augustine never directly read Plato’s work, he did read two of Plato’s followers’ work, Plotinus and Porphyry, in Latin translation, and makes claims of connection between Platonic philosophy and Christian beliefs. In this paper I will first explain the aspects of Plato’s philosophy that are most similar to those of Augustine’s Christianity, and I will describe in what way these are alike and unalike. SpeakingShow MoreRelatedThe Influence of Platos Theories on Chrisianity1169 Words   |  5 Pagesone of the founding fathers of Western philosophy. Living from roughly 428 BCE until 348 BCE, Plato’s theories predated Christianity by at least four centuries. Because of this, it can be assumed that early Christian worshippers used Plato’s teachings as a basis for their religion. It is evident that there is a surprising amount of similarities between Plato’s philosophy and early Christianity. By utilizing Plato’s theories and philosophy, early Christians were able to bridge the gap between paganismRead MoreThe Life of A-Ghazali Essay751 Words   |  4 PagesMuslim Theologian, Jurist, Philosopher and Mystic of Persian Decent. He was born in 1058 A.D. in Khorasan, Iran. He received his early education from Baghdad and Nishahpur where he received a high-level scholarship in the field of religion and philosophy. For his efforts, he was made the professor at t he Nizamiyah University of Baghdad, which was recognized as the greatest institute for learning during the ‘Golden Era of Islam’. Belonging to Sunni denomination, Al-Ghazali practiced Shafi jurisprudenceRead MorePlato And Aristotle s Views On Philosophy1107 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the history of philosophy, the thoughts and works of two men have intertwined their way into the philosophers to follow. The two men were followers of Socrates; thus, technically, Socrates can take some of the credit. These two men are Plato and Aristotle. The Platonic and Aristotelian ideas of philosophy are contradicting but equally represented in their influence. Plato believed that to find truth, one must look to the metaphysical world beyond reality. He believed this because he thoughtRead MoreChristianity, A Form Of Religion Based On The Person And Teachings950 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Jews to help make them perfect, and usher them into the kingdom of heaven. According to the New Testament writing s, Peter the apostle learned that the gospel was to be constrained to the Jews. 2 He believe that in order for a Gentile to be Christian, they must first convert in Judaism. In doing this, they will entitled that hold the law s that Judaism stand for which include practice s as well as ritual s. During the Council of Jerusalem in 50 AD, it was said that Gentile s would be acceptedRead More Saint Augustine Essay1445 Words   |  6 Pagesfigure in the development of orthodox Christian doctrine during the early Christian Church. Augustine was born in Northern Africa in AD 354. His father was a pagan and his mother a Christian. Though his parents were not extremely well to do, they had enough money to allow Augustine to obtain an education in the liberal arts. This education will eventually affect how he sees Christianity, especially concerning the use of neo-Platonic ideas in Christian theology. Augustine converted to orthodoxRead MoreHumanist Art And Philosophy Of The Renaissance1774 Words   |  8 PagesHumanist Art and Philosophy of the Renaissance Throughout the ages, people have sought for wisdom and truth through philosophical discovery. The work of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and the other ancient thinkers have bewildered and amazed people through centuries of study and analysis. However, with the shift of time and belief systems, the central focus of the European culture concerned not secular wisdom but divine inspiration, causing for the period we now refer to as the Dark Ages. But as theRead MoreThe Doctrine Of Creation Across The Bible992 Words   |  4 Pagescreation out of nothing was taken out it would have to be replaced by another philosophy all of which are problematic. Pantheism is the idea that God created the universe out of himself; this Philosophy is in Buddhism and many other eastern or new age religions. The theological impact of everything being God would mean He would no longer be holy and that evil is a part of Him. This very clearly conflicts with the Christian doctrine that God is the most holy (1 Samuel 2:2). Plato wrote that theRead MoreThe Existence Of God And The Renaissance Era821 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the medieval period in philosophy, the existence of God was a philosophical topic that was shared by most of the well-known philosophers and theologians of the time. The very name medieval (meaning, the in-between time) philosophy suggests the tendency of modern thinkers to go directly from Aristotle to the Renaissance era. What seems to justify this attitude is the tendency of philosophers during this period to seek truth along with orthodoxy. Most of the medievalRead MoreDualism And The Separation Of Mind And Body Essay2046 Words   |  9 PagesThe word â€Å"dualism† is used in many different aspects. It can refer to the classic Western philosophy in reference to the separation of mind and body or to the idea of separation of divine and human in religion. Religious dualism is also used to explain how two religious systems may relate to each other. Dualism can demonstrate the correlation between two religious or cultural traditions. In this perception, dualism describes the reality in which many people live and it resists an understanding thatRead MoreOverview of The Consolation Essay795 Words   |  4 Pageswork is cast in the form of a dialog with Philosophy, who explains to him the true nature of happiness, why the wicked appear to prosper while the good suffer, and many other difficulties. By the end, Boethius sees clearly the goodness and sovereignty of God. (Section numbers follow t hose in Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, New York: Penguin, 1969.) Things to Think About as You Read 1. Boethius constructs a harmony between classical and Christian ideas about God and human nature, showing

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Notions of Selflessness in Sartrean Existentialism and...

Notions of Selflessness in Sartrean Existentialism and Theravadin Buddhism ABSTRACT: In this essay I examine the relationship between Sartres phenomenological description of the self as expressed in his early work (especially Being and Nothingness) and elements to be found in some approaches to Buddhism. The vast enormity of this task will be obvious to anyone who is aware of the numerous schools and traditions through which the religion of Buddhism has manifested itself. In order to be brief, I have decided to select specific aspects of what is commonly called the Theravadin tradition as being representative of Buddhist philosophy. By choosing to look primarily at the Theravadin tradition, I am by necessity ignoring a vast number†¦show more content†¦Secondly, Buddhism is a religion of many sects which differ from each other in various manners. By choosing to look primarily at the Theravadin tradition, I am by necessity ignoring the viewpoints of a vast number of schools which are considered Buddhist in nature. In my view, the Theravadin sect pres ents a consistent Buddhist philosophy which is representative of many of the major trends within Buddhism. Sartres method for explaining his position on the self is the phenomenological one, utilized before him by Husserl and Heidegger. Phenomenology may be defined as the descriptive analysis of subjective processes. It differs from psychology in that while psychology sets up causal or genetic laws to explain subjective processes, phenomenology merely describes. Sartre points out the intentionality of consciousness (a process earlier described by Husserl and Brentano). Consciousness is always consciousness of something. For Sartre, there exist non-conscious beings independent and external to consciousness. This realm of non-conscious beings is referred to by Sartre as thein-itself while consciousness is referred to as the for-itself. The in-itself appears to consciousness and is the object of consciousness, but is transcendent in the sense that it is external to consciousness. Consciousness is not only

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

DRUG ABUSE in the United States of America, we, th Essay Example For Students

DRUG ABUSE in the United States of America, we, th Essay e people value several things, some of which are freedom, expanding and taking care of our families and our financial security. We, the people, take such things for granted. We also discourage some behavior, such as crime, laziness and use of illegal drugs. Drug abuse is one of the most discouraged behaviors in our country. Use of illegal drugs is harmful to the user and all those with whom the user comes in contact. There are over 40 million illegal drug users in the world today and America is the biggest market for drugs. There are more drug dealers in this country, than there are dentists. Illegal drug abuse must be stopped; it hurts our society, hurts us, and, most of all, hurts the user. Drug users are parasites, feeding off societys money, taxes and insurance. Every type of insurance goes up because of drug abuse, including auto, health and homeowners. Worst of all, the crime rate will sky rocket if we let this behavior continue. Illegal drugs and their abusers are a plague to society for many different reasons.. Drugs have very harmful effects on the user and the people with whom the user interacts. The user is affected in many ways. The most popular drug in America, alcohol, is generally thought of as socially acceptable and relatively harmless. But it can have devastating effects. Alcohol might seem very harmless but it can harm the user very easily. Alcohol is easy to obtain and consume. It is taken as a beverage and, since it is legal, it can be purchased at the corner store. The immediate effects on the user are relaxation and a slight anesthetic effect. Alcohol is a very addictive drug. There are more than 18 million alcoholics in America2 , an indication of how widespread its harmful effects are. Alcoholics normally drink a lot on mornings and weeknights, at times which separate them for normal social drinkers. Often, the alcohol will bring out a violent temper and often, alcoholics abuse, physically and mentally, their friends and family. Drinking makes the drinker feel he is more confident. The drinker thinks he is in control, even if a little high, and he might get behind the wheel of his car and go for a drive. Drunk driving is deadly. Hundreds of thousands of people get killed every year due to drunk driving. Other physical effects of drinking are vomiting, passing out and sometimes, if enough alcohol is consumed over a long enough period of time, or if mixed with other drugs, death. Marijuana is a popular, and illegal, drug. Its largest consumers are young adults. Marijuana is smoked in a pipe or rolled in a cigarette. Thirty-seven percent of people between ages 12-17 have tried marijuana.3 Marijuana gives a slight buzzing feeling of light-headedness. Experimentation with marijuana is dangerous because studies show that 60% of people who smoke marijuana on a regular basis move on to try harder drugs soon after.4 Marijuana tends to diminish the ambition and motivation in the user. In the long run, it may cause lung cancer and other respiratory problems. Cocaine is another popular, illegal, street drug. Cocaine is snorted or smoked as crack(a cheaper and, as a result of being so affordable, more addictive way). Cocaine gives the user a sense of well-being and extra energy. Cocaine is one of the most .

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Ulysses S. Grant Essays (1505 words) - , Term Papers

Ulysses S. Grant Although Ulysses S. Grant's contemporaries placed him in the highest position of great Americans along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the twentieth century has seen him fade. His presidency has been almost universally condemned, and he is consistently ranked second to rock bottom Warren G. Harding in polls of historians to rate the presidents. Although his military reputation has declined as well, it nevertheless continues to win him a steady following. Even his most faithful admirers, however, tend to end their studies conveniently at Appomattox, and one senses a wide regret that Grant's public career extended beyond the Civil War. Taking note of this trend, John Y. Simon observes that some biographers seem to have wished that Grant had accepted Lincoln's invitation to Ford's Theatre on the night the president was shot- the night that John Wilkes Booth had intended to assassinate Grant along with Lincoln. Much of what has been passed down as an objective appraisal of Grant's presidency more closely resembles the partisan critiques that were produced by a relatively small group of performers during the 1870's-- in many ways the intellectual ancestors of the present historical profession. Although such a minority can sometimes be a source of enlightenment, in this case, it has contributed a monolithic picture of a complex era that is about as depressing as it is inaccurate. Little consideration is given the checkered nature of Grant's eight years of the Gilded Age. Michael Les Benedict observes that Grant dominated his era, a stronger resident than most have recognized. In both the domestic and foreign realms, President Grant could claim a wide range of achievements. In the aftermath of the most serious fiscal problems the nation had ever faced, he pursued policies that stopped inflation, raised the nations credit, and reduced taxes and the national debt by over $300 million and $435 million respectively. His veto of the Inflation Act of 1874 and subsequent drive for what became the Resumption Act of 1875 shocked many who looked to Congress to cure the nation's economic ills, and the panic of 1873 came to an abrupt end when the act went into effect in 1879. The successful arbitration of the Alabama and Virginus disputes mark not only foreign policy victories for the United States, but a significant precursor to the future course of international affairs. The establishment of the principle of the international arbitration through the Treaty of Washington, would later be embodied in the Hague Tribunal, the League of Nations, the World Court, and the U nited Nations. Grant's desire for peace was evident to me from the beginning of my research, but I did not realize how far-reaching it was until I noted the steadiness and rectitude he displayed throughout the presidential electoral crisis of 1876-77, which could have become a disaster. Also remarkable to me was Grant's Quaker Indian Peace Policy: on the eve of what could have become the complete genocide of the American Indian, Grant acted decisively to begin two decades of reform that for the first time promoted the welfare of Indians as individuals and broke ground for their eventual citizenship. However important these issues may seem, the traditional evaluation of Grant as president nevertheless pays far less attention to them than to the issue of corruption. Unlike other cases of presidents charged with allowing corruption, however, the corruption that reformers condemned during Grant's two terms, for the most part, was merely the practice of making appointments through the spoils system. As Benedict points out, scholars have tended to accept the judgment of the anti-Grant reformers that this (patronage) system was inherently corrupt, but that is a very questionable conclusion, and reformers had ulterior, political motives for making the charge. The matter of whether patronage is necessarily synonymous with corruption provides an additional question of consistency; for historians, if the reformers' verdict is true, must explain how Grant's predecessors, most of whom practiced patronage, led administrations exempt from the brand of corruption. What is ironic about the traditional picture of honest reformers opposing the president's corrupt party henchmen is that Grant was actually the first president since the establishment of the Jacksonian spoils system to initiate civil service reform. The

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The History of Kleenex Tissue

The History of Kleenex Tissue In 1924, the Kleenex brand of facial tissue was first introduced. Kleenex tissue was invented as a means to remove cold cream. Early advertisements linked Kleenex to Hollywood makeup departments and sometimes included endorsements from movie stars (Helen Hayes and Jean Harlow) who used Kleenex to remove their theatrical makeup with cold cream. Kleenex and Noses By 1926, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the manufacturer of Kleenex, became intrigued by the number of letters from customers stating that they used their product as a disposable handkerchief. A test was conducted in the Peoria, Illinois newspaper. Ads were run depicting the two main uses of Kleenex, either as a means to remove cold cream or as a  disposable handkerchief for blowing noses. The readers were asked to respond. Results showed that 60%  used Kleenex tissue for blowing their noses. By 1930, Kimberly-Clark had changed the way they advertised Kleenex and sales doubled proving that the customer is always right. Highlights of Kleenex History In 1928, the familiar pop-up tissue cartons with a perforated opening were introduced. In 1929, colored Kleenex tissue was introduced and a year later printed tissues. In 1932, pocket packs of Kleenex were introduced. That same year, the Kleenex company came up with the phrase, The handkerchief you can throw away! to use in their advertisements. During World War II, rations were placed on the production of paper products and the manufacturing of Kleenex tissues was limited. However, the technology used in the tissues was applied to the field bandages and dressings used during the war effort giving the company a big boost in publicity. Supplies of paper products returned to normal in 1945 after the war ended. In 1941, Kleenex Mansize tissues were launched, as indicated by the name this product was aimed at the male consumer. In 1949, a tissue for eyeglasses was released. During the 50s, the spread of the popularity of the tissues continued to grow. In 1954, the tissue was the official sponsor on the popular television show, The Perry Como Hour. During the  60s, the company began successfully advertising the tissue during daytime programming rather than just nighttime television. SPACESAVER tissue packs were introduced, as well as purse packs and juniors. In 1967, the new square upright tissue box (BOUTIQUE) was introduced. In 1981, the first scented tissue was introduced to the market (SOFTIQUE). In 1986, Kleenex started the Bless You advertising campaign. In 1998, the company first used a six-color printing process on their tissues allowing for complex prints on their tissues. By the 2000s, Kleenex sold tissues in over 150 different countries. Kleenex with lotion, Ultra-Soft, and Anti-Viral products are all introduced.   Where did the word come from? In 1924, when  Kleenex  tissues were first introduced to the public they  were intended to be used with cold cream to remove makeup and clean the face. The  Kleen in Kleenex represented that clean. The ex at the end of the word was tied to  the companys other popular and successful product at the time,  Kotex brand  feminine napkins. Generic Use of the Word Kleenex The word Kleenex is now commonly used to describe any soft facial tissue. However, Kleenex is the trademarked name of the soft facial tissue manufactured and sold by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. How Kleenex Is Made According to the Kimberly-Clark  company, Kleenex tissue is made in the following way: At the tissue manufacturing mills, bales of wood pulp are put into a machine called the hydrapulper, which resembles a giant electric mixer. The pulp and water is mixed to form a slurry of individual fibers in water called the stock. As the stock moves to the machine, more water is added to make a thinner mixture which is more than 99 percent water. The cellulose fibers are then thoroughly separated in refiners before being formed into a sheet, on the forming section of the creped wadding machine. When the sheet comes off the machine a few seconds later, it is 95 percent fiber and only 5 percent water. Much of the water used in the process is recycled after being  treated to remove contaminants prior to discharge. A felt belt carries the sheet from the forming section to the drying section. In the drying section, the sheet is pressed onto the steam-heated drying cylinder and then scraped off the cylinder after it has been dried. The sheet is then wound into large rolls. The large rolls are transferred to a rewinder, where two sheets of wadding (three sheets for Kleenex  Ultra Soft and Lotion Facial Tissue products) are plied together before being further processed by calender rollers for additional softness and smoothness. After being cut and rewound, the finished rolls are tested and transferred to storage, ready for converting into Kleenex  facial tissue. In the converting department, numerous rolls are put on the multifolder, where in one continuous process, the tissue is interfolded, cut and put into Kleenex brand  tissue cartons which are inserted into shipping containers. The interfolding causes a fresh tissue to pop out of the box as each tissue is removed.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Principles of Home Microeconomics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Principles of Home Microeconomics - Assignment Example Newspaper vending machines are designed so that once you have paid for one paper you have access to all the papers in the machine and could take multiple papers at a time. However, other vending machines dispense only one item (the item you bought). You do not have access to all the goods (sodas, candy, snacks, etc.) at one time. Using the concept of marginal utility, explain why these vending machines differ? Newspapers are mutually exclusive, once the first paper is picked; the marginal utility of picking the second paper is almost zero. Note that the news found in the second newspaper picked are the same as the first newspaper hence picking the second paper constitutes negligible utility gain hence no need for restriction. However, customers will always have an incentive to pick different goods from the other vending machines since every second good picked has a utility gain, hence the restriction. For instance, a combination of soda and snacks yield to a higher utility than soda alone. Contrary to the normal supply curve, labor supply curve is not purely positively sloped but bends backward changing to negative slope at higher wages. This is due to contradicting forces of substation effect and income effects as wage rises. Workers substitute working hours for leisure. Wage rise increases the incentive to work hence positive substitution effect. On the other hand, increase in wage implies that workers can achieve their target income by working fewer hours hence the negative income effect. At low wages, substitution effect is more than income affects hence the total effect s positive. However, as wages rise, income effect increases and at a certain point the total effect becomes zero, then negative, hence the backward turn.