Last class we had a philosophical discussion on Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis. One particular part was when we talked about Denzel's role in the movie John Q. We discussed the ethics behind holding an entire hospital hostage until they perform a life saving surgery on your son, which isn't covered by your health insurance.
Q: Who were the two main founders of Cabala?
A: Abraham Abulafia and Moses de Leon.
Discussion Question:
Some philosophers of the Middle Ages doubted what could be known about God, what can be known about God?
Factual Question: As well as being a talmudic scholar and a philosohper, Maimonides was also a renown what?
ReplyDeleteA: medical doctor
Discussion Question: do you agree with Maimonides' view of a midway between prophecy and rationalism in his famous work "Guide for the Perplexed"?
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DeleteOh, and about the discussion last time:I think that There was partially good ethics used by Denzel in "John Q." because He was trying to save someones life, and partially bad ethics because in doing so he put the lives of many others in danger.
DeleteIts a similar situation of should a man steal bread in order to feed his family so that they can eat and survive? Does this cause the baker that made the bread not able to feed his family because he did not make enough money. What if everyone that was to poor to buy food just started to take it?
ReplyDeleteFactual Question: What Maimonides first work that act as code for Jewish law? Mishneh Torah
Discussion Question: Do you agree with Maimonides when he says that the only thing that we can know about God is that he exists?
Spoiler alert!!
ReplyDeleteWhile John Q appeared to put others lives in danger, he reveals that he never loaded his gun. He never intended to hurt anyone; he just wanted a heart for his son. Does this make his actions more ethical?
Morality is a subjective conclusion. We can observe many historical cultures that had quite differing, often described as "barbaric", ethics and morals, but they still functioned and developed. This leads me to believe that Kant's "moral law within", is taught. Therefore, the only thing inherent to Humans, is the ability to dictate the reality around them despite instinct. However, instinct is a tool for survival, and if you're not surviving, it would be best to dictate a reality and set a rule set for yourself that allowed you to survive. Both these point to stealing bread for your family, or saving your sons life, even if it means holding up a hospital.
ReplyDeleteFQ: When was the Zohar written?
About 1280
DQ:Progress is only capable through experimentation and debate. Do you believe religions inherent disregard and antagonism towards both those, and therefore it's antagonism towards progress, is a logical and necessary sacrifice for the worldly benefits Religion provides?