Discussion Question: Do you think that people need threats of heaven and hell in order to be moral?
Last monday in class our topic of discussion was this above question posed. For the most part the ones of us in the group present on monday had a majority view that, it was not essential to have a threat of neither heaven nor hell to continue on to live a morall and whole life. We agreed that most people inherently hold it within them that they are to act a certain way to keep peace amongst themselves as well as the general well being of society. We even posed the question, that do not loyal pets and animals even show moral just at some times in certain given circumstances? If there in fact some kind of moralistic side even to an animal, then would not the concept of heaven or hell be completely foreign to an animal?...though we may still see it display genuine qualities to that a human might have. But then what is the drive behind an animals reason for displaying some sort of moral awareness?? These are some of the points we used for thought purpose, as well as to back our opinions on.
Factual Question: Who did Cardano call "the great new Averroist of Padua"?
A: Pomponazzi
I don't believe that the threat of heaven and hell is needed for someone to live a moral life. You grow up learning morality from culture and your parents. Religion is just another way of instilling morality into you.
ReplyDeleteFactual question:What doubter who was catholic raised completely shut down religion and relied upon rational thinking? Montaigne.
I agree with what we discussed in class last Monday. I think that for the most part, humanity will have morals without the threat of heaven or hell. Nevertheless, there will always be a person here and there that will not have moral standards; regardless of the threats they are given. And we can see that even today with serial killers and terrorists. Nowadays, we do have the threat of heaven and hell and even thought we have these threats there are still people out there that kill others for money or for other selfish reasons. I think these actions just demonstrate that regardless of the threat of going to heaven or hell, people are going to behave as they want and nothing will change this. Of course, there will also be a group of people that will also need the threat of heaven or hell in order to be moral; but for the most part I think that humanity as a whole has moral standards. And that we do not need any type of threats to live a moral life and help others for the good of humanity.
ReplyDeleteFactual Question: What did Montaigne want to use to avoid the argument over philosophy and religion?
A: Skepticism
Discussion Question: Do you think that philosophy and religion can coexist? And do you think that a government should obligate you to follow a certain religion?
Hey all! Sorry I missed class on Monday - the kids I nanny for are on Spring Break now, and I ended up having to stay with them for most of the day.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can tell, it sounds like I'm in agreement with what you all concluded about the concept of Heaven and Hell not having much barring on whether or not human beings are moral. Although, I don't know if I necessarily agree with the argument that animals can show morality without being taught the difference between "good" and "bad (or at least what we as humans define those as) - not saying that animals are not capable of such awareness. I definitely think that the concept of Heaven and Hell has been used as a scare tactic in many situations, and don't agree with using fear to attempt to instill values in people.
Will have a factual/discussion question either posted or written down and ready by the time class starts. :)
I hate to say it but yes I do think people need to have heaven and hell. You would think that people don't need to believe in being punished for doing something bad and spending the rest of your eternal life in hell. Or that if your good you go to heaven you would think you wouldn't have to believe in those things. Some people have to have a reason for doing the things they do that after they live their lived that there is something more than just death. If they do what they think they need to do to get to a better place than yes believing in heaven does bring out good morals in people.
ReplyDelete