Up@dawn 2.0

Friday, September 20, 2013

The Highlanders

Our discussion consisted of sharing our belief on what happens after death, how to live life now, our unconscious, and wether or not our body was evil like Augustine believed.

Speaking of Augustine, we all believed that it was interesting(even funny) how Augustine wanted to get rid of his strong sexual desires, but not at that moment, because he was enjoying it too much, and later he became a saint.

We talked about deism, and Buddhism, and how a revelation is only a revelation to the first person who experienced it, and from there on out it is merely a second hand account. Like Jennifer noted that Buddha, when he was asked to enlighten people, he said he couldn't, he can only explain how HE was enlightened.

Leigh mentioned how it might be a waste of time to not explore the theories of the afterlife, and be so stubborn about what you believe and spend a lifetime focused on solely that belief. We all seemed to agree that you're better off being more open minded.

Everyone contributed, and the conversation was ongoing, we agreed to finish it on Tuesday.

(I went strictly by memory, so correct me if I'm wrong)
-Also I'm planning on making the study guide this weekend, hopefully by sunday night. If not definitely by next class.

6 comments:

  1. On Augustine: I feel like many people I've spoken to behave the same way. They want to stop immoral behaviors, but at a more convenient time. They enjoy the behavior too much to give it up immediately.

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  2. Factual Question: What philosophy did Aquinas try to reconcile with Christian theology? (Answer: Aristotelian)

    Discussion Question: Where do you think the line is between religion and philosophy? Or is there one?

    I really enjoyed our discussion over religion and the afterlife. Because it's an issue that so many people feel strongly about, but for which there seems to be no definitive answer, it makes for a very interesting conversation. Everyone contributed ideas, and I really liked the idea that everything was kind of fluid with understandings. How your own concept of an afterlife wasn't necessarily concrete, how everything was subject to change, even for those who have a "definitive" belief system. And I think that speaks to a lot of the changeability of human nature, how we can modify our belief systems - and should, I think - in order to adapt to and understand one another.

    Link: I thought this was interesting.
    http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57604034-71/stephen-hawking-the-afterlife-is-a-fairy-tale-but-your-brain-might-go-on/

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  3. Factual Question: The book that Thomas Aquinas wrote was called: Summa Theologica.

    Discussion Question: Going along with the infinite cause and effect theory do you believe that this is the case? Or do you think that there was a beginning event that set the chain in motion? Would God or a God like being cause this original event?

    The discussion over the afterlife was very interesting. Heres one point that I would like to bring up, someone mentioned how people who are very firm in their beliefs are sometimes considered ignorant and not open to other ideas. I don't know if I necessarily agree with this. If someone has found the "ultimate truth" (Or at-least what they perceive to be the ultimate truth) then wouldn't they be pretty dead set on sticking with that belief system? If I was sure that I had found out the secrets to the universe I would be very certain that what I knew was the absolute truth.

    Here is a video that breaks things down a little bit more than the text:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agZkSrUUWsA

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  4. Olivia (The Highlanders)10:33 AM CDT

    Factual Question: What was Anselm's main idea? A: God exists simply from the idea that we have a God.

    Discussion Question: Do you think the same issues people had with Anselm's idea of God would be true today for people who have inherited their religion?

    Comment: I am so sad that I missed our last discussion, but it sounds very interesting and I am glad there will be continuation of it today!

    Link: Here is some more information on ontological arguments!

    http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ontological-arguments/

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  5. Factual Question: What book did Aquinas write solely for the purpose of teaching 'infidels?' A: Summa Contra Gentiles.

    Discussion Question: Do you think philosophy should be a bigger part of church? As in, should church be less sermon oriented and more discussion oriented?

    Comment: Thursday's discussion was so much fun! I'm glad everyone got involved and it was really great to hear so many different ideas on the afterlife.

    Link: Here is a cool transcript from an interview Larry King did with a Christian minister on what happens after death.

    http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0504/14/lkl.01.html

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