Final Exam

Maksym Ustynov: I would like to pose a question to you guys. Why do truths, facts and reality matter?

Kurt Anderson:I have found that there is a possibility of some truth in some conspiracy theories and religions but over all people let irrational override the rational, with that being said, people have a misconception of the truth and formulate their own reality. (FL4-5) Truth, facts and reality matter because their absence can bring about the downfall of civilizations looking at back in history. (FL438)

Nigel Warburton: But civilizations went through different stages in their society. Their dive into the divine is typically after they have experienced a great scientific era. They find that their freedom is very taxing and cannot cope with it. In return they turn to religion, speculation and conspiracy to find a purpose for their lives. (LHP198)

Kant: People are guided by an internal force that is divine. We as a species that can self-govern our lives based on experience unlike all other animals. It is our responsibility to allow people the freedom to choose their path and let them experience their morality. We can not enforce a purely logical way of thinking because it would create limitations. (AP103).

Maksym Ustynov: It is always very difficult to understand how people choose to discredit discoveries of science or accredit those discoveries to a higher power. There is a reason why there should be a separation of religion from politics. This is one of the biggest failures in the United States. We often choose politician based on their viewpoints that they arrive at through religion. I immigrated to America 20 years ago and the topics for political platforms have not changed. Every presidential debate it comes down to topics such as abortion and gay marriage.

Kurt Anderson: The founding fathers of America built this country with the idea of a self-regulating government. One branch of the government would keep the other one in check while allowing for some freedom. But with time the system is loosening up and people with very loose ideologies who follow their own self truth are coming into power. This freedom will be one of the causes for the inevitable end of the America as we know it. (AP 432)

John Kaag: Hmmm… But is there such a thing as concrete truth, facts and reality? Was it not the belief of Galileo, Newton and Kepler who believed that science was flexible and could be over-turned at any moment with new discoveries? It is true that science provides a base for us to rely on but if it is ever changing, how can we view other people view points as false if they may end up becoming truth in the future not matter how far-fetched they may seem? At one point, was science not viewed as a crazy thought? (AP83)

Nigel Warburton: It is quite dumbfounding when people try to deny scientific fact and implement their ideology as fact. It was Huxley that said “he would rather be related to an ape that to a human being who held back debate by making fun of scientific ideas”. Its very important to remember that science is something that is proven through various experiments while religion is not. (LHP145)

Maksym Ustynov: Yes, its important that science is something that is concrete, and we have established things very well. At this point we are only modifying what we already know with little tweaks. We need to make our policies with those things in mind.  I would like to know your opinion on what you think this world is going to be and what is life going to eventually make of itself?

Kurt Anderson: I view that the America is in a very dire predicament especially counting all the current state of events. But I do not view everything as bleak. There may be a silver lining. It is a possibility that this all just a phase and America will return to its normalcy. The time where science seemed to be the back behind decision making. But that is all a hope, history has really shown though that usually it is not the case. (FL 440)

Nigel Warburton: If people, not just in America, but around the world come together and figure out a way of how to move forward and battle the things the world is struggling with. It is very important to realize that we are all on the same team as a species and helping one another is a good thing. We just need to figure out the way that will be productive to help those that are less fortunate without making them dependent. (LHP 241)

John Kaag: I think the future is in the education of our children, but we first must figure out what it is we are learning ourselves and what is important to teach them. With this, the possibilities are endless for improvements. We as the people have ultimate freedom where even God cannot influence us. The only thing that puts a boundary on us is other humans. I think the future is bright if we reflect on the past. (AP 221)

This was difficult to do when it seems that two of the books are telling of what other philosophers thought. I felt like I was grasping...