Post by allyanas on Jul 10, 2016 4:42:36 GMT
Week 1 - The Great Mystery and How Socrates Died
Essay 1 - Why was Socrates sentenced to Death?
Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, was a friend and student of another famed philosopher by the name of Socrates. In the reading “How Socrates Died,” three of Plato’s dialogues provide an overview of Socrates’ trial, imprisonment, and death. Socrates was condemned to death on account of two charges, Meletus blamed the Greek philosopher of corrupting the youth and creating new gods while simultaneously denying the existence of old gods through his works and teachings (MSAC Philosophy Group 5-6). Undertaking the task of being his own defense, although unversed in legal language, Socrates asserted logical and just arguments against his persecutors. However, after the conclusion of legal proceedings, a majority of the court finds him guilty. In “The Crito” dialogue, when offered opportunity to escape, the Greek philosopher reasoned in favor of the court’s concern for the youth and showed loyalty to the state by obeying the laws and accepting his sentence to take poisonous hemlock (MSAC Philosophy Group 3). These very actions prove the unjust ruling of the court.
Socrates stayed true to his beliefs and his own perspectives until the very end. He calmly passed after having made the sound argument for his soul to live on, “for life and death are contraries, and never can co-exist; but wherever the soul is, there is life… therefore it is immortal” (MSAC Philosophy Group 79).
Essay 2 - Why is there a conflict (for some) between science and religion?
For some, it would seem that science and religion are on opposite ends of the spectrum, they are two completely different entities that cannot coexist with each other in a positive light. Science is rooted in discovery that have historically utilized theory and certain methodologies to explain natural phenomena. Religion, on the other hand, is built upon faith that resonates with an individual for an understanding of life and is expressed by following tradition and the beliefs principles.
In the reading “The Great Mystery: Matter vs Spirit” and the video “Mysterium Tremendum: Part One,” there is consensus about the existence of conflict between science and religion stemming from a misconception regarding the definition of matter. Religion is “troubled by science’s reduction of man to mere material” (A. Diem-Lane and D. Lane 2). However, the “Mysterium Tremendum: Part One” points out that a sound understanding of matter can lead to an enlightened appreciation for what natural phenomena truly holds. Matter is not to be taken as a simple, one-dimensional explanation in place of spirit, “It is rather a scaffolding project of many layers, each of which reveals a different aspect of what matter can do under differing circumstances” (A. Diem-Lane and D. Lane 5). Science does not diminish or discount religion in this instance, but provides a more accurate definition for the magnificent phenomena that is matter.
Another facet of conflict arises in the notion that science is continuously evolving as “new insights transformed his understanding of how the universe actually works” (A. Diem-Lane and D. Lane 10). This does not diminish those religions that center around understanding truth. However, most spiritual endeavors are not taken seriously by science, because they are not open to “varying interpretations” or “falsification”. They hold steadfast in their interpretation of the truth as the sole argument. The unwillingness to accept the basis of science is what prevents any collaboration of science and religion in understanding the universe at large.
Diem-Lane, Andrea and David Lane. The Great Mystery: Matter vs. Spirit. Walnut: MSAC Philosophy Group, 2014. Web.
Essay 1 - Why was Socrates sentenced to Death?
Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, was a friend and student of another famed philosopher by the name of Socrates. In the reading “How Socrates Died,” three of Plato’s dialogues provide an overview of Socrates’ trial, imprisonment, and death. Socrates was condemned to death on account of two charges, Meletus blamed the Greek philosopher of corrupting the youth and creating new gods while simultaneously denying the existence of old gods through his works and teachings (MSAC Philosophy Group 5-6). Undertaking the task of being his own defense, although unversed in legal language, Socrates asserted logical and just arguments against his persecutors. However, after the conclusion of legal proceedings, a majority of the court finds him guilty. In “The Crito” dialogue, when offered opportunity to escape, the Greek philosopher reasoned in favor of the court’s concern for the youth and showed loyalty to the state by obeying the laws and accepting his sentence to take poisonous hemlock (MSAC Philosophy Group 3). These very actions prove the unjust ruling of the court.
Socrates stayed true to his beliefs and his own perspectives until the very end. He calmly passed after having made the sound argument for his soul to live on, “for life and death are contraries, and never can co-exist; but wherever the soul is, there is life… therefore it is immortal” (MSAC Philosophy Group 79).
Bibliography
MSAC Philosophy Group. How Socrates Died: A Selection from Plato’s Dialogues. Walnut: MSAC Philosophy Group, 2014. Web.Essay 2 - Why is there a conflict (for some) between science and religion?
For some, it would seem that science and religion are on opposite ends of the spectrum, they are two completely different entities that cannot coexist with each other in a positive light. Science is rooted in discovery that have historically utilized theory and certain methodologies to explain natural phenomena. Religion, on the other hand, is built upon faith that resonates with an individual for an understanding of life and is expressed by following tradition and the beliefs principles.
In the reading “The Great Mystery: Matter vs Spirit” and the video “Mysterium Tremendum: Part One,” there is consensus about the existence of conflict between science and religion stemming from a misconception regarding the definition of matter. Religion is “troubled by science’s reduction of man to mere material” (A. Diem-Lane and D. Lane 2). However, the “Mysterium Tremendum: Part One” points out that a sound understanding of matter can lead to an enlightened appreciation for what natural phenomena truly holds. Matter is not to be taken as a simple, one-dimensional explanation in place of spirit, “It is rather a scaffolding project of many layers, each of which reveals a different aspect of what matter can do under differing circumstances” (A. Diem-Lane and D. Lane 5). Science does not diminish or discount religion in this instance, but provides a more accurate definition for the magnificent phenomena that is matter.
Another facet of conflict arises in the notion that science is continuously evolving as “new insights transformed his understanding of how the universe actually works” (A. Diem-Lane and D. Lane 10). This does not diminish those religions that center around understanding truth. However, most spiritual endeavors are not taken seriously by science, because they are not open to “varying interpretations” or “falsification”. They hold steadfast in their interpretation of the truth as the sole argument. The unwillingness to accept the basis of science is what prevents any collaboration of science and religion in understanding the universe at large.
Bibliography
Diem-Lane, Andrea and David Lane. “Mysterium Tremendum: Part One.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 9 Nov. 2010.Diem-Lane, Andrea and David Lane. The Great Mystery: Matter vs. Spirit. Walnut: MSAC Philosophy Group, 2014. Web.