Saint Augustine’s Theory of Knowledge and Divine Illumination
Wisdom and Enlightenment
The Philosophy of Saint Augustine
In Saint Augustine’s philosophy, as in Platonism and Neoplatonism, knowledge is a form of religious purification. The superiority of the intelligible world, the subject of true knowledge, requires the liberation of the soul from the body. Once released, and since truth is God, the soul will necessarily be directed to Him as the only object that can bring happiness.
Inspired by Platonic doctrines, Saint Augustine distinguishes three levels of
Read MoreFemale Reproductive System: Anatomy and Function
Female Reproductive System
Ovarian Development and Function
The female reproductive system begins to form and function in utero at 20 days of gestation. Its activity is cyclical and lasts for many years.
Ovaries
The ovaries are almond-shaped organs that are initially pink but eventually shrivel and darken. Inside, there are many primary follicles, which, after a process, become Graafian follicles.
Fallopian Tubes
The fallopian tubes are two canals that connect to the uterus. They are broader at the ovarian
Read MoreCultural Differences in a Globalized World
Key Factors Shaping Cultural Interactions
In his works, Huntington highlights several key reasons for cultural differences. Firstly, fundamental differences in individual history, language, culture, tradition, and most importantly, religion shape law, ethics, values, liberty, authority, equality, and hierarchy. Secondly, globalization and interactions increase awareness of differences and similarities among people from diverse regions and backgrounds. Thirdly, economic modernization and social change
Read MoreCauses and Key Events of World War I
**World War I (1914-1918)**
*Causes*
**1. The Armed Peace (1890-1914)**
In 1870, a unified Germany emerged as the new military and economic power in Europe. Otto von Bismarck, the German Chancellor, devised a new system of alliances. This system aimed to isolate France, which had lost Alsace-Lorraine in 1870, and Germany feared French desires for revenge. Bismarck also sought to maintain the balance of power in the Balkans, where Russia and Austria had opposing interests.
In 1890, Bismarck was dismissed,
Read MoreUnderstanding Verb Tenses in English: Examples
Understanding Verb Tenses in English
Present Tense
- (+) Albert avoids letting me use the car because he is afraid of me crashing. That’s why Albert insists on me not driving.
- (-) Albert doesn’t avoid letting me use the car because he isn’t afraid of me crashing. That’s why Albert doesn’t insist on me not driving.
- (?) Does Albert avoid letting me use the car because he is afraid of me crashing? Is that why Albert insists on me not driving?
Past Tense
- (+) Albert avoided letting me use the car because he
Epic Poetry and Theater in Ancient Rome: A Literary Journey
Epic Poetry in Ancient Rome
The Epic is a literary manifestation that narrates events or heroic acts. Roman writers initially adapted and translated Greek models. Unlike other cultures, Latin epic poetry is the product of the mind of a poet trying to sublimate the cult origins of Rome and some representatives of Roman power. In most cultures, epic poetry began as spoken and sung, a fact that does not occur in the case of Latin epic poetry. It is always written in verse and uses a slow versification.
Read MoreUnderstanding Pop Culture: Definition, History, and Impact
Popular culture (also called mass culture or pop culture) is generally recognized by members of a society as a set of practices, beliefs, and objects that are dominant or prevalent in a society at a given point in time. Popular culture also encompasses the activities and feelings produced as a result of interaction with these dominant objects. The primary driving force behind popular culture is mass appeal, and it is produced by what cultural analyst Theodor Adorno refers to as the “culture industry”
Read MoreMedieval to Early Modern Europe: Society and Power
Middle Ages (476 AD – 1492 AD)
Two Periods
- High Middle Ages
- Late Middle Ages
Feudalism
In the feudal system, the lord would grant the vassal protection and justice for him and his goods, including lands known as the fief. In return, the vassal would pledge loyalty to the lord, provide military service, and pay a ransom in case of kidnapping.
Estate System
Society was divided into three estates: the nobility (those who fought), the clergy (those who prayed), and the peasantry (those who worked).
Changes
Read MoreHistorical Evolution of the Employer: From Smith to Galbraith
Historical Evolution of the Employer
The Employer: A Historical Perspective
Eighteenth Century: The Capitalist Entrepreneur as Owner (Adam Smith)
During the Industrial Revolution, the individual entrepreneur emerged. According to Adam Smith, the employer functions as a handler of the means of production. The employer is defined as the subject that compromises their ability to function, and the company faces the risk assets of the business.
Eighteenth to Nineteenth Centuries: Entrepreneur and Businessman
Read MoreFernand Braudel: World-Economies and the Rise of Capitalism
Fernand Braudel: World-Economies and Capitalism
Fernand Braudel argues that a kind of global society exists, hierarchical yet recognizable, much like an ordinary society. The world-economies built in Europe after its expansion explain the rise of capitalism. These world-economies are defined by a triple reality:
- They occupy a specific geographical area, which defines their limits.
- They always have a pole, a center represented by a dominant city, formerly a city-state, now a capital of the economy.
- They